Beaches, Culture & Indian Ocean Escapes
ZANZIBAR ISLAND TOURS
Zanzibar Beach with Safari
10 Nights / 11 Days
Zanzibar Beach & Safari
Guide Price: From £1,850 per person
Combine a relaxing Zanzibar beach stay with a short safari in southern Tanzania for a memorable wildlife and Indian Ocean holiday.
Zanzibar Beach Holidays
4 Nights / 5 Days
Zanzibar Island
from: £ 370.00 per person
Few places evoke such romance as the fabled spice islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia -sleepy islands with beautiful unspoilt beaches and lush tropical vegetation.
Zanzibar Pemba Island
7 Nights / 8 Days
Pemba Island – Manta Resort
from: On Request
An exotic island paradise of great beauty. And for that once in a lifetime experience, rent a private floating room at The Manta Resort.
Tanzania Wildlife Discovery with Zanzibar
8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations: Arusha · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti National Park · Zanzibar
Price: On Request
Combine a Tanzania wildlife safari with Zanzibar, featuring the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti followed by a relaxing Indian Ocean beach stay.
Tanzania Nyerere National Park Safari & Zanzibar
9 Nights / 10 Days
Dar es Salaam – Nyerere National Park – Zanzibar – Dar es Salaam
Guide Price: From £2,840 per person
Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar combines the wildlife of Nyerere National Park with a relaxing Zanzibar beach stay for a memorable 9-night safari and Indian Ocean holiday.
Tanzania Safari with Zanzibar Beach
10 Nights / 11 Days
Destinations: Arusha · Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti · Zanzibar
Guide Price: From £3,200 per person
Combine a classic Tanzania safari with a relaxing Zanzibar beach stay, featuring spectacular wildlife, beautiful landscapes and the Indian Ocean.
Kenya Safari with Zanzibar Beach
11 Nights / 12 Days
Kenya Safari with Zanzibar Beach
Combine Amboseli and the Masai Mara with a relaxing Zanzibar beach stay for a memorable safari and Indian Ocean holiday.
Mafia Island Tanzania
8 Nights / 9 Days
Mafia Island Tanzania
Guide Price: From £2,530 per person
Discover pristine coral reefs, superb diving and seasonal whale shark encounters on a tailor-made Mafia Island holiday.
Zanzibar holidays combine beautiful Indian Ocean beaches with fascinating history, colourful culture and plenty of opportunities for exploring. From the winding lanes of Stone Town and the island’s famous spice farms to tropical beaches and coral reefs, Zanzibar offers much more than a traditional beach escape.
Whether you are planning a relaxing island holiday or combining Zanzibar with a safari in Tanzania or Kenya, we can tailor your journey around your preferred travel dates, style and budget.
Zanzibar Holiday Highlights
- Relax on beautiful white-sand beaches beside the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
- Explore historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with winding lanes, colourful markets and distinctive architecture.
- Discover Zanzibar’s fascinating Swahili culture and the African, Arab, Indian and European influences that have shaped the islands.
- Visit a traditional spice farm and discover why Zanzibar became famous around the world as the Spice Islands.
- Snorkel or dive in clear tropical waters and discover colourful coral reefs and marine life.
- Explore Jozani Forest, home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found only in the Zanzibar archipelago.
- Sail along the coast on a traditional dhow and enjoy the islands from the water.
- Sample delicious Zanzibari cuisine, combining fresh seafood, tropical produce and aromatic spices.
- Combine your Zanzibar beach holiday with an unforgettable safari in Tanzania or Kenya.
- Enjoy plenty of time simply relaxing at your chosen beach resort.
Fascinating Facts
- Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania and consists of the main islands of Unguja and Pemba, together with a number of smaller islands.
- Historic Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its winding lanes, carved wooden doors and distinctive blend of African, Arab, Indian and European influences.
- Zanzibar has long been known as the Spice Islands, with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices playing an important role in its history and economy.
- Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town in 1946 and spent part of his childhood in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar was an important Indian Ocean trading centre for centuries, connecting East Africa with Arabia, India and beyond.
- The Zanzibar red colobus monkey is endemic to the Zanzibar archipelago and can be seen particularly in and around Jozani Forest.
- Zanzibar united with Tanganyika in 1964, creating the United Republic of Tanzania.
- Swahili is the principal local language, while English is widely used in tourism.
- Zanzibar’s cuisine reflects its multicultural history, combining African, Arab, Indian and Persian influences with fresh seafood and locally grown spices
Things to Do on a Zanzibar Holiday
A Zanzibar holiday offers much more than beautiful beaches. Spend time exploring historic Stone Town, discover the island’s spice-growing heritage, sail along the coast or head beneath the warm Indian Ocean to experience Zanzibar’s colourful marine life.
Snorkelling and Diving
Zanzibar offers excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving, with coral reefs, tropical fish and warm waters surrounding the islands. Excursions can be arranged for beginners and experienced divers, while snorkelling trips provide an easy way to discover the marine life without needing to dive.
Spice Tours
Zanzibar has been known as the Spice Islands for centuries. Visit a traditional spice farm to see, smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and tropical fruits while learning about the important role spices have played in Zanzibar’s history and culture.
Stone Town
Explore the narrow lanes of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, where carved wooden doors, bustling markets and historic buildings reflect centuries of African, Arab, Indian and European influence. A guided walking tour is an excellent way to discover the stories behind this fascinating part of Zanzibar.
Jozani Forest
Visit Jozani Forest to discover tropical vegetation and see the distinctive Zanzibar red colobus monkey, a species found only in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Sailing & Island Experiences
Traditional dhow cruises, sandbank excursions and island-hopping trips provide another way to enjoy Zanzibar’s beautiful coastline. Whether you prefer sightseeing and activities or simply relaxing beside the sea, we can tailor your Zanzibar holiday around the experiences that interest you most.
Best Time to Travel on a Zanzibar Holiday
Zanzibar has a warm tropical climate throughout the year, making it possible to enjoy the island in every season. The best time to travel will depend on whether you are looking for predominantly dry beach weather, quieter periods or a Zanzibar stay combined with an East African safari.
December to February is generally hot and humid, with plenty of sunshine and warm sea temperatures. This is a popular time for escaping the European winter and enjoying Zanzibar’s beaches and Indian Ocean waters.
March to May brings the main rainy season, with April and May typically experiencing the heaviest rainfall. Humidity can be higher and some smaller hotels may close temporarily during this quieter period.
June to October is generally cooler, drier and less humid, with warm sunny days and refreshing coastal breezes. These months are particularly popular for combining Zanzibar with a safari in Tanzania or Kenya.
November usually brings the shorter rains, although conditions can vary from year to year. Showers are often interspersed with periods of sunshine, and the island remains warm.
Zanzibar can therefore be enjoyed throughout much of the year, and we can recommend the most suitable beach area and resort for your particular travel dates.
Planning a Zanzibar Holiday
Every Zanzibar holiday can be tailored around the way you like to travel. We can help you choose the right area of the island, hotel or resort, room type and board basis, as well as arrange private transfers, excursions and experiences to suit your interests.
Zanzibar combines particularly well with an East African safari. Spend time exploring Tanzania’s famous national parks or Kenya’s wildlife reserves before flying to Zanzibar to relax beside the Indian Ocean. It also works beautifully as a standalone beach holiday, honeymoon or special celebration.
Tell us your preferred travel dates, interests and budget, and we will create a tailor-made Zanzibar holiday designed around you.
Planning your trip? Check the latest UK government foreign travel advice before travelling.
