White-sand beaches, coral reefs and the historic lanes of Stone Town — the perfect ending to a Tanzania safari or Kilimanjaro climb.
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of mainland Tanzania. Its main island, known locally as Unguja, is famous for its powdery white beaches, turquoise water and coral reefs — but there is much more to it than the beach. For centuries Zanzibar was a centre of trade between Africa, Arabia and India, and that history lives on in the spice farms, the Swahili culture and the winding lanes of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For many of our guests, Zanzibar is the perfect ending to a safari or a Kilimanjaro climb. Scheduled flights connect Arusha, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti airstrips with the island in around one to two hours, so you can watch lions in the morning and be on the beach by the afternoon. Others come for the island alone: for diving and snorkelling, for a honeymoon, or simply to slow down.
The island has very different coasts. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has a small tidal range, so the sea is swimmable for most of the day, and some of the island’s best sunsets. The east coast — Matemwe, Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu and Michamvi — has long, quiet beaches and large tides that reveal rock pools and seaweed farms at low tide; Paje is a well-known kitesurfing spot. Stone Town itself is ideal for a night or two of history, markets and rooftop dining.
We plan Zanzibar the same way we plan our safaris: matching the beach, the hotel and the experiences to the way you like to travel. Read our guide to Zanzibar beaches and where to stay, or explore honeymoon and luxury stays.
Lively Nungwi, peaceful Matemwe, kitesurfing at Paje or a secluded villa on the south-east coast — we match the beach to you.
Carved wooden doors, bustling markets and Swahili, Arab and Indian history in a UNESCO-listed old town.
Snorkel or dive around Mnemba Atoll, swim with turtles and look out for dolphins.
Taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg on a spice farm tour and learn how they shaped the island’s history.
Meet the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey in Jozani Forest, found nowhere else on earth.
Short scheduled flights connect the northern parks and Kilimanjaro with the island, and we handle every transfer.
From Stone Town’s winding lanes to the coral reefs of Mnemba — the experiences we arrange most often for our guests.
Zanzibar
Stone Town & Kizimbani area
Wander the UNESCO-listed lanes of Stone Town with a local guide, then taste cloves, cinnamon and fresh fruit on a working spice farm.
Zanzibar
Off Stone Town
A boat trip from Stone Town to meet the giant Aldabra tortoises of Prison Island, then swim and picnic on the white Nakupenda sandbank.
Zanzibar
Fumba & Menai Bay Conservation Area
A full day sailing a traditional dhow through Menai Bay: snorkelling, a sandbank, a seafood feast, a mangrove lagoon and the giant baobab o…
Zanzibar
Mnemba Atoll, north-east coast
Snorkel or dive the coral reefs of the Mnemba Atoll, Zanzibar’s finest marine area, with turtles, reef fish and dolphins often seen on the …
Zanzibar
Stone Town or Nungwi / Kendwa
Sail a traditional wooden dhow along the Zanzibar coast as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, with drinks and snacks on board.
Zanzibar
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Walk through Zanzibar’s only national park to meet the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, then follow the mangrove boardwalk over the tidal …
Zanzibar
Kizimkazi, southern Zanzibar
An early-morning boat trip off Kizimkazi in southern Zanzibar to watch bottlenose and humpback dolphins, with responsible viewing and a sno…
Zanzibar
Kuza Cave (Jambiani) & Mangapwani
Swim in a turquoise cave pool on the south-east coast, explore the coral caves and slave chamber of Mangapwani, and discover Zanzibar beyon…
Private-pool villas, sunset dhow cruises and barefoot luxury — Zanzibar honeymoons and luxury beach holidays, on their own or after a safari.
Read more →Zanzibar guideNungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, Michamvi and Stone Town — a local guide to Zanzibar’s beaches, tides and where to stay.
Read more →Begin with the northern parks, then fly to the island to unwind.
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Zanzibar
From the wild plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater to the white-sand beaches and turquoise water of Zanzibar.
