3 Days Tanzania Safari
3 Days in Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
Zanzibar Holidays
Discover the Magic of Zanzibar
White-sand beaches. Turquoise Indian Ocean waters. Palm trees moving in the tropical breeze. Traditional dhows sailing toward the horizon. And the unmistakable aromas of spices drifting through the streets of Stone Town.
A Zanzibar holiday is your chance to slow down, explore, and experience one of East Africa's most captivating island destinations.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach escape, a romantic honeymoon, a family adventure, or the perfect ending to a Tanzania safari, Zanzibar offers an unforgettable combination of beaches, culture, history, food, marine life, and island experiences.
White sand, turquoise water, Indian Ocean sunsets
Why choose Zanzibar for your holiday?
Zanzibar is more than a beautiful beach destination. The island combines a fascinating Swahili culture with centuries of Indian Ocean trade, historic towns, tropical forests, spice farms, coral reefs, and spectacular beaches.
You can spend the morning exploring historic Stone Town, the afternoon swimming in crystal-clear water, and the evening watching the sunset from a traditional dhow.
Your Zanzibar holiday can include:
The best part? You decide how much adventure, and how much relaxation, you want.
Explore Stone Town
Discover the heart of Zanzibar. No Zanzibar holiday is complete without experiencing Stone Town.
The historic centre is a maze of narrow streets, carved wooden doors, old buildings, markets and small shops.
Walk through the streets and discover the layers of history created by centuries of trade and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.
Explore:
Stone Town is not simply somewhere to visit. It's a place to experience.
Spice tours
Zanzibar has long been associated with spices, earning it the nickname "Spice Island." Visit a local spice farm and discover how some of the island's most famous crops are grown.
See and smell spices such as:
You'll also discover tropical fruits, medicinal plants and other crops while learning how they are cultivated and used in local cuisine. And, of course, you'll have the opportunity to taste some of Zanzibar's flavours for yourself.
Zanzibar ocean adventures
Explore beneath the surface. The Indian Ocean surrounding Zanzibar is filled with marine life and colourful coral environments. Depending on conditions and location, you can enjoy:
The adventure doesn't stop when you reach the beach.
Swim with dolphins
Experience Zanzibar's marine life. The waters around Zanzibar offer opportunities to encounter marine life in its natural environment.
Where appropriate and under responsible tourism practices, travellers can join guided marine excursions to look for dolphins and other ocean wildlife.
Responsible operators should prioritise the welfare of animals and avoid chasing, crowding or disturbing them.
Wildlife experiences are most meaningful when the animals come first.
Zanzibar dhow cruises
Sail into the sunset. Few Zanzibar experiences are as memorable as sailing along the coast aboard a traditional dhow.
As the afternoon light begins to soften, step aboard and watch the coastline from the water. Enjoy a drink, relax with your travel companions and watch the sun disappear over the horizon.
For couples, a private sunset dhow cruise can create a particularly romantic experience. For families and groups, a private boat can turn an ordinary afternoon into an unforgettable island adventure.
Zanzibar for families
Island adventures for everyone. Zanzibar can be an excellent addition to a family holiday in Tanzania.
Children can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, beach games, wildlife experiences and visits to farms and cultural sites. Families can also combine their beach stay with a Tanzania safari.
Imagine this:
One holiday. Two completely different worlds.
Zanzibar for couples
Slow down. Disconnect. Reconnect. Zanzibar gives couples the space to enjoy time together without a packed schedule.
Choose a secluded beach resort, arrange a private excursion, enjoy a sunset cruise, or simply spend the day doing nothing but swimming and relaxing. Romantic experiences can include:
Sometimes the best part of a holiday is having nowhere else to be.
Zanzibar food & Swahili cuisine
Taste the island. Zanzibar's food reflects its position at the crossroads of African, Arab, Indian and international influences. Explore local markets and restaurants to discover flavours that are distinctly Swahili.
Try:
For food lovers, a cooking class can take the experience even further.
Don't just eat in Zanzibar. Taste its history.
When is the best time for a Zanzibar holiday?
Zanzibar can be visited throughout much of the year, but seasonal weather patterns can influence your experience.
The best time depends on whether your priority is beach relaxation, diving, wildlife, budget or combining Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari.
How long should you spend in Zanzibar?
Choose the length that matches the pace of holiday you want.
There is no need to rush island life.
