Zanzibar beach holiday: Dive into adventure and luxury

days

This bucket-list holiday starts in Stone Town, where African, Arab, Persian, Chinese and Indian influences mixed over centuries to create a unique legacy that can be seen in features likes the city's captivating architecture and spicy cuisine. Then it's time to head to the northern coastline to explore the beaches and the calm, incredibly biodiverse waters that have made Zanzibar a diving mecca.

From

USD

3200

per person

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day

We meet you at the airport and whisk you away to your stylish hotel in Stone Town. The drive takes about an hour. After that, depending on the time of day you arrive and how tired you are from your travels, either relax poolside or step out of the hotel straight into the heart of historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The winding alleys, intricately carved wooden doors, spicy aromas and invitingly cool shop interiors are all just waiting to be appreciated!

An old traditional wooden carved door in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa, close up.

Panorama of Stone Town on Zanzibar island in Tanzania during sunrise with dramatic clouds.

Day 2: Historic Stone Town tour and Zito Spice Farm

In the morning, enjoy a guided walking city tour to visit the eighteenth-century Arab Fort, the imposing Palace of the Sultans, the towering Anglican Cathedral with its slave market memorial, the seaside Forodhani Gardens, and much more! Later in the day, visit Zito Spice Farm and go on a leisurely walk through its lush gardens to learn about the medicinal, culinary and cultural uses of the spices long produced on the island. And of course this experience also includes tasting the various fruits and spices!

Day 3: Butterfly garden, Jozani Forest and Paje seaweed farm

This morning you head inland to visit Zanzibar Butterfly Center, a beautiful garden chockfull of butterflies and chameleons that's managed by local women. You then go on a guided nature walk in Jozani Forest, where you learn about the different species of monkeys unique to the island, including the very smelly and endangered Zanzibar red colobus. This includes a stroll into a beautiful section of mangrove forest. Finally, visit the iconic seaweed farms of Paje, which are harvested by local women. You also get to visit the village's seaweed factory to see how the crop is transformed into products like organic soaps.

Aerial view of Kendwa Beach, with lots of thatched beach umbrellas, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Day 4: Drive to Kendwa Beach resort and relax or explore

After a leisurely morning, you're fetched from the hotel and taken on a scenic drive to your seaside resort in Kendwa Beach on the northwest coastline of the island. The day is then yours to do as you please. You might like to relax by the swimming pool, or take a stroll along the powder-fine white-sand beach, which is gently lapped by crystalline waters. You could book a kayaking excursion into the nearby mangrove forest or join a beachfront yoga class. In the evening, have cocktails at the beach bar and enjoy the live music that's an integral part of Kendwa Beach's famous nightlife.

Day 5: Day to relax or explore at your leisure

Yes, we could easily pack this itinerary to the rafters with incredible activities. But we want to leave a day for you to do just as you please! So maybe that means plonking on the beach with your toes in the water. Or revisiting a spot from earlier in the week that you loved so much. Or you could head off to do something entirely new. For instance, maybe you want to head down the island's east coast for a meal at the famous Rock Restaurant? Or organise a diving excursion? The whole island is your oyster, so to speak!

Ours. Restaurant Rock, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Old boats (dhow and other) and modern boat (catamaran) in Zanzibar on a sunny day

Day 6: Private ocean safari on a catamaran

This morning you head out on a full-day ocean safari in a private 50-foot catamaran. Your route takes you west towards Tumbatu Lighthouse, which looks like a tower of nesting blocks set atop a rocky cliff. Once there, you anchor to let everyone enjoy a snorkel by the beautiful, multicoloured coral wall of Tumbatu Reef. After an onboard lunch, you head back to Unguja Island, disembarking at sunset. Zanzibari sunsets are truly special, and from Kendwa Beach you're treated to the evening ritual of the sun dropping into the water and throwing a line of shimmering light towards the sand.

Day 7: Another day at leisure

Zanzibar beach holidays are all about the slow life. So here's another day to just relax. You might like to join an art class, or go for a spa treatment (or two). Alternatively, if you're all about the adventure, you could do a day trip to Pemba Island to the north. This island is very different from the main one in several ways, including being more traditional and far less touristy. You could opt for a rewarding community visit, or go on a guided forest walk to see the enormous colonies of flying foxes. We can help you to find just the right activity to suit your tastes!

Smiling yound woman lying in shallow blue water on beach in Zanzibar

Top view of beautiful thatch stilt house restaurant at Zanzibar

Day 8: Departure day

It's time to head home, having soaked for days in the sun and beauty of an unforgettable Zanzibar beach holiday! You're driven to Stone Town in time to catch your flight.

Price Includes

All transfers

Beautiful, luxury accommodation on a shared basis, breakfasts and dinners included

Lunch on ocean safari day

All excursions detailed in itinerary

See all inclusions

See fewer inclusions

Price Does not Include

Airfares

Visa

Travel insurance

Most lunches and drinks

Tips (customary)

Any excursions not in itinerary

US$5 per day infrastructure tax

Where you'll stay

Sharazād Wonders in Stone Town

This gorgeous boutique hotel in the very heart of historic Stone Town opened in 2022. The traditional courtyard building has been fully renovated to offer guests a truly luxurious experience.

Zuri Zanzibar

Zuri means 'beautiful' in Swahili, and that's exactly what you'll be thinking when you wake up in your bungalow at this lagoon resort where the water is always right on your doorstep.

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Adventuring made easy

Our dedicated travel consultants make adventuring easy for you by taking away all of the admin. Your only jobs are to train for the adventure if necessary and then pack your bags!

Local guides

Our local guides look after you in every way. Our goal is to give every traveller the feeling you get when a friend is showing you their country.

Responsible travel

On average, over 70% of your trip price stays in the local economy. It's important to us that the visited communities benefit the most since they're the ones hosting travellers.

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Zanzibar beach holiday: Dive into adventure and luxury