DESTINATION GUIDE // TANZANIA
Zanzibar: The Beach After Your Safari
White sand, warm Indian Ocean water and the old Swahili streets of Stone Town. The easiest and most rewarding way to finish a safari.
UNESCO
STONE TOWN
20 min
FLIGHT FROM DAR
27-30°C
SEA TEMPERATURE
Jun-Oct
BEST MONTHS
4-5 nights
IDEAL STAY
Quick answer: Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous island region of Tanzania, about 35 km off the mainland coast. The main island, Unguja, is around 85 km long, with Stone Town on the west coast and the best beaches in the north and east. It is a short flight from Nairobi, Arusha, Dar es Salaam or the Serengeti, which makes it the natural beach finish to a Kenya or Tanzania safari.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Zanzibar At A Glance
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean; when people say Zanzibar they usually mean Unguja, the main island. For centuries it was a trading hub for spices, ivory and dhows sailing the monsoon winds, and its culture is a mix of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influence.
Stone Town. The old quarter of Zanzibar City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: carved wooden doors, narrow lanes, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort and the sunset food market at Forodhani Gardens.
The beaches. The north (Nungwi and Kendwa) has swimming at all tides and the best sunsets. The east (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe) has wide white beaches, a big tidal range and the best kitesurfing. Pemba, the quieter northern island, is for diving and seclusion.
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Stone Town | History, food, one or two nights of culture |
| Nungwi and Kendwa | Swimming at all tides and sunsets |
| Matemwe | Quiet beaches near Mnemba Atoll for snorkelling |
| Paje and Jambiani | Kitesurfing, beach life and local villages |
| Michamvi | Honeymoons and sunset over the bay |
GETTING THERE
How To Get To Zanzibar
After a safari you fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport near Stone Town. Transfers to the beach areas take 45 to 75 minutes.
| From | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Direct flights, the easy link after a Kenya safari |
| Arusha or Kilimanjaro | About 1 hour | Direct flights, the usual link after the northern Tanzania circuit |
| Serengeti airstrips | About 2.5 to 3 hours | Light aircraft, usually with a stop |
| Dar es Salaam | 20 minutes by air, 2 hours by ferry | Frequent flights and fast ferries |
Worth knowing. Luggage limits on light aircraft are usually 15 to 20 kg in soft bags, so pack for the safari and the beach together.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Zanzibar Entry Rules and Fees
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so Tanzanian visa rules apply, plus a separate Zanzibar travel insurance that every foreign visitor must buy.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar travel insurance | USD 44 per person | Mandatory since October 2024, bought online before arrival, valid up to 92 days. Children 3 to 17 pay USD 22 and infants are free |
| Tanzania visa | Usually USD 50 (USD 100 for US citizens) | Apply for the eVisa in advance; rules depend on your passport |
| Hotel infrastructure tax | About USD 1 to 5 per night | Charged per person per night by hotels |
| Excursion fees | Small entry fees | Jozani Forest, Prison Island and marine areas charge at the gate |
Coming from Kenya. If you arrive from a yellow fever country you may be asked for a yellow fever certificate. We check the current rules for your passport when we quote.
We confirm the current amount in writing with every quote.
SAFARI COSTS
What A Zanzibar Stay Costs
Zanzibar suits every budget, from simple beach bungalows to private island villas.
| Style | Per person per night | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | USD 60 to 120 | Guest houses and small beach hotels, breakfast included |
| Mid range | USD 130 to 250 | Beach resorts with pool, half board |
| Luxury | USD 300 to 700 | Boutique villas and resorts, all inclusive options |
| Private island | USD 1,000 and above | Exclusive island retreats such as Mnemba |
What moves the price most. The season and the beach. July to August and Christmas are the most expensive; April and May are the cheapest.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go To Zanzibar
Zanzibar is warm all year. The seasons follow the monsoon winds and the rains, which match the safari seasons on the mainland.
| Season | Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | Jun to Oct | Dry, sunny and breezy, perfect after a migration safari | High |
| Hot / Dry | Dec to Feb | Hot, calm seas, best for diving and snorkelling | High |
| Shoulder | Nov and Mar | Short rains or first rains, good value | Medium |
| Green | Apr to May | Long rains, some hotels close, lowest prices | Low |
Ramadan. Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. During Ramadan some restaurants in Stone Town open only after sunset, but hotels run as normal.
