Johannesburg to Zanzibar
Zanzibar has shifted from a connection-only destination to one with direct service from Johannesburg, which changed the maths considerably. Nonstop is quicker but not always cheaper — routings via Nairobi or Addis Ababa remain competitive, particularly outside peak weeks.
At a glance
- Flight time
- about 3 hours 30 minutes nonstop, longer via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi
- Type
- Indian Ocean
- When to book
- 2 to 3 months ahead
- Typically flown by
- Airlink, Kenya Airways (via Nairobi), Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa)
- From
- O.R. Tambo International (JNB)
- To
- Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
When fares move
Demand on this route, described by season. This is a pattern, not a price quote.
December to February and July to August
June and September to October
April to May
Worth knowing
- 01April and May are the long rains. Many smaller hotels close entirely, and those that stay open discount heavily. It is the cheapest time by far, with the obvious caveat.
- 02Nonstop saves several hours but check the one-stop fares anyway — East African hubs compete hard for this traffic.
- 03Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania and has its own entry formalities in addition to Tanzania's. Confirm current requirements before booking.
- 04The dry season from June to October lines up well with South African winter, which is why July and August behave like a peak here.
Check current fares
Live prices and availability for Johannesburg to Zanzibar are shown on Travelstart, our booking partner.
Search JNB → ZNZCommon questions
Is there a direct flight from Johannesburg to Zanzibar?
Yes, at roughly 3 hours 30 minutes. Connecting options via Nairobi, Dar es Salaam or Addis Ababa are also widely available and sometimes cheaper.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Zanzibar?
April and May, during the long rains. Expect significant discounting and some hotel closures.