The main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, off Tanzania's coast: Stone Town's carved doors and alleys, spice farms, coral reefs and white-sand beaches. A beach extension after safari, not a safari destination.
Zanzibar isn't a safari destination, and we won't dress it up as one. It's where many travellers go after the northern circuit to slow down: warm Indian Ocean water, coral reefs, grilled seafood and an old trading town with a history unlike anything in the parks.
When people say Zanzibar, they usually mean Unguja, the largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. It's part of Tanzania but has its own semi-autonomous government. Pemba, to the north, is quieter and far less visited.
Stone Town, the old quarter of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its coral-stone houses, carved wooden doors and narrow alleys show Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences laid down over centuries of trade. In the evening, food stalls set up in Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront.
The town's history includes the East African slave trade. The site of the former slave market, now a memorial, is a sobering and worthwhile visit with a guide. Allow at least half a day for the town; one night lets you see it after dark, when it's cooler.
Which coast you choose shapes your stay.
Off the beach, boat trips go snorkelling around Mnemba Atoll and out to sandbanks. Spice farm visits show how cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon grow. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park protects the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found only on the island.
Three to five nights is the sweet spot after a safari. Start with a night in Stone Town, then move to the beach. Honeymooners often stay longer.
Zanzibar comes at the end. Most travellers fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro after their last game drive, and some itineraries fly direct from a Serengeti airstrip.
The 10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar shows how the two fit together. Our Zanzibar beach extension and honeymoon safari pages go into more detail.
Best months to visit: January, February, June, July, August, September, October, December
Hot season
Hot, humid and usually calm, with clear water for snorkelling and diving. Rain becomes more likely towards the end of March.
Hot season: January, February, March, December
Long rains
Heavy rain in most years, and some hotels close for the season. Quiet beaches and lush countryside if you don't mind the showers.
Long rains: April, May
Cool dry season
Dry, breezy and a little cooler, lining up well with the safari season. The east coast is windy, which suits kitesurfers.
Cool dry season: June, July, August, September, October
Short rains
Passing showers rather than long rain, usually with sunny spells. A quieter time on the beaches.
Short rains: November
A private safari through Tarangire, the central Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, with two nights on the highlands so the crater day ends without a long drive. Then a flight to Zanzibar for three nights on the coast. Comfort level, with a luxury option.
Three to five nights suits most travellers. That gives you a night in Stone Town to see the old quarter and a few slow days on the beach without feeling rushed. Honeymooners and families often stay a week. Fewer than three nights tends to feel like a lot of travel for a short stay.
The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, is the place to swim at most times of day because the tide has less effect there, and it's livelier. The east coast, around Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe, has long, quiet beaches but a big tidal range, so the sea goes out a long way at low tide. The south-east is quieter again.
November usually brings short, passing showers, and many travellers barely notice them. April and May are different: the long rains can be heavy and persistent, the sea can be rough and some hotels close for the season. If you travel then, choose a hotel that stays open and expect fewer sunny beach days.
Zanzibar is mostly Muslim, so cover your shoulders and knees in Stone Town and in the villages. Light, loose clothing works well in the heat, and a scarf is useful. Swimwear is fine on the beach at hotels, but cover up when you walk into town. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours.
Tell us when you would like to travel and what matters to you. We will suggest how long to give Zanzibar and what to pair it with.