THINGS TO DO
What You Will See and Do in Zanzibar
After early mornings on safari, Zanzibar is about slowing down. A few excursions are worth making the time for.
- Stone Town walking tour: the markets, carved doors, the Old Fort and the former slave market
- Spice farm tour: clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, the crops that made the island rich
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park: the only home of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, plus a mangrove boardwalk
- Prison Island: giant Aldabra tortoises, a short boat ride from Stone Town
- Mnemba Atoll: snorkelling with turtles and reef fish, and often dolphins on the way
- Sunset dhow cruise: a traditional sailing boat along the coast
Responsible travel. Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages (shoulders and knees covered), and ask before taking photos of people.
WHERE TO STAY
Where To Stay in Zanzibar
Choose the coast first, then the hotel. Most guests spend a night or two in Stone Town and the rest on the beach.
Stone Town
Restored merchant houses and rooftop restaurants. One or two nights for history and food.
Nungwi and Kendwa
The northern tip. Swimming at all tides, lively beach bars and the best sunsets.
Matemwe
Quiet north east coast opposite Mnemba Atoll. Ideal for snorkelling and couples.
Paje and Jambiani
Long white beaches on the east coast, kitesurfing and a relaxed village feel.
Michamvi Peninsula
Secluded resorts and the famous Rock restaurant. A favourite for honeymoons.
Pemba Island
The quieter northern island, for divers and travellers who want to be far from everyone.
SAFARI PACKAGES
Safaris That End in Zanzibar
Zanzibar works as the beach finish to any safari. These routes combine best with it, and we can add a beach extension to any of them.
13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS
Kenya and Zanzibar Honeymoon Safari
A private Kenya safari for two, then five nights on the beaches of Zanzibar.
From $7,720 per person
7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
7 Days Tanzania Safari: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Tarangire, two full days in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
From $3,860 per person
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
5 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari
The endless Serengeti plains and a full morning on the Ngorongoro crater floor.
From $1,100 per person
KEY QUESTIONS
Zanzibar, Key Questions
Four or five nights works best: one or two in Stone Town for the old town, spice tours and food, then three on the beach. Three nights is enough for a short beach finish after a safari.
Yes. Tanzanian visa rules apply, and every foreign visitor must also buy the Zanzibar travel insurance (USD 44 per adult and USD 22 per child) before arrival. Since 1 October 2026 mainland Tanzania has its own inbound policy as well, and you only need one, based on where you first enter Tanzania. We check the current rules for your passport.
Yes. Direct flights from Nairobi take about an hour and a half, so a Masai Mara or Amboseli safari followed by Zanzibar is one of our most popular honeymoon routes. See our Kenya and Zanzibar honeymoon safari.
For swimming at all tides and sunsets, Nungwi and Kendwa in the north. For quiet beaches and snorkelling, Matemwe. For kitesurfing and village life, Paje and Jambiani.
June to October and December to February are dry and sunny, with calm seas and good diving. March is hot and humid, and November brings short rains that usually pass quickly. April and May are the long rains, when some beach hotels close for the season.
Yes. The north coast has calm water for swimming at most tides, and the red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest and the giant tortoises on Prison Island are popular with children. On the east coast the tide goes a long way out, so choose a hotel with a pool there.
EXPLORE MORE
Pair Zanzibar With A Safari
Zanzibar is a short flight from the northern Tanzania parks and from Nairobi, so it fits the end of almost any safari.
Your Zanzibar Escape Starts Here
Tell us your safari dates and the kind of beach you like. We reply within 24 hours with flights, hotels and a clear price.
TAILOR MADE SAFARI
Want to Know More? Talk to Us
Create an unforgettable memory with a customised Kenya or Tanzania safari. Tell us how you like to travel and our safari experts will shape the route around you, with no obligation.
Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com
