Islands & Forest Retreat
Lake Victoria’s forested island and the turquoise shallows of Zanzibar — wild water at both ends.
From $2,180 per person
View ItineraryIndian Ocean
Zanzibar
Island
After the dust of the bush, Zanzibar is another world entirely — coral-white beaches, warm turquoise shallows, dhow sails at sunset and the carved-door alleys of Stone Town.
Indian Ocean · Wild & Nature Safaris
Discover
An Introduction
to Zanzibar
Zanzibar has drawn traders, sultans and spice merchants to its shores for a thousand years, and the island wears that history lightly. In Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, carved wooden doors, coral-rag houses and the call to prayer over the harbour recall the days of the Omani sultans — while the scent of cloves and cinnamon drifts from the plantations inland.
Beyond the town, the island is a beach destination of the first order. The northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa swim deep at any tide; the eastern shores of Paje and Jambiani glow turquoise behind their seaweed farms; and the forest of Jozani shelters the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found nowhere else on earth. It is the perfect counterpoint to a mainland safari.
- Location
- Indian Ocean, 25 km off the Tanzanian coast
- Heritage
- Stone Town — UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Known For
- Beaches, spices & Stone Town
- Best Months
- June – October
Wildlife & Natural Highlights
What You Will
Find Here
Every destination has its own rhythm and its own icons. These are the encounters, landscapes and moments that define Zanzibar.
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Nungwi & Kendwa
The island’s finest beaches — white coral sand and water that stays swimmable through the tides.
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Stone Town
A living UNESCO World Heritage Site of carved doors, sultans’ palaces, spice markets and rooftop terraces.
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Zanzibar Red Colobus
One of Africa’s rarest primates, found only in the island’s Jozani forest — habituated and wonderfully photogenic.
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Spice Plantations
Cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom — the “Spice Island” earns its name on a walk through the plantations.
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Mnemba Atoll
A marine conservation area off the north-east coast — coral gardens, dolphins, turtles and some of the finest diving in East Africa.
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Dhow Sunset Cruises
Sail a traditional wooden dhow as the sun drops into the Indian Ocean — the island’s most romantic hour.
Best Time to Visit
When to
Travel
June to October for dry, comfortable beach weather · December to February for heat and diving.
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June – October
Dry Season
Warm days, low humidity and gentle breezes — the classic beach season and the perfect end to a dry-season safari.
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December – February
Festive Heat
Hot, dry and bright. Excellent for diving and snorkelling, with lively energy over the festive period.
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March – May
Long Rains
Heavier rains and higher humidity. Some hotels close for refurbishment — those that stay open offer excellent value and quiet beaches.
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November
Short Rains
Brief, warm showers and green landscapes. A pleasant and affordable month to travel.
Safari Experiences
Things to
Do Here
From first light on the plains to the last glow on the water — the experiences that make Zanzibar unforgettable.
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Snorkelling & Diving
Coral gardens at Mnemba Atoll and along the eastern reefs — turtles, reef fish and dolphins.
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Spice Tours
Walk the plantations with a local guide, tasting and smelling your way through the island’s harvest.
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Stone Town Walks
Half a day among the carved doors, markets and rooftops of the old town with a historian guide.
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Dhow Sunset Sailing
A late-afternoon sail along the coast in a traditional dhow — cold drinks and a copper sky.
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Jozani Forest
Morning walks among the red colobus monkeys and the island’s last indigenous forest.
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Prison Island
A short boat ride to giant tortoises, reef snorkelling and a beach that feels a world from Stone Town.
Recommended Journeys
Safaris That Include
Zanzibar
Hand-crafted itineraries built around this destination — each one shaped, paced and priced for the way you want to travel.
Honeymoon in the Wild
Private camps, balloon dawns over the plains and barefoot evenings on the white sand of Zanzibar.
From $4,120 per person
View Itinerary
Zanzibar Island Escape
Barefoot days on the white sand of Nungwi, spice-scented afternoons and Stone Town evenings — the perfect safari coda.
From $1,540 per person
View ItineraryTravel Information
Before You
Set Out
- Getting There
- Direct flights from Dar es Salaam take 25 minutes, and from Arusha or the Serengeti around an hour. Ferries from Dar es Salaam take about two hours.
- Length of Stay
- Three to five nights after a safari — enough for the beach and at least a day in Stone Town.
- Nearby Parks
- Pemba Island to the north and Mafia Island to the south offer quieter, more adventurous island escapes.
- Good to Know
- The east coast has a dramatic low tide — reef shoes help and Nungwi or Kendwa suit swimmers best. Dress modestly away from the beach resorts, especially in Stone Town. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Good to Know
Zanzibar
FAQs
The questions travellers ask us most often about Zanzibar.
— Indian Ocean
Which beach should I choose in Zanzibar?
Nungwi and Kendwa in the north swim well at all tides and suit most travellers. Paje and Jambiani on the east coast are beautiful, breezier and ideal for kiteboarding — though the tide goes far out at low water.
How do I combine Zanzibar with a safari?
Most travellers fly from the Serengeti, Nyerere or Arusha straight to the island — it is a short flight and a perfect three-to-five-night coda to a safari.
Is Stone Town worth visiting?
Absolutely. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating counterpoint to the beaches — we recommend a walking tour and a rooftop dinner at minimum.
When is the rainy season?
The long rains fall in April and May, with shorter rains in November. Showers are usually brief and dramatic, and the island is lush and quiet — but some hotels close in April and May.
Is Zanzibar good for families?
Yes. The northern beaches are calm and sheltered, most resorts are family-friendly, and children love the spice tours, boat trips and giant tortoises of Prison Island.