Travel
5 Days Zanzibar holiday
Duration
5 Days
Trip Highlights
Explore the rich history and cultural charm of Stone Town with a guided walking tour through its winding alleys, spice markets, and iconic landmarks like the Old Fort and House of Wonders. Learn about Zanzibar’s Swahili-Arabic heritage as you visit sites that reflect centuries of trade, culture, and resilience. After your cultural immersion, head north to Nungwi for three nights of relaxation on pristine white-sand beaches. Enjoy optional activities such as snorkeling, sunset dhow cruises, or simply unwinding by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Day by day description
Day 1: Stone Town Tour
As soon as you arrive at the airport, our friendly Nature In Spirit team will be there to greet you with a warm smile. After a short introduction, we’ll help you with your bags and drive you to your accommodation. On the way, you’ll catch your first views of Zanzibar’s tropical beauty—palm trees, blue ocean, and colorful villages. This is just the beginning of your island adventure!
Day 2: Transfer to Nungwi for beach excursion
Your morning starts with a guided walking tour of Stone Town, a place full of history and culture. This ancient city was once the heart of the Zanzibar Sultanate, known for the spice and slave trade in the 19th century. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living museum with narrow streets, carved doors, busy markets, and old buildings.
Your Nature in Spirit Travel guide will share fascinating stories about the sultans, the slave routes, and the daily life of the Swahili people. You’ll see how the locals dress, hear traditional music, and visit famous spots like the Old Fort, Darajani Market, and Forodhani Gardens. Along the way, you’ll have great chances to take photos and shop for unique souvenirs.
Lunch is on your own—a perfect time to try local dishes like Zanzibar Pizza, Pilau rice, or Chipsi Mayai. These foods are packed with flavors from spices like clove, cardamom, and cinnamon, often served with fish or vegetables.
After lunch, you’ll drive north to Nungwi Beach—one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Nungwi is famous for its white sand, clear blue water, and most importantly, no strong tides, which means you can swim at almost any time of the day. It’s a great place to relax, swim, or enjoy water activities like snorkeling or sunset walks.
Day 3 & 4: Leisure at the Beach – Optional Activities Available
After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in paradise. Nungwi offers the best beach conditions on the island, with clean, walkable shores and no strong tides — perfect for swimming or sunbathing at any time. For those seeking activity, optional excursions are available: snorkeling, diving, dhow sailing, or visiting the local fishing village. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a nearby seaside restaurant or at the hotel.
Day 4: Departure from Zanzibar
After breakfast and a final stroll along the beach, you will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your international flight or onward travel. Take with you the serenity of Zanzibar and the unforgettable memories of your Tanzanian safari holiday.
End of Extension – Karibu Tena (Welcome Again)!
PRICES
| NUMBER OF PAX | PRICE PER PERSON (USD) |
| 2 | $ 1,322 |
| 3 | $ 1,523 |
| 4 | $ 1,241 |
| 5 | $ 1,394 |
| 6 | $ 1,242 |
Included
- Accommodations on half board basis hence lunch will be on own arrangement
- Local flight Arusha – Zanzibar
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All government taxes
- Tourism levy in Zanzibar
Excluded
- International Flights
- Zanzibar travel insurance $44 per person per entire trip
- Tips
- Activities in Zanzibar
- Lunch & Drinks at the lodge
- Any other things not mentioned above.
HERITAGE TOURS
Stone Town Tour – Half day
The old town which met three criteria for entry into a World Heritage Site… and remained so since its inscription in mid-1990s. Never miss this tour while in Zanzibar. The mysterious Sultan (Seyyid) Said’s dynasty, site for the shortest war in world’s history, the architecture, narrow streets …. the list is endless but awaits you to be discovered!
The Three hours guided drive-and-walk tour begins and ends at your hotel. It will take you to the city market, the slave market (Anglican Cathedral), a glance of High Court, former English Club, Tipu-tippu House, the busting Kelele Square, orphanage house, the Forodhani gardens and nearby old fort (built in the 1700), house of wonders (built in 1883) and Palace Museum. Learn about the Princess (Salme) who fled the country with a Germany Navy officer and the story of the shortest war in the world. From here, you proceed on a leisure walk through the narrow streets of Stone Town (old part of Zanzibar town) where most houses date back to more than one hundred and fifty years. Dive into the many small and exotic bazaars and curio shops. Jump into your waiting car for a ride back.
Prison Island – Half day
The tour is partly heritage discovery yet partly adventure!
