Zanzibar Island

Why Zanzibar Is the Perfect Safari Finale

After dusty game-drive mornings, Zanzibar is the exhale: a 30-minute flight from Dar es Salaam (about 90 minutes from Arusha) lands you on an island of white coral-sand beaches, warm 26–28°C water, and a fascinating Swahili culture shaped by centuries of Indian Ocean trade.

Stone Town, the island’s UNESCO-listed old quarter, rewards a day of wandering — carved doors, spice bazaars, the former slave market memorial, and rooftop restaurants at sunset. Inland, working spice farms explain why these were the original ‘Spice Islands’, and Jozani Forest shelters the endemic red colobus monkey.

Coast choice shapes your holiday. The north (Nungwi, Kendwa) swims at all tides and has the liveliest sunset scene; the east (Matemwe, Paje, Jambiani) is quieter, with dramatic tidal flats, kitesurfing, and barefoot-luxury lodges facing the reef.

Island Highlights

• Snorkelling and diving the Mnemba Atoll reef — turtles, dolphins, and technicolour coral fish
• Stone Town’s alleys, carved doors, and the Forodhani night food market
• Spice farm tours — clove, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon straight from the tree
• Jozani Forest’s endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys
• Sunset dhow cruises on traditional hand-built sailing boats

Choosing Your Coast

Nungwi & Kendwa (north): tide-free swimming, sunset views, the most resorts and nightlife. Matemwe (northeast): quiet, upmarket, closest to Mnemba snorkelling. Paje & Jambiani (southeast): kitesurfing capital, big tidal lagoon, laid-back beach villages. Stone Town (west): culture, history, and harbour sunsets — ideal for one or two nights at the start.

“Five days of safari then five days at Kendwa was the perfect rhythm. The water really is that colour.” — Guest review, TripAdvisor

Things to Do

• Stone Town walking tour and cultural exploration
• Spice farm visit and island history tour
• Beach relaxation, dhow cruises, and snorkelling