5 Days Zanzibar Beach Holidays
Five island days combining beach relaxation with a Stone Town city tour, spice plantations, Jozani Forest's red colobus monkeys and a Jambiani village experience.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Route
- Zanzibar Airport – Stone Town – Maruhubi – Kizimbani – Jozani Forest – Jambiani – Stone Town – Zanzibar Airport
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at Zanzibar Airport.
- Best time
- Zanzibar can be visited year-round, though the dry months from June to October and December to February are generally the most popular for beach and snorkeling time.
- Trip style
- A beach and culture holiday with handpicked beachfront accommodation, daily breakfast and selected meals, airport transfers and guided tours with expert local guides.
Tour overview
Imagine waking up to the sound of gentle waves, stepping onto powdery white sand and soaking in the warm tropical sun. Our 5 Days Zanzibar Beach Holidays package is designed for travelers who want an unforgettable island escape that blends relaxing beach time with rewarding excursions.
Over five days you explore historic Stone Town and its spice plantations, meet the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey in Jozani Forest, and discover the fishing villages, snorkeling spots and seaweed farms of Jambiani on the southeast coast, with expert local guides helping you experience Zanzibar like an insider.
Highlights
- Full-day Stone Town city tour including the central market and Anglican cathedral
- Maruhubi Palace ruins and the Kizimbani spice plantations
- Zanzibar red colobus monkeys and the mangrove boardwalk at Jozani Forest Reserve
- Traditional Ngalawa fishing boats and snorkeling spots near Bwejuu
- Jambiani fishing villages, an organic plantation and women-run seaweed farms
- Free time for shopping in Stone Town before departure
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival and Hotel Transfer
Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After a brief explanation of the program for the coming days, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether relaxing on the beach, taking a swim or simply resting after your journey. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2Full Day City Tour
After breakfast, set out on a full-day city tour. Begin at Zanzibar's central market, established in 1904, where you can explore an array of tropical fruits and spices. Visit the Anglican cathedral, built on the site of the former slave market, followed by the National Museum, the British Consulate, the Old Fort and Dr. Livingstone's House. Continue to the Maruhubi Palace ruins, built by Sultan Barghash in 1880. Enjoy lunch at Mtoni Marine Park, then proceed to the Kizimbani spice plantations for a spice tour. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3Jozani Forest Reserve
After a late breakfast, head south to Jozani Forest Reserve, stopping en route at the Bikhole ruins for a short visit and some intriguing stories. In the forest reserve, look out for the Zanzibar red colobus monkey and bush babies among the diverse flora and fauna, and explore the mangroves on a boardwalk. Return to Stone Town for lunch at Sundowner Restaurant. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your own pace.
Day 4Cultural Tour in Jambiani
Today, immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Jambiani. Begin by visiting local fishermen and their traditional fishing boats, known as Ngalawa, and discover excellent snorkeling spots on the northern part of Bwejuu. Enjoy lunch at a nearby local hotel to savor the local cuisine. Continue by exploring the Jambiani fishing villages and meeting villagers engaged in various trades. Visit a local organic plantation to learn about Zanzibar's unique culture and environment, and see the seaweed farms managed by local women. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5End of Tour and Airport Transfer
Begin your day with a relaxed breakfast, followed by a leisurely half-day exploration of the enchanting streets of Stone Town, with time to shop and discover unique treasures along the way. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, where you connect with your flight back home.
What is included
- Airport pickup and drop-off transfers
- Handpicked beachfront accommodation
- Daily breakfast and selected meals as per itinerary
- Tours and activities as per itinerary, including the Stone Town city tour, spice tour, Jozani Forest and Jambiani cultural tour
- Expert local guides
Not included
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Tours and activities other than those mentioned above
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and telephone calls
- International flights
Good to know
- Day 3 starts with a late breakfast, giving you a slower morning before the Jozani Forest excursion.
- Bring swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen for the snorkeling spots near Bwejuu.
- On departure you fly from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi to connect with your flight home.
- Visas, travel insurance and international flights are not included.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see red colobus monkeys on this trip?
Day 3 includes a visit to Jozani Forest Reserve, home of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. You also have a chance to see bush babies and walk the mangrove boardwalk.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily, along with selected lunches and dinners as listed in the itinerary. Any other meals are at your own expense.
What happens on the Jambiani cultural tour?
You meet local fishermen and see their Ngalawa boats, visit snorkeling spots near Bwejuu, and explore Jambiani's fishing villages. The day also includes an organic plantation and seaweed farms run by local women.
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