Mosquitoes are more prevalent at dusk and during the evening. If treated early malaria is not dangerous, but left untreated malaria kills. If you have any suspicious symptoms, eg fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, aching joints and headache, we urge you to get your blood checked or seek medical advice. As in any part of the world, take care when walking, especially at night and please be careful with expensive items such as handbags and cameras. Theft from hotel rooms is unusual.
Most hotels have a safe, where valuables can be stored.
When walking in Stone Town please be aware of traffic. Even some of the narrowest streets are in fact public roads. There are no cars but motorbikes and bicycles move fast so keep close to the side of the street and be ready to make way for local traffic. Possession and use of illegal drugs is not tolerated in Zanzibar. Legal penalties, even for cannabis, include lengthy prison sentences and fines.