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Zanzibar Holiday

The ultimate guide to your next Zanzibar Vacation

There’s a reason Zanzibar holidays linger in the imagination long after you return home. Picture this: the scent of cloves and cinnamon drifting through warm evening air, the sea breeze carrying a whisper of salt and spice as dhows glide past the Indian Ocean’s glow. This island doesn’t rush you; it invites you to exhale.

A vacation in Zanzibar is more than a trip. It’s a sanctuary. A place where calm and effortless beauty meet, where every moment feels unhurried, and where the world’s noise fades into the rhythm of the tides. An island that truly embodies the local saying ‘Hakuna Matata‘, which means no worries.

Where’s Zanzibar?

Group of zebra fishes swimming in the sea by Mnemba Island, Zanzibar
Zanzibar lies off Tanzania’s east coast | Photo: Mnemba Island, Zanzibar

Zanzibar lies off Tanzania’s east coast, a short, scenic flight from the mainland. Many travellers pair their safari in Zanzibar with time on the Serengeti, a balance of wild adventure and oceanic serenity. It’s one of the easiest safari-beach holidays in Africa. One morning, you might watch lions stir at dawn; that same afternoon, you could be barefoot on the sand, cocktail in hand, watching the sky melt into rose gold – this is what Zanzibar holidays encompass, and so much more.

A Private Island Feeling

Vacations to Zanzibar still carry an air of exclusivity | Photo: Zanzibar Mnemba Island

This archipelago feels worlds away. Even though it’s easily accessible, vacations to Zanzibar still carry an air of exclusivity. The island is dotted with secluded resorts and boutique villas that promise complete privacy. The kind where you can wander from your villa straight to the sea without seeing another soul.

This is barefoot luxury at its finest: soft linens, open-air bathrooms, and infinity pools that blur into the horizon. The service is discreet but impeccable. A private butler who knows when to appear with fresh coconut water and when to quietly melt away. Nothing here feels forced or flashy. It’s indulgence wrapped in ease.

The Spirit of Stone Town

View of Stone Town from the balcony of a hotel on a East African coast safari
Stone Town is Zanzibar’s historic heart | Photo: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Begin your holiday in Zanzibar with a gentle wander through Stone Town, the island’s historic heart. You’ll lose yourself among narrow, winding alleys where ancient wooden doors tell stories of merchants and explorers. Aromas of coffee, cardamom, and the ocean mingle in the air. Laughter spills from spice markets, and every corner hums with life, yet it never feels chaotic.

This is the cultural soul of the island: a tapestry woven from African, Arab, and European influences. Visit a local Zanzibar village, share a smile, sip ginger tea, and you’ll sense the timeless rhythm that defines this place.

The Call of the Ocean

Stand Up Padle. Photo: Bawe Island
The Indian Ocean here isn’t just blue; it’s every shade between jade, turquoise, and sapphire | Photo: Bawe Island

And then, of course, there’s the sea. The Indian Ocean here isn’t just blue; it’s every shade between jade, turquoise, and sapphire. On the southern shores, Kizimkazi Beach glows at sunset, the air filled with the sound of gentle waves and the call of fishermen returning home.

Days here unfold slowly. Swim through shallows alive with darting fish. Drift over coral gardens on a private snorkelling trip. Take a sunset dhow cruise and watch the sails catch fiery hues in the fading light. If you’re lucky, dolphins will glide beside you, close enough to touch.

Effortless Tranquility

The best vacations in Zanzibar aren’t packed with itineraries | Photo: Mnemba Island

The best vacations in Zanzibar aren’t packed with itineraries. They flow. Breakfast whenever you wake, a spa treatment by the sea, then perhaps a slow wander through the spice farms that gave Zanzibar its nickname, the Spice Island. Every scent, every colour, feels heightened here.

In the afternoon, sink into a lounger as your butler brings chilled wine and fresh mango. There’s no need to plan, rush, or coordinate. Every detail – transfers, dining, even the temperature of your plunge pool – is handled seamlessly. As you stroll around, locals will remind you to ‘Pole Pole‘, meaning take it easy. That’s the quiet magic of Zanzibar’s safari and beach combinations. Adventure and indulgence, perfectly balanced.