Take a boat ride to the Prison island, about 5.6km off the Stone Town. Attractions include a building that was meant to be a prison but never saw an inmate, giant Aldabra’s tortoises and the warm Indian Ocean waters which is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
This half day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. Measuring 11.27ha, the Prison Island has a beautiful 110m sandy beach, indigenous as well as introduced vegetation and a natural tidal pool. Prison Island was formerly intended for private use as a place of detention for recalcitrant slaves but latter General Lloyd Mathews bought it and the gaol, which still stands, was built in 1893, as a central prison for Zanzibar, hence the name “PRISON ISLAND”. It was however, never utilised as such. Whilst on island, you will be able to see the Aldabra’s giant tortoise and have a delightful swim or snorkel, with its surrounding shallow coral reefs and islands of Kibandeko, Grave and Bawe. Return to your hotel, Departure 10:00 to 13:00 and/or 16:00 to 19:00.
Prison Island and Sand Bank – Full day
A picnic and relaxing day for sea lovers!
Set-off the day with a 2hrs tour of the Prison Island before setting off to Pange Island (Sandbank). Simply amazing!
Where applicable, after the Prison Island breakfast shall be served on the way with ginger spiced tea and juices, home-made bread and tropical fruits. Arrive at the sandbank and relax on the beach, get a nice tan then swim or snorkel to enjoy the wonderful clear blue and warm waters of Indian Ocean. Light lunch with seafood & crustaceans BBQ, Italian cheese and tropical fruits is served at the sandbank.
NATURE TOURS
Spice Tour
Your opportunity to experience tropical spices and fruits that made Zanzibar nicknamed as “Spice Islands” through this half-day guided Tour that begins and ends at your hotel.
You will visit the Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan (first Sultan of Zanzibar) for his wife, Princess Shehzad – (granddaughter of Fateh Ali Shah of Persia). You will then proceed to a spice farm at Kitundu Village. See, smell & taste various spices – cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, turmeric, lemon grass, black pepper, nutmeg, and tropical fruits like, – jack fruit, bread fruit, pineapples, bananas, and coconut). With luck on your side, you will also enjoy seasonal tropical fruits such as Star Fruit, Cocoa, Mangosteen, Bread fruit tree, Durian, Curry Tree, Tamarind, Tangerine, and Wild Coffee. You will also see other rare plants such as henna bush, the perfume tree, and lipstick tree.
Get experience by joining us in various activities such as weaving (local mat), curving, plaiting, drawing and painting (handcraft) and henna tattooing and.
At your request this can be a full day tour to include cooking lessons with lunch.
It’s a day out to farms so be in proper attire, including conservative dressing and closed walking or hiking shoes.
- Standard Spice Tour [½ Day] 20€
- Luxury Spice Tour – with lunch [½ Day] 55€
- Luxury Spice Tour – with lunch and cooking experience [FD] 110€
Jozani Forest & Rare Monkeys – Half day
Nature and biodiversity at its best! Never miss a visit to the largest natural forest in Zanzibar, Jozani, the only National Park in Zanzibar and UNESCO recognized natural World Heritage Site.
This 3hrs guided tour takes you to Jozani natural forest, Southeast of the Island. Jozani lies within the Chwaka bay – Jozani National Park, the only National Park in Zanzibar covering an area of 50sq.km (19sq.mi). The Park hosts hundreds of species of trees, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Jozani is the original nest of the rare Red Colobus Monkeys which are not seen anywhere else in the world except in this area in Zanzibar. Walk through trail of the natural forest, watch and get close to the colobous and visit a natural lagoon.
Another day out to the bush that needs proper attire – conservative dressing and closed walking or hiking shoes.
ADVENTURE TOURS
Johari Blue Safari + BBQ LUNCH – FD
An alternative to the Safari Blue, the Johari Blue Safari is organized by local who are very familiar with the area having lived there all their lives. It takes off from Bwefum area, exactly midway between villages of Fumba and Bweleo.
Sunset Cruise: - 15:00hrs – 19:00hrs: (3hrs Cruise)
This cruise will excite you as you’ll get a good glimpse of wonderful scenes of the Indian Ocean, along the Stone Town shoreline. We will make your evening memorable, soothing you with light sea breeze while you enjoy varieties of aperitifs. Experienced Swahili singers will entertain you with their traditional live music. Sparkling wine, cold local beer, fresh juices and cocktails will be served, to cheer your delicate palate. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of Italian cheese with homemade jam, prawns, fried calamari, crispy cassava and other delicacies of Swahili cuisine. The cruise lasts for about two hours from 5pm to sunset.
Azam Watersports (*under request)
Offers premium boat water sports services for Prison Island, sandbank picnic, sunset cruise, or a day rental. Alternatively, tailor-make your adventure or rent a yacht for half or full day or even live-aboard arrangement for island hopping.
