Bolt Zanzibar 2025 – 7 Essential Facts and Honest Guide

Bolt Zanzibar is a new ride-hailing service that recently started on the island. While in other countries Bolt is well established, here it is still in early development. Cars are rare, tuk-tuks (bajaji) and motorcycles (boda boda) are more common, and sometimes no vehicle is available at all. In this honest guide you will discover 7 essential facts about Bolt Zanzibar taxi, including how it works, vehicle options, waiting times, and tips to avoid scams.

Table of Contents

1. What is Bolt Zanzibar?

2. How Does Bolt Taxi Work in Zanzibar?

3. Vehicle Options: Boda, Tuk-Tuk, and Cars

4. Bolt Zanzibar Payments

5. Warning About Cash Payments

6. Bolt Zanzibar Availability and Waiting Times

7. Final Tips for Using Bolt in Zanzibar

What is Bolt Zanzibar?

Bolt Zanzibar is part of Bolt Tanzania, the international ride-hailing platform. It allows you to order transport via the Bolt app with an upfront price and no bargaining. However, because the service is new, there are only a few drivers on the island. This means that availability is often limited, and the experience is not the same as in Europe.

👉 Download the Bolt app for iOS | Download the Bolt app for Android

How Does Bolt Taxi Work in Zanzibar?

The process of using Bolt is straightforward:

1. Open the Bolt app.

2. Set your pick-up location.

3. Enter your destination.

4. See the estimated fare.

5. Confirm and wait for the driver.

💡 Tip: If the app shows a driver, always check the license plate in the app before getting into the vehicle.

Vehicle Options: Boda, Tuk-Tuk, and Cars

When you order through Bolt Zanzibar, you will usually see these three types of rides:

• Boda (Motorcycle taxi) 🏍️ – The most common and cheapest option. Quick, but not very safe – helmets are often not provided and rides can be uncomfortable.

• Tuk-Tuk (Bajaji) 🛺 – A three-wheeled vehicle, also known as swahili tricycle. Safer than motorcycles and very popular for short trips. Tuk-tuks are widely available in Bolt Zanzibar taxi orders.

• Car 🚗 – Standard cars technically exist in the Bolt system, but they are extremely rare. If you see a car option in the app, consider yourself lucky because demand is much higher than supply.

Bolt Zanzibar Payments

Bolt Tanzania offers two main ways to pay:

• In-app payment by card

💡Tip: Always choose in-app payment when possible, because it is safer and keeps your trip protected.

Warning About Cash Payments

Some drivers may try to tell you that “Bolt has not paid them” and insist that you pay in cash.

👉 Never accept this.

❗️Always pay through the Bolt app to ensure you are protected. Paying outside the app removes your guarantee and often results in paying more than the correct fare.

Bolt Zanzibar Availability and Waiting Times

Because Bolt Zanzibar is still new, availability is often limited and waiting times vary a lot depending on your location.

• In Stone Town, rides can sometimes arrive within just a few minutes, but other times you may wait 15–20 minutes before a driver accepts your request.

• Outside the city or in beach destinations such as Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, or Jambiani, it can take much longer and sometimes no driver shows up at all.

• In many cases the app only offers Boda (motorcycles) or Tuk-Tuks, while cars are extremely rare.

💡 Tip: Don’t rely on Bolt as your only option for urgent travel. Treat it as a backup tool that sometimes works very well, and sometimes not at all.

Final Tips for Using Bolt in Zanzibar

• Download the app before arriving on the island.

• Use Bolt mainly in Stone Town for the best chance of finding a driver.

• Expect motorcycles and tuk-tuks more often than cars.

• Never pay cash outside the app, even if the driver insists.

• Be patient, as waiting times can be long.

Conclusion

Bolt Zanzibar 2025 is still in its early stages. It offers a transparent way of getting around the island, but the service is far from perfect. Cars are rare, waiting times are long, and many rides are limited to motorcycles or tuk-tuks. However, when it works, Bolt can be a useful tool for travelers.

👉 For more travel resources, read our guide on Tanzania Visa & Zanzibar Visa Requirements 2025.

Extra Travel Tips – Explore Zanzibar with Bolt or Taxi

Using Bolt Zanzibar taxi can sometimes work well for short transfers, especially in Stone Town or nearby areas. But if you want to explore more of the island, taxis and Bolt rides can also be a starting point for great day trips:

• 🏘️ Stone Town tour – Wander through narrow streets, spice markets, historic sites.

• 🌊 Prison Island – A short boat ride away, famous for giant tortoises.

• 🐠 Mnemba Atoll – Popular for snorkelling and diving.

• 🏄 Paje and Jambiani beaches – Ideal for kitesurfing and relaxing.

• 🌅 Nungwi and Kendwa – Known for sunsets and lively beach atmosphere.

💡 Tip: Whether you start with Bolt or a regular taxi, plan your trips in advance and always confirm the ride through the app when possible.

👉 For more inspiration, check out the Top Things To Do in Zanzibar.