Zanzibar Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Tanzania)
Zanzibar tourists encounter spice tour operators inflating prices, overpriced dhow sailing trips, and beach vendors who use aggressive tactics and follow tourists for long distances.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Zanzibar — 5 of 10 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 5 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Beach Boy Papasi Harassment
Papasi (beach boys) in Zanzibar persistently offer tours, spice tours, beach activities, and drugs to tourists, following them for long distances and becoming aggressive if ignored or refused repeatedly.
📍The main beach at Nungwi village, Kendwa beach, the Forodhani seafront in Stone Town, and along the seafront promenade on the eastern side of Stone Town near the Serena Inn
How to avoid: A polite, firm "La, asante" (No, thank you) in Swahili is often effective. Engage only if you genuinely want the service, and agree on prices in advance.
This scam type is also documented in Nairobi and Johannesburg.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
Zanzibar · Tanzania · Sub-Saharan Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Zanzibar
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Beach Boy Papasi Harassment
The main beach at Nungwi village, Kendwa beach, the Forodhani seafront in Stone Town, and along the seafront promenade on the eastern side of Stone Town near the Serena Inn
Stone Town Medina Fake Guide
The narrow alleyways of Stone Town medina particularly around Hurumzi Street, Tharia Street, and the lanes connecting the House of Wonders to the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens
Overpriced Dhow Sailing Trip
Stone Town waterfront near the old dhow harbour, Forodhani Gardens seafront where touts approach passing tourists, and the fishing village beach at Nungwi where independent boat operators tout
Currency Exchange Shortchange
Stone Town Hurumzi Street and Kenyatta Road near the main tourist hotels, informal changers near the Darajani Market in central Stone Town, and on the beachfront at Nungwi and Kendwa resorts in northern Zanzibar
Dhow Cruise Hidden Fee
Stone Town waterfront dhow booking points near the old port, the Forodhani seafront area where dhow operators tout for business, and beach-based dhow departure points at Nungwi and Kendwa
Unofficial Spice Tour Upfront Payment Demand
Forodhani Gardens waterfront promenade in Stone Town, and along Mizingani Road near the Old Fort — the main tourist gathering areas where touts approach visitors in the early morning
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Papasi (beach boys) in Zanzibar persistently offer tours, spice tours, beach activities, and drugs to tourists, following them for long distances and becoming aggressive if ignored or refused repeatedly.
How it works
Unofficial guides attach themselves to tourists wandering Stone Town's narrow streets, leading them through the medina and to specific shops (earning commissions) before demanding large guide fees not agreed upon upfront.
How it works
Touts on Stone Town waterfront sell dhow sunset cruises and fishing trips. Boats are overcrowded, safety equipment is absent, and the "snorkeling" location is a degraded reef with little to see. Prices bear no relation to the quality delivered.
How it works
Money changers in Stone Town and resort areas use quick counting techniques to shortchange tourists exchanging USD or EUR for Tanzanian shillings.
How it works
Dhow sunset cruises are advertised at one price but frequently have add-on charges for food, drinks, or "harbour fees" that only appear on the bill at the end of the trip.
How it works
Self-appointed "spice tour guides" position themselves near Forodhani Gardens and the Stone Town waterfront, offering spice farm tours at attractive prices. They collect full payment upfront, then either disappear before departing or deliver a drastically shortened tour that skips most farms and ends at a commission-paying shop. The guides carry no official credentials and are not affiliated with licensed operators.
How it works
Vendors at Nungwi and Kendwa beaches follow tourists for long distances, refusing to leave despite repeated refusals. Some use emotional manipulation (claiming to support orphans) and a few have become physically intimidating.
How it works
Spice tour operators take tourists to overpriced spice and souvenir shops during the tour, earning commissions. The same spices cost a fraction of the price in Stone Town's local markets.
How it works
Beach attendants on Nungwi and Kendwa beaches charge large fees for sunbeds and umbrellas that are actually owned by adjacent restaurants and included for customers who order food or drinks.
How it works
In coastal villages such as Jambiani and Paje on Zanzibar's southeast coast, locals offer "seaweed farming experience" tours to tourists. The activity itself is genuine, but the price agreed verbally at the start is routinely inflated at the end, with extras added for photos taken, "tools used", or a "community fee" that was never mentioned. Tourists who push back face social pressure from a group of locals gathered nearby.
Zanzibar Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Zanzibar?
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Filter scams in Zanzibar by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Before visiting Accra, Mombasa, and Arusha, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Zanzibar are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →