Michamvi Guide
Zanzibar Airport to Michamvi Pingwe
Quick answer
How long is the drive from the airport?
The drive from Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to Michamvi Pingwe is about 65 km and takes 1h15 by private car; allow up to 1h30. A private car costs USD 60 for up to 6 people, paid to the transfer company, and the hotel helps you organise it with your flight details.
| Distance | About 65 km |
| Drive time | 1h15; allow up to 1h30 |
| Private car | USD 60 per car, up to 6 people |
| Paid to | The transfer company: the driver, or its card machine at the hotel |
| Route | South-east via Jozani, then along the coast |
| Check-in · check-out | 14:00 · 10:30 |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
The drive
How long is the drive from the airport?
Zanzibar's international airport, Abeid Amani Karume International, lies about 5 km south of Zanzibar City, on the island's west side. Michamvi Pingwe is on the south-east coast, about 65 km away by road: 1h15 by private car on today's roads, and allow up to 1h30.
The route runs south-east towards Jozani Forest, then takes the new road to the left into Bwejuu, then turns left along the coast to Michamvi Pingwe. Only the last few hundred metres are unpaved, and the road is good. It never goes via the north of the island, which is the wrong side: if a map app suggests the northern loop, ignore it.
| Option | Time | Price | Capacity | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private car through the hotel's partner agencies | 1h15, up to 1h30 | USD 60 per car, paid to the transfer company | Up to 6 people | Send your flight details by email or WhatsApp; the hotel helps you organise it |
| Your own taxi or hire car | 1h15, up to 1h30 | Agreed with the driver or the hire company | Depends on the car | On your own |
Rates and terms from our rate sheet; the full terms are on policies.
The price
How much does the transfer cost?
USD 60 per car, one way, for up to 6 people with their luggage. The hotel does not run taxis of its own; it helps you organise the car with one of two trusted local agencies, and the driver works for them.
You pay the transfer company, not the hotel: either the driver directly, or by card on the transfer company's own card machine, which sits at the hotel. You can arrange the car before arrival by email or WhatsApp, or ask your butler during the stay for later trips.
Arrival
What do you need ready when you land?
Your passport and visa. Tanzania's online visa system covers both the mainland and Zanzibar, and the UK government advises applying for the e-visa before you travel. Then the mandatory inbound insurance:
You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days. Our entry requirements guide has the details. Send us your flight number and landing time in advance, so the driver knows when to be there; for the flights themselves, see flights to Zanzibar, and if you come from a safari, Zanzibar after safari.
Late flights
Can you arrive at night?
Yes. Many flights land in the evening, and the drive is the same at night. Tell us the landing time when you arrange the car, so the driver and the hotel expect you; 4 guards are on the property overnight, and the driver ends at the hotel gate.
Check-in is from 14:00. If you land early in the morning, tell us when you book, and we will tell you honestly whether your room can be ready or whether you should book the night before.
Leaving
How does departure day work?
Check-out is at 10:30. If your flight is late, late check-out is possible when the next night allows it: until 18:00 it is USD 100 at Asili House and USD 150 at Villa Kidosho (2026); until midnight it is 50% of the room rate with dinner included.
Allow 1h30 for the drive to the airport. Departure day is also the best day for Stone Town, about 1h15 from the hotel: leave in the morning, see the old town, and continue to the airport. The day's tide, for a last swim, is in the tides guide.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- Zanzibar Airports Authority: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, about 5 km south of Zanzibar City, where the drive starts.
- Tanzania Immigration Department: online visa application: One online visa for Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Tanzania entry requirements: The e-visa and the first-port insurance rule.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
The arrival questions we answer most, with the figures from our own records.
How long is the drive from Zanzibar airport to Michamvi Pingwe?
About 65 km and 1h15 by private car; allow up to 1h30 on today's roads. Anyone quoting 45 minutes is not driving this route.
How much does the transfer cost?
USD 60 per car, one way, for up to 6 people. The hotel does not run taxis; it helps you organise a car with one of two partner agencies. You pay the transfer company: the driver directly, or by card on the company's own machine at the hotel.
Which route does the driver take?
South-east from the airport towards Jozani Forest, then the new road to the left into Bwejuu, then left along the coast to Michamvi Pingwe. Only the last few hundred metres are unpaved. Never via the north of the island: that is the wrong side.
We land late at night — is that a problem?
No, but tell us your flight time when you book the car, so the driver and the hotel expect you. 4 guards are on the property overnight.
What do we need at immigration?
A visa: Tanzania's online visa system covers the mainland and Zanzibar, and the UK government advises applying for the e-visa before you travel. And the mandatory inbound insurance: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days.
Can we visit Stone Town on the way?
Better on the departure day, or with a night there before you come: Stone Town is about 1h15 from the hotel. See our Stone Town guide.
How does booking and cancellation work?
A 25% non-refundable deposit secures the booking, and the balance is due 30 days before arrival. If you cancel with less than one month’s notice, 100% of the total is charged; with less than two months’ notice, 50%. The full terms are on the booking policies page.
Your stay at Matlai
Choose your dates and the booking page opens with them, showing live availability.
Bookings with children go by enquiry: the booking page books adults only, so send us your dates on WhatsApp and we reply with the options. Children under 14 stay with a whole villa. WhatsApp →
Indicative public rates — the engine shows live availability for your dates.
Welcome drink, kayaks, bicycles and snorkelling gear, free of charge.
Booking with the hotel itself? Ask us what we can offer for your dates.
Why guests book Matlai
- Your own butler, 07:00 to 22:00. One message and it is arranged.
- Half board with a chef’s menu that changes daily: three courses, plus two à la carte kitchens at every table, Zatiny (Indian Ocean fusion) and Duyên (Vietnamese).
- Dine where you like: in the restaurant, in the garden or on your own balcony. A private table by the beach or a candlelight dinner can be arranged at an extra charge.
- Six rooms in two villas, a pool for each villa, shared by its rooms, and every room facing the sunrise over the ocean.
- Bustani, the garden spa; the sandbank in front of the hotel at low tide; a quiet beach lined with small, family-owned hotels.
WhatsApp Our beachfront villas →
TripAdvisor 4.9/5 · 378+ reviews · Google 4.8/5