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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 31 Jan 2012
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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.
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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2012
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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.

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!

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

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  #3  
Old 31 Jan 2012
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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.
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Old 1 Feb 2012
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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.
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Old 7 Feb 2012
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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..
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Old 16 Feb 2012
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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.
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