Zanzibar

Tanzania

Spice-scented Stone Town and white-sand beaches on the Indian Ocean.

Beach
Culture
Romance
Nature

A narrow Stone Town alley with a clock tower in the distance

White sand beach with palm trees and a wooden pier in Zanzibar

Photos: Micah Camper, Nichika Sakurai, Humphrey M on Unsplash

Best time to go: June to October is the main dry season, and December to February is hot and dry. The long rains fall roughly from March to May.
Ideal length: 5 to 7 days

Plan with ROVE AI

Rovepoint guide: general information. Check current details before you travel.

Known for

Stone Town, a historic trading port and UNESCO World Heritage Site
White-sand beaches and turquoise water
Spice farms growing cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon
Swahili culture, architecture and food
Snorkelling and diving on coral reefs
Traditional dhow sailing at sunset

Getting around

Taxis and pre-arranged transfers are the usual way between Stone Town and the coasts. Agree the fare before you set off.
Dala-dalas, the shared local minibuses, suit short, unhurried trips.
Boats run out to nearby islands and sandbanks.
Stone Town is best explored on foot, as its lanes are too narrow for cars.

Areas to explore

Stone Town
Narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, busy markets and the seafront.
Nungwi and Kendwa
The north coast, where the sea stays swimmable through most tides and the sunsets are long.
Paje and Jambiani
The east coast, known for kitesurfing, seaweed farming and wide tidal flats.
Matemwe
A quieter stretch of the north-east coast, close to the Mnemba reef.
Jozani Forest
The island’s national park and home of the rare red colobus monkey.

A three-day outline

1Day 1Stone Town
- A guided walk through the old town’s lanes and markets
- The Old Fort and the seafront
- An evening at the Forodhani Gardens food market
2Day 2Spice and forest
- A morning on a spice farm
- An afternoon in Jozani Forest with the red colobus monkeys
- Head to the coast for the evening

Good to know

Currency: Tanzanian shilling.
Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins), and sometimes Type D, 230V.
Language: Swahili and English.
Tipping: Tips are appreciated for guides, drivers and good service.
Dress: Zanzibar is largely Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and in villages, and keep swimwear for the beach.
Tides: On the east coast the sea can go out a long way at low tide, so check the tide times if you plan to swim.

Before you go

Rovepoint does not have visa information for Tanzania yet. Check the official embassy or immigration website for Tanzania before you book.

Keep your passport in your Travel Vault, so Rovepoint can check its expiry against your trip dates.

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3Day 3The coast

Snorkelling or a boat trip out to a sandbank
A long, slow afternoon on the beach
A dhow cruise at sunset

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