AFCON 2027 Zanzibar Guide: Matches, Beaches, Stone Town and Island Escapes
Quick Answer
Zanzibar is one of Tanzania's proposed AFCON 2027 host regions, with two venues put forward: the Amaan Stadium near Stone Town and a newer stadium at Fumba. The tournament runs 19 June to 17 July 2027, which is one of the best times of year to visit the island: dry, sunny, breezy and warm, with calm seas for snorkelling and boat trips. Your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar. Reach the island by a short flight or a 2-hour ferry from Dar es Salaam, or fly direct from Arusha. Between matches, you can explore UNESCO-listed Stone Town, swim with turtles, take a spice tour and relax on white-sand beaches, then add a safari on the mainland.
Football by night, Indian Ocean by day. Few tournaments come with a better holiday attached.
Zanzibar at AFCON 2027: What We Know
- Proposed venues: Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar's main football ground close to Stone Town, and a newer stadium at Fumba, southwest of Zanzibar Town.
- Match allocation: CAF has not yet confirmed which matches Zanzibar will host. Check cafonline.com for the official fixture list before booking around a specific game.
- Football culture: football is hugely popular on the island, and match days in Stone Town will have a real carnival feel.
For dates, visas and transport across all host cities, read our AFCON 2027 Tanzania travel guide.
Why June and July Are Perfect for Zanzibar
| Feature | June to July in Zanzibar |
|---|---|
| Weather | Dry, sunny and warm, with a refreshing breeze |
| Rain | Low, as the long rains have ended |
| Humidity | Lower than the hot season |
| Sea | Generally calm and clear, good for snorkelling |
| Evenings | Comfortable, ideal for outdoor dining and night matches |
June to October is Zanzibar's most reliable season, and it lines up perfectly with prime safari season on the mainland. See the best time to visit Zanzibar.
How to Get to Zanzibar for AFCON 2027
| From | Option | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | Domestic flight | About 20 minutes |
| Dar es Salaam | High-speed ferry | About 2 hours |
| Arusha or Kilimanjaro | Direct domestic flight | About 1.5 hours |
| International | Flights into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) | Via Gulf, African or European hubs |
Tips:
- The ferry from Dar es Salaam is cheap and scenic, typically from around US$10 to 40 depending on class. Book the official ferry company tickets in advance on busy days.
- Domestic flights between Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar will be in high demand around match days, so book as soon as fixtures are confirmed.
- Zanzibar has its own immigration checkpoint, so keep your passport handy even when arriving from mainland Tanzania. Zanzibar has also introduced its own travel insurance requirement for international visitors, so check the current rules before you travel. See our Zanzibar insurance guide.
For the safari connection, read Zanzibar to Serengeti transport.
Where to Stay During AFCON
| Area | Best for | Distance to Stone Town |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | Matches at Amaan, culture, food, nightlife | In town |
| Fumba and the southwest | Matches at Fumba, quieter stays | A short drive |
| Nungwi and Kendwa (north) | Swimming beaches with little tide effect, sunsets | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Paje and the east coast | Kitesurfing, laid-back beach vibe | About 1 hour |
| Michamvi and the southeast | Boutique resorts, calm lagoons | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
Our tip: stay in or near Stone Town for the nights around your matches, then move to the beach for a few days of rest. Read where to stay in Zanzibar and Kendwa vs Nungwi.
Top Things to Do in Zanzibar Between Matches
Explore Stone Town
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a maze of narrow streets, carved wooden doors, markets and rooftop cafes. Walk it with a local guide on our Stone Town walking tour, and visit the Freddie Mercury Museum. Read the full Stone Town guide.
Eat at Forodhani Gardens
Every evening, the waterfront Forodhani Gardens fill with food stalls selling grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza and fresh sugarcane juice. It is the perfect pre-match or post-match meal. See food in Zanzibar.
Take a Spice Farm Tour
Zanzibar is called the Spice Island for good reason. Smell, taste and learn about cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg on a spice farm tour. Read our Zanzibar spice tour guide.
