Zanzibar is magical: the spice-scented, quintessential Indian Ocean idyll. Tropical, turquoise waters lap miles of palm-fringed, sandy beaches.

For hundreds of years, traders and travellers have eulogised about Zanzibar’s intoxicating aroma of spices, its beautiful beaches and the bustle of its Moorish capital, Stone Town. It’s name alone - as evocative as Timbuktu, Casablanca or Kilimanjaro - is alluring enough for many to dream of visiting.

Just a short hop across the water from mainland Tanzania - of which Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part - is this lush array of islands. It’s impossible not to be enchanted as you approach from the air: clear, sparkling waters, darkened only by patch reefs, and punctuated by the billowing triangular, white sails of passing dhows.

On land, chic beach retreats, intimate converted palaces, private island villas and fun family-friendly resorts offer warm welcomes and totally tropical experiences. Be it trailblazing models of responsible tourism or world-class sophistication, the options are myriad.

The capital’s heart, ’Stone Town’, is an UNESCO Heritage Site: a labyrinth of narrow winding alleys dotted with bustling markets, eclectic souvenir shops and fine merchant houses hidden behind intricately carved doors. It’s an exotic urban backdrop and a fascinating insight into the islands’ Omani heritage.

For many, it’s the Indian Ocean beach experience that has the greatest lure: palm-lined stretches of powder-white coral sands, warm waters and coral gardens teeming with marine life. From adrenalin sports to simple seaside fun; sipping sundowners to deep-sea diving; some of the islands’ most magical moments definitely centre on the sea.

Above the waves, kite-surfers showcase their aquatic aerobatics, snorkellers ply the shallow lagoons and traditional dhows take fishermen in photogenic flotillas beyond the reef. Below the surface, tropical fish and turtles entice divers of all abilities, and starfish-studded intertidal walks are fascinating. And from the shoreline, watching golden sunsets melt into the sea make for perfect ends to laid-back island days.

A guide to visiting Zanzibar

The Zanzibar archipelago consists of more than 50 islands, ranging from tiny outcrops to the larger, more populated islands of Zanzibar (more properly called Unguja) and Pemba. The beaches are often stunning, with powdery white sand, shaded by palm trees. The sea is shallow, but venture further out into the sparkling, turquoise water and you'll find coral reefs for great snorkelling and diving. The larger islands are lush and highly fertile and everywhere the air is suffused with the aroma of fruit and spices: it's an intoxicating, exotic atmosphere.

Popular as a post-safari choice, a Zanzibar holiday can also be a great stand-alone escape. The main island offers an exceptional diversity of accommodation, from simple beach lodges and small boutique hotels to all-inclusive beach resorts and luxury hotels.

If you're in search of a remote island getaway, Tanzania's Indian Ocean coastl has two other gems: Mafia Island, a long-time favourite of diving aficionados, and the newly accessible hideaway of Fanjove.

For a brief summary of Zanzibar’s regions and the differences between them, see our page on the different areas of Zanzibar.

Although Zanzibar receives holiday visitors all year round, most people come outside of the main rainy season, when Zanzibar’s weather is at its best, between June and February. This can link in perfectly with a safari in Tanzania, which very broadly shares the same weather pattern.

Zanzibar beach holidays

Options for a Zanzibar beach holiday are many, but broadly, the island can be divided into five areas: Nungwi in the north, the east coast, the south-east, the west coast, and a few offshore islands.

Two or three hours’ drive from Stone Town, the village of Nungwi marks the northernmost tip of Zanzibar. Surrounded on three sides by turquoise-blue ocean, Nungwi has long been a magnet for visitors seeking paradise. Come for some good diving and beaches, and proximity to a lively village where there's always a lot going on.

Zanzibar’s east coast is lined with long, powder-white beaches. To the north, numerous small resorts boast similar beaches, yet all are quite different. Offshore you're find the magical Mnemba Island – the ultimate island lodge for those who can afford it.

Continuing along Zanzibar’s south-east coast, the beaches remain stunning: powder-white sand with a barrier reef, lots of palm trees and a wide lagoon between the beach and the reef. The villages become a little sleepier and more relaxed as you head south, and Jambiani, in particular, is very relaxed indeed: for an authentic visit to a friendly village, you can't beat it. In south-west Zanzibar, the Fumba Peninsula is a very laid-back and friendly corner of the island, with two good lodges, while offshore is the award-winning eco-resort on Chumbe Island.

A 30-minute flight north-east of Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island is comparable in size, but far more traditional in outlook, and visitor numbers here are tiny. Apart from a handful of honeymooners, most come for the diving, which can be excellent – although it’s really best suited to advanced divers.

