A white-sand Zanzibar beach with a traditional dhow sailboat at sunset

Zanzibar, Tanzania

White-sand beaches, Stone Town and the Indian Ocean — the classic way to close out a Tanzania safari.

The Classic Pairing

The classic way to close out a Tanzania trip

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about 35km off Tanzania's coast — centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European trade layered into one island culture, with Stone Town's spice markets and coral-stone architecture at its heart and white-sand beaches ringing the coastline. It's the natural way to close out a Tanzania trip: a few days of game drives on safari, then a few days doing nothing much at all on the beach. Any of our safari styles can be extended into Zanzibar — tell us your dates and we'll plan both halves as one trip.

The island

Areas & beaches

Stone Town

West coast

The historic heart of the island — narrow lanes, spice markets, coral-stone architecture and Zanzibar's best restaurants. Most trips start or end here.

Nungwi & Kendwa

North coast

Calm, clear water that swims well all day regardless of tide, wide beaches and the island's liveliest stretch of coast.

Paje

East coast

Long, wide beaches with a real tidal swing — the island's kitesurfing hub, and a quieter, more laid-back pace than the north.

On the island

Things to do

Explore Stone Town

Wander the old quarter's markets, alleyways and coral-stone buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tour a spice farm

See where the island's cloves, cardamom and vanilla grow, and taste them fresh off the plant.

Jozani Forest

Zanzibar's only national park, home to the red colobus monkey — found nowhere else on earth.

Snorkel or dive

Coral reefs just offshore, with dive sites ranging from easy shallows to deeper wall dives.

A sunset dhow cruise

A traditional wooden sailboat trip along the coast as the sun goes down.

A sandbank boat trip

A short boat ride out to a sandbank surrounded by turquoise water, exposed at low tide.

How to book it

Combine with a safari

Zanzibar isn't a separate booking — any of our safari styles can be extended into a beach stay. Tell us your dates and we'll plan the safari and the island as one trip.

See all safari styles
Ready to book

The classic safari + Zanzibar pairing

Photography coming soon
Fly-in

5-Day Serengeti & Zanzibar Fly-In Escape

Serengeti to Zanzibar (fly-in)
Starting From$4200 Per Person
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Plan your dates

Best time to visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar's coastal climate runs on its own pattern, separate from the mainland's safari seasons.

Cool & dry

June – October

The most popular season — clear skies, lower humidity and comfortable temperatures for both the beach and pairing with a mainland safari.

Hot & mostly dry

December – February

Warmer and more humid, but still good beach weather — a busier period around the holidays.

Rainy season

March – May

The quietest, cheapest time to visit, with heavier rain and the occasional closed guesthouse — some travellers still enjoy the lush, empty beaches.

Before you go

Good to know

Entry requirements

A Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar too, and a yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you're arriving from — we'll confirm what applies to you.

Getting there

Fly directly into Zanzibar, or connect from your safari on the mainland — we handle the transfer either way.

Currency

The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency; US dollars are widely accepted at hotels and tour operators.

What to wear

Beach and resort areas are relaxed, but modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is appreciated in Stone Town and local villages.

Why plan with us

Why add Zanzibar with TanzaLux

One trip, two halves

We plan the safari and the Zanzibar extension together, as a single itinerary — not two separate bookings.

Seamless handoff

Transfers between the mainland and the island are arranged for you, so the trip flows without you managing the logistics.

Honest practical guidance

Entry requirements, timing, what to pack — we tell you what's actually true for your trip, not a generic checklist.

One team, both legs of the trip

We're the same Arusha-based team physically coordinating your handoff between the mainland and the island — not two separate offices passing you along.

Traveller stories

The proof should come from people who went.

Dorine M11 months ago
TripAdvisor

Grateful experience

As a solo female traveler, I felt super safe and well taken care of the entire time.

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Dagmar P1 month ago
TripAdvisor

Private Safari 6 days

I can only highly recommend the young company Tanzalux for organizing a private safari.

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Sylvanus T9 months ago
TripAdvisor

An unforgettable vegetarian journey with Tanzalux Safaris

I highly recommend Tanzalux for anyone wanting a special, personalized safari.

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Lucas G2 months ago
TripAdvisor

Our 3-day camping safari with Tanzalux was simply fantastic! Everything was perfectly organized.

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Victoria Goodluck3 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

Back in April, I joined a day trip to Tarangire National Park with Tanzalux Safaris, and it was truly one of the best experiences I have ever had…

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Danai Vicha5 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

I've had an amazing experience with Tanzalux Safaris, would 1000% recommend! Thank you for making my trip so special🫶

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ikigo simbila5 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

I recently visited Meru Waterfalls in Arusha and got to do some of the activities there, honestly it was such a great experience and I really enjoyed it.

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Hadija Shebe5 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

Our guide Dullah Mr Rastaman had the best vibe. I would like to recommend other people not to miss it, Tarangire is the best national park.

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Tumain Hope4 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

Our tour guide Nasri was very friendly and welcoming from the first day we met him. He knows Tarangire very well and explained many things during the safari.

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Linnah Kimaro4 months ago
★★★★★
Posted on Google

As a grandmother in the group, I would like to share my happiness with Tanzalux Safaris. Me, my daughters, and my grandson went on a short trip to Tarangire National Park…

Read more
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?

    No — a standard Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar as well as the mainland. We'll confirm any additional requirements based on where you're travelling from.

  • How many days do I need in Zanzibar?

    A minimum of 3–4 days lets you settle in properly; 5–7 is comfortable if you want to mix beach time with Stone Town and an activity or two.

  • Can any safari be extended with Zanzibar?

    Yes — private, camping, joining or fly-in, any of our safari styles can finish with a Zanzibar stay. Tell us your dates and we'll plan both halves together.

    See all safari styles
  • When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

    June–October is the most popular window (cool and dry), and it also lines up well with the mainland's dry-season safari timing. December–February is warmer but still good; March–May is the rainy, quietest season.

  • Is Zanzibar safe?

    Yes, generally — the usual travel precautions apply (secure valuables, use licensed transport, be mindful on quieter beaches after dark). We'll brief you on anything specific to your stay.

    More on staying safe
  • What should I wear?

    Beach and resort wear is fine at hotels and tourist beaches. In Stone Town and local villages, covering shoulders and knees is respectful and appreciated.

  • Do I need any vaccinations?

    The same guidance as the mainland — a yellow fever certificate if arriving from an at-risk country, and standard travel vaccinations are worth checking with your doctor before you go.

    Read the health & vaccination guide
  • How do I get from my safari to Zanzibar?

    A short flight connects the northern circuit (or Arusha/Kilimanjaro) to Zanzibar — we book and coordinate this transfer as part of your itinerary.

Ready to add Zanzibar to your trip?

Tell us your dates and we'll plan the safari and the island together — no obligation.

Juma Amani
Juma AmaniTanzania Luxury Safari Expert
Book this tripSafari + Zanzibar
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