Zanzibar Car Hire

Car hire in Zanzibar — what you need to know.

Hiring a car in Zanzibar is one of the best decisions you can make for your holiday. The island has so much to offer beyond the main resort strips — remote beaches, spice farms, fishing villages, and historical sites — and a hire car gives you the freedom to reach all of it on your own schedule.

Zanzibar Car Rentals offers both self-drive car hire and chauffeured hire with an experienced local driver. Whether you want the independence of driving yourself or the ease of having someone navigate for you, we have the right option. Our fleet of 9 vehicles covers every group size and travel style, with transparent daily and weekly rates and no hidden charges.

Choosing the right vehicle for your Zanzibar car hire.

Zanzibar's road conditions vary considerably across the island. The main roads between Stone Town, Nungwi, and the east coast are generally well maintained, but many tracks leading to beaches, villages, and points of interest are unpaved and can be rough — particularly after rain. We always recommend an SUV or 4x4 for full island exploration.

For couples or solo travellers, our compact Suzuki Escudo 3-door is ideal — agile, economical, and perfectly capable on most roads. Families will find the 5-door RAV4 or Escudo more comfortable. Those wanting a premium experience should consider the Toyota Harrier or Land Cruiser Prado. For large groups of up to seven, the Toyota Alphard provides full comfort across longer journeys.

Weekly car hire rates in Zanzibar.

If you are staying in Zanzibar for a week or more, our weekly hire rates offer significantly better value than booking day by day. Weekly rates are applied automatically when you select 7 or more days in our price calculator — no need to negotiate, the discount is built in.

Long-term car hire in Zanzibar is popular with visitors who prefer to base themselves in one location — such as Nungwi or Paje — and explore the rest of the island at a leisurely pace. Our fleet is well suited to extended hire, and our local team is on hand via WhatsApp if you need any support during your stay.

What you need to hire a car in Zanzibar.

To hire a car in Zanzibar as a foreign visitor, you need a valid driving licence from your home country and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is a document that translates your licence into multiple languages and is required by Tanzanian law for self-drive hire. We process a local driver's permit on your behalf for a one-time fee of $15 per driver — this covers the primary driver and any additional drivers on the booking.

Once your booking is confirmed, you simply pay in full when you collect the car — no upfront payment required. If you have any questions about documentation requirements before you arrive, reach out to us via WhatsApp and we will advise you directly.

Self-drive or hire with a driver in Zanzibar?

Both options are available with Zanzibar Car Rentals. Self-drive Zanzibar car hire is the most popular choice — it gives you complete autonomy and is the most cost-effective way to explore the island independently. If you would prefer not to drive, our driver-hire service pairs you with an experienced local driver who knows every corner of the island.

Hiring with a driver is particularly well suited to families with young children, visitors on shorter stays who want to see as much as possible, or anyone who simply prefers to sit back and enjoy the view. Our drivers are courteous, knowledgeable, and happy to recommend stops, restaurants, and hidden spots along the way. The $15 driver permit fee applies regardless of whether you self-drive or hire with a driver.

Our Zanzibar car hire fleet.