Welcome to Zanzalu
We are excited to welcome you to Zanzalu! Below, you can find some helpful participant resources, including important announcements, pre-event advice, onboarding guidelines, and programming information.
Important Tools
We will use three main tools for community coordination during Zanzalu.
Housing Options
There are a variety of housing options available in and around Fumba Town.
Aura Spaces
Aura Spaces is a privately managed rental service with over 20 units in Fumba Town and is a popular choice for Zanzalu attendees. Zanzalu attendees will also get a discount on a minimum five-night stay.
Contact
Phone: +255 654 828 976
Email: info@aura-space.com
Airbnb in Fumba
There are many Airbnb listings available within Fumba Town. When searching, we recommend focusing on the central Fumba Town area to ensure walkable access to Zanzalu venues and amenities. We've put together a page of recommended Airbnb options for you.
Nearby Hotels
You do not need to stay in Fumba Town to participate in Zanzalu. Commuting from nearby hotels is possible, though staying closer makes it easier to fully participate in daily programming. Here are some nearby hotels:
Housing Coordination: Looking to co-live or coordinate housing with other attendees? Contact us to help. Once you've registered, you'll be added to our WhatsApp group, where you can access real-time updates and coordination.
What to pack
There are a ton of cool things to do in Zanzibar, so packing well will help you make the most of your Zanzalu experience! During July, you can expect cooler tropical weather with some rain. For the list lovers, a full packing guide is below:
Everyday Essentials
For daily life and getting around.
- Passport & travel documents
- Phone, charger, power bank
- Wallet + small day bag or backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- UK-style power adaptor (Type G)
- Sunscreen & insect repellent
- Sunglasses & hat
Work & Co-Creation
Everything you need to stay productive during Zanzalu.
- Laptop + charger
- Headphones (for calls and focused work)
- Notebook & pen
- Any equipment needed for talks, workshops, or sessions you plan to host
Clothing & Footwear
Light, breathable clothing suited to work, social events, and the climate.
- Long-sleeve linen shirt or light layer
- Light rain jacket
- T-shirts and breathable tops
- Comfortable trousers or skirts
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Underwear & socks
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
- Flip-flops or beach shoes
Beach, Wellness & Adventure
Items for making the most of Zanzibar’s outdoor offerings.
- Snorkeling goggles
- Long-sleeve water shirt (rash guard)
- Lightweight beach towel
- Yoga or workout clothes
- Running shoes
- Dry bag (useful for boat trips or swimming)
Transport from the Airport to Fumba
Step 1: Exit the airport and take a taxi
Fumba Town is approximately 20 minutes from the airport. Taxi drivers at the airport are generally familiar with the area.
Step 2: Confirm the destination
If there is any confusion, tell the driver you are going to Nyamanzi (Fumba Town) and show them the Google Maps pin.
Step 3: Agree on the price before leaving
Drivers may initially quote around $50 USD. You can negotiate — a reasonable fare is approximately $12 USD or 30,000 TZS (Exchange rate: $1 ≈ 2,580 TZS)
Step 4: Prepare payment
You can withdraw cash at the airport. Alternatively, once you arrive in Fumba Town, stop at the Pavilion ATM to withdraw cash and pay the driver.
Step 5 (Optional): Pre-arrange a pickup
To avoid negotiating at the airport, you can message one of the drivers below on WhatsApp and arrange pickup in advance:
- Ali +255 672 549 424
- Shar +255 682 569 917
How to pay in Zanzibar
Most places in Zanzibar accept credit cards, but it is generally a good idea to keep at least 100,000 TZS on hand. Please note that there is a dollar shortage in Tanzania. It will be very difficult to get dollars anywhere in Zanzibar.
In Fumba Town, KwetuKwenu Play also accepts ApplePay. However, it is important to have cash on hand to pay for taxis, street food, and other miscellaneous expenditures. For example, in Fumba Town, there is a fresh fruit/vegetable stand run by Sulyesh, but he only accepts cash payments. Kona Coffee Shop only accepts cash payments as well.
Where you can find ATMs:
Mobile money: We highly recommend that you download the Nala app to send/receive mobile money payments without having to get a local phone number.
