I didn’t know that when I booked a holiday to Zanzibar, I’d leave with a new friend.
But that’s what happened.
Not the kind of “friend” you casually mention in a review.
A real one – the kind that makes you feel at home even when you’re thousands of miles away.
That friend was Ibrahim.
How We Met
It all started, as it often does with me, in a Facebook group.
I’d joined a few for research – looking for tips, advice, and real-time insights from people who’d already walked the roads I was about to. One evening, while scrolling in bed, I saw someone mention that you could do a one-day safari to Mikumi from Zanzibar. I’d seen it offered through TUI but figured there had to be a more affordable, flexible way.
So I did what I always do – I asked.
Put out a post. Waited for replies.
And they came. But one caught my eye: Ibrahim.
I can’t even tell you exactly why, but something about his response felt warm. Genuine. Like he wasn’t trying to sell me anything – just trying to help. Even through a screen, I felt that.
Still, I’ve seen enough to know good vibes aren’t enough when it comes to handing over money abroad. So I did my checks – scrolled his Facebook page, clicked on his website, and asked for reviews. He didn’t hesitate. Directed me to feedback on both Facebook and TripAdvisor. It all felt… solid.
His price came in at £380 per person for Mikumi, all in, versus TUI’s £450. But it wasn’t just the saving that sold me – it was the way he spoke. Calm. Clear. Patient. When I asked if lunch was included, what kind of ID we’d need, how long the drive would take – he answered before I even had time to worry.
He reassured me we didn’t need to pay anything upfront. We could pay in cash after the trip. And that kind of trust – especially in a world that often feels like a transaction – hit different. I felt safe.
And from that point on… well, Ibrahim didn’t just organise our trip.
He became part of it.
More Than Just a Driver
What started as one safari turned into something more.
Before I knew it, Ibrahim was our full-time private driver – and honestly, our silent hero throughout the trip.
From early morning pick-ups to late evening drop-offs, he was there. Always on time. Always calm.
He never once made us feel like a booking.
He helped me plan each outing… booking tickets, suggesting times, gently offering better ideas. But never pushy, never salesy. It felt like talking to a friend who knew the island like the back of his hand – and wanted us to see it through his eyes.
I remember messaging him one night… low-key panicking over something small (I don’t even remember what) – and he simply replied:
“No stress. Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
And you know what? I believed him.
Meeting Him Changed Everything
Seeing Ibrahim in person for the first time was surreal.
He was exactly who I’d imagined – soft-spoken, respectful, with a calm that somehow wrapped itself around our whole family.
He didn’t just drive us from A to B.
He looked after us. Thought about us.
He’d open car doors, check we had water, play Afrobeat tunes that still live in my playlist now. He’d ask about our kids, our last trip, what we loved most about Zanzibar – then gently slip in a story of his own. And just as easily, he’d fall into comfortable silence, sensing when we needed space.
How someone can read a family’s energy like that… I still don’t know. But he did. Effortlessly.
And the little things stuck.
The way he always made sure we were settled before he drove off.
How he stayed nearby when we explored places like Stone Town – close, but never intrusive. A safety net without strings.
Not once did he rush off to chase another fare or squeeze in another job.
When Ibrahim was with us, he was with us. Fully.
The Bond We Didn’t Expect
I didn’t expect to grow attached to a driver.
But by the end of the trip, my son was calling him by name like they’d known each other forever. My daughter said she felt safer with him nearby.
And me? I felt held.
Ibrahim wasn’t just helpful – he was human.
Kind in ways that didn’t need to be spoken.
He reminded me that professionalism and warmth don’t have to live on opposite ends of a spectrum. He was both. Always.
On the last day, as we said goodbye, I felt this lump in my throat that caught me off guard.
How do you say thank you to someone who’s given you more than a service — someone who became the steady presence behind so many of your favourite memories?
I didn’t have the words.
But I hope he felt it.
I hope he knew.
For Anyone Thinking About Booking a Driver in Zanzibar…
Some tips, from one traveller to another:
Join Facebook groups. They’re full of gold – reviews, real talk, and direct contacts like Ibrahim.
Ask questions. Don’t be shy: ask about ID, what’s included, payment terms. A good driver will answer easily.
Look for signs of trust. Ibrahim didn’t ask for a penny upfront – that meant something.
Use WhatsApp. Makes communication smoother and more personal.
Be clear on costs. Get a breakdown and compare with the big brands. Local is often better.
Respect the relationship. Don’t treat your driver like a ride app. See them. Ask their name. It matters.
Keep cash. Most drivers, including Ibrahim, don’t accept cards.
Ask what else they offer. Ibrahim planned my full itinerary. He was far more than just transport.
Need to Know: Hiring a Private Driver in Zanzibar
Who: Ibrahim – local driver and tour organiser
Found via: Facebook Zanzibar travel group
Website: https://zanzibaribrahimtour.com
Why we chose him: Kind, responsive, trustworthy — even through a screen
Mikumi safari cost: ~£380 per person (vs £450+ via TUI)
Included: Flights, transfers, park entry, lunch, full support
Payment: No upfront cost – we paid in cash afterward
Communication: WhatsApp – quick, clear, reassuring
Other services: Day trips, itinerary planning, tickets, advice
Family-friendly: Absolutely – calm, patient, respectful
I wasn’t paid or gifted anything for this recommendation. We just genuinely adored him – and he became such a special part of our Zanzibar journey.
And Finally…
To Ibrahim – thank you.
For your quiet strength, your gentle spirit, your patience, and your presence.
Thank you for treating us like people, not passengers.
You were the thread that quietly held our trip together.
And every member of my family – in their own way – felt that.
We didn’t expect to form such a bond.
But maybe that’s the beauty of travel.
It shows you parts of the world – and parts of yourself – that you didn’t know were waiting.
Asante Sana, Ibrahim. Asante Sana, Zanzibar.
You will always be our little piece of paradise.
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