Zanzibar SIM cards & internet

Reliable connectivity is easier to get in Zanzibar than many visitors expect — a local SIM card is cheap, widely available, and generally gives better value and speed than international roaming. Here's how to sort it out quickly on arrival.

Buying a local SIM card

Several Tanzanian mobile network operators sell prepaid SIM cards at the airport, in Stone Town, and at kiosks throughout tourist areas. You'll typically need your passport to register a SIM, per standard Tanzanian regulatory requirements — this is routine and quick, not a special hurdle. Data bundles are generally inexpensive by international standards, and most tourist-area coverage is reasonably strong, particularly around Stone Town and the main resort strips, with some drop-off in more remote or rural parts of the island.

eSIM options

For travellers with eSIM-compatible phones, a number of international eSIM providers offer Tanzania-specific or regional East Africa data plans that can be activated before you even leave home, avoiding the need to find a physical SIM kiosk on arrival. This is a convenient option if you want connectivity working the moment you land, though physical local SIMs are often more cost-effective for data-heavy use over a longer stay.

Hotel and resort Wi-Fi

Most hotels and resorts offer Wi-Fi, with reliability and speed varying meaningfully by property — larger, more established resorts generally have more robust connectivity than smaller guesthouses or more remote properties. If reliable internet for work or video calls is important during your trip, it's worth asking specifically about Wi-Fi speed and reliability before booking, rather than assuming.

Connectivity on a safari extension

If your trip includes a fly-in Serengeti safari, expect connectivity to be considerably more limited at remote safari camps than in Zanzibar — some camps offer basic Wi-Fi in communal areas, others very little at all, which many guests actually find a welcome part of the safari's disconnected, immersive character. Worth setting expectations with your safari operator in advance if staying connected is important to you, or conversely, embracing the disconnect as part of the experience.

Practical tips

• Buy your SIM at the airport on arrival for convenience, even if prices are marginally higher than a town kiosk — the time saved is usually worth it.
• Bring your passport for SIM registration.
• Download offline maps before you travel as a backup, particularly useful for areas with patchier coverage.
• Check your specific network operator's data bundle options — larger bundles are often meaningfully better value per gigabyte than small top-ups.

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