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Zanzibar
Tarangire’s elephant country, two nights on the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater, then three nights on the tropical shores of Zan…
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Zanzibar
Three nights on the Serengeti plains, Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, then four nights on the turquoise shores of Zanzibar.
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara · Zanzibar
Two weeks through Tarangire, three nights in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, then four nights on Zanzibar’s beaches.
The north coast (Nungwi and Kendwa) has a small tidal range, so swimming is possible most of the day, plus lively beach bars and spectacular sunsets. The north-east (Matemwe and Kiwengwa) is quieter, with long beaches and easy access to Mnemba Atoll. The east and south-east (Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu and Michamvi) have wide, white beaches and large tides — wonderful for long walks, rock pools and kitesurfing, though swimming is best around high tide.
Our guide to Zanzibar beaches and where to stay explains each area in detail.
Four to six nights is ideal after a safari: enough time for a day in Stone Town, a snorkelling or dhow trip and several slow days on the beach. Many guests spend one night in Stone Town before heading to the coast, or finish their holiday there before flying home. Honeymooners and divers often stay a week or more.
This is the classic Tanzania holiday. A typical plan is five to seven days on safari in the northern parks, followed by a flight from Arusha or a Serengeti airstrip to Zanzibar. We coordinate flights, transfers and luggage so the change from bush to beach is seamless. See our safari and Zanzibar itineraries.
Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim island with a rich Swahili culture. On the beach, swimwear is fine; in villages and Stone Town, covering shoulders and knees is respectful. During Ramadan, eating and drinking discreetly in public during the day is appreciated. A few words of Swahili — jambo (hello) and asante (thank you) — are always warmly received.
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same visa applies — apply through the official e-visa website. Zanzibar has also introduced mandatory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors, arranged through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation; we will remind you of the latest requirements before you travel. US dollars and Tanzanian shillings are widely used, and cards are accepted at most hotels.
| Area | Atmosphere | Tides & swimming | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nungwi & Kendwa | Lively, sunsets, beach bars | Small tides — swimmable most of the day | Couples, swimmers, first visits |
| Matemwe & Kiwengwa | Quiet, long beaches | Noticeable tides | Relaxation, Mnemba trips |
| Paje & Jambiani | Laid-back, village life | Large tides, shallow lagoon | Kitesurfing, long walks |
| Bwejuu & Michamvi | Peaceful, boutique resorts | Large tides; Michamvi has west-facing sunsets | Honeymoons, families |
| Stone Town | Historic, cultural, busy | Not a beach destination | History, food, 1–2 nights |
Zanzibar is warm all year, with sea temperatures that stay inviting in every season. The best beach weather is from June to October, when it is dry and slightly cooler, and from December to February, which is hot and sunny — perfect for diving and snorkelling.
The long rains usually fall from around March to May, with April and May the wettest months; some smaller hotels close during this period. The short rains in November tend to bring brief showers rather than days of rain. Combining Zanzibar with a dry-season safari in June to October is especially popular.
Entry rules and travel requirements for Zanzibar change from time to time. These official sources are the best places to check.
Still have a question? Our team in Moshi answers within 24 hours.
Ask on WhatsAppBy a short scheduled flight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or a Serengeti airstrip — usually one to two hours. We book the flight and arrange your transfers at both ends.
It depends on what you want. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are best for swimming at any time of day; the east and south-east coasts have wide, quiet beaches with large tides.
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers it. Zanzibar does require mandatory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors — we confirm the current rules before you travel.
Four to six nights is ideal after a safari, including a night in Stone Town if you enjoy history and culture.
Yes. Many resorts have family rooms and kids’ clubs, and the calm water of the north coast is ideal for children.
Explore Stone Town, take a spice tour, snorkel at Mnemba Atoll, sail on a sunset dhow, see red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest or spend a day on Safari Blue.
Tell us how you like to travel — lively or quiet, beach or culture — and we will suggest the right coast, hotel and experiences.