A Taste of Barefoot Luxury

Some resorts offer private sandbank dinners | Photo: Fundu Lagoon

Luxury here doesn’t mean excess; it means freedom. Dining is refined yet relaxed. Lobster grilled right on the beach, fresh papaya with lime, and champagne under the stars. Some resorts offer private sandbank dinners where your table sits alone in the shallows, lanterns flickering as the tide gently curls around you.

Whether you’re staying in an elegant villa on Kizimkazi Beach, a chic eco-lodge surrounded by palms, or a clifftop retreat overlooking the endless sea, each property offers something rare: true peace.

The Easiest Kind of Escape

Relaxing day in a hammock in Zanzibar | Photo credit: Xanadu Villas
After the drama of the savannah, the island feels like an exhale | Photo: Xanadu Villas

Pairing a Tanzania safari and a Zanzibar holiday is effortless. After the drama of the savannah, the island feels like an exhale. A short flight from the Serengeti or Nyerere National Park delivers you to Zanzibar’s soft shores, where the pace slows. It’s the ideal close to a journey through Africa. Thrilling one day, transcendent the next.

Many guests choose a few days of wildlife, then three to six nights on the island. It’s seamless: no stress, no transfers to juggle, no crowds to navigate. Just a gentle descent into rest.

On a Zanzibar holiday, luxury doesn’t shout. It whispers through the rustle of palms, the shimmer of the sea, and the kindness of those who call this island home.

Why Visit Zanzibar?

  • Exotic & Historical Charm: Zanzibar holidays can include exploring Stone Town’s labyrinthine alleys, spice markets, and centuries-old buildings transport visitors to another time.
  • Pristine Beaches & Island Bliss: Zanzibar’s coastlines are lined with palm-fringed, white-sand beaches and luxurious resorts.
  • World-Class Diving & Snorkeling: Crystal-clear waters teem with vibrant marine life, coral reefs, and even dolphin encounters.
  • Cultural Melting Pot: A blend of African, Arab, and European influences creates a rich and diverse cultural experience.
  • Perfect Safari Add-On: A popular extension to a Tanzania safari, offering relaxation after thrilling wildlife encounters.

Where To Go In Zanzibar

Discover Zanzibar’s highlights, from the historic charm of Stone Town to the pristine beaches of Nungwi and beyond.

Bwejuu, Paje & Jambiani

The 10km (6,2mi) beach between Bwejuu and Jambiani Village starts relaxed, and low-key north of Bwejuu swells with backpackers and kite surfers in Paje, then tapers off gradually into equally...

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Kiwengwa and Pongwe

The village of Kiwengwa lies on Zanzibar Island’s north-eastern coast, roughly halfway between Nungwi and Chwaka. Large, all-inclusive hotels and stylish upmarket lodges dot Kiwengwa’s long, immaculate beach, which runs...

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Mafia Island

150km (93 mi) south of Zanzibar Island lies the third largest isle in the archipelago, Mafia. Mafia Island is so far removed and has so many smaller satellites of its...

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Matemwe

Matemwe and neighbouring Kigomani are the northernmost villages on Zanzibar's east coast. A quiet fishing community under gently swaying palms, Matemwe village lies half concealed behind a modest line of...

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Nungwi & Kendwa

On Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip, the once sleepy village of Nungwi is still the traditional centre of dhow buildings on Zanzibar. An old favourite among backpackers and hippies, the scene...

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Pingwe, Dongwe & The Michamvi Peninsula

The Michamvi Peninsula, just north of Chwaka Bay, is a narrow, thumb-like headland that boasts some of Zanzibar Island’s most exclusive hotels and resorts. The north-western tip has the added...

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Stone Town

Stone Town is Zanzibar’s historic heart, a bewildering maze of streets and alleyways that form the westernmost tip of Zanzibar Town. These days, the island’s bustling capital is home to...

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Best Time To Visit Zanzibar

Peak Season

Low Season

Shoulder Season

Who Is Travelling To Zanzibar With You?

Plan your Zanzibar adventure, tailored for honeymooners, families, or those seeking a tropical escape.

What You Need To Know About Zanzibar

Get expert advice and essential tips for your Zanzibar holiday, ensuring a carefree and unforgettable trip.

Zanzibar’s islands have been inhabited for many hundreds of years. Although ancient records refer to imported elephants and other iconic species, you won’t find any of Africa’s major land mammals here today. For the best chance of seeing Zanzibar’s smaller, rarer, and, in some cases, endemic species, head to Jozani Forest Reserve just south of...


Natural Attractions of Zanzibar

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