Zanzibar Holidays
Zanzibar holiday ideas
A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
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From Golden Dunes to Sun-Soaked Beaches - A Getaway to Oman and Zanzibar
Enjoy a delightful mix of city, desert and beach on this two-week trip across Oman and Zanzibar
12 days, from £4000 to £5550
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Bush & Beach in Tanzania - Serengeti Wildlife and Zanzibar Shores
Discover Tanzania across 12 days, exploring the Serengeti’s wildlife before unwinding on Zanzibar’s white sand beaches
11 days, from £4585 to £5625
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Uganda & Tanzania - Gorilla Trekking, Classic Safaris & Island Bliss
Combine Uganda and Tanzania for two weeks of East Africa’s best wildlife, landscapes and coastal cool
16 days, from £7550 to £9100
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From the Savannah to the Sea - A Family Adventure in Tanzania
Discover the duality of Tanzania on this 12-day family adventure between the bush and the coast
12 days, from £7850 to £10200
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Safari & Snorkelling in Tanzania and Zanzibar - A Land & Sea Escape
Explore land and sea on a 13-day Tanzania adventure, from safari exploring to snorkelling in Zanzibar’s turquoise waters
13 days, from £8800 to £11400
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Safari, Sea & City - The Best of Kenya and Tanzania
Discover the wonders of Kenya and Tanzania across 15 days, from the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti to Zanzibar’s sun-kissed shores
15 days, from £12000 to £15600
Zanzibar Guide
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
Best time to visit Tanzania
Travel Advice & Information
Tanzania Travel Advice & Information
Who are Zanzibar holidays best for?
When your days are spent cocooned in a hammock on the edge of one of Zanzibar’s soft sand beaches, it’s hard to imagine that anyone wouldn’t fall in love with this island paradise. Spend plenty of time relaxing and cool off with an underwater diving adventure into the Indian Ocean to see wrecks, reefs and sharks. Inject some culture into your trip with a walking tour of the Old Town. Admire the Swahili palaces that once belonged to princes, princesses and wealthy merchants and browse fragrant spice markets of Stone Town where you can try your hand at haggling for the best price.
Which experiences is Zanzibar best for?
Cradle of Swahili culture, the Zanzibar Archipelago offers a perfect blend of African and Eastern influences. Browse the fragrant markets to see the variety of colourful spices available and make sure to sample some of the culinary specialities to see how these flavours are used from spice cake flavoured with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and chocolate, to boko-boko (spiced skewered meat). Acquaint yourself with some of the island’s exotic wildlife with a trip to Jozani forest to see red colobus monkeys and aders' duikers, and an underwater adventure swimming with dolphins at high tide off the southern coast of Zanzibar. In fact, the waters around the Zanzibar Archipelago host a wealth of marine life, from colourful reef fish to turtles and whale sharks, and offer some fantastic snorkelling and diving.
The best ways to discover Zanzibar
On a trip to Zanzibar, make sure to combine the old city with the east coast. Don’t miss a chance to explore the ancient Stone Town on a guided tour and take the time to delve into the narrow back streets and dine in hidden out-of-the-way local spots. For a different view of the island, avoid the large hotels and opt for a more authentic and intimate place to stay in the north or south of the island.
Unique experiences on a trip to Zanzibar
After watching a stunning watercolour sunset, head to the old town and experience the wonderful bustle of a night market which is set up each evening. Wander along the stalls that stretch out in all directions and dine on grilled fish flavoured with a few key aromatic spices. Simple and affordable, the experience is a favourite among the local people who live on the island and it will give you the chance to experience Zanzibar like the residents do.