Zanzibