Zanzibar Island

Why visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the perfect place to end a Tanzanian safari or Kilimanjaro climb. The main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, about 35 kilometres off the mainland coast, combines white-sand beaches and coral reefs with a rich Swahili, Arab and Indian Ocean trading history.

Stone Town, the old quarter of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors, coral-stone merchant houses, mosques, markets and rooftop cafés. Beyond the town, the island's spice farms grow cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg; Jozani Forest is home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey; and the coast offers snorkelling, diving, sunset dhow cruises and simple days on the beach. Each coast has its own character: the north has beaches that are swimmable at most tides and lively evenings, the east coast has long, quiet beaches with large tidal ranges and lagoons, and the south-west is home to secluded resorts and dolphin trips.

When to go

The best beach weather is from June to October and from December to February, when it is mostly dry and sunny. The long rains fall mainly from late March to May, and there are shorter rains in November. Water is warm all year, and the sea is usually calmest for diving from October to March.

Zanzibar is a short flight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or the Serengeti airstrips, so it is easy to add to the end of a safari. Choosing the right beach matters as much as choosing the right month. See our Zanzibar beach holidays and safari and beach combinations.