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
Table of Contents
South Africa to Zanzibar Distance By Air (Straight‑line/Great‑Circle 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.
- Another site cites about 3,201 km (1,989 miles) as the straight‑line distance .
These variances stem from utilizing different reference points—some measure from central South Africa, others from specific cities or airports.
South Africa to Zanzibar Distance By Road (Overland + Ferry)
- The total driving distance (by road and ferries) is around 4,320–4,323 km, taking about 56 hours and 9 minutes according to route planners.
Flight Duration Estimate
- A typical commercial flight takes about 4 to 4½ hours, depending on speed, routing, and layovers.
Summary Table
| Route Type | Distance (km) | Distance (miles) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air (Great‑Circle) | ~2,991 km | ~1,858 mi | • |
| Airport‑to‑Airport | ~2,534 km | ~1,575 mi | ~4 h (flight) |
| Driving + Ferry | ~4,320 km | ~2,685 mi | ~56 h (overland/ferry) |
My Take
- Fastest & most realistic: Flying from major South African cities (like Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban) to Zanzibar takes around 4 hours, covering roughly 2,500–3,000 km in the air.
- For a scenic epic: A full overland journey (complete with ferry crossing from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar) spans over 4,300 km—an adventurous multi-day expedition.
READ ALSO: How to Get to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam/Getting to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam by Air
Johannesburg to Zanzibar Distance
The straight‑line (“as‑the‑crow‑flies”) distance from Johannesburg to Zanzibar (Unguja Island), Tanzania, is approximately:
- 2,500 km (≈1,554–1,563 miles)
How Many Hours from Johannesburg to Zanzibar?
- Nonstop flights between Johannesburg (JNB) and Zanzibar (ZNZ) typically take 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 | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Direct flight | ~2,500 km | ~3.5–3.8 h |
| 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
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Distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar/How Far Is Zanzibar from Tanzania?
To speak of the Zanzibar to Tanzania distance is a misnomer because Zanzibar is part of Tanzania.
The Zanzibar to Tanzania distance, meaning mainland Tanzania, by ferry is 81 kilometers.
If you would like to book flight or ferry tickets to cover this mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar distance, click here.
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It is easy to travel between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. You can do so by either boat or plane.
Ferries shuttle the distance from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by ferry several times a day.
For reasons of safety and excellence of service, I recommend using Azam Marine.
There are regular flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, with the duration of flight being only about 20 minutes.
You can fly between these destinations both on international airlines as well as local Tanzanian ones—both options being quite safe.
Given the distance and traffic between Dar es Salaam airport and the rest of Dar es Salaam, as well as the distance between Zanzibar airport and Stone Town, it might be more pleasant and time-efficient to travel between these cities by boat rather than by plane.
READ ALSO: Cheap Flights to Dar es Salaam From Heathrow 2025 & More
Photo Credits: Monda Africa Tours & Safaris Ltd.