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A traditional dhow off the Zanzibar coast
IslandZanzibar Archipelago

Zanzibar

Spice island, turquoise water

Best time
June – October and December – February
Recommended stay
4 – 7 days
Nearest airport
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
Main attraction
Stone Town & beaches
Overview

About Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about 35 km off the Tanzanian coast. The main island, Unguja, combines white-sand beaches and coral reefs with a rich Swahili, Arab and Indian heritage.

Its historic centre, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, markets and old merchants' houses. Many travellers end a safari here, or come for a beach holiday on its own.

Main island
Unguja
Stone Town
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Flight from Dar
≈ 20 min
Ferry from Dar
≈ 2 h
Main attractions

What makes it special

A carved Zanzibar door with brass studs

Stone Town

Old Fort, House of Wonders, Darajani market, Forodhani night food market and the carved doors of the old town.

Turquoise water on Nungwi beach

Northern beaches

Nungwi and Kendwa have swimming at all tides and famous sunsets.

Zanzibar red colobus monkey

Jozani Forest

Home of the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, with a mangrove boardwalk.

Mnemba Atoll

Protected reef off the north-east coast, good for snorkelling and diving.

Wildlife & activities

What you can see and do

  • Zanzibar red colobus
  • Sykes' monkey
  • Green turtle
  • Hawksbill turtle
  • Bottlenose and spinner dolphins
  • Reef fish
  • Coconut crab

Beach holidays

Snorkelling and diving

Spice farm tours

Sunset dhow cruises

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Each part of the island has a different character. We help you choose the right beach for your style.

Stone Town seafront in Zanzibar

Stone Town

The historic heart of Zanzibar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Arab, Indian and Swahili architecture, museums, markets and rooftop restaurants. Guided walking tours from about USD 35 per person; Prison Island boat trips from about USD 45.

  • Historical significance
  • Cultural attractions
  • Architecture & carved doors
  • Stone Town tours from ≈ USD 35
  • Boutique hotels
Turquoise water on Nungwi beach

Nungwi

Lively northern tip with swimming at any tide, dhow builders and sunset bars.

  • Beach
  • Diving and snorkelling
  • Sunset experiences

Kendwa

Calm, wide beach just south of Nungwi; the best swimming on the island.

  • Swimming
  • Water activities
  • Full moon parties

Paje

East-coast lagoon famous for kitesurfing and a relaxed village feel.

  • Kitesurfing
  • Water activities
  • Seaweed farms

Jambiani

Quiet fishing village with long tidal flats and community tourism.

  • Local community experiences
  • Water activities

Matemwe

Peaceful north-east beach, closest to Mnemba Atoll.

  • Marine activities
  • Mnemba access
  • Snorkelling

Zanzibar activities

Book on their own or add them to any package. Each activity lists what is included and the packages that feature it. Prices are per person and based on 2 travellers sharing a private tour.

Stone Town tour

Stone Town

3 hoursFrom TSh 91,000

Guided walk through the old town: Old Fort, House of Wonders, the former slave market and Darajani market.

Included

  • Licensed local guide
  • Entrance to the Anglican Cathedral and slave chambers
  • Hotel pickup in Stone Town

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Tips

Requirements

  • Modest dress
  • Comfortable shoes

Spice farm tour

Kizimbani / Kindichi

Half dayFrom TSh 104,000

See, smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg on a working farm, with a Swahili lunch.

Included

  • Transport
  • Guide
  • Fruit tasting and lunch

Not included

  • Tips

Prison Island

Changuu Island

Half dayFrom TSh 117,000

Boat trip to see the giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkel on the nearby reef.

Included

  • Boat
  • Snorkel gear

Not included

  • Island entry fee (≈ USD 8)
  • Tips

Life jackets are provided on all boats.

Jozani Forest

Central Zanzibar

2–3 hoursFrom TSh 104,000

Walk with a ranger to see red colobus monkeys, then cross the mangrove boardwalk.

Included

  • Transport
  • Park entry
  • Ranger guide

Not included

  • Tips

Safari Blue

Fumba / Menai Bay

Full dayFrom TSh 195,000

Full-day dhow trip with snorkelling, a sandbank, seafood lunch and a swim in a mangrove lagoon.

Included

  • Dhow
  • Snorkel gear
  • Seafood lunch and fruit
  • Drinks

Not included

  • Transfers from northern hotels
  • Tips

Not recommended for non-swimmers without a life jacket.

Snorkelling at Mnemba

Matemwe / Nungwi

Half dayFrom TSh 143,000

Boat trip to the protected Mnemba reef for snorkelling with tropical fish and, often, turtles.

Included

  • Boat
  • Snorkel gear
  • Marine fee

Not included

  • Tips

Scuba diving

Nungwi / Mnemba

Half dayFrom TSh 312,000

Two-tank dives with a PADI dive centre, from beginner try-dives to advanced reefs.

Requirements

  • Certification for fun dives
  • Medical form

Do not fly within 24 hours of diving.

Dolphin trip

Kizimkazi

Half dayFrom TSh 130,000

Early boat trip to see dolphins, run with operators who follow responsible viewing rules (no chasing, no touching).

Included

  • Boat
  • Snorkel gear

Not included

  • Tips

Beach activities

Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani

FlexibleFrom TSh 52,000

Swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, beach volleyball and, in Paje, kitesurfing lessons. We match your hotel to the activities you enjoy.

Included

  • Equipment hire where stated by the provider

Not included

  • Lessons and guided sessions unless booked

Requirements

  • Kitesurfing: lessons with a certified school

Swim only where hotels mark safe areas; tides on the east coast go out a long way.

Sunset dhow cruise

Stone Town or Nungwi

2 hoursFrom TSh 91,000

Sail on a traditional dhow as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

Included

  • Dhow
  • Soft drinks and snacks

Cultural village experience

Jambiani

Half dayFrom TSh 91,000

Community-run visit to seaweed farms, a local school project and a village kitchen.

Included

  • Local guide
  • Lunch with a family
Best time to visit

When to go

June – October and December – February

  1. January: Best
  2. February: Best
  3. March: Good
  4. April: Rainy / low season
  5. May: Rainy / low season
  6. June: Best
  7. July: Best
  8. August: Best
  9. September: Best
  10. October: Best
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Best
  • Best
  • Good
  • Rainy / low season

Long rains from April to May, short rains in November. Sea temperature stays around 26–29 °C all year.

Recommended stay: 4 – 7 days

Location & access

Getting there

By air: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) has direct international flights and short domestic flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha and the Serengeti.

By sea: fast ferries from Dar es Salaam port take about 2 hours.

Nearest airports & airstrips

  • Abeid Amani Karume International AirportZNZ

Where to stay

Boutique hotels in Stone Town; beach resorts and guest houses at Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe.

Open in Google Maps
Park fees

Entry and conservation fees

FeeAmount (USD)Notes
Zanzibar inbound travel insurance$44 per person / tripMandatory for foreign visitors; buy online before arrival
Jozani Forest entry$12 per person
Mnemba marine conservation fee$10 per person / visit

Park and conservation fees are set by TANAPA, NCAA and the Zanzibar authorities and can change. Figures shown are indicative; your quotation always uses the current official rates.

Before you go

Requirements & safety

  • Zanzibar inbound travel insurance before arrival
  • Modest dress in Stone Town and villages (cover shoulders and knees)
Tours & safaris

Packages that visit Zanzibar

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