Equally magical, although not part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, is the Mafia Archipelago. More remote, and quieter, than many places on Zanzibar, Mafia Island offers some superb diving and snorkelling in its own marine park, served by just a few small lodges. And new on the Tanzania beach holiday scene is Fanjove Island, an ideal spot to wind down after a safari in southern Tanzania

What to expect on a Zanzibar beach holiday

Sun, sea and sand: a Zanzibar beach holiday offers these in abundance. Zanzibar’s beaches differ, but almost all feature crystal-clear waters lapping at the edge of powdery-white sand that trickles through the toes. Be aware, though, that off many beaches, especially on the east coast, low tide can reduce the broad, shallow lagoon to a virtually empty puddle, and swimming is often only possible when the tide is in. It is always worth consulting online tide tables, as the daily range along the East African coast varies through each month and typically ranges from around 1 metre to more than 3 metres.

Zanzibar offers some excellent snorkelling, and world-class diving – which is centred around Mnemba Atoll to the north-west, and the Menai Bay Conservation Area, to the island’s south-west. But even if you’re not a water enthusiast, the chance to view the coastline from a traditional wooden dhow is not to be missed.

The team at Expert Africa has visited almost every one of the 250 or so places to stay in Zanzibar to bring you a selection of the best. Some offer exclusivity, at a price; others are all-inclusive beach resorts; still others are big international beach hotels. Most of Zanzibar’s best places to stay, however, are relatively low-key beach lodges.

Zanzibar beach hotels

International-style beach hotels are far from the norm in Zanzibar, and those that could be described thus sometime seem to miss the point and could be anywhere. Service standards on Zanzibar are steadily improving, and can be good in a laid-back way, but they don’t usually reach the levels of service that most people would expect from a top international resort in, say, the Caribbean.

Beach lodges on Zanzibar

Far from the super-slick style of international beach hotels found, many Zanzibar beach lodges have more in common with a good African safari lodge. Typically you can expect attractive beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, while at the top of the range are some smaller and more intimate beach lodges that have a boutique feel. Most of our suggestions in Zanzibar are along these lines, and to find them start looking along the east coast, on the Michamvi Peninsula and in south-west Zanzibar.

Zanzibar beach resorts

Good-quality, larger beach resort hotels which suit our travellers in Zanzibar are few, notably including Breezes and Blue Bay Beach Resort – both of which can offer very good value to families and often honeymooners on a budget.

Other holidays on Zanzibar

While a beach holiday in Zanzibar is the ultimate appeal for many travellers, many are attracted by the island’s rich culture – and for them Stone Town is usually a big attraction. A labyrinth of narrow alleys complete with palaces, mosques, and tiny shops, Stone Town is noisy, busy and not very clean, but it has a vibrant, exotic atmosphere that can be enticing. Spend a night or two at one of the beautiful converted merchant's houses, and look forward to eating out – perhaps at the end of a trip, before your flight home.

Zanzibar in context

Visitors to Zanzibar's are not a new phenomenon: the Indian Ocean monsoon winds have been bringing visitors for more than 2,000 years. The monsoons enabled trade between Zanzibar, Arabia, Persia, mainland Africa and India, leaving the archipelago with a long history and a rich cultural mix. Today, the majority of Zanzibaris are Muslims, with the evocative cries of the muezzins calling people to prayer five times a day, bound up with the daily cacophony of sounds in Zanzibar Stone Town.

While Zanzibar's traditional callings of fishing and farming are now heavily supplemented by tourism, Pemba’s economy remains largely rural and agricultural, with a people who are generally more conservative in their approach. And to the south, on Mafia Island, most of the islanders still depend on fishing for their

Overview: Stone Town Discovery Tour

For centuries, Zanzibar has been shaped by ideals, influences and rulers from far overseas, each adding to its fusion of character – and nowhere is this clearer than in Stone Town. Gaining an understanding of these myriad cultural forces can be challenging, but doing so is thoroughly worthwhile. Take a wander through Stone Town’s maze of alleyways with an erudite Zanzibari resident, meeting the locals, marvelling at its fusion of architecture and cultures, learning about the food, music, beliefs and everyday life, for an utterly fascinating experience.

What to expect on your walk

Your Stone Town tour will focus on exploring the city’s UNESCO World Heritage centre with a highly knowledgeable and engaging Zanzibari guide – spending time focusing on aspects that interest you most, be that traditional medicine, cuisine, the role of women, the structure of education, architecture, the social lives hidden in concealed courtyards, or any number of questions that may arise as you journey past the more well-known landmarks and the hidden gems.

