Zanzibar
Stone Town, the beaches and the reef. A World Heritage town, beaches that swim at every tide in the north and a lagoon and reef in the east, all within an hour of each other.
Stone Town, the beaches and the reef
Zanzibar is small enough that nothing is far. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, sits on the west coast beside the airport. The north coast at Nungwi and Kendwa is an hour away and is the one part of the island where the sea stays deep enough to swim at every tide. The east coast, Paje, Bwejuu and Jambiani, is wider and quieter, with a lagoon inside the reef that empties at low tide and fills again by afternoon, which is why the kitesurfers go there.
We are based in Stone Town, so a Zanzibar trip with us is planned by people who drive these roads every week. We know which beach suits a family and which suits a couple, which hotel is honest about its tides, and how to fit a spice farm, Jozani forest and a sunset dhow into the days without turning a holiday into a schedule. The long rains fall from March to May and a shorter burst in November; the rest of the year is dry and warm.
- Best months
- Jun to Oct and Dec to Feb
- Getting there
- Zanzibar airport, fifteen minutes from Stone Town, with direct flights from Europe, the Gulf and the mainland
- How long
- Three to seven nights
- What it costs
- From $430 per person, two travelling in our 5 day Zanzibar experience getaway trip.
A Zanzibar week costs less than a safari because there are no park fees or bush flights in it. What moves the price is the hotel: the same beach can be booked at three very different levels, and we will say plainly which one is worth it.
The reasons people come
- Stone Town's alleys, the old fort and the Forodhani night market
- Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, swimmable at every tide
- Snorkelling off Mnemba atoll with turtles and reef fish
- The red colobus monkeys of Jozani forest
- A spice farm walk with cloves, vanilla and cinnamon straight off the tree
- Prison Island and its giant tortoises, a short boat ride from town
Experiences here: Spice farm tour, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches, Family holidays, Snorkelling by dhow, Scuba diving.
- 1Stone Town
- 2Nungwi
- 3Mangapwani
- 4East coast
Ready-made, adjustable
Every one of these visits Zanzibar. Each bends to your dates, group and budget.
Zanzibar experience getaway
Zanzibar beach holiday, family special
Zanzibar & the Northern Circuit
Zanzibar & fly-in Serengeti
Tanzania Magic: chimpanzees, Arusha and the coast
Where we sleep in Zanzibar
The places our itineraries here book, by standard. Every one can be swapped.
Tembo House Hotel
The old seafront house on Shangani beach, with a pool and the sunset from the terrace.
2 of our trips sleep here
Shaba Boutique Hotel
A small boutique hotel inside the old town, minutes from the seafront and the markets.
2 of our trips sleep here
Sea Cliff Resort & Spa
Cliffs, coves, a golf course and a spa on the west coast, twenty five minutes from Stone Town.
One of our trips sleeps here
Reef & Beach Resort
A small all-inclusive resort on the white sand of the east coast at Jambiani.
One of our trips sleeps hereWhat people ask about Zanzibar
When does it rain in Zanzibar?
The long rains run from mid March to May and a shorter, lighter spell comes in November. June to October is dry and breezy, December to February is dry and hot. We still take guests in the rains; showers are usually short and the hotels are cheaper.
Can I swim on the east coast?
Yes, but the lagoon is tidal. At low tide the water goes out a long way and you walk or wade; at high tide it is a swimming beach. If swimming at any hour matters, stay in the north at Nungwi or Kendwa, and we will tell you the tide pattern for your dates.
Is Stone Town safe to walk around?
Yes, with the ordinary care of any old town: keep valuables out of sight and take a taxi rather than walking unlit alleys late at night. A guided walk on the first morning helps you find your way afterwards.
Tell us your month and how many days you have, and we will say what Zanzibar can be.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.