Zanzibar Ferry
 

Has anybody brought their bikes onto the Dar -> Zanzibar ferry? I see lots of mention of where people drop theirs off for a few days in Dar while they explore Zanzibar, but nobody mentions bringing it onboard the ferry. I don't really want to get stuck in Stone Town. I was thinking about renting some scooters once in Zanzibar, but whichever is the most cost effective option.

Alternative to the ferry
 

We were there last year and planned to get the ferry to Zanzibar and then a refreshing alternative presented itself. We were able to get a Dow to take us across from where we were staying in Pangani.:funmeteryes:

It meant we couldn't take the bikes but we found it easy and cheap enough to get round. With four sharing it cost the same as the ferry and was much more fun, we were picked up from the beach where we were camping and taken to a beach on the north of the island, it took a couple of hours to travel the the 40km powered by a small outboard (they also carry a spare).

You can safely leave your bikes at the Beach Crab Resort who can arrange the trip for you, and this is a place well worth visiting too, very cheap camping on the kind of beach that you draw as a child. We also got to see turtles hatch and make their first steps to the sea!:palm:

If I sound a bit dreamy it's only because we're currently stuck in the 9-5 routine saving up to fund the next stage of our travels and I would give my right arm to be back in Tanzania!

And seriously, even if you choose to take the ferry try and get to Beach Crab, its an absolute gem of a place:thumbup1:

Matt

They'll sell you a ticket for the ferry but it is then up to you to negotiate for the loading and unloading with the local stevedores. Costs add up that combined with the hassle leads to almost all leaving the bike in Dar and renting in Zanzibar if you really feel the urge.

As most others have done, we left our bikes at the camp site at Dar and just took the ferry across. We spent a few days in Stone Town and walked about everywhere. We took a taxi to take us up north to the beaches for another few days. There are lots of backpackers around to join up with to share costs which we ended up doing. At no stage did we feel that we should have brought the bikes with us and it was a nice break being off the bike for a few days.

Worth the Hassle..
 

I took my motorbike accross to Zanzibar a couple of years ago, loaded it on the passenger ferry (Azam Marine/Seabus) and paid about $100 return.

We spent 12 days there so it was well worth bringing the bike over for us.

You can rent a 250 on the island for around $20 p/day but you never know what you're going to end up with..

That said, you don't need any transport for Stone Town and Zanzibar's all about relaxing on the beach.

There's also the danger that your bike will sit in the sun all day while you're enjoying the Indian ocean..

I completely agree with the others regarding leaving the bike in Dar and renting a scooter on the island. I took my huge GS over on a passenger ferry last month and it cost me $150 for me and the bike. I saved some money on the way back and used the drive-on ferry, but I had to take a separate passenger ferry. It took me six hours to get the bike out of the port (starting at 6-am), with lots of little extra charges. Huge, and expensive, pain in the arse for a little bit of convenience.

I ended up liking Stone Town and spent most of my time there anyway. Leave the bike at the YMCA in Dar, across from the Holiday Inn and enjoy Zanzibar.

Hi guys! :clap:

How about the "ferry problem"? I'm going to Zanzibar late summer (aroud 14th of september) and i'm going to spend there 14 days so i was wondering about taking my bike with me so i could take a look at the island all by myself. I've booked a room on the Kiwengwa Beach (to be precise www.zanzibar-mvuvi-resort.com/en/, has any of you been there?) and i'm not sure if my idea is good, first because of how much it is going to cost me, second because i think it's going to be a waste if i'll be snorkeling or taking the sun most of the time.
If any of you could tell me his/her experience it wold be very helpful! :helpsmilie:
Thanks everyone! :cool4:

I took the ferry from Dar to Zanzibar in November 2015. Left bike at hotel in Dar. In Stone Town there's a local bike rental shop from which you can rent a bike 250 cc I think for about $20 a day and ride wherever you like. To find the moto rental guy, just ask one of the many touts who will be hanging all over you.

Hi,

I got back from Zanzibar on 9 July 2016 after bringing my bike (Africa Twin) over to the Islands with the twice weekly Azam Sealink RORO ferry. The reason I brought the bike was to go from Dar Es Salaam to Unguja on to Pemba and catch a ferry to Tanga on the mainland without backtracking to Dar. As it turned out I had to go back to Dar anyway. There is a “regular” RORO ferry between Mkoani (Pemba) and Tanga leaving Mkoani every Sunday but the Sunday I was going the ferry was cancelled due to too few passengers/cargo. There are also unscheduled Dhows crossing from Wete (northern Pemba) to Tanga that, with some loading effort, can take a large motorbike. I was quoted 200 000 TZS (100 USD) for the bike alone before negotiations.

It was costly to bring the bike and somewhat bureaucratic. Unguja Island is not biking country as the roads are flat, straight and rather uninteresting, almost never with the sea in sight. The only reason for bringing or renting a bike is as a form of transport. Pemba Island on the other hand is very beautiful with hilly and curvy roads with lots of foliage and rice paddies, splendid biking country and a lot less developed.

The Azam Sealink leaves Dar Es Salaam on Tuesday and Friday evenings making the crossing to Zanzibar City overnight. There are three costs: Passenger 35 USD, Motorcycle 80 USD, port tax 20 USD. The latter two may vary depending on who you ask. On the way back I paid less. The passenger ticket can be bought separately and the motorcycle fare and port tax can be paid when arriving at the port (preferable). Motorcycle registration document and passport are required. There is also a port tax in Zanzibar City of 10 000 TZS (5 USD) that must be paid both on arrival and departure. You also get a stamp in your passport at immigrations.

Everyone driving a vehicle in Zanzibar must have a special Zanzibar Driving Permit issued by Department of Transport and Licensing in Zanzibar City (S6° 10.687' E39° 13.367'). It cost 15 000 TZS (7 USD) for one month and is valid on both Unguja and Pemba. I was unaware of this and the police gave me a hard time at a checkpoint. An international driving license is not enough. I was specifically shown this in the book of law by the police. There was also talk about court and jail if I didn’t pay the penalty. Bullcrap! I was let go after half an hour without paying any fine promising to go straight to the DTL.

The Azam Sealink continues from Zanzibar Town (Unguja) to Mkoani (Pemba) on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. I paid 35 USD for the passenger ticket, 100 000 TZS (50 USD) for the bike and of cause the 10 000 TZS for the port tax. Port tax in Mkoani is only 3000 TZS (2 USD).

The Azam Sealink leaves Mkoani for Zanzibar City on Thursday and Sunday mornings, continuing on to Dar Es Salaam the same night. I Paid 35 + 35 USD passenger fare 100 000 + 100 000 TZS for the bike, 3000 in Mkoani port tax + 22 000 TZS in Dar ES Salaam port tax.

In total I paid 170 USD for bringing the bike Dar - Zanzibar City return trip, 110 USD Zanzibar City – Pemba return trip, plus 7 USD for the Zanzibar driving permit. For myself I paid 35 USD for each of the four ferry passages.

There you go. Don’t bring the bike.