Zanzibar Island
Long known as the Spice Island, Zanzibar pairs white-sand beaches and turquoise water with wildlife and a culture all its own — the classic finale to a Tanzania safari.
Long known as the Spice Island, Zanzibar pairs white-sand beaches and turquoise water with wildlife and a culture all its own — the classic finale to a Tanzania safari.
Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja) sits about 35 km off Tanzania's coast in the Indian Ocean, a roughly 1,666 km² island reached from Arusha or the Serengeti by a short flight into Zanzibar's international airport. Long nicknamed the "Spice Island", Zanzibar pairs history with beaches and reefs that shift by coastline: east-coast resort towns and tidal lagoons, Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, Paje on the southeast coast for kitesurfing, and Kizimkazi farther south for dolphin excursions. Its historic core, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the island's interior holds tropical forest with wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Visitors must purchase Zanzibar's mandatory local inbound travel insurance before arrival through the official portal; this is separate from comprehensive travel and medical insurance, and current requirements should be checked before departure.
Zanzibar's coastline changes character by compass point: the east coast's white sand and shallow turquoise lagoons—protected by an offshore reef and known for a dramatic tidal swing—give way in the north to Nungwi and Kendwa, where deep water reaches close to shore. The reef-sheltered flats around Paje and Jambiani rank among the region's most reliable kitesurfing grounds. Inland, the island rises to just 195 m at its highest point, with coconut palms, spice plantations, tropical forest and mangrove wetlands.
Zanzibar runs warmer and more humid than the mainland safari parks, with a coastal monsoon rhythm rather than the highland dry/wet split found inland. Dry-season days average around 30°C (86°F), with lows near 20°C (68°F), while December to February can bring daytime highs in the low-to-mid 30s°C (90s°F). The March-to-May long rains bring heavier afternoon downpours—some resorts use this quieter stretch for renovations—while the November-to-December short rains are lighter.
A dive trip off Mnemba Atoll in the morning, a spice farm tour in the afternoon - Zanzibar's things to do rarely fit into a single day, and that's before adding time in the Jozani forest, on a sunset dhow, or exploring the north and south coasts.
Zanzibar's beach season runs on a slightly different calendar from the mainland parks, with its own rain pattern to plan around - though honestly, the island's warm temperatures and laid-back pace make it a rewarding trip in almost any month.
Don't come to Zanzibar expecting lions or elephants; the island runs on a smaller scale, with an endangered monkey found only here, dolphins working the bay at dawn, and a tortoise colony transplanted from the Seychelles.
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Places to stay around Zanzibar Island:
A family-owned, beachfront resort on Zanzibar's east coast in Dongwe, Breezes Beach Club & Spa holds a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award and is marketed as "Zanzibar's most romantic hotel." Set in lush tropical gardens, its suites and family rooms offer direct beach access, a large pool, and a professional dive center, with guests consistently praising the food and immaculate grounds.
Set among the resort beaches of Zanzibar's east coast, Zawadi Hotel offers spacious private villas in tropical gardens, several with their own plunge pool, just steps from the sand. Consistently top-rated by guests, it's one of the most highly regarded properties on the east coast, prized for its privacy and attentive, personalized service.
A short walk along the beach from its sister property Breezes, Baraza Resort & Spa is an all-suite luxury resort built around ornate Swahili, Arab, and Persian-influenced architecture, with private plunge pools in every suite. It's one of the most distinctive high-end properties on the east coast, prized for its design, spa, and beachfront setting.
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