Zanzibar, after the dust.
Stone Town's alleys, spice farms and a reef-fringed coast, ninety minutes by air from the Serengeti. On its own, or as the slow end to a safari or a climb.
Island only, or bush and beach.
Each itinerary is a starting point. Prices are per person sharing and include flights within Tanzania, transfers and the hotels shown.
Zanzibar holidays are being updated. Ask us for ideas and prices.
Same island, very different beaches.
The biggest difference between the coasts is the tide. On the east the sea can retreat a kilometre at low water; in the north it barely moves. Pick an area to compare.
Places we book.
From six-room boutique houses in Stone Town to private-island villas. We have stayed in all of them.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Hotel name
One line on the hotel and why we use it.
Between the beach days.
Most people do two or three of these. All can be booked once you're there, but the popular boats fill up in July and August.
Stone Town walking tour
Carved doors, the old slave market and the Darajani bazaar.
Spice farm
Clove, nutmeg, vanilla and lemongrass, with lunch on the farm.
Mnemba snorkelling
Turtles and reef fish on the island's best coral.
Jozani Forest
Red colobus monkeys found only on Zanzibar, and a mangrove boardwalk.
Safari Blue dhow
Sandbanks, snorkelling and a seafood lunch in Menai Bay.
Kitesurfing, Paje
Lessons and rental in the shallow lagoon, June to March.
Prison Island
Giant tortoises and a swim, a short boat ride from Stone Town.
Sunset dhow cruise
Off Stone Town or Nungwi, with drinks on board.
Prices are typical per person and change by season and group size.
The coast, month by month.
Warm all year. The long rains in April and May are the only months we would steer you away from; the short rains in November are brief afternoon showers.
JanHot & dry
FebHottest, calm
MarHumid, rains begin
AprLong rains
MayLong rains
JunCooler, breezy
JulDry, peak season
AugDry, windy
SepDry, clear
OctWarm, quieter
NovShort rains
DecHot, festive
Bush first, beach second.
Safari days start at dawn and the roads are long, so most people finish on the coast. Light aircraft fly direct from the Serengeti airstrips to Zanzibar.
Short and sweet
Four days on the northern circuit, four nights on the beach.
The classic
Six days of safari with two Serengeti nights, then five on the coast.
Climb, safari, beach
Kilimanjaro over eight days, three days of safari, four nights to recover.
Three things we tell everyone.
The east coast has real tides
At low tide the sea can be a long walk away. Fine for rock pools and photos; if swimming any time matters, stay in the north.
Two nights is right
One is rushed, three is more than most people want. Stay inside the old town so you can walk everywhere.
Ramadan changes the island
Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. During Ramadan many local restaurants close in daylight; cover shoulders and knees away from the beach all year.
From people who went.
Review text from TripAdvisor or Google goes here, two to four sentences.
Review text from TripAdvisor or Google goes here, two to four sentences.
Review text from TripAdvisor or Google goes here, two to four sentences.
Questions people ask.
Four to seven: two in Stone Town and the rest on the coast. After a safari, four beach nights is the most common choice.
Nungwi and Kendwa if you want to swim at any tide; Michamvi or Matemwe for quiet; Paje for kitesurfing; Kiwengwa for resorts and families.
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and the same visa covers it. Zanzibar does require visitors to hold travel insurance, which we can arrange.
Yes. Choose a resort on the north or north-east coast with a pool and a calm lagoon, and keep excursions to half days.
Both are quieter and wilder. Pemba has steep wall dives; Mafia has whale sharks from October to March. Each is a short flight away.
Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Swimwear is fine on hotel beaches but not in town or villages.
Tell us your dates. We'll find the beach.
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