Zanzibar is the spice island of East Africa, a coral island fringed with white sand and warm turquoise water. Its history is richly layered: Swahili traders, Omani sultans, Portuguese and British rulers have all left their mark in Stone Town, a World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, carved doors, mosques, markets and old merchant houses.
Outside Stone Town, the island offers beaches for every taste. Nungwi and Kendwa on the north are lively, Paje and Jambiani on the east are good for kitesurfing and quiet walks, and Matemwe and Kizimkazi offer luxury hideaways and dolphin trips. Spice farms, Jozani Forest with its red colobus monkeys, and the Mnemba Atoll for snorkelling add variety.
It is an easy and rewarding end to a safari, reached by a short flight from Arusha, Dar es Salaam or the Serengeti.
Zanzibar is known for the rare Zanzibar red colobus, found in Jozani Forest, and the Aders’ duiker. Dolphins swim off the south coast, giant tortoises live on Prison Island, and the reef is rich in fish, turtles and corals. Humpback whales pass the coast between July and October.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
White sand beaches face clear, shallow water, with coral gardens offshore and palm trees along the shore. Stone Town’s waterfront has a faded grandeur, with Arab houses, narrow lanes and a lively harbour.
Activities here
Zanzibar is hot and humid all year, with daytime temperatures of 28°C to 32°C and warm seas. The long rains fall from March to May, and a short rainy season in November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 24 | 70 |
| Feb | 32 | 24 | 50 |
| Mar | 32 | 25 | 130 |
| Apr | 30 | 24 | 360 |
| May | 29 | 23 | 300 |
| Jun | 29 | 22 | 70 |
| Jul | 28 | 21 | 50 |
| Aug | 29 | 21 | 50 |
| Sep | 30 | 22 | 60 |
| Oct | 30 | 23 | 100 |
| Nov | 31 | 24 | 200 |
| Dec | 31 | 24 | 150 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October is cooler and dry, with steady breezes. December to February is hotter and calmer, with clear water for diving and swimming.
March to May brings heavy rain, high humidity and rough seas. Many smaller hotels close in April and May. The November rains are lighter and shorter.
June to October and December to February are the best months. Kitesurfing is at its best in January to February and in July to September. April and May are the quietest and wettest.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jul to Sep
Zanzibar International Airport is 15 minutes from Stone Town. Daily flights link Zanzibar with Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Mombasa, and fast ferries run from Dar es Salaam in about two hours. Most guests fly in after a safari.
Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, which also covers Zanzibar, applied for online before travel or bought on arrival, currently US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Yellow fever rules apply if you arrive from an endemic country.
Wear reef shoes and take care of sea urchins. Sun protection is essential. Zanzibar is a malaria area, so please take advice before you travel. Tap water is not safe to drink.
National ParkSerengeti National ParkThe Great Migration
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryNgorongoro Conservation AreaA day on the crater floorOur take
“Our take”
Split your stay: two nights in Stone Town for the culture, then two or three on a beach for the sea.
Safaris from
US$1,598 per person
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