Why Go to Zanzibar?
Blissful Beaches
Zanzibar is the home of idyllic beaches, balmy weather & warm tropical waters. Perfect for anyone who simply wants to enjoy a lazily luxurious beach vacation - Zanzibar and its outlying islands are home to some of the finest beaches in East Africa as well as a number of its best dive sites. Here white sands, palm trees and coral reefs are your daily backdrop.
One-of-a-Kind Experiences
Go on spice tours, taste local dishes and walk the cobbled streets of the capital’s old quarter Stone Town, now a World Heritage Site buzzing with colourful back-street markets and local flavours. When you aren’t exploring the streets, you can do shore and reef dives, swim, kayak and sail on a traditional wooden dhow, soaking in the beauty of the sunset.
Luxury Accommodation for Couples & Families
You won’t want for somewhere to stay: one of the world’s most romantic honeymoon destinations, Zanzibar has accommodation that ranges from luxury beachfront cottages and private villas to exclusive boutique hotels and elegant spa resorts; parents on the other hand will be delighted by Zanzibar's family-friendly hotels and safe-swimming beaches.
Ideal for Bush & Beach Combos
Accessible from travel hub Dar es Salaam, a Zanzibar trip combines easily with top Tanzania safari destinations such as the Serengeti (part of the Great Wildebeest Migration) and the Ngorongoro Crater - you can choose to have it as part of a safari and beach package or as a stand-alone holiday.
Forest Adventures
Jozani Forest is Zanzibar’s only national park, well-known as the home to the indigenous and endangered, red colobus monkeys. These mature forests are also home to more than 40 species of birds, bushbabies, duikers and hundreds of butterfly species. If you are pairing it up with Tanzania, the wildlife experience continues.
Sustainable Ecotourism Experiences
Zanzibar offers visitors a wealth of different eco-tourism experiences that ensure the long-term sustainability of their ecosystem and cultures. Whether you’re staying in an eco-lodge, volunteering with a marine conservation program or local community project, you can add the ‘responsible traveler’ badge to your belt.
East Africa’s ‘Spice Island’
The name alone is likely to conjure up images of spice markets, palm-fringed beaches and white-sailed dhows on a turquoise sea – and happily the reality doesn’t disappoint.
Lying only a short distance off the Tanzania coast but at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Zanzibar has long been at the centre of the Indian Ocean experience in East Africa and a Zanzibar holiday is a sensory experience par excellence.
Accommodation From $450 USD
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Accommodation From $650 CAD
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Accommodation From $1,050 AUD
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Accommodation From €1,000 EUR
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Accommodation From £800 GBP
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Accommodation From R15,000
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Top Safari Destinations in Zanzibar
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Stone Town
Zanzibar’s historical capital: No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without exploring the narrow, cobbled streets of Stone Town, a World Heritage Site.
There are several places of interest scattered around town, not least Beit el-Ajaib (House of Wonders), a former sultan’s palace. Absorb the history, culture and cuisine of this former ivory port on guided tours, or simply wander around at your own pace.
Highlights
- Learn about sultans at the Palace Museum
- Meander through vibrant spice markets
- Browse Forodhani Garden’s night food market where a blend of local and international flavours await
- Sip sunset cocktails from one of the tea houses
Mnemba Island
A tiny island about a 4.5 kilometres or three miles from the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar Island, Mnemba is a vintage beach paradise.
The reefs just offshore provide excellent snorkelling and diving spots and the island is also a nesting site for the endangered green turtle. Although Mnemba Island is privately owned, the reef is open to everyone and is highly favoured destination for day excursions from Zanzibar.
Highlights
- Mnemba can be hired in its entirety to become a private island holiday paradise
- A classic ‘deserted island’ experience
- One of the most romantic ocean destinations on Earth
- Exceptional snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing & scuba diving
Pemba Island
Lying 50km / 31mi north-east of Zanzibar is little-visited and largely undeveloped Pemba Island, home to small fishing villages, historic ruins, and miles of wild coastline.
Infrastructure is limited and tourism still in its infancy but thanks to its pristine coral reefs, water temperatures between 25°C / 77°F and 28°C / 84°F and visibility between 20 and 40 metres / 66 and 131 feet, Pemba ranks among the world’s best dive sites.
