6 Days • 5 Nights
Zanzibar Beach & Spice: Sun, Sea & Swahili Charm
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Powder-white beaches and turquoise seas are the blissful heart of this escape. Zanzibar is ringed by beautiful, powder-white beaches lapped by warm, turquoise seas, backed by palms. You relax on the beautiful beaches of the coast, swimming in the warm, clear turquoise sea, and soak up the serenity and beauty, watching traditional dhows sail by and glorious sunsets over the Indian Ocean. The beaches are magical. Relaxing on the powder-white beaches and swimming in the turquoise seas of Zanzibar, watching dhows and glorious sunsets, is the blissful and unforgettable heart of this Zanzibar beach escape.
- A fragrant spice plantation tour is a delightful highlight. Zanzibar is the Spice Island, and a spice tour is a delight for the senses. You visit a fragrant spice plantation, walking amid cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and tropical fruit, smelling, tasting and touching the spices that made the island famous and shaped its history, with a knowledgeable guide and a delicious spiced meal. The scents and flavours are delightful. Touring a fragrant spice plantation, discovering the cloves, vanilla and cinnamon that made the island famous, is a delightful and rewarding highlight of this Zanzibar beach escape.
- Atmospheric Stone Town is a fascinating highlight. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a labyrinth of narrow, winding lanes lined with grand old houses, famous carved doors, bazaars, mosques and history, steeped in centuries of trade and culture. You wander its atmospheric alleys, exploring its history, markets and the Forodhani night market. The atmosphere and history are fascinating. Wandering atmospheric Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of carved doors, bazaars and rich history, is a fascinating and rewarding highlight of this Zanzibar beach escape.
- Snorkelling vibrant reefs and dhow sails are magical highlights. Zanzibar's warm, clear seas offer beautiful snorkelling and sailing. You snorkel over vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish and turtles, often on a dhow or boat trip to Mnemba or a sandbank, and sail traditional dhows on the turquoise sea, especially beautiful at sunset. The reefs and dhows are magical. Snorkelling vibrant reefs teeming with colourful fish and turtles, and sailing traditional dhows at sunset, is a magical and rewarding highlight of this Zanzibar beach escape.
- Delicious Swahili cuisine and warm charm are a delightful highlight. Zanzibar offers delicious Swahili cuisine and warm hospitality. You savour fresh seafood, fragrant spiced curries, coconut and tropical fruit, at beach restaurants, the Forodhani night market and Swahili tables, and experience the warm Swahili culture, blending African, Arab and Indian heritage. The cuisine and charm are delightful. Savouring delicious Swahili cuisine, fresh seafood and fragrant spices, and experiencing the warm Swahili charm, is a delightful and rewarding highlight of this Zanzibar beach escape.
- Above all, this journey offers beautiful beaches with a taste of the exotic Spice Island. Zanzibar combines beautiful beaches with the exotic charm of the Spice Island, and this journey lets you savour both. Over six days you explore atmospheric Stone Town and a fragrant spice plantation, relax on the powder-white beaches, snorkel vibrant reefs, sail dhows, and savour delicious Swahili cuisine and warm charm. The combination of beautiful beaches, exotic history, fragrant spices, vibrant reefs and warm culture makes this a beautiful, relaxed escape. For those seeking beautiful beaches with a taste of Zanzibar's exotic history and charm.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Zanzibar beach and spice escape begins as your flight arrives at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in atmospheric Stone Town. Zanzibar, the Spice Island of the Swahili coast, combines beautiful beaches with exotic charm, and the atmosphere is immediately captivating. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, taking a first stroll through the historic lanes to the seafront, and, in the evening, sampling the famous Forodhani night market, with its grilled seafood and spiced treats, as dhows are silhouetted against the sunset sky. As you settle in, the beauty and charm of the Spice Island work their magic. Rest well, ready to explore Stone Town and its spices tomorrow.
Today you explore atmospheric Stone Town and its spices, then journey to a beautiful beach. You take a walking tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of historic lanes, carved doors, bazaars and history, and tour a fragrant spice plantation, smelling and tasting the cloves, vanilla and cinnamon that made the island famous, with a delicious spiced meal. You then transfer to your beach resort on the powder-white sands of the coast. The history, spices and beach are magical. As the sun sets over the ocean, you savour the glorious colours. This evening, dine on Swahili cuisine, fresh seafood and fragrant spices. As you settle in by the turquoise sea, the beauty of the Spice Island works its magic. Rest well in your beach paradise, ready to relax and snorkel tomorrow.