Combine Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari
From the savannah to the sea. One of the most popular Tanzania travel combinations is a safari followed by a Zanzibar beach holiday.
Start among the wildlife of northern Tanzania. Watch lions in the Serengeti. Explore the Ngorongoro Crater. Then fly to Zanzibar and exchange the safari vehicle for a beach, boat or dhow.
Popular combinations include:
Where to stay in Zanzibar
From intimate boutique hotels to beachfront resorts and private villas, Zanzibar offers accommodation for different travel styles and budgets.
Your accommodation should match the type of holiday you want, not simply the location.
Travel responsibly in Zanzibar
Protect the island you came to discover. Zanzibar's beaches, reefs, wildlife and communities are part of what makes the island special. Responsible travel helps protect these places for future generations.
During your holiday:
Travel beautifully. Leave the island beautiful.
Explore Our Tanzania Safaris
Choose a Tanzania safari from 3 to 6 days. Every trip can be adjusted around the two of you, from private game drives to special occasions.
4 Days Tanzania Safari
4 Days in Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
5 Days Tanzania Safari
5 Days in Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
6 Days Tanzania Safari
6 Days in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Lake Manyara
Need more inspiration?
Tell us when you want to travel and how you imagine your romantic escape, and we’ll design a safari around the two of you.
Your Zanzibar holiday starts here
Maybe you're dreaming of a quiet beach escape. Maybe you want to explore Stone Town. Maybe you want to dive into the Indian Ocean. Or perhaps Zanzibar is the final chapter of your Tanzania safari. Whatever brings you to the island, we can help you build a Zanzibar holiday around your interests, travel style and time.
Ready to discover Zanzibar? Tell us your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred accommodation style and the experiences you'd like to include, and we'll help you create a holiday that gives you time to explore, relax and experience the island your way.
Request a custom Zanzibar itinerary →Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions travellers ask most about Zanzibar holidays.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The dry months from June to October are the most popular for beach holidays and for combining Zanzibar with a safari. January and February are also generally warm and relatively dry. March to May brings the long rains, which some travellers choose for quieter travel, and November and December can bring short showers alongside plenty of warm weather.
How many days should we spend in Zanzibar?
If you are adding Zanzibar to a safari, 3 to 4 days is enough for beach time, Stone Town and one or two ocean experiences. With 5 to 7 days you can add spice tours, snorkelling, diving and dhow cruises. If you want a slower holiday, 8 days or more gives you time to explore different parts of the island.
Can we combine Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari?
Yes. A safari followed by a beach stay is one of the most popular ways to travel in Tanzania. Common combinations include Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Big Five safaris, the Great Migration and Kilimanjaro, each followed by time on the island.
How do we get to Zanzibar?
Most travellers fly to Zanzibar, either directly or with a connection from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, which makes the move from safari to beach straightforward. Ferries also run between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. We can advise on the best option for your itinerary.
What is there to do in Zanzibar besides the beach?
You can explore historic Stone Town, visit a spice farm, go snorkelling or diving, take a sunset dhow cruise, try Swahili cuisine and join cultural experiences. Depending on conditions and location, kayaking, sailing and fishing excursions are also possible.
Is Zanzibar good for honeymoons and couples?
Yes. Couples can choose secluded beach resorts, private dinners, sunset dhow cruises and spa treatments, or simply enjoy unhurried days by the ocean. Many couples start with a Tanzania safari and finish with a beach stay in Zanzibar.
Is Zanzibar suitable for families?
Yes. Children can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, beach games and visits to farms and cultural sites. Family-friendly resorts often offer larger rooms, swimming pools and activities suited to children.
Can we swim with dolphins in Zanzibar?
Guided marine excursions can offer the chance to look for dolphins and other ocean wildlife. We recommend choosing responsible operators who put the animals first and avoid chasing, crowding or disturbing them.
What should we wear and how should we behave in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar has a strong Swahili and Islamic heritage, so dress modestly when visiting villages and towns such as Stone Town, and ask before photographing people. Swimwear is fine at beach resorts and on boat trips. Respecting local customs, avoiding single-use plastics and not touching coral all help protect the island.
How do we plan and book a Zanzibar holiday?
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation style and the experiences you would like to include. We will then build a Zanzibar holiday around your interests, travel style and time, either on its own or as the final chapter of a Tanzania safari.