These trips are relaxed and free-flowing, feeling very much like an exploration with an old friend, taking you to places to pique your interest and make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Visit an atmospheric dispensary, still very much in use, to learn about traditional herbal remedies; walk over to Stone Town’s Anglican Cathedral to see the slave pits and hear of Zanzibar’s role in the slave trade. After this you may wander through the narrow streets to the ruins of the Old Fort, located on Stone Town’s waterfront and built on the ruins of a Portuguese church, or perhaps you’ll meet family jewellers cutting tanzanite gemstones before heading to Forodhani Gardens and the House of Wonders, the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity. Experience the market without being harassed, whilst your guide will likely have you taste the seasonal fruits on offer, offer some culinary advice, and educate you on the many local uses for the array of spices on sale. Watch local craftsmen hammering brass details into Zanzibari chests or restoring Stone Town’s famous carved wooden doors, share Arabic style tea or coffee and hear about Swahili society.

In our opinion, learning about both this city’s history and its modern challenges, its residents' hopes and ambitions, and having the opportunity to genuinely engage with this community and your guide is one of the finest Stone Town pastimes, and comes highly recommended as a way to better enjoy and understand this city and its people. The hand-picked guides that we work with are, we believe, Stone Town’s best and are able to give real insights into the island’s history and people on many different levels. They were all born and brought up in Zanzibar, and live in the Stone Town community themselves, and so are uniquely placed to help you interact with its residents and understand its culture, both modern and ancient.

This is a private tour and generally starts at 09:00. However, as every element of this excursion is designed around you, it is possible to start later in the morning, or even the afternoon if you wish. The tour can either end back at your hotel or, there is also the (highly recommended) option to end with a local family, enjoying a home-cooked Zanzibari meal.

Overview: Princess Salme Spice Tour

Discover the captivating story of the smart and rebellious Princess Sayyida Salme, the youngest daughter of Sultan Said. Born a Zanzibari princess in 1844, she was a remarkable woman for her time: she taught herself to write, had a clandestine love affair with a German merchant, eloped to Europe when pregnant, and even converted to Christianity. Her life was full of colour, secrets and adventure. Join a knowledgeable local guide and follow in her footsteps through palaces and plantations, gaining an insight into her incredible life, as well as the fascinating Zanzibar spice trade and a working plantation.

What to expect on the spice tour

Starting in Stone Town you will be taken by a private guide to Princess Salme’s birthplace, Mtoni Palace, on Zanzibar’s west coast. The palace, Zanzibar’s oldest, was once home to nearly 1,000 people, most of whom worked on the surrounding spice plantations, and the Sultan’s royal court. In its heyday, it was a place where gazelles and peacocks strutted in an impressive, arched courtyard, where splendid fountains and palm groves dotted the grounds, and where the sultan admired his fleet in the ocean. But in the 1880s, Mtoni Palace was abandoned and today much of the building has crumbled. It remains one of the most significant sites and buildings in Zanzibar’s history though, and exploring the ruined bathhouses and atmospheric arches, listening to stories about palace life and Zanzibar’s rich history is fascinating.

Your next stop will be Kidichi Persian Baths. The baths were built for the sultan's second wife, the granddaughter of the Shah of Persia, and were used by the royals when they visited their spice plantations. You can still walk around the bathhouse, prayer room and relaxation area. Keep an eye out for the decorative peacocks and flowers in the stucco render.

Finally, you will be taken to an established spice plantation. Zanzibar, well known as the ‘Spice Island’, has a history of growing and exporting spices, dating back to the 16th century. Spices, originally brought over by Portuguese traders, led to the creation of plantations and trade routes to the Far East. Today spices form an integral part of everyday life for many Zanzibaris, bringing intense flavour to their cuisine and used in medicines, rituals and everyday life. A wide range of spices are still produced on Zanzibar including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, turmeric, black pepper and ginger – to name but a few! Take a stroll around the plantations where you can learn about the spices and discover their various culinary and medicinal uses. If the culinary possibilities tempt you, have a look at the Swahili cookery workshop excursion too.

You will round up the morning with a home-cooked lunch at the spice plantation, before heading back to Stone Town where you will typically arrive back at your hotel in afternoon. As its a private tour, the exact itinerary for this excursion is flexible, including possibly combining it with the Stone Town discovery tour.

We work with a handful of enthusiastic and articulate Zanzibari guides to conduct this trip - including Anjam and Rajab, of whom we have personal experience. All of our guides have excellent English, and make fascinating company for the insights that they can give you into today’s Zanzibar, as well as the island’s history.

