We look forward to welcoming you to Essence of Africa 2026 in Zanzibar.
This document has been designed to provide clear guidance on the programme, your participation, and the practical arrangements for your time with us. Should you require any further detail, our team is on hand to assist.
Essence of Africa will take place from 20–22 October 2026.
Diamonds Bijoux
Bwejuu, Zanzibar 43305, Tanzania
https://www.bijoux.diamondsresorts.com/
The programme runs daily from approximately 08:30 to 18:00, with minor variations across the three days.
The full Event Programme is available at:
https://essenceofafrica.travel/
Invitations are extended to companies operating within the following categories:
All applications are reviewed by a selection committee.
Places are allocated based on regional balance, business relevance, and the available hosting capacity. We aim to curate a considered mix of established and new buyers across our key markets.
We appreciate your understanding where preferred hosting categories may not be available.
The programme is structured to support your participation while ensuring a focused and commercially valuable experience:
The following items fall outside the Hosted Buyer Programme:
A refundable €150 commitment fee is required within 7 days of approval to confirm participation.
This secures your place within the programme and enables inclusion in the appointment matching process.
Given the limited capacity and high demand, places cannot be held without the commitment fee being settled.
The commitment fee is fully refundable under the following conditions:
We recognise that travel planning requires coordination, particularly where fam trips are concerned. The Zanzibar pre-event programme will take place from 17–19 October, and further details will be shared to support your planning.
In the event of cancellation:
As with all international business travel, participants are responsible for their own arrangements and should ensure appropriate travel and medical insurance is in place, including cover for cancellation and disruption.
In the unlikely event that the event is unable to proceed due to force majeure, all confirmed participants will be notified directly.
Essence of Africa is a curated, meetings-led forum designed to facilitate meaningful commercial engagement.
Over the three-day programme, buyers will:
The structure is designed to balance productive meetings with valuable industry insight and relationship building.
Attendance at key official events forms part of the Hosted Buyer Programme.
Further details will be communicated in advance, and we recommend referring to the Event Programme for the most up-to-date schedule.
Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
Yes. Transfers will be provided between ZNZ and Diamonds Bijoux at scheduled times on:
If you arrive outside of these times, there are a few options for convenient transportation options across the island.
Essence of Africa have partnered with Sense of Africa & Fisherman Tours & Travel who offer transport to and from the airport as well as private shuttles should you need assistance during the show. If you need to arrange private transfers, please contact our partners directly for preferred trade rates on code: EOA2026.
Sense of Africa
Email: essence@senseofafrica.co.ke
Reservations: +255 654 187 540
Operations: +255 788 706 101
Fisherman Tours
Email: reservations@fishermantours.com
Reservations: +255 774 144 446
Operations: +255 774 441143
Taxis
Licensed taxis are readily available from the airport and major tourist areas.
As fares are generally negotiated in advance, it is recommended that travellers confirm the price before commencing their journey. Please note that most local taxis don’t have credit card facilities and therefore cash will be required. The drivers accept Tanzania Shillings (TZS) and US Dollars ($). It is best to draw cash from an ATM at the airport on arrival.
Uber and Bolt are not available in Zanzibar.
Upon arrival, our transfer team will be on hand to assist. Information will be shared by our travel team closer to the event.
You will receive access to a secure Travel Portal for the upload of required documentation, including:
This ensures efficient processing following the event. Documentation should not be sent via email.
The below airlines have partnered with us for Essence of Africa 2026.
You will need the dedicated landing page and booking reference code sent on email.
Kenya Airways is pleased to offer you an exclusive discount of up to 15% on flights to Zanzibar to attend Essence of Africa 2026.
You will need the booking reference code sent on email.
Airlink has access out of Johannesburg and Cape Town which helps international routing from South Africa.
Safarilink is pleased to offer all Essence of Africa 2026 attendees a 20% discount, subject to availability on the website using the promo code (obtained from the organisers).
Travel date validity: 17 – 25 October 2026.
For accurate flight details, please visit our booking panel on our website and enter the Essence of Africa special booking code to activate the savings.
Participants are required to arrange and pay for their flights in advance.
The Essence of Africa team will confirm the maximum reimbursement level applicable to your region.
Reimbursement is processed post-event, subject to:
Company banking details, including SWIFT codes where applicable, will be required.
Should you elect to travel in business class, reimbursement will be capped at the approved regional maximum.
