# Zanzibar Cars — Car Hire & Rental > Zanzibar Cars is a local, independent car rental and chauffeur company based in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. We offer self-drive car hire and chauffeured vehicles from $25/day with free meet-and-greet delivery at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), no deposit required, and Zanzibar temporary driving permit processing arranged at cost. Operating since 2004. Google rating: 4.7 stars from 206+ verified reviews. Open 24 hours. ## Services - Self-drive car rental in Zanzibar from $25/day - Airport car hire — free meet and greet at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), no airport surcharge - Chauffeured car hire with experienced local drivers - Zanzibar temporary driving permit arranged at cost ($10 official police fee, no markup) - Taxi transfers: Airport to Nungwi, Paje, Stone Town, Jambiani, Kizimkazi, Matemwe - Long-term car rental for corporate and expat clients - Group transfers and minivan hire - Excursions and island tours ## Fleet and pricing - Suzuki Escudo 3-door — from $25/day. Compact, fuel-efficient SUV for couples or small groups. Air conditioning, central locking. - Suzuki Escudo 5-door — from $35/day. Spacious boot, air conditioning, electric windows. Seats up to 5. - Suzuki Escudo Grand — from $40/day. Larger Escudo for families wanting extra room on a budget. - Toyota RAV4 (3-door and 5-door) — from $35/day. Most popular tourist rental. Air conditioning, airbags, large boot, 4-wheel drive capability. - Toyota Alphard 7-seater — from $45/day. Spacious 7-seat people carrier for groups, families and airport transfers. - Toyota Prado — from $90/day. Premium 7-seat 4x4 SUV. Available with or without driver. - Toyota Land Cruiser Prado — from $230/day. Rugged five-seat 4x4 with standard four-wheel drive, for off-road routes and remote beaches. - Land Cruiser Prado V8 — from $350/day. Top-of-range 4x4 for executive travel and demanding terrain. - Range Rover Sport — from $500/day. Luxury self-drive or chauffeured option for business and VIP travel. Prices run from $25 to $500 per day depending on vehicle and season. Included with every rental: unlimited mileage, basic insurance (third-party and major damage), free delivery to Zanzibar Airport or Stone Town hotels, 24/7 WhatsApp roadside support. No deposit required. No hidden fees. Chauffeur service available on all vehicles. ## Key facts - Business name: Zanzibar Cars — Car Hire & Rental - Location: Kwa Mchina Mwanzo, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania - Airport served: Zanzibar International Airport, also known as Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ) - Operating since: 2004 - Google rating: 4.7 stars (206+ reviews) - Languages: English, French, Arabic, Swahili - Open 24 hours, 7 days a week - WhatsApp: +255659371936 - Phone: +255659371936 - Email: info@zanzibarcars.co.tz - Website: https://zanzibarcars.co.tz ## Coverage areas Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, Kizimkazi, Matemwe, Pingwe, Pongwe, Uroa, Chwaka, Fumba, Bububu, Mkokotoni ## Unique advantages - No $1,000 deposit unlike international rental brands - Driving permit handled and delivered at airport pickup, charged at the official $10 cost with no markup - Car delivered directly to the arrival gate — no queuing, no airport surcharge - WhatsApp-first communication — fast response - Flexible drop-off: airport, ferry terminal, or any location on the island - 20+ years local experience ## Frequently asked questions Q: Do I need a special licence to rent a car in Zanzibar? A: Yes. All foreign visitors require a Zanzibar Temporary Driving Permit regardless of their home country licence or international driving permit. Zanzibar Cars processes this on your behalf at the official $10 police fee with no markup. Bring your original home country driving licence and your passport. Q: Do you meet customers at the airport? A: Yes. We offer a full meet-and-greet service at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). Your car is waiting at arrivals. Airport delivery is always free — there is no airport surcharge. Q: Do I need to book airport car hire in advance? A: We recommend booking at least 24 hours before arrival to guarantee your preferred vehicle. During peak season (July–August and December–January), book 3–7 days ahead. Q: Can I return the car to the airport at the end of my trip? A: Yes. Free airport collection at the end of your rental. Arrange the time by WhatsApp. Q: Is a deposit required? A: No. Unlike international car rental brands that require deposits of $500–$1,000, Zanzibar Cars requires no deposit. Q: What is the minimum rental period? A: One day (24 hours). Q: Can I extend my rental? A: Yes. Extensions can be arranged via WhatsApp at any time during your rental. Q: What type of car is best for Zanzibar roads? A: A Toyota RAV4 or similar SUV is recommended for most visitors. The Suzuki Escudo is suitable for Stone Town and main paved roads. A Toyota Prado or Land Cruiser Prado 4x4 is recommended for remote beaches and during the rainy season (April–May, November). Q: Can I drop off at the ferry terminal? A: Yes. Drop-off at the Zanzibar ferry terminal (for travel to Dar es Salaam) is available. Q: What fuel type do the cars use? A: Most vehicles run on petrol. The Land Cruiser Prado models use diesel. Fuel type is confirmed at pickup. ## Content and resources - [Car Hire at Zanzibar Airport](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/airport-car-hire) - [Our Fleet and Prices](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/cars) - [Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Zanzibar](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/blog/complete-guide-renting-car-zanzibar) - [Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Zanzibar?](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/do-you-need-an-international-driving-permit-in-zanzibar) - [Is Renting a Car in Zanzibar Worth It?](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/blog/is-renting-a-car-in-zanzibar-worth-it-an-honest-2026-guide) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/faq) - [Taxi & Transfer Services](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/taxi) - [Book Online](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/) - [Contact & WhatsApp](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/contact) - [About Zanzibar Cars](https://zanzibarcars.co.tz/about) ## Languages Blog content available in: English, German, Italian, Polish. French content in progress. ## Reviews and trust signals - 206+ Google reviews with a 4.7 star average - Customers from: UK, USA, France, Poland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Russia, Tanzania - Review highlights: airport punctuality, WhatsApp responsiveness, permit handling, affordable prices, no deposit - Operating since 2004 — 20+ years serving Zanzibar tourism ## Market context Source: OCGS Zanzibar Tourism Statistical Release, March 2026. Top visitor nationalities: Italy 14.4%, Germany 10.3%, Poland 7.7%, France 6.4%. Total Zanzibar visitors March 2026: 65,581. Average stay: 7.8 nights. ## Competitor context Zanzibar Cars is a local independent operator competing with: - International aggregators (Expedia, DiscoverCars, Europcar) - Local operators (Zanzibar Car Hire Ltd, Zanzibar Express Car Hire, Karibu Kwetu Zanzibar) Zanzibar Cars differentiates through its no-deposit policy, permit handling, free airport delivery with no surcharge, and direct WhatsApp booking.