10 Days Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Ten unhurried days exploring Zanzibar: Stone Town history, Nungwi sunsets, Mnemba snorkeling, Jozani's red colobus and the wide beaches of Paje.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Route
- Zanzibar Airport – Stone Town – spice farm – Nungwi – Jozani Forest – Paje – Zanzibar Airport
- Start / end
- Starts and ends at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar (ferry port pick-up also possible)
- Best time
- The driest, sunniest months are usually June to October and December to February; the long rains typically fall from about March to May.
- Trip style
- Private transfers and guided tours; comfortable mid-range hotels with en-suite rooms, bed and breakfast in Stone Town and half board at the beaches.
Tour overview
This holiday is for travelers who want to really get to know Zanzibar. Instead of staying in one place, you experience three very different sides of the island: the history and culture of Stone Town, the swimming beaches and sunsets of Nungwi in the north, and the wide, laid-back lagoon beaches of Paje on the southeast coast.
A handful of well-chosen excursions are built in, from a Stone Town walking tour and Prison Island's giant tortoises to a spice farm, snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll and a forest walk among red colobus monkeys in Jozani. Between them, there is plenty of free time to swim, relax and explore at your own pace.
It is an ideal beach holiday on its own, or a relaxed finale to a safari, honeymoon or Kilimanjaro climb.
Highlights
- Two nights in historic Stone Town with a guided walk
- Giant tortoises on Prison Island
- Spice farm tour with fruit tasting
- Snorkeling at the Mnemba Atoll conservation area
- Red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
- Beach time in both Nungwi and Paje
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Zanzibar and Stone Town
Your driver meets you at Zanzibar Airport or the ferry port and transfers you in about 20 minutes to your hotel in Stone Town. Take time to settle in after your journey. In the late afternoon, wander down to the waterfront to watch the dhows sail past at sunset, then explore Forodhani Gardens, where the evening food market serves grilled seafood, skewers, Zanzibar pizza and fresh sugarcane juice. Dinner tonight is at your leisure, with many good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
Day 2Stone Town walking tour and Prison Island
After breakfast, meet your guide for a walking tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the Old Fort and House of Wonders, admire the carved doors, and explore the bustle of Darajani Market. Visit the site of the former slave market, now Christ Church Cathedral and a powerful memorial. After lunch in town, take a boat of about 20 to 30 minutes to Prison Island to meet the Aldabra giant tortoises and swim or snorkel off the beach. Return to Stone Town in the late afternoon for a free evening.
Day 3Spice farm tour and transfer to Nungwi
Check out after breakfast and drive about 30 minutes to a working spice farm, where a local guide shows you cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and black pepper growing, with tastings along the way and a selection of tropical fruit to finish. Continue north for about 1 to 1.5 hours to Nungwi at the tip of the island. Check in at your beach hotel, enjoy the afternoon by the water and watch your first Nungwi sunset over the ocean before dinner.
Day 4Free day in Nungwi
A day with nothing planned, so you can fully switch off. Swim in the clear water, which in Nungwi stays deep enough for swimming most of the day, or walk the beach south to Kendwa. Visit the Mnarani turtle aquarium in the village, watch dhow builders at work on the shore, or book a spa treatment. In the evening, an optional sunset dhow cruise is a lovely way to see the coastline from the water, followed by dinner at your hotel.
Day 5Mnemba Atoll snorkeling trip
Rise early for a half-day boat trip to the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area, Zanzibar's best-known snorkeling site. A short transfer takes you to the departure beach, and the boat ride to the reef takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes, often with dolphins seen along the way. Spend around 2 hours snorkeling over shallow coral gardens with your guide, looking for turtles, starfish and colorful reef fish, with fresh fruit and drinks on board between swims. You are back at your hotel by early afternoon to relax.
Day 6Leisure day in Nungwi
Enjoy another relaxed day in the north. Spend the morning on the beach or by the pool, then perhaps try a kayak or stand-up paddleboard if your hotel offers them. Divers can arrange a dive with a licensed center, while others may prefer a lazy lunch at a beach restaurant in Kendwa. As the afternoon cools, take a final walk along the sand and enjoy the sunset, one of the highlights of staying on this side of the island, before dinner at your hotel.
Day 7Jozani Forest and transfer to Paje
After breakfast, leave Nungwi and drive south for about 1.5 to 2 hours to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park on Zanzibar. A ranger guides you through the forest to see the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, often at close range, then along a boardwalk through the mangroves. Continue for about 30 minutes to Paje on the southeast coast, known for its powder-white sand and wide turquoise lagoon. Check in and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 8Paje beach and lagoon
Paje's beach changes with the tides: at low tide the lagoon becomes a shallow expanse for walking, while at high tide it is ideal for a swim. Spend the day relaxing or try a kitesurfing lesson, as Paje is one of East Africa's most popular kitesurfing spots. You might also visit the Seaweed Center to learn how local women farm seaweed and turn it into soaps and oils. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening.
Day 9Free day on the southeast coast
Your last full day is free for whatever you enjoy most. Cycle along the coast to Jambiani, a traditional fishing village with a long, quiet beach, or book an optional trip to see dolphins at Kizimkazi in the south. Many guests also reserve a table at The Rock, the much-photographed restaurant perched on a rock near Michamvi, reached on foot at low tide and by boat at high tide. Spend the evening enjoying a final sunset dinner.
Day 10Departure from Zanzibar
After a final breakfast and, if time allows, one more swim in the lagoon, check out of your hotel. At the agreed time, your driver collects you for the transfer of about 1 hour across the island to Zanzibar Airport or the ferry port for your onward flight or boat. If your flight leaves late in the day, we can arrange a late checkout or a final stop in Stone Town. This marks the end of your ten-day Zanzibar beach holiday.
What is included
- Airport or ferry port pick-up and drop-off
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- 9 nights' accommodation as listed or similar
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Stone Town walking tour and Prison Island boat trip with fees
- Spice farm tour with fruit tasting
- Mnemba Atoll snorkeling trip with gear and conservation fees
- Jozani Forest guided visit and entry fee
- Bottled drinking water during transfers and tours
- Government hotel levies and taxes
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Zanzibar's mandatory visitor insurance
- Lunches and drinks
- Optional activities such as sunset cruises, diving, kitesurfing and Kizimkazi dolphin trips
- Tips for drivers, guides and boat crews
- Personal expenses
Good to know
- Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages; beachwear is fine at the hotels and on the beach.
- Tides on the east coast, including Paje, are large; swimming is best around high tide.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent.
- The order of excursions may change slightly with tides and weather.
Frequently asked questions
Why stay in three different places?
Each area offers something different: history in Stone Town, sunsets and easy swimming in Nungwi, and wide lagoon beaches in Paje. Splitting the stay lets you experience the whole island without long day trips.
Can we change the beach areas or hotels?
Yes. We can swap Paje for Jambiani, Michamvi or Kiwengwa, or upgrade any hotel to a boutique or luxury property, and adjust the number of nights in each place.
Is this trip suitable for families?
Yes. The pace is relaxed, transfers are short, and the excursions are suitable for children. We can arrange family rooms and swap activities to suit your children's ages.
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