Overview: Jozani Forest Tour

Established as a conservation area in the 1960s, the Jozani Forest is now part of Zanzibar’s Jozani-Chwaka National Park, and has become an important sanctuary for one of the rarest primates in Africa: Kirk’s red colobus monkeys. Sightings of these creatures, which are endemic to Zanzibar, are now very frequent in the reserve, where they are thought to number almost 2,500.

What to expect on the forest tour

Your tour around the Jozani Forest Reserve will be led by an experienced guide, with good knowledge of the reserve’s flora and fauna.

As you follow the park’s network of nature trails, keep an eye out for some of the forest’s residents. As well as the colobus monkey, there are Sykes’ monkeys, bush pigs, Zanzibar suni, tree hyraxes and Ader’s duiker, as well as more than 40 species of bird – not least among them a species of Fischer’s turaco with unusual coloured wings. The forest is also rumoured to be home to the elusive leopard, although it’s been several decades since there have been any official sightings.

At one spot in particular, you will usually find two groups of habituated red colobus monkeys, which are no longer disturbed by the presence of humans. As a result, they go about their day-to-day business taking little notice of the humans staring up from below – so it’s often a fantastic place for photographs.

In the south of the forest you can follow a boardwalk deep into the mangrove swamps and find out how this fascinating ecosystem protects the Zanzibar coastline.

The Jozani Forest Tour combines really well with two other half-day tours – the Princess Salme Spice Tour and or the Jambiani Village Tour – enabling you to get a diverse and varied feel of this historical spice island.

Overview: Swahili Cooking Workshop

Zanzibar’s cuisine and culinary influences are as exotic as the island itself: a literal melting pot of flavours from Portugal, the Middle East and India. The tasty fusion food is made rich with the freshly picked herbs and spices which gave Zanzibar its ‘Spice Island’ moniker.

This genuinely authentic culinary workshop will take you to the heart of the spice farm region, teach you how to select and blend an array of spices, create souvenir blends, and guide you through cooking a traditional Swahili meal.

What to expect on the cooking tour

Setting out from Stone Town you will be driven to the lush spice farms near Kidichi (30 minutes). Here you will meet your local host, Murtala, who will take you back to his family home. In the outdoor cooking area, you’ll first learn about the properties of various spices, and how they can be crushed and carefully blended together to create extraordinary flavours. You will discover which combination of spices produce the best masala chai (spiced tea), learn how to create the perfect flavour blend for an aromatic curry, and experience grinding up your own spices with the giant pestle and mortar to produce a personalised spice blend for use back at home.

Armed with your knowledge of the flavours, its on to preparing and cooking a traditional Zanzibari meal. You will be shown traditional cooking techniques, from the specialist tools used to scrape out a coconut, to cooking over a charcoal stove. You’ll prepare hot Badhia (falafels), learn how to grind up a coconut and extract the fresh milk, and chop a colourful selection of seasonal vegetables to which your blend of freshly ground spices and creamy coconut will be added. Whilst the food simmers and the tantalising smells spread, you’ll enjoy some tropical fruit juices, before finally tucking into your utterly delicious feast of aromatic pilau rice, vegetable coconut curry, Katchumbari salad and crisp herb falafels with a coconut chutney, all washed down with freshly squeezed tamarind juice or fragrant tea.

Furahiya chakula chako! (Enjoy your meal!)

You will be met by your guide at your Stone Town hotel around 09:00 and driven to the spice plantations near Kidichi to start your private workshop. You'll typically arrive back in Stone Town in the early afternoon however the exact itinerary for this excursion is flexible and can be easily combined with the Stone Town discovery tour.

Your guides for this workshop will be Murtala and his wife Khamisi. Murtala is originally from the island of Pemba, and has been farming spices and guiding tours for over 10 years. Murtala and Khamisi love what they do; they are natural hosts with a true passion for cooking and spices.

Overview: Zanzibar Dhow Safari

Discover the coast and islands of the Menai Bay from a traditional Zanzibari dhow. Explore this beautiful marine conservation area with a local guide, snorkelling over coral reefs, swimming through mangrove lagoons and keeping an eye out for dolphins. To top it all, you’ll also be treated to a fabulous beach barbecue.

What to expect on the dhow safari

Time on the Tanzanian coast would not be complete without a trip on a traditional wooden boat. Locally known as dhows, these beautiful handcrafted boats put the romance back into sailing, enhancing the beauty of the Menai Bay Conservation Area. Explore from the boat, from the beach and from the sea – and top it off with a superb barbecue lunch.

