Zanzibar beach holiday: Your dream island getaway

days

This trip starts with exploring the fascinating history of Stone Town as well as the wildlife of the forested interior. You also visit initiatives that support women's employment like the Paje seaweed farm. Next, there's plenty of time to relax on beautiful beaches and swim in the sea. And a catamaran trip lets you snorkel among the archipelago's famous coral reefs and colourful marine life.

From

USD

2050

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!

Girl poses with vintage door in Stone Town Zanzibar

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, you visit Zito Spice Farm and go on a leisurely walk through its lush garden to learn about the medicinal, culinary and cultural uses of the spices produced on the island. 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, head to the southeast coast to see the seaweed farms of Paje that 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.

Whole fresh nutmeg and mace. Farm worker on zanzibar spice plantation presenting freshly harvested nutmeg and mace during a guided spice tour

Three local Muslim women walking along beach on Zanzibar with dhow in distance on water

Day 4: Drive to Nungwi 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 Nungwi Beach on the northern coastline of the island. The day is then yours to do as you please. You might like to take a stroll along the powder-fine white-sand of what's arguably's Zanzibar's most beautiful stretch of coastline. And of course why not take a dip into the translucent warm water of the Indian Ocean? In the evening, have dinner at one of the beach's many fantastic restaurants and take a stroll to enjoy the nightlife for which Nungwi is famous!

Day 5: Open day to relax or explore at 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 catch a boat ride to Prison Island to see the ruins and incredible wildlife, which includes giant tortoises? Or organise a diving excursion to explore the island's renowned coral reefs and marine life?

Ours. Prison island. Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Woman snorkelling among fish with water camera

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. Did you know that Zanzibar's coral reefs are home to over 500 reef fish species, including black tip reef sharks? Little wonder that the archipelago is one of the world's top diving destinations. Afterwards, you head back to Unguja Island, arriving home in Nungwi Beach at around sunset.

Day 7: Another open day to relax or explore 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 or yoga class or go for a spa treatment. Alternatively, if you're keen to see more of the island, why not head down the east coast to have a meal at the famous Rock Restaurant, explore idyllic, quieter beaches like Jambiani, visit some small, traditional fishing villages, or go kite surfing. We can help you to find just the right activity to suit your tastes!

Kiwengwa beach on Zanzibar island, Tanzania.Young female dressed light summer clothes joyfully threw up her hand riding old vintage bicycle with front basket on the low tide ocean white sand coast on

Ours. Starfish on the beach, Nungwi, Kendwa, Zanzibar island, Tanzania

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

Lovely mid-range 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

Where you'll stay

Maru Maru Hotel

This comfortable hotel occupies an enviable spot in historic Stone Town. What's more, its rooftop has a swimming pool and cocktail bar and offers 360-degree views of the town and the Indian Ocean.

Sandies Baobab Beach

This seaside resort with a swimming pool and spa lets you step straight onto the white sands of gorgeous Nungwi Beach.

Why Follow Alice?

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About us

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: Your dream island getaway