Safari PlanningEarly starts, dusty roads and long days of game viewing are the best part of a safari, but they are tiring. That is why so many travellers finish their Tanzania trip with a few days on Zanzibar. The island is a short flight from the northern parks, with white beaches, warm water and the old streets of Stone Town.
Here is how to put the two together.
Safari first or beach first?
Most guests do the safari first and finish on the beach. You come back from the bush with plenty to talk about, then rest before the long flight home. Starting on the beach can help with jet lag, but it means ending your holiday with early wake-up calls. Unless your flights make it easier the other way round, we recommend safari first.
How many days do you need?
For a balanced trip, plan five to seven days on safari and four to six nights on Zanzibar. That gives you time for the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire or Lake Manyara, followed by a proper rest. Our 13-Day Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari follows this pattern. If you have less time, a three or four night beach stay after a 5-day safari still works well.
Getting from the safari to Zanzibar
Domestic flights connect Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport and several Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar. Most flights take between one and two hours, depending on stops. If you fly from a bush airstrip, you will be on a light aircraft with a strict luggage limit, usually around 15 kg per person in a soft bag. Our safari packing list explains how to pack for this.
Choosing where to stay on Zanzibar
The north: Nungwi and Kendwa
The tide here changes less than on the east coast, so you can swim at most times of day. Sunsets over the sea are a highlight, and there is a good choice of restaurants. It is the busiest part of the island.
The east coast: Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu
Long, wide beaches with a quieter, village feel. The tide goes out a long way at low water, revealing seaweed farms and rock pools, so swimming depends on the time of day. Paje is one of the best kitesurfing spots in East Africa.
The south-west: Menai Bay and Kizimkazi
Quieter still, and the starting point for dhow trips in Menai Bay and dolphin trips from Kizimkazi.
Stone Town
The historic centre of Zanzibar City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow streets, carved wooden doors and a mix of African, Arab, Indian and European history. One or two nights here, usually at the start of your Zanzibar stay, is enough to explore the old town and the evening food market at Forodhani Gardens.
Things to do on Zanzibar
- A guided walk through Stone Town.
- A spice farm tour to see how cloves, cinnamon and vanilla are grown.
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else.
- A Safari Blue dhow trip in Menai Bay, with snorkelling and a seafood lunch on a sandbank.
- Snorkelling or diving around Mnemba Atoll.
- Sunset on a traditional dhow.
When to go
The best months for a combined trip are June to October and mid December to February, when both the parks and the island are mostly dry. April and May bring the heaviest rain on Zanzibar, and some beach hotels close during this period. November has short showers but is often still pleasant. Our best time to visit guide covers the safari side in more detail.
Good to know before you go
- Travel insurance: Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania each require a government inbound travel insurance policy for foreign visitors. You only need one, chosen by where you first arrive. Our FAQ explains which one to buy.
- Dress respectfully: Zanzibar is a mostly Muslim island. Beachwear is fine at hotels and on the beach, but cover your shoulders and knees in Stone Town and in villages.
- Ramadan: during the holy month, many local restaurants close during the day. Hotels operate as normal, and it can be a quieter time to visit.
- Cash: carry some US dollars or Tanzanian shillings for markets, taxis and tips.
Plan your bush and beach trip
See our Zanzibar holidays page for more about the island, or send us your travel dates and we will put together a private safari and beach itinerary for you.