Your day will start early in the morning from Fumba beach, approximately 40 minutes’ drive south of Stone Town. Here you will join your guide, ready for your adventure. The Menai Bay is Zanzibar’s largest marine protected area and is scattered with uninhabited islands and isolated sandbanks. It is known for its extensive coral reefs and mangrove forests, as well as some fascinating marine life. It is also home to bottlenose and humpback dolphins, which are regularly seen on this excursion.

Trips usually stop first at Kwale sandbank for some gentle snorkelling around the coral reefs; chat to your guide who will happily recommend the best snorkelling spots. After exploring underwater, you’ll sail on to Kwale Island for a delicious barbecue lunch prepared on the beach. Typically, this will include a selection of freshly caught lobster, fish and grilled chicken (with a vegetarian option available if requested in advance), followed by an exotic fruit-tasting session. Afterwards, relax over Amarula and coffee under the shade of the tamarind trees.

After lunch you’ll head through one of two narrow entrances to a mangrove lagoon, a natural swimming pool that changes with the tide. The lagoon is a haven of tranquility, perfect for an afternoon dip.

As the sun starts to set you’ll slowly make your way back to mainland Zanzibar, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

The dhows are well-maintained, comfortable and equipped with outboard engines, communication equipment, lifejackets, first- aid kits, sunshades, waterproof bags for your valuables, and drink coolers. Good-quality snorkels, masks and fins are provided too. Nervous or inexperienced swimmers are advised to wear lifejackets when on board, though this is not compulsory.

The dhow safari is typically booked as a shared excursion however private charters can also be arranged; please ask us for further details.

Overview: Jambiani Village Tour

It can be hard to tear yourself away from the gently lapping waves and soft white sands of eastern Zanzibar, but this coastline is more than just somewhere to relax: for thousands of local residents it represents their entire livelihood. Jambiani, stretching for three-and-a-half miles along one of the island’s most picturesque beaches, is one such village. A tour of this community will offer you a fascinating insight into the daily life and work of its 6,000 residents.

The NGO that runs this tour has been operating for many years in the village, and a large percentage of profits are ploughed back into community-development initiatives. The guides have an excellent reputation among the villagers, and this translates into meaningful interactions and genuine exchanges.

What to expect when visiting Jambiani village

The exact schedule for the tour varies from day to day, but typically during term time you will start at the local kindergarten (one of the main places that will benefit from the proceeds of your visit). Don’t be surprised to be serenaded by a group of very happy and enthusiastic pre-schoolers, desperate to perform their latest song!

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a house, and to hear about the everyday life, traditions, and customs from the villagers themselves.

No visit to a Zanzibari village would be complete without sampling some of the traditional delicacies, so your trip will end at a local restaurant, serving some of the fragrant, spice-filled dishes for which Zanzibar is famed.

Overview: Prison Island Tour

Despite its weighty history, Changuu Island is less than 1km in length and only around 230m wide. The island lies just 30 minutes’ by boat from Stone Town, and has plenty to offer the day visitor – from history to wildlife to simple beach relaxation.

Changuu Island is more commonly known these days as Prison Island, a reflection of its use in the 19th century. In 1860 the island was given to two Arabs who used it as a base to hold ‘difficult’ slaves before they were sold in the slave market in Stone Town, or sent abroad. Thirty years later, when it came under British ownership, the plan was to use it as an official prison for the African mainland, but although a prison was built, it never fulfilled its purpose. The island later had a brief spell as a quarantine station for yellow fever, before being opened up to tourists.

What to expect on a visit to Prison Island

The 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town soon leaves behind the narrow streets of the old city, bringing you to the shores of one of Africa’s more notorious islands.

Once on Changuu Island, your guide will explain the colourful history of the area, including the prison building – which still stands. Today the island is home to some of Zanzibar’s oldest residents – descendants of the Aldabra giant tortoises that were a gift to the people of Zanzibar from the Seychelles government; some of them are rumoured to have reached over a hundred years old. Look a little harder and you may also spot butterflies, bats and even the very shy duiker.

The island is fringed with coral reefs and your guide will make sure you have snorkelling equipment so you can potter around in the shallows, marvelling at the colourful marine life, or simply soak up the sun on the soft sands surrounding the island.

Northern Zanzibar has accommodations located in three specific areas as noted below. Select your preferred region to view individual details of your hotel.

1. Kendwa Hotels - Northwestern
2. Nungwi Hotels - Northern Tip
3. Matemwe Hotels - Northeastern