Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Spice-scented, sun-drenched, and steeped in a thousand years of history — Zanzibar is Tanzania’s island paradise and the perfect complement to any safari. A short flight from Dar es Salaam or from any of the Northern Circuit airstrips, this Indian Ocean archipelago combines UNESCO-listed culture, powder-white beaches, and world-class marine life into one of East Africa’s most complete travel experiences.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the soul of Zanzibar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of East Africa’s most captivating urban environments, its labyrinthine alleys wind between crumbling Arab palaces, ornately carved wooden doors, Persian bathhouses, and covered markets fragrant with cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. At every corner, another layer of history reveals itself — Omani sultans, Portuguese navigators, Indian merchants, and British diplomats have all left their mark on this extraordinary city.
Stone Town is also the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. The iconic lead singer of Queen grew up here, in a house that still stands near the waterfront. The old fort overlooks the harbour where traditional dhows still sail at sunset. The Forodhani Gardens come alive each evening with street food vendors grilling Zanzibar specialities over open flames.
The Beaches
Zanzibar’s coastline is genuinely world-class. The Indian Ocean here is warm, turquoise, and extraordinarily clear. The north coast at Nungwi and Kendwa offers lively beach villages with shallow sandbanks at low tide and excellent snorkelling. The east coast is wilder, with long sweeps of deserted white sand and a quiet, unrushed character. Both coasts offer some of the most beautiful beach scenery in the entire Indian Ocean.
Mnemba Atoll
Just off the northeast tip of Zanzibar, Mnemba Atoll is widely regarded as one of the finest dive and snorkel sites in the entire Indian Ocean. The atoll’s coral gardens shelter sea turtles, spinner dolphins, barracuda, moray eels, reef sharks, and extraordinary concentrations of colourful reef fish. Humpback whale encounters are possible during migration season. Diving here is life-changing.
Kizimkazi and the Dolphins
In the quiet bays of Kizimkazi on Zanzibar’s southern tip, resident pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins gather each morning. Swimming with them — in clear, warm water, watching them move effortlessly around you — is one of the most joyful wildlife experiences the island offers.
The Spice Farms
Zanzibar’s interior is as extraordinary as its coastline. A spice tour through the island’s historic plantations is a full sensory experience — tasting fresh vanilla, feeling the rough bark of a cinnamon tree, smelling nutmeg and pepper in their natural state. The island earned its name — The Spice Island — through centuries of cultivation that made it one of the most economically significant places in the Indian Ocean world.
Combining Zanzibar with Your Safari
Zanzibar sits just 35 kilometres off the Tanzanian coast, connected by scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam (20 minutes) and direct flights from the Serengeti airstrips. Our Zanzibar Beach & Safari Combo combines 5 days on the Northern Circuit with 3 days on the island — the complete Tanzania experience in a single seamless itinerary.
Key Highlights
- Stone Town: UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Freddie Mercury — one of Africa’s most atmospheric cities
- Mnemba Atoll: World-class snorkelling and diving with sea turtles, dolphins, and spectacular coral gardens
- Kizimkazi Dolphins: Swim with resident bottlenose and humpback dolphin pods in warm, clear water
- Nungwi & Paje Beaches: Some of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean — white sand, turquoise water, year-round warmth
- Spice Tours: Experience the living heritage of the Spice Island — cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in their natural setting
- Jozani Forest: Home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey — one of Africa’s most endangered primates, found only here
Best Time to Visit: June–October and December–March. Avoid April–May (long rains).
Getting There: 20-minute flight from Dar es Salaam; direct flights from Serengeti, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro airports.