Trip finderAll destinationsWhere to go each monthBest places to visitSee all: DestinationsAll 54 countriesInteractive mapNorth AfricaSee all: CountriesWhat safaris really costPlan your first safariGreat Migration by monthSee all: SafariAll animalsLionMountain gorillaSee all: WildlifeBest time to visitVisasHealth and malariaSee all: Plan
Photo: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. P, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tanzania · East Africa · Beach

Zanzibar

Spice island beaches and the winding alleys of UNESCO-listed Stone Town.

Best timeJun to Oct, Dec to Feb
Ideal stay4 to 7 nights
GatewayZanzibar (ZNZ)
Month by month
  1. JAnuary (good)
  2. FEbruary (good)
  3. MArch
  4. APril
  5. MAy
  6. JUne (good)
  7. JUly (good)
  8. AUgust (good)
  9. SEptember (good)
  10. OCtober (good)
  11. NOvember
  12. DEcember (good)

Travel advice: some regions are off-limits. Check your government’s advice for the exact areas before you book.

Zanzibar is the classic way to end a safari. Spend a couple of days in Stone Town for its carved doors, rooftop sunsets and food market, then move to the beaches of the north or east coasts.

Highlights

  • Stone Town
  • Spice farm tours
  • Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
  • Jozani Forest’s red colobus monkeys

Wildlife to look for

  • Red colobus monkey
  • Sea turtles

Where to stay

Boutique hotels in Stone Town; beach resorts and guesthouses on the coasts. The east coast has big tides; the north has swimming at most times of day.

Getting there

Short flights from Arusha, Serengeti airstrips and Dar es Salaam, or a ferry from Dar es Salaam.

Tips

  • Dress modestly away from the beach; Zanzibar is largely Muslim.
  • Check tide times if staying on the east coast.
  • The long rains (about April and May) close some hotels.

Best time to visit

Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb. See where to go in Africa in January and our guide to the best time to visit Africa.

Travel advice: Parts of the country are off-limits under most government travel advice. Check your government’s advice before booking.

Plan your stay

Hotels on Booking.com Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

These searches open on the booking sites. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Always check reviews and the operator’s licence.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb. Dress modestly away from the beach; Zanzibar is largely Muslim.

How long should I spend at Zanzibar?

4 to 7 nights.

How do I get to Zanzibar?

Short flights from Arusha, Serengeti airstrips and Dar es Salaam, or a ferry from Dar es Salaam.

Have you been to Zanzibar?

Rate it

Tips from travellers

Been to Zanzibar? Share one tip for the next traveller. The first good one goes right here.

Share a tip

We read every tip before it goes live. No links, please, and nothing personal about other people.

Questions from readers

Got a question about Zanzibar? Ask it here.

Ask a question

We can’t reply privately. Useful questions get answered here on the page.

Nearby and similar

Serengeti National Park

Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration year-round in different parts of the park.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 3 to 4 nights

Ngorongoro Crater

A vast volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, one of the best places to see black rhino.

Jun to Feb 1 to 2 nights

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest mountain, a non-technical climb through five climate zones.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 6 to 9 days

Cape Town

Table Mountain, beaches, penguins, wine and food in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Oct to Apr 4 to 6 nights

Okavango Delta

A vast inland delta where floodwaters arrive in the dry season, drawing wildlife from all around.

May to Oct 3 to 5 nights