Today you savour the beautiful beach and vibrant reefs. You relax on the powder-white beach, swimming in the warm, turquoise sea, and snorkel over vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish and turtles, straight from the beach or on a boat trip, in the warm, clear water. You enjoy gentle water sports and savour the serenity and beauty of the Spice Island. The beach and reefs are magical. As the sun sets over the ocean in a blaze of colour, you savour the glorious sunset. This evening, dine on Swahili cuisine. Rest well by the turquoise sea, ready for a dhow excursion tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a beautiful dhow excursion and vibrant reefs. You take a traditional dhow or boat trip, perhaps to Mnemba Atoll or a beautiful sandbank, snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, turtles and, often, dolphins, swimming in the warm, clear turquoise water, and relaxing on the dhow or a pristine sandbank, with a barbecue lunch. The dhow, reefs and sandbank are magical. As the day ends, you return to your resort, enchanted. As the sun sets over the ocean, you savour the glorious colours, perhaps from a sunset dhow. This evening, dine on Swahili cuisine. Rest well by the turquoise sea, ready to relax and savour the beach tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a final, relaxed day on the beautiful beach. The whole day is yours to relax by the turquoise sea, swimming, snorkelling, relaxing on the powder-white sand beneath the palms, enjoying water sports, or indulging in a spa treatment, savouring the beauty and serenity of the Spice Island. You might take a sunset dhow cruise. It is the perfect blissful finale to your escape. As the sun sets over the ocean for the last time, you savour the glorious colours. This evening, enjoy a final dinner, savouring delicious Swahili cuisine, reflecting on your beautiful beach and spice escape. Rest well by the turquoise sea, the beauty of the Spice Island vivid in your memory, ahead of your departure tomorrow.
After a final, relaxed morning on the beautiful beach, perhaps a last swim in the turquoise sea, you are transferred to Zanzibar's airport for your onward departure. You leave sun-soaked and deeply relaxed, having savoured the beautiful beaches and exotic charm of Zanzibar, the powder-white beaches and turquoise seas, the atmospheric Stone Town and fragrant spices, the vibrant reefs and dhows, and the delicious Swahili cuisine and warm charm. The images stay vivid long after you land, the powder-white beaches and turquoise seas, the atmospheric lanes of Stone Town, the fragrant spices, and the traditional dhows at sunset. Zanzibar offers beautiful beaches with a taste of exotic history and charm in abundance, and you depart deeply refreshed, already dreaming of a return to the enchanting Spice Island of the Swahili coast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation (Stone Town bed and breakfast, beach half board)
- Airport and island transfers
- Tours and excursions as per itinerary with local guides
- Services of expert local guides as per itinerary
- , a Stone Town and spice plantation tour, a snorkelling or dhow excursion, and use of the beach
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners (to enjoy Zanzibar's Swahili cuisine)
- Optional excursions, water sports and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and most nationalities need a Tanzania visa, easily obtained as an eVisa online before travel or on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. A yellow-fever certificate is needed if arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever country. We confirm the current process and help arrange the eVisa
- Health & malaria: Malaria is present in Zanzibar, so anti-malarial prophylaxis and insect repellent are strongly recommended; consult a travel clinic well ahead and ensure your vaccinations are up to date. Drink bottled or treated water, take sensible precautions, and carry comprehensive travel insurance including medical cover
- Currency: The currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US dollars are very widely accepted (bring newer notes), and cards are accepted at hotels and larger establishments. Carry some cash for markets, Stone Town, tips and small purchases; ATMs are available in Stone Town and main towns
- Best time to visit: The long dry season (June to October) is the most popular, with warm, sunny, less humid weather ideal for beaches and touring; December to February is hot and dry too. The long rains (March to May) and short rains (November) bring heavier showers, though beaches remain warm; it is warm year-round
- Dress & culture: Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim, conservative island with a rich Swahili culture; modest dress is important in Stone Town and villages (cover shoulders and knees; women may carry a scarf), while beachwear is fine at beach resorts. Respect local customs, especially during Ramadan, and always ask before photographing people
- Beaches & tides: The north-coast beaches (Nungwi, Kendwa) offer the best swimming at all tides; the beautiful east-coast beaches (Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu) have a large tidal range, so swimming is best around high tide, with seaweed farming and kitesurfing at low tide. We advise on the best beach and coast for your priorities
- Getting around: Touring is by private vehicle with your guide or driver; Stone Town is explored on foot, and dhow and boat trips reach the reefs, sandbanks and Mnemba. Zanzibar is reached by short flight or ferry from Dar es Salaam, or by direct international flights. We arrange all transfers, tours and any mainland-safari connections
- Alcohol & power: Alcohol is available at hotels, resorts and tourist restaurants (less so in local areas, out of respect for Islamic custom). Power is 230V with UK-style type G plugs, so bring an adapter. Swahili is the language and English is widely spoken in tourism; the warmth of Swahili hospitality is a joy of a visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a short Zanzibar beach escape worthwhile?
