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Tanzania Unrest Eases, Zanzibar Ferries Running

Travelers queue at Malindi Ferry Terminal in Zanzibar as ferries operate normally, reflecting improved Tanzania travel conditions after unrest
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3 min read

Tanzania's post-election turbulence is easing, and the baseline for travelers has improved. The U.S. Embassy's latest security update on November 5 states that Zanzibar is calm, and shops and ferries are operating normally, a useful marker after late-October curfews and protests disrupted movement and some flights on the mainland.

Tanzania, post-election context

Protests and security operations followed the October 29 vote, with police ordering a curfew in Dar es Salaam and international outlets reporting unrest that affected surface transport and airport access. The same period saw scattered flight cancellations and delays as connectivity and staffing were constrained.

Latest developments

The U.S. Embassy's November 5 update is explicit that Zanzibar is calm, and ferries are operating normally. That aligns with broader signs of normalization, including port activity resuming and scheduled services running with cautionary buffers. Canada's travel advisory likewise notes curfews lifted in most areas, continued checkpoints in Dar es Salaam, and ferries operating on adjusted schedules.

Analysis

For travelers pairing Dar es Salaam with Stone Town, the practical guidance is straightforward. Keep your itinerary, reconfirm departures on the day of travel, and add time for transfers between Julius Nyerere International Airport, the downtown ferry terminal, and accommodations in Zanzibar. Expect a visible security presence and occasional spot checks along arterial routes to the port and airport, particularly when large gatherings or rumors circulate. These steps hedge against short-notice timetable tweaks, temporary road closures, or slowed access at checkpoints.

Background Curfews and movement controls during periods of unrest typically ripple through transport, first reducing surface frequencies, then touching near-term flight schedules through crew availability, access delays, or cautious airline resets. As authorities lift curfews and stabilize city centers, ferry links and airports usually normalize first, with residual verification and screening adding minutes to door-to-door times. This pattern matches Tanzania's shift from late-October curfews to early-November calm in Zanzibar, with mainland services continuing to settle.

Final thoughts

The immediate travel baseline is improved. Zanzibar is calm, ferries are running, and port and airport operations are normalizing. Maintain flexible plans, verify schedules on the day of travel, and keep sensible buffers around transfers in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

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