Zanzibar: white sand, spices and a thousand years of history
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, a short flight or ferry ride from the mainland. Its two main islands are Unguja, usually just called Zanzibar, and quieter, greener Pemba.
For centuries it was a hub of the spice, ivory and dhow trade, and that history is written into its alleys, mosques, forts and food. Today it is a place to swim, snorkel, dive and slow down, with the stories of Stone Town and the scents of a spice farm in between.
Old town
Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nickname
The Spice Island: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla
Culture
Predominantly Muslim; dress modestly away from the resorts
Sea
Warm water, coral reefs, dolphins and turtles
Winds
Kite-friendly seasons: roughly Dec to Mar and Jun to Sep
Getting there
About 20 minutes by air from Dar es Salaam; ferries take about 2 hours
The areas of Zanzibar
Stone Town
A maze of coral-stone houses, carved doors, markets and tea houses on the west coast. Add Prison Island for tortoises and a snorkel.
Best: All year, best in the cooler dry months
The North Coast
Nungwi and Kendwa have swimmable beaches at all tides, lively sunsets and access to the Mnemba Atoll reef.
Best: June to March
The East and South Coast
Paje and the eastern shore have turquoise lagoons, kitesurfing and seaweed farms. Jozani Forest and the dolphins of Kizimkazi are close by.
Best: June to March
Pemba Island
Hilly, green and quiet, with clove plantations and some of the best diving in East Africa along the deep Pemba Channel.
Best: October to March for diving
Arriving and moving around
Fly in
Zanzibar's airport receives direct flights from several regions and short hops from Dar es Salaam, Arusha and the Serengeti.
By ferry
Fast ferries link Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in about two hours. We recommend a flight if the sea is rough or you are short of time.
Getting around
We arrange private transfers. Distances are short, but roads can be slow, so allow an hour or more between the north and Stone Town.
Good to know
- Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages: cover shoulders and knees.
- Beaches on the east coast change with the tide, so check the timetable before you plan a swim.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for rocky and coral edges.
- April and May are the heavy-rain months and some hotels close.
What lives in Zanzibar
Primates
Zanzibar Red Colobus
Piliocolobus kirkii
A rare monkey found only on Zanzibar, easy to see at Jozani Forest.
Jozani Forest, Zanzibar Stone Town +1 more
Whales & dolphins
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops aduncus
A friendly, resident dolphin that lives in the bays around Zanzibar.
Kizimkazi, Nungwi +3 more
Primates
Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
A small grey monkey with a black face and sky-blue skin.
Tarangire, Lake Manyara +4 more
Primates
Thick-tailed Bushbaby
Otolemur crassicaudatus
A big-eyed nocturnal primate whose call sounds like a crying baby.
Lake Manyara, Arusha +3 more
Whales & dolphins
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
A giant baleen whale that migrates through Tanzanian waters from July to October.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +2 more
Turtles
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
A large, gentle turtle that grazes on seagrass and nests on quiet beaches.
Mafia Island, Mnemba Atoll +3 more
Turtles
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
A rare turtle with a hawk-like beak and a beautifully patterned shell.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +1 more
Sharks & rays
Reef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
A graceful giant ray that glides through the reef channels of the islands.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +1 more
Ways to explore Zanzibar
Easy days out
Questions we often hear
What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
June to October and December to March are the most popular for beach weather. April and May bring the heaviest rain and the lowest prices.
How many days should I spend?
Four to seven days is common. Add three nights in Stone Town if you love history and food, and more if you plan to dive or kitesurf.
Can I combine Zanzibar with a safari?
Yes. Safari first, then beach, is the classic order. We can arrange flights so that the last safari morning leads straight to the sea by evening.
Let us build your Zanzibar trip
Tell us your dates and interests and we will send a personal itinerary within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk? Call +255 754 123 456