We deliver your car to any beach hotel on the island, from Nungwi to Jambiani, no deposit and no credit card needed. Full insurance and the visitor driving permit are handed over with the keys.
Zanzibar does not have a rental car counter culture. Instead of picking up a car from a desk, we bring it to you - to the airport arrivals area, to a Stone Town hotel entrance, or straight to your beach lodge anywhere on the island. Car rental with hotel delivery is the normal way to do this here, and it works whether you are staying in Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje or one of the quieter east coast villages.
Delivery is free across the whole island, no deposit and no credit card required. You pay a small prepayment to book (15-20%), the rest by debit card online or cash USD or TZS when the driver hands over the keys. He will also carry your visitor driving permit, already arranged, plus the contract and insurance papers. A quick walkaround with photos of the car and you are on your way.
Below is every beach zone we deliver to, with drive time from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) and a short read on what the area is like and why having your own car helps there.
The northern tip, busy with beach bars, dive shops and sunset crowds along the sand. The village itself is compact and walkable, but a car rental in Nungwi pays off the moment you want to explore the quieter Mnemba side, drive down to Kendwa for the night market, or head back toward Stone Town without haggling over a taxi fare each time.
Just south of Nungwi, Kendwa has calmer water and a slower pace, popular for the full moon parties on the beach. A car rental in Kendwa means you are not stuck waiting for a lift back after dark, and you can reach Nungwi or the northern viewpoints in minutes rather than negotiating each trip.
A quiet stretch on the northeast coast, the main jumping-off point for boat trips to Mnemba atoll. Lodges here are spread out along a long beach road, and a car turns a strip of scattered guesthouses into an easy base for exploring both the north and the east coast on the same trip.
Wide white sand and a cluster of larger resorts, with a laid-back feel compared to Nungwi. The main road here is decent tarmac most of the way, and having a car means day trips to Stone Town or up to the Kendwa night scene are a simple 45-minute drive rather than a full logistics exercise.
Sitting between Kiwengwa and Matemwe, this stretch is quieter with fewer big resorts, mostly independent guesthouses along the beach road. A car rental here fills the gap left by limited local transport options and makes it easy to reach shops, restaurants and the nearest fuel station near Kiwengwa.
A working fishing village with a handful of hotels, less touristy than the north. Local dala-dala minibuses run the coast road but on their own schedule, so a car rental in Uroa gives you control over your own timing, whether that is an early snorkeling trip or a late dinner in Stone Town.
The peninsula at the tip of the east coast, known for sunset views over the lagoon and a scattering of boutique resorts. Roads out here narrow into sandy tracks for the last stretch, so we usually recommend a Jimny or SUV over the smaller economy cars if your hotel sits right on the point.
South of Michamvi, a long low-key beach with a mix of budget guesthouses and mid-range lodges. A car rental in Bwejuu makes it easy to combine beach days with a run down to Paje for kite lessons or up to Michamvi for the evening view, without depending on local minibus timings.
The kitesurfing hub of the east coast, with a lively strip of kite schools, cafes and hostels. Car rental in Paje is popular with kitesurfers who need to move boards and gear between spots depending on the wind, and with anyone wanting to reach Jambiani or Bwejuu without waiting on a shared taxi.
Quieter than Paje, a long traditional village stretch with seaweed farming visible at low tide and a slower rhythm. A car rental in Jambiani helps you reach the busier Paje kite scene or Stone Town on your own schedule, since the village itself is spread thin along the coast road.
Down in the south, best known for dolphin tours out of the small harbor. It is far enough from the main beach cluster that a car rental in Kizimkazi is close to essential - taxis are scarce and irregular this far south, and the drive itself takes you past Jozani forest if you want to combine the two.
The closest of the delivery zones, on the western peninsula overlooking Menai Bay. Fumba is developing quickly with new resorts, and a car rental here is handy both for the short airport run and for reaching Stone Town or the south in under an hour.
Pick your car, dates and delivery address - your hotel name is enough, our driver will find it.
15-20% to confirm the booking, the rest paid by debit card or cash on handover - no credit card, no deposit.
He arrives at the agreed time with the car, permit, contract and insurance papers ready.
A quick check of the car together, a few photos, keys handed over, no counter and no queue.
Sandy last-mile tracks on peninsulas like Michamvi call for a Jimny or SUV over a small economy car.
Return the car to your hotel at the end, or arrange a drop at the airport before your flight.
| Car Model | Category | Transmission | Best For | From / Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Alto | Economy | Automatic | Stone Town and tarmac routes | $19 |
| Suzuki Celerio | Economy | Automatic | Couples touring the island | $22 |
| Toyota IST | Compact | Automatic | Comfort on longer runs | $28 |
| Suzuki Jimny | 4x4 | Automatic | Sandy tracks to beach lodges | $35 |
| Toyota Rush / RAV4 | SUV | Automatic | Families, north beaches | $45 |
| Toyota Noah | Minivan 7 seats | Automatic | Groups and kite gear | $55 |
Yes, delivery is free to every zone listed above, from Nungwi in the north down to Kizimkazi in the south and Fumba in the west. There is no delivery fee added to your booking.
Yes, someone needs to be present to do the walkaround, sign the contract and receive the permit and keys. We agree a delivery time in advance, usually to match your arrival or check-in.
Yes, one-way handover between zones is possible - for example picking up in Paje and dropping off at the airport. Just tell us the return location when you book.
A Suzuki Jimny or an SUV like the Rush or RAV4 handles the sandy last-mile tracks more comfortably than the small economy cars. The Alto and Celerio manage fine on tarmac but need more care on loose sand.
Yes, the permit is arranged in advance and handed to you by the driver along with the car, contract and insurance papers - no extra trip to an office.
Just send us the hotel name and, if possible, a location pin. Our drivers cover the whole island regularly and know most beach lodges, including ones down sandy access roads.