Highlights
- Water sports and excursions to mangrove forests are on offer, sunset dhow cruises
- Combines well with a mainland Tanzania safari
- One of the deepest natural bays in the world
- Barefoot beach lodges and lush forests
Consider Adding...
Tanzania
If it’s an Okavango Delta-type experience you are looking for but with an air of exclusivity, then travel to the private reserves of Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando. Bordering the Caprivi Strip, these wild wetland reserves have exceptional game viewing opportunities, particularly in June to October, the dubbed dry season.
Kenya
Experience a safari vacation in Kenya, the place where safari travel originated. The best Kenya tours and safaris include Big 5 game viewing, the Great Migration, incredible natural beauty and cultural encounters, often combining Kenya’s top attractions with Tanzania and the tropical beaches of the Kenyan coast
Rwanda & Uganda
No other wildlife encounter can rival sitting with endangered gorillas in their natural habitat and observing the fascinating family dynamics of our ancient relatives. The emerald rainforests of Rwanda and Uganda are incredible destinations for gorilla trekking, Africa’s most powerful wildlife experience.
When To Go To Zanzibar
January-May
This is a great time to visit Zanzibar if you don’t mind the heat and humidity. The days are sunny and hot. January to March offer some of the best diving conditions. A good underwater dive is all about wind, the tides and what you can view underwater – the lagoons and coral reefs can be explored in clear waters, particularly on the south coast.
The weather in Zanzibar will start to turn from about mid-March as the ‘long rains’ become more imminent. April and May mark the start of what’s known as the ‘long rains’ on these islands. The rainfall in April and May is far heavier than any other time of year, and results in mild and very wet weather on the beaches. levels are lower.
Dry Season: May–October
Browse our Zanzibar Resources
Zanzibar Safari Trip Ideas
Here are some of our best packages, all completely customisable to your requirements and travel wishes:
Family Zanzibar Beach
Destinations
- Zanzibar, Tanzania
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $1,750 CAD
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Itinerary FROM $2,800 AUD
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Itinerary FROM €2,650 EUR
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Itinerary FROM £2,100 GBP
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Itinerary FROM R39,000 ZAR
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East Africa's Masai Mara & Zanzibar
The Experience:
Spend 12-days exploring the stunning Masai Mara and the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar on this classic East Africa safari and beach adventure. Encounter the incredible wildlife of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve with three luxurious nights at Porini Mara Camp.
The annual wildebeest migration takes place between July and October and the wildlife drama is often at its peak, but there’s excellent game viewing all year round and the Mara is well-known for its large predator population.
Then you’ll leave the savannah behind and fly to tropical Zanzibar – ‘The Spice Island’. Relax on the white beaches of Pongwe Beach Hotel, a great base from which to go scuba diving or snorkelling in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Destinations
- Masai Mara, Kenya
- Zanzibar, Tanzania
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $13,400 CAD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM $21,450 AUD
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM €20,400 EUR
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Itinerary FROM £16,300 GBP
PER PERSON Sharing
Itinerary FROM R302,000 ZAR
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How Much is a Trip to Zanzibar?
Rates generally depend on timing (i.e., key travel seasons like holidays) and level of luxury (the type of amenities and exclusivity).
From $450 – $1650 Per Person Per Night
What Costs Are Included?
Most resorts and hotels in Zanzibar are all-inclusive; all your meals, snacks, beverages, alcohol (with some exceptions) are part of your room rate. In addition, your game drives, and other excursions like walking safaris and cultural village visits will all be included.
The only things you’ll have to pay for are special activities (like dhow rides) and, in some cases, imported spirits. Beyond that, just gratuities for the incredible staff who will make your stay at each lodge so memorable.
Justin Chapman
"Zanzibar is an easy go-to for a beach extension when in East Africa, given how easily it connects to all of the safari hub areas. Offering a variety of accommodation options from exclusive private villas through to large family-friendly resorts, there is something suited to everyone’s needs. From the heritage-rich, labyrinthine capital of Stonetown to the palm-lined tracts of powdery-white beaches and the stunning reefs beyond, Zanzibar is an iconic Indian Ocean island destination."
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