READ ALSO: Distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar/How Far Is Zanzibar from Tanzania?
Distance from Johannesburg to Zanzibar
The straight‑line (“as‑the‑crow‑flies”) Johannesburg to Zanzibar distance (Unguja Island), Tanzania, is approximately:
- 2,500 km (≈1,554–1,563 miles)
Table of Contents
JHB to Zanzibar Flight Time/How Long Is the Flight to Zanzibar?/How Long Is a Flight to Zanzibar?/Flight Time to Zanzibar
- The JHB to Zanzibar flight time for nonstop flights is typically about 3½ to 3 hours 50 minutes.
Connecting & Overland Travel Options
If you’re interested in combining modes (e.g. bus, train, ferry), Rome2Rio maps out a multi‑day overland route: bus → train → ferry, taking 2–3 days and covering ~2,526 km.
Summary Table
| Mode | Johannesburg to Zanzibar Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Direct flight | ~2,500 km | ~3.5–3.8 h (JHB to Zanzibar Flight Time) |
| Overland (multi-leg) | ~2,525 km | ~2–3 days (bus/train/ferry) |
Additional Insights
- Direct flights between JNB and ZNZ: Airlines like Safair and Air Tanzania operate direct flights several times per week.
- Overland route includes a ferry across Zanzibar Channel (29–37 km wide) connecting to the mainland.
Bottom line
For most travelers, flying is far faster and more convenient: ~2,500 km in ~3½ hours.
Overland options exist but take 2–3 days.
READ ALSO: Distance From Dar to Zanzibar/Dar to Zanzibar KM
South Africa to Tanzania Distance
Great Circle (Air) Distance & Flight Time
- Great circle distance: approximately 2,797 km (1,738 mi) between South Africa and Tanzania.
- Estimated flight time: around 3 hours and 59 minutes for a typical commercial airliner.
- Additional data: TravelMath cites about 2,807 km (1,744 mi) air distance, with Tanzania being 1 hour ahead of South Africa in local time.
So, flying in a straight line from South Africa to Tanzania generally takes roughly 3 ½ to 4 hours, covering about 2,800 km.
Driving (Road) Distance & Time
- Total driving distance: approximately 4,096 km (2,545 mi) from South Africa to Tanzania (one-way).
- Estimated nonstop driving time: about 48 hours, 58 minutes, based on average traffic conditions.
- Johannesburg-specific drive: Around 40 hours from Johannesburg to Tanzania.
Summary Comparison
| Travel Mode | Distance | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Great Circle (Flight) | ~2,797 km (~1,738 mi) | ~3 h 59 min (air time) |
| Road (Driving) | ~4,096 km (~2,545 mi) | ~49 h nonstop (≈ 2 days) |
Notes & Context
- The great circle method calculates the shortest flying distance between the two countries—about 2,800 km.
- Actual road travel is significantly longer at roughly 1.5 times the flying distance due to road routing, borders, and terrain.
- Depending on your starting point in South Africa (e.g. Johannesburg), actual distances and times can vary slightly.
In Summary
- If flying: expect about 2,800 km and a flight of around 4 hours.
- If driving: expect just over 4,000 km, about 49 hours of nonstop driving.
Distance from South Africa to Zanzibar
Here’s a detailed overview of the South Africa to Zanzibar distance:
READ ALSO: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam Ferry/Zanzibar Dar es Salaam Ferry/Dar es Salaam Para Zanzibar City Ferry
Zanzibar to South Africa Distance
- Approximately 2,991 km (1,858 miles) — This is the typical “as‑the‑crow‑flies” distance from central South Africa to Zanzibar.
- Rome2Rio estimates roughly 2,534 km (1,575 miles) from major South African airports like OR‑Tambo or Cape Town to Abeid Amani Karume International on Zanzibar.
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Photo Credits: Monda Africa Tours & Safaris Ltd., Airportia