Top 5 best scooter rentals in Zanzibar

Picture swapping the crowded dala-dala stop for your own set of wheels. On Unguja Island, a scooter turns a single day into a loop through Nungwi's dhow shipyards and Kendwa Beach's calm shallows, with a stop at a spice farm on the way home. You set the pace, not a bus timetable, and that is the whole point of a Zanzibar trip.

Unguja rewards this kind of freedom. The main roads are paved but narrow, and the coastal villages sit 40–60 km apart — too far to walk, too scattered for dala-dala schedules to serve well. Away from Stone Town's old alleys, traffic is light and the terrain is flat to gently rolling, so an automatic scooter handles the island easily without the fuss of a manual or off-road bike.

Top 10 things to see in Zanzibar by scooter

1. Nungwi — a northern fishing village with white-sand beaches, working dhow shipyards, and some of the island's best sunsets.
2. Kendwa Beach — a calm, swimmable stretch next to Nungwi, known for beach bars and full-moon parties.
3. Stone Town — the UNESCO-listed old town, with the old fort and House of Wonders, and a natural start or end point for any ride.
4. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park — the island's only forest reserve, home to the endemic red colobus monkey.
5. The Rock Restaurant, Michamvi (Pingwe) — a restaurant perched on a rock just offshore, worth the ride for the photo alone.
6. Paje — an east-coast kitesurfing village with a wide beach and an easygoing bar scene.
7. Kizimkazi — a southern fishing village known for dolphin-watching trips and an old mosque with Kufic inscriptions.
8. Matemwe — a quiet northeast beach village and the main departure point for snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll.
9. Kizimbani Spice Farm — a plantation tour near Stone Town where you see cloves, vanilla, and nutmeg growing.
10. Michamvi Peninsula — a narrow strip between Paje and Pwani Mchangani with quiet beaches and lagoon sunsets.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Zanzibar?

You need a valid motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit; a car-only licence will not be accepted. On Zanzibar you also need a temporary local permit from the traffic police, which the rental shop normally arranges for you. The legal minimum driving age is 18, though many operators set their own higher minimum. A deposit is usually required — ask if a cash deposit is possible instead of leaving your passport.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Zanzibar?

Average rental price runs roughly 13,000–18,000 TZS per day in low season and 25,000–40,000 TZS per day in high season. Larger or newer scooters can run 40,000–60,000+ TZS per day.

• Prices dip lowest from April to May, during the long rains, when tourist numbers drop.
• Prices climb highest around December–February and July–August, the peak holiday and dry-season months.

When to book a rental scooter in Zanzibar?

High season runs June to October, plus late December into February, and this is when demand — and prices — peak, so book ahead. Low season falls in the March–May long rains, with milder dips in November, and this is when you will find the cheapest daily rates. If you want the best riding conditions without the peak-season crowds, June to October is the sweet spot.

Local traffic rules in Zanzibar

Traffic drives on the left, with overtaking on the right. Helmets are mandatory for both rider and passenger. Speed limits sit around 50 km/h in towns and up to 80 km/h on open roads, with frequent speed bumps through villages, so ease off as you pass through them. Ride with zero alcohol — enforcement is strict and the safest rule is simply not to drink and ride. Carry your licence, IDP, Zanzibar permit, and rental papers at all times, since roadside checks are routine.

Most of our scooter rentals in Zanzibar come from operators with years of experience, and each rental includes a well-maintained vehicle and a helmet. If you want to rent a scooter in Zanzibar, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!