Very much so. Even in six days, Zanzibar combines beautiful beaches with the exotic charm of the Spice Island, atmospheric Stone Town, a fragrant spice tour, vibrant reefs, dhow trips and warm Swahili culture, for a rewarding sun-and-sea escape with a real flavour of the island. It also makes a superb beach extension to a mainland Tanzania safari. We tailor the balance of beach and culture to your time, and can easily extend it for a fuller Zanzibar experience.
How much time should I spend in Stone Town versus the beach?
Most visitors spend one to two nights in atmospheric Stone Town, enough to explore its historic lanes, markets and the spice tour, and the rest on the beach, relaxing and enjoying the reefs and dhows. Stone Town is fascinating but compact; the beaches are where you unwind. We tailor the balance to you, and can add more Stone Town culture, beach time, or excursions like Mnemba, Prison Island or Safari Blue, for your ideal Zanzibar escape.
What meals are included?
This depends on the board basis chosen (bed and breakfast, half board, full board or all-inclusive), which we tailor to you and your resort. Many Zanzibar beach resorts offer half board or all-inclusive, while Stone Town is ideal for exploring the wonderful Swahili food scene, from the Forodhani night market to Swahili restaurants. Zanzibari cuisine is delicious, fresh seafood, fragrant spiced curries, coconut and tropical fruit, and we advise on the best board basis and dining.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Tours can be arranged privately, with your own guide and vehicle or boat, for flexibility and depth, or as shared/group excursions for value; we tailor this to you. Zanzibar's knowledgeable guides bring Stone Town's history, the spice plantations, the reefs and the culture vividly to life. Many highlights, from the spice tour and Stone Town walk to Safari Blue and Mnemba snorkelling, are easily and rewardingly arranged.
Do I need a visa and vaccinations for Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and most nationalities need a Tanzania visa (eVisa online or on arrival). Malaria is present, so anti-malarial prophylaxis and repellent are strongly recommended, and a yellow-fever certificate is needed if arriving from an endemic country. We confirm the current visa and health requirements for your nationality, help arrange the eVisa, and advise on precautions, so you travel prepared and reassured.
Is Zanzibar safe to visit?
Zanzibar is a welcoming island popular with visitors, and travel here is rewarding, with warm Swahili hospitality. Standard precautions apply, as anywhere: dress modestly in Stone Town and villages out of respect, take care with valuables, use trusted guides and drivers (as we arrange), and follow local advice. We monitor conditions and choose reputable resorts and operators. The warmth of the Zanzibari welcome is one of the joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
The long dry season (June to October) is the most popular, with warm, sunny, less humid weather ideal for beaches, Stone Town and reefs; December to February is also hot and dry. The long rains (March to May) and short rains (November) bring heavier showers, though it stays warm. We advise on the best timing for your interests, whether beaches, diving, or combining with a mainland safari (excellent June to October).
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can combine Stone Town, the spice plantations, and the north or east beaches in any way, add Mnemba snorkelling, Safari Blue, kitesurfing, Jozani Forest, a dhow cruise, and combine Zanzibar with a mainland Tanzania safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) for the classic bush-and-beach holiday. Every Zanzibar journey is tailored to you, matching the beaches, resorts, culture and experiences to create your ideal Swahili-coast escape.
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