Zanzibar — the Spice Island — sits 35km off the coast of Tanzania and is one of the Indian Ocean's most fascinating destinations. A blend of Arab, Persian, Indian and African cultures accumulated over centuries of the spice trade, it offers a completely different dimension to a Tanzania safari holiday.

Stone Town: A UNESCO World Heritage City

Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its labyrinthine streets are lined with carved wooden doors (no two are the same), coral-stone merchant houses, mosques, Hindu temples and the former slave market — now the site of the Anglican Cathedral.

Key sites include:

  • Old Fort (Arab Fort): Built in 1699, now a cultural centre and music venue
  • The House of Wonders: The largest building in Zanzibar's history, housing the national museum
  • Slave Market and Memorial: A sobering and important monument to Zanzibar's role in the East African slave trade
  • Forodhani Gardens Night Market: Evening food market on the seafront — the best seafood you'll eat anywhere

Spice Plantation Tours

Zanzibar earned the name "Spice Island" from the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and vanilla grown across the island. A spice plantation tour is a sensory experience — guides press fresh cloves into your palm, challenge you to identify spices by smell, and reveal how vanilla pods are hand-pollinated.

Our Tanzania & Zanzibar safari includes a full spice plantation tour as standard.

The Beaches

Zanzibar's beaches vary enormously depending on which coast you're on and the tide cycle (the tidal range is significant — some beaches that look beautiful at high tide become mudflats at low).

  • Nungwi (North): White sand with good swimming at all tides. Vibrant fishing village. Most resort development.
  • Kendwa (North): Neighbour to Nungwi with arguably the best beach on the island. Calmer, less commercial.
  • Matemwe (Northeast): Quiet, authentic, stunning but affected by tides. Best for snorkelling and diving.
  • Paje (Southeast): Kitesurfing capital of the Indian Ocean. Strong consistent winds.
  • Bwejuu/Jambiani (Southeast): Traditional fishing villages, beautiful seagrass flats, excellent for swimming 2 hours either side of high tide.

Diving and Snorkelling

The waters around Zanzibar offer world-class diving. Mnemba Atoll (northeast) is the standout site — a protected marine area with pristine coral walls, hawksbill turtles, dolphins and spectacular fish diversity. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres.

Safari + Zanzibar: The Perfect Combination

The classic East Africa holiday formula is 5-8 days on safari followed by 3-5 days in Zanzibar. The contrast is perfect — the intensity of daily game drives winding down into hammock-and-ocean-reading beach days. Arusha to Zanzibar is a 1.5-hour domestic flight with Coastal Aviation or Precision Air, departing daily.

Our Tanzania & Zanzibar Spice Tour covers 11 days including Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and 4 nights in Zanzibar.