For an exclusive Zanzibar beach holiday, a trip to this stunning Tanzanian archipelago ensures the ultimate Indian Ocean experience, complete with fascinating history, incredible nature, enchanting sunsets, and magnificent beaches.
Known as the ‘Spice Island’, Zanzibar is a prime post-safari destination, offering a tropical beach paradise to end any East African holiday, thanks to its jaw-droppingly flawless palm-fringed white-sand beaches, vibrant marine life, unique culture, luxury resorts and white-sailed dhows on the turquoise sea.
The icing on the cake is the absence of crowds which makes a Zanzibar beach holiday a real tourist treat. Whether you go wandering the ancient alleys, snorkeling, diving, sunbathing, swimming with dolphins or exploring the spice island, there’s quite a lot Zanzibar has to offer.
Just as Zanzibar is a top choice destination for family holidays with a wide range of fantastic family-friendly hotels, kids clubs galore and activity central, the name of the island alone evokes the exotic, mysterious and romantic, making an equally top-tier honeymoon destination with accommodations within a couple of hours of world-class safari areas.
You can spice up your Zanzibar beach holiday with thrilling wilderness experiences like the wildebeest migration in Serengeti or Masai Mara and gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Volcanoes for a comprehensive East African safari.
Location of Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a Tanzanian island located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 25 to 50 kilometers off the coast of East Africa. Also known as Unguja, Zanzibar, together with Pemba and other numerous smaller islets, forms the Tanzanian archipelago. It is the main island and Pemba is the second-largest.
Zanzibar City is the capital of Zanzibar Island. Its historic centre, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zanzibar is exceptionally well placed and offers a laidback beach life with so much on table such that there’s something for even the most selective of travelers on a Zanzibar beach holiday.
Political Status
While Zanzibar is semi-autonomous with its own distinct government (the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar) and a President for internal affairs, it is not a fully independent country and remains a part of the United Republic of Tanzania. The island was a separate country before uniting with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the present-day Tanzania.
Things to do in Zanzibar
1. Zanzibar Island hopping
While most travelers consider Zanzibar island-hopping a holiday pastime, it is actually a way of life. Island-hopping offers the perfect opportunity to explore the archipelago’s larger islands like Unguja and Pemba, as well as smaller ones like Mnemba, Chumbe and Tumbatu.
2. Explore a catalogue of landscapes
Zanzibar’s stunning landscapes boast tropical beaches with soft white sand and clear turquoise waters, fringed by coconut palms, thick green forests, flat grasslands, azure mangrove swamps, and coral reefs—all within an hour’s drive of each other. In whatever direction you look, something captivating will catch your attention
3. Stone Town sightseeing
No trip to Zanzibar is complete without visiting Stone Town, the island’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This old quarter of Zanzibar City dates back over several centuries—boasting iconic coral stone buildings from the 19th century—where Arabian, African, Indian, and European influences merged to produce its current way of life.
4. Spice Tour
A spice tour is another important part of any Zanzibar beach holiday. It allows you to see, touch, smell and taste the fragrant spices that are synonymous with the islands. Clove cultivation was the major industry with the archipelago once becoming the world’s number one exporter during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
5. Jozani Forest Tour
Step into the cool shadow of Jozani Forest’s dense and tangled greenery after the bustle of Stone Town or the heat of the beaches. Take a guided nature walk to explore diverse wildlife, including endangered red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, Aders’ duikers, and numerous endemic butterfly and bird species.
Best time to visit Zanzibar
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season from June to October which also coincides with the peak safari season in Tanzania. Expect warm weather and less chance of rain ruining planned excursions. It is also the best time to combine your Zanzibar beach holiday with inland safaris when wildlife viewing is excellent due to sparse vegetation.
While March to May is associated with long rains which can spoil your experience, it is great for those interested in fewer crowds. November to December is the short wet season while January to February is the short dry season.
Where to Stay During Your Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Zanzibar offers a wide range of accommodation, from simple boutique hotels and honeymoon retreats to opulent seaside resorts and backpacker hostels. While most budget options are in Stone Town, here is our selection of upmarket hotels and luxurious resorts.
1. &Beyond Mnemba Island
Owned and run by &Beyond, this all-inclusive resort is located on a private island just 4.5 kilometers off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar. It is the most exclusive Zanzibar beach resort offering barefoot luxury with twelve rustic-chic beach bandas for just 24 guests.
2. Baraza Resort & Spa
Located along Zanzibar’s south eastern coast on Bwejuu-Paje Beach, Baraza Resort & Spa is one of the top-rated 5-star resorts promising a truly unforgettable beach experience. It features an exquisite blend of luxury, tranquility, and impeccable service.
3. Boutique Hotel Matlai
This exclusive beachfront escape in Michamvi Pingwe, southeast coast of Zanzibar, blends seamlessly into the landscape of soft sands and lofty palm trees and features infinity pools and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
4. Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas and Spa
This beachfront paradise is one of Africa’s most renowned eco-friendly resorts. Located on the pristine Paje Beach, on the eastern coast of Zanzibar, each villa is nestled in tropical vegetation, refreshed by the Indian Ocean seamlessly blending with unmatched luxury.
Trips To Inspire
