Zanzibar is the perfect end to a Tanzania safari — a short flight from the Serengeti to powder-white sand, turquoise water and centuries of Swahili, Arab and Indian history.
Wander the labyrinth of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, tour a spice farm, then unwind at a barefoot-luxury resort on the north and east coasts.
Highlights of Zanzibar
Stone Town
A UNESCO World Heritage maze of history, spice markets and carved doors — tour it with a local guide.
The north coast
Nungwi and Kendwa — the best swimming beaches, tide-free waters and famous sunsets.
Spice farm tours
Walk the clove, vanilla and cinnamon plantations that gave the Spice Island its name.
Mnemba Atoll snorkeling
Zanzibar’s finest reef — turtles, dolphins and coral gardens by traditional dhow or speedboat.
Sunset dhow cruises
Sail a hand-built wooden dhow into the sunset with champagne — the classic Zanzibar evening.
Jozani Forest & kitesurfing
Meet the endemic red colobus monkeys, then ride the trade winds at Paje — one of Africa’s best kite beaches.
Recommended lodges & camps in Zanzibar
Where you stay shapes your whole safari. These are properties we know personally and return to again and again — chosen for their location, their guiding and the way they make you feel. Tell us which appeal and we'll build your journey around them.
These are a few of our favorites — we work with many more across every price point. Have a specific lodge in mind? Tell us in your enquiry and we'll secure it.
Know before you go
The practical details we handle for you — flights, entry, health and money — summarized here so nothing surprises you. Requirements can change, so we confirm everything when you book.
Getting there from the USA
Qatar, Turkish and KLM connect US cities to Zanzibar with one stop — or hop over from a Tanzania safari in about 90 minutes from Arusha.
Visas & entry
US citizens need a Tanzania visa ($100, multiple entry) — apply online before travel. Zanzibar also requires mandatory visitor insurance (about $44), bought online before arrival.
Health
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Stick to bottled water and you'll be fine — the resorts are well run.
Money & tipping
USD is accepted almost everywhere (bills printed 2009 or later). Tipping is at your discretion — about $20–25 per person per day is a generous benchmark, less at beach resorts.
What to do in Zanzibar
Spice-island culture on one side, barefoot Indian Ocean luxury on the other.
Stone Town with a historian
Carved doors, the old spice market, the Freddie Mercury house and the sobering slave-market memorial — best walked early, with someone who grew up here.
Stone Town
Early morning, any season
A private spice farm morning
Crush cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg straight off the plant, then lunch under the palms with a Swahili cooking demonstration.
Central spice farms
Year-round
Sail a dhow at sunset
A traditional wooden dhow, a crew of two, and the Indian Ocean turning gold — with a sandbank picnic if the tide is kind.
West & north coasts
Calmest Oct–Feb
Snorkel and dive Mnemba Atoll
Turtles, dolphins and reef fish in impossible turquoise — the finest snorkeling in the archipelago, minutes from the northeast beaches.
Mnemba Atoll
Best visibility Oct–Mar
Best time to visit
Cool, dry and sunny — the prime beach season.
Hot and dry, ideal for diving and watersports.
In the rainy months many of these same camps drop their rates by 20–40% — emerald landscapes, newborn wildlife, superb birding and far fewer vehicles. Peak season isn't the only great season: tell us your budget and we'll show you what the green season buys.
Planning & cost
Fully tailor-made — priced privately to your camps, season and travel style. No fixed packages.
Fly into Zanzibar (ZNZ), a short hop from the Serengeti or Kilimanjaro. US travelers need Tanzania’s multiple-entry eVisa ($100, valid 12 months), applied for online.
Every journey is private and tailor-made — your own guide and vehicle, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout.
Everything else,
answered before you ask
The practical details that apply to every safari we plan — so this page is the only one you need.
Money & tipping
US dollars are accepted at virtually every camp, and cards work at lodges and city hotels. Your trip is fully inclusive, so cash is mainly for tips: plan on roughly $10–20 per guest per day for your guide and $10–15 for camp staff, handed over at the end of each stay. We send exact guidance with your final documents.
Health & safety
See a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for routine shots and malaria advice (most safari regions require prophylaxis; parts of South Africa are malaria-free). Camps are remote but professionally run, with radio contact and evacuation cover — we require travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.
Staying connected
Nearly all lodges have Wi-Fi in the main areas (often in-tent too), and an eSIM from your US carrier covers the cities. Expect to be offline on game drives — most guests come to see that as the point. Family back home can always reach you through us, day or night.
What to pack
Soft duffel bags only (light aircraft cap luggage around 33 lb / 15 kg), neutral-colored layers for cold mornings and warm afternoons, and binoculars. Laundry is included at almost every camp, so pack for 4–5 days no matter the trip length.
Full packing list →Continue exploring
Beach Holidays
An African beach holiday — barefoot-luxury island escapes to follow your safari.
Explore → Eastern AfricaTanzania
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Zanzibar.
Explore → Beaches & IslandsMozambique
A Mozambique beach holiday reaches the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos — diving, dhows and seclusion.
Explore → RegionBeaches & Islands
Where a safari finishes — Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Mozambique coast.
Explore →Zanzibar FAQs
Getting to Tanzania — flights, visas and health
Current at the time of writing. We re-confirm every requirement for your exact routing before you travel — and we will tell you what to apply for, and when.
Let's design your Zanzibar journey.
Tell us how you like to travel and our experts will craft your private, tailor-made itinerary — no obligation.
Enquire now