Spice-scented alleys, coral reefs and white sand to end a safari
Zanzibar
The place
Spice-scented alleys, coral reefs and white sand to end a safari
About 25 km off the Tanzanian coast, in warm Indian Ocean water, lies an archipelago of coral islands. The largest, known locally as Unguja, has fine white sand along its shores and sea of a turquoise clarity that is hard to beat in East Africa. Over the centuries, merchants from Europe, India, Persia, Arabia and the Swahili coast all converged here, and the island became the centre of East Africa's spice and slave trades. That layered past still shapes the island and is as much a part of a visit as the sand.
Stone Town is where the story is most visible. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has twisting alleys, carved wooden doors, coral-stone houses and busy markets, and it has altered little in over a century. Inland, spice plantations grow cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Cloves once made Zanzibar the world's top exporter, and you can still tour the farms. Underwater is just as rich: reefs around the island offer lively snorkelling and diving, and the sea off Kizimkazi in the south is a dependable place to meet dolphins.
The coasts have distinct personalities. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are barely touched by the tides, so swimming works at any hour. Over on the eastern shore, Paje and Jambiani draw kitesurfers, and their large tides leave wide sandbanks uncovered when the sea retreats. Off the beach you can choose from sunset dhow cruises, tortoise visits on Prison Island, deep-sea fishing and full-day food and culture walks through Stone Town.
Temperatures stay warm all year. The driest, most dependable beach weather falls between June and October and again from December to February, steering clear of the long rains of March to May. Zanzibar makes a fitting last chapter for a Tanzanian safari. Flights from Arusha or the Serengeti cover the distance from dusty savanna to the sea in less than two hours, and the usual plan is three to five nights on the island, unwinding once the game drives are over.
- White-sand beaches at Nungwi, Kendwa and Paje
- Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Plantation walks among cloves, nutmeg and vanilla
- Snorkelling and diving over coral reefs
- Dolphin trips from Kizimkazi
Ready when you are
Plan a trip to Zanzibar
- Jun, Jul, Aug best
Tell us your dates and group. We reply with a tailored itinerary and a clear, personal quote, with no obligation.
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec, Jan
- Wildlife
- Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Humpback Whale (seasonal), Tropical Fish
- From Arusha
- 440 km (by air via Dar es Salaam)
- Nearest airstrip
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar Town) (Roughly 20 to 45 minutes by air from Arusha or the Serengeti)
Regular scheduled flights link the island with the northern safari circuit. Ferries also run from Dar es Salaam.
Gallery
Zanzibar in pictures
Where to stay
Stay near Zanzibar
Ridge
Diamond Mapenzi Beach Resort
An all-inclusive resort on the sand at Nungwi, at the northern tip of Zanzibar. It suits the beach finale to a bush itinerary.
Summit
Kilindi Zanzibar
Each domed private pavilion has its own dip pool and sits on a terraced slope overlooking the Indian Ocean. After several days of dust and game drives, the slower rhythm is welcome.
Trail
Makofi Guest House
A simple guesthouse in a good spot for adding a few beach days to a safari without stretching the budget. Meals are served by the sand.
Trail
Nungwi Dreams By Mantis
Right on the sand at the northern tip of Zanzibar, this beachfront stay faces gentle, swimmable water and some of the island's most dependable sunsets.
Ridge
Royal Zanzibar
An all-inclusive beach resort on the island's shore, and the usual last stop when a safari continues on to Zanzibar.
Ridge
Zanzibar Serena
A Serena hotel on Zanzibar Island, a natural stop for beach days after the safari.
Questions
Good to know
Three to five nights suits most people, enough for Stone Town and unhurried beach days.
Choose Nungwi or Kendwa in the north if you want swimming at all tides. For kitesurfing, head to Paje or Jambiani along the eastern shore, though be aware that the sea withdraws a long way at low tide.
No. Zanzibar belongs to Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa applies. There is an extra immigration check on arrival but no further visa fee.
Generally yes. It is regarded as welcoming and safe, especially around Stone Town and the northern beaches.
Take a short domestic flight, usually connecting through Arusha or direct from a northern airstrip. Total travel is typically under two hours.
Plan your time in Zanzibar
Tell us when you want to go and we will shape the trip around it.