Meet the Giant Tortoises on Prison Island
A short boat ride from Stone Town, Changuu or Prison Island is home to giant Aldabra tortoises and has clear water for a swim. Book a Prison Island trip or read the Prison Island guide.
See Red Colobus Monkeys in Jozani Forest
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park protects the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else on Earth. Visit on our Jozani Forest tour or read the Jozani Forest guide.
Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll
Calm, clear June and July seas make this a great time for snorkelling with turtles, dolphins and colourful reef fish. Join our Mnemba snorkelling trip, or read the best snorkelling and diving spots.
Sail Into the Sunset on a Dhow
End a match-free day on a traditional wooden dhow as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean. See our sunset dhow cruise.
Sample 5-Day Zanzibar AFCON Plan
- Day 1: Arrive, check in to Stone Town, and evening food at Forodhani Gardens.
- Day 2: Stone Town walking tour in the morning, then match day in the evening.
- Day 3: Spice farm tour and Prison Island.
- Day 4: Transfer to a north or east coast beach, snorkelling or a dhow cruise.
- Day 5: Jozani Forest on the way back, then the next match or onward travel to the mainland.
Want more ideas? Read the best day trips from Zanzibar and the best things to do in Zanzibar beyond the beach.
Add a Safari to Your Zanzibar AFCON Trip
Zanzibar and the mainland safari parks are a classic combination, and June to July is peak season for both. You can:
- Fly from Zanzibar to Arusha for a safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro or the Serengeti, which is also handy if your team plays in Arusha.
- Fly directly to a Serengeti airstrip on some routings.
- Take a short safari to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) in the south. See our Nyerere safari guide.
Our Safari and Zanzibar 5-day trip combines both, and you can read Tanzania safari from Zanzibar and AFCON 2027 in Arusha: matches and safari.
Respect Local Culture
Zanzibar is a mostly Muslim, conservative society, and visitors who respect local customs are warmly welcomed.
- Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages. Swimwear is fine on beaches and at resorts.
- Ask before photographing people.
- Public drinking is uncommon outside hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Learn a few greetings, such as "jambo" and "asante". They go a long way.
Read Tanzania culture and customs and is Zanzibar safe for tourists.
Budget Tips for Zanzibar During AFCON
- Book accommodation as early as possible, because Stone Town hotels will fill up around match days.
- Take the ferry instead of flying from Dar es Salaam to save money.
- Eat local: Forodhani Gardens and small Stone Town restaurants are delicious and affordable.
- Share taxis and boat trips with other fans.
See our Zanzibar holiday cost guide and how many days in Zanzibar.
Conclusion
AFCON 2027 puts Zanzibar on the football map, at the very moment the island is at its sunniest and calmest. Book your flights, ferry and Stone Town stay early, plan your match days, and fill the days in between with spice tours, snorkelling, sunsets and maybe a safari on the mainland.
Elem Adventures arranges Zanzibar tours, transfers and safari combinations around your AFCON schedule. Explore our Zanzibar experiences, contact us or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Zanzibar host AFCON 2027 matches?
Zanzibar is one of Tanzania's proposed host regions, with the Amaan Stadium near Stone Town and a newer stadium at Fumba put forward as venues. CAF has not yet confirmed which matches will be played in Zanzibar.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar during AFCON 2027?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzania visa covers it. You will pass through a separate immigration check on arrival in Zanzibar, and you should check Zanzibar's current travel insurance requirement for international visitors.
How do I get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar?
Take a domestic flight of about 20 minutes or the high-speed ferry, which takes about 2 hours and typically costs around US$10 to 40 depending on class. Both will be busy around match days, so book ahead.
What is the weather like in Zanzibar in June and July?
June and July are part of Zanzibar's dry season, with sunny, warm days, a cooling breeze, low rainfall and generally calm seas, ideal for beaches, snorkelling and evening matches.
Can I combine Zanzibar and a safari during AFCON 2027?
Yes. Short flights connect Zanzibar to Arusha and some Serengeti airstrips, so you can watch matches on the island and add a safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro or the Serengeti, all in peak season.