All trips launch from a modern marina at the Hotel Verde, just few minutes’ drive from the Stone Town. The boats and Yachts are capable of accommodating between 8 and 25people. Choose from 2hrs Prison Island Tour, 3hrs sand bank, 1h30min sunset cruise, a full day or live aboard charter.
All boats feature facilities such as Bluetooth, Radio, Refrigerator, Barbeque grill and Washbasin while some also have cabins.
Snorkeling (Mnemba Atoll) – FD
Mnemba Atoll, in the Eastern side of Zanzibar Island, comprises of a 10.17ha islet and an oval seven-by
-four-kilometer coral reef, is an incredibly famous marine conservation area in Zanzibar, never miss it!
Mnemba is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site with a wide variety of coral reefs and associated species, as well as occasional sightings of larger species such as whales, sharks and three species of dolphins. Its beach is an IUCN recognized sea turtles nesting site. The islet itself also has different varieties of birds, introduced dykes and doves.
A pair of fins, diving mask and snorkel is provided for you to enjoy the underwater wonders.
Scuba Diving in Zanzibar – FD
Zanzibar offers a unique opportunity to diving aficionados and those wishing to start their underwater adventure. The live coral reefs, ever warm and clear Indian Ocean waters combine to give a spectacular colorful world of tropical fauna and flora. Divers will encounter shoals of fish, colorful snails, turtles and beautiful corals.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re you a beginner or an experienced scuba diver! We connect you with the best diving centers in Zanzibar for a wide range of diving courses and then the adventure. If you are a beginner, earn your first Scuba Diver certificate after the theory and a pool session covering the basic scuba diving skills. PADI specialty courses are available for experienced divers.
Horse Riding by the Beach- 45 Minutes
Have you ever considered the incredible journey that coffee takes on before it reaches your cup? Discover how the entire process unfolds at a Tanzanian coffee plantation, where you can follow the path from seed harvesting to brewing that delightful, aromatic beverage that kickstarts our mornings. Tanzania elevates the coffee-making experience to new heights. Visitors can enjoy a captivating tour guided by experts, gaining a deep appreciation for the craft of coffee production as they stroll through endless rows of lush coffee trees.
Dar-Es Salaam Day Trip
Experience the vibrant city life of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling metropolis, on a day trip filled with cultural immersion, historical insights, and urban exploration. This trip offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and local flavor, providing an authentic taste of Tanzanian life. I this trip , you will experience the Tanzaian side just after two hours away ferry ride. You will visit The National Museum, Village close by, Dar es Salaam monument history and enjoy a traditional Tanzanian lunch at a local restaurant. Savor dishes like Nyama Choma (grilled meat), Ugali (maize porridge), and a variety of Swahili seafood dishes, giving you a taste of the local culinary culture.
Zanzibar Quad Adventure - (Kiwengwa) - Half Day
A different adventure yet same memories, awesome!
Join this half-day off-road adventure with either the morning tour (starting at 9 AM) or in the afternoon (at 2 PM). You will self-drive a quad bike, roam through some agricultural farms, admire the giant baobab trees and emerge through remote African villages and see a typical fishermen’s village.
As a typical rural setting, visit a mud house, spice trees, palm groves, banana and rice fields, play and sing with children and spend time with families. Our Guide will brief you about the culture and tradition of this unique Africa. You then ride across fishing villages, will see the typical coral houses, taste a tropical fruit and a great Italian focaccia. Rural life may not be in opulence so if you want to donate to the villagers it is possible to do so, just let us know and we shall advise you the respectful and acceptable way.
CULTURAL TOURS
Kijiji (Village) Tour – Swahili Culture
Zanzibar… an apex of cultural fusion – from the east, west and the wilderness!
Immense yourself into a traditional village life and experience its way of life that blends with the nature and surroundings.
Participate in building a traditional mud-house, livelihood activities including farm chores, watch coconut tree climbing, basket weaving, palm leaves thatching, help preparation and taste of a local cuisine, see kids attending a Quranic class (Madrasa) and many more. Listen to traditional sounds and dance its exotic rhythms …
Options:
- Kijiji Tour no Lunch [HD] – 35€ Kijiji Tour with Lunch [FD] – 65€
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice)
Zanzibar offers a wide array of services to cater for your divergent meetings industry needs. With our partner hotels, we can be your one-stop shop to help you organize all your MICE needs, including the following:
- Group welcome and greetings
- Airport/hotel transfers including to the events’ venues
- Venue selection to suit your meetings, conferences or exhibition needs
- Equipment, interpretation and other services
- Itinerary preparation for Incentive and other groups
- Organizing for and executing tours/safaris for the groups