Participants are welcome to select their preferred airline and routing.
Special Trade Show Transfer Rates
Tropic Helicopters is pleased to offer all Essence of Africa participants an exclusive 15% discount on helicopter transfers from Zanzibar International Airport to destinations across Zanzibar and Pemba.
Airbus H120 Helicopter
From USD 650 per transfer
Accommodates up to 4 passengers
Please contact
Email: maryke@tropictz.com
Operations & Reservations: +255 759026885
Accommodation is provided from 19–23 October 2026.
Should you wish to extend your stay or arrive earlier, additional nights are for your own account and should be arranged directly with the hotel.
All hosted buyers will be accommodated within the official event hotels. Final allocations will be confirmed closer to the event.
Dinner is not included and will be for your own account. Hotel dining options will be available.
For fam trips, please refer to your individual itinerary for included meals.
The Hosted Buyer Programme is limited to one hosted buyer per company in order to maintain balance within the meeting structure.
Additional representatives may be considered on a non-hosted basis, subject to availability. They would participate under the same company profile and share the meeting schedule. Additional accommodation costs may apply.
As a closed, business-focused forum, attendance is restricted to registered participants. We are not able to accommodate partners or accompanying persons within the programme or official accommodation.
Confirmed buyers may apply to participate in the official Zanzibar fam trips, designed as two-night, three-day educational experiences. Applications will open as soon as we have all the details from our in-destination partners.
Key timings:
Most fam trips will include two nights of accommodation however will differ depending on the individual suppliers. Please refer to the detail of your fam trip at the time of confirmation.
Please note:
Additional fam trips beyond Zanzibar are arranged directly with participating suppliers and fall outside the official programme.
We have been advised that due to the nature of Essence of Africa as a business event, attendees who require a visa may need to obtain the appropriate visa for their business activities.
It is important that you check the requirements applicable to your individual passport/ nationality and the purpose of your visit. Travelling on an incorrect visa may result in issues with Immigration and potentially additional charges or fines.
We strongly recommend checking your requirements with your local Tanzanian Embassy/ High Commission or a reputable visa specialist in your country before travelling, particularly if you are unsure which visa category applies to you.
You can also use the official Tanzanian Immigration guidance to check whether a visa is required for your nationality and review the different visa categories.
>>>Check Visa Requirements & Visa Categories<<<
Where a visa is required, applications can be made through the official Tanzanian Electronic Visa Application System.
>>>Apply for a Tanzanian Visa<<<
Please do not leave your visa arrangements until the last minute. Processing times can vary, and some nationalities may require additional approval before a visa can be issued.
If you require a Letter of Invitation from Essence of Africa to support your visa application, please log int your Travel Portal, upload a copy of your passport and select the option to request a Visa Invitation Letter.
Once we have received your passport details and request through the portal, our team will prepare your invitation letter and send it to you.
Please remember that each delegate is responsible for ensuring they hold the correct visa, mandatory Zanzibar insurance and any other documentation required for their individual travel circumstances.
We hope this helps you prepare for your journey.
On arrival in Zanzibar: once you have purchased the insurance, you will receive a QR code. Please make sure you have this readily available on your phone or as a printed copy when you land, as you will be asked to present it on arrival before entering the airport terminal. We recommend saving a screenshot or offline copy of your QR code before travelling, so you are not reliant on Wi-Fi or mobile data when you arrive.
We also recommend that you hold your own comprehensive travel insurance for your trip.
A yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on your travel routing. Please consult your doctor and carry certification where applicable.
Malaria prevention is recommended. Medical advice should be sought prior to travel.
We suggest you bring mosquito repellent (spray or cream).
You may wish to carry local currency for incidental purchases and gratuities. The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, and US Dollars are also accepted in major tourist locations.
For itineraries involving light aircraft:
Domestic airports do not offer standard luggage storage facilities.
Zanzibar is warm and humid. This is not your standard business trade show – no suits needed! Please wear comfortable, yet respectful, clothing to enjoy ‘business at the beach’.
We recommend:
The exhibitor profile includes:
The current exhibitor list is available at:
https://essenceofafrica.travel/
Our Team is available to support you throughout the process.
General questions: buyer@eoa.travel
Travel questions: travel@eoa.travel
We look forward to welcoming you to Zanzibar for Essence of Africa 2026.