Safety and Security
Zanzibar is generally very safe. In Fumba Town, most residents feel completely comfortable walking around alone after dark. However, a few petty thefts have been reported on the outskirts of Fumba, so residents are advised to lock their doors when they are not home. Other towns, such as Stone Town and Paje, are also very safe; however, unaccompanied women may receive some cat-calling and comments. As always, it is advisable to travel with at least one other person after dark.
Vaccinations & Insurance
Please note that Zanzibar has a mandatory travel insurance requirement for all international visitors. Travelers are required to obtain Zanzibar Inbound Travel Insurance prior to arrival, regardless of any other international travel insurance they may already hold. This insurance is issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and must be purchased online before travel. Proof of insurance may be requested by airlines and immigration authorities upon arrival in Zanzibar.
Check with your government to see which vaccinations your country requires for travel to Tanzania. You may also be asked to present proof of a yellow fever vaccination upon arrival in Zanzibar, but this is not strictly enforced. Zanzibar has eradicated malaria, so some people may feel comfortable forgoing malaria pills. However, it is more pervasive across mainland Tanzania.
Registration & Welcome
After arriving and dropping off your bags, please check in to receive your Zanzalu wristband and welcome package.
Check-in location
Check-in time
July 25 – 28: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EAT
Guide to Fumba Town
Fumba Town is a small, walkable town with a variety of amenities. See the map below for an overview of the main event spaces for Zanzalu:
Breakfast and Dining
Daily Breakfast
For paid ticket holders
Daily breakfast is provided for paid ticket holders throughout Zanzalu.
- Weekdays: 8:00–10:00 AM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Breakfast is served at Kwetu Kwenu Chill and is designed to fuel both workdays and slow weekend mornings.
Paying for Breakfast
For non-resident passes
Attendees who have not purchased a Full-Time Resident pass can still enjoy breakfast by purchasing it on a day-to-day basis at Kwetu Kwenu Chill.
This option offers flexibility while staying connected to the Zanzalu community.
On the Menu
Healthy, fresh, and local
Breakfast offerings rotate daily, with a consistent core menu that typically includes fresh juice, fruit, eggs, breads, and local staples.
Beyond breakfast, you’ll find a range of healthy meals and juices at:
- Kwetu Kwenu Chill
- Kwetu Kwenu Play
- Kona Coffee
Fresh fruits and vegetables are also available from Suleyesh, Fumba Town’s fruit vendor, and Zanfresh.
Schedule
How to schedule an event
Zanzalu is a co-created event, which means that all attendees are encouraged to host their own talks, panels, workshop sessions, and community events.
Once you have registered through Lemonade Social, you can add an event to the Zanzalu calendar using Social Layer.
Community Events
Public events such as the Community Market, FuTopia Festival, and ZED Talks can be found in the Social Layer calendar.
Fitness & Recreation
Gym: Mamba Fitness
- Day Pass - 25,000TSH/ $10
- 15 Day Pass - 140,000TSH/ $55
- Monthly Pass - 185,000 TSH/ $74
Kayaking
Membe Kayak down the road offers rentals and kayak tours (and some of the best food on the peninsula).
Swimming
At Chill, you can also go for a swim in the Indian Ocean or in the pool.
Biking
Near the entrance to Fumba Town, there are bikes available for rent. You can bike, run, or walk around Nyamanzi or venture all the way to Fumba Uptown.
Things to do in Zanzibar
- Walk around Stone Town: explore the old streets, doors, markets, and waterfront for free or very small entrance fees.
- Visit Forodhani Night Market: cheap local food like Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood, sugarcane juice, and snacks.
- Relax on public beaches such as Paje, Jambiani, Nungwi, or Kendwa. Beach access is free.
- Take a spice farm tour: usually low-cost and includes learning about cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and fruit tasting.
- Go snorkeling on a group tour: shared trips are much cheaper than private ones.
- Join a sunset dhow cruise: group boats are affordable and widely available.
- Visit Jozani Forest: low entrance fee to see red colobus monkeys and mangroves.
