Zanzibar is the natural end to a northern-circuit safari — or, just as easily, the natural start of one. A short domestic flight to or from Seronera or Arusha replaces a long transfer day, and the shift between dust and game drives and the Indian Ocean is a deliberate part of the trip, not an afterthought.
Stone Town's old quarter, a working spice plantation, and the red colobus of the Jozani forest cover the island's culture and history in a day or two. The rest is beach — Nungwi and the north coast for nightlife and watersports, the quieter east coast for kitesurfing or doing very little at all.
We work with boutique sea-view hotels through to premium beach resorts, and can add snorkelling, diving, a sunset dhow cruise or a full Stone Town tour to any stay. Every itinerary below moves by short scheduled flight rather than a long transfer day — book it either direction: a fly-in safari that ends on the coast, or two nights on the beach first with a flight out to the parks.
Things to do on Zanzibar
Reef trips off Mnemba Atoll and the north coast, suited to first-timers and certified divers alike.
A traditional wooden dhow along the coast at golden hour, usually with fresh seafood served on board.
A guided walk through the UNESCO-listed old quarter — the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the carved doors the island is known for.
A working plantation inland, where cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon are grown and explained by hand.
The only place to see the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey in the wild, on a short guided forest walk.
Paje and the east coast are among East Africa's best kitesurfing spots, with steady wind roughly June–October.
A boat trip to a sandbar or to Changuu (Prison) Island, home to giant tortoises and clear, shallow water.
Half and full-day charters out of the north coast for marlin, sailfish and tuna, best August–March.
Two ways to combine Zanzibar with a safari
The classic order: fly between safari camps rather than drive, then finish on the beach with the trip already unwound.
Game drives in the northern parks, then white sand and warm water on the coast.
A longer version of our most popular trip, with four nights on the coast instead of two.
Ease in on the beach, then fly to the Serengeti for the more intense part of the trip last — no long transfer days either way.
Beach first, safari second — settle in on the coast, then fly to the Serengeti before heading home.
Stone Town, a spice farm, the Jozani forest, and three nights of doing very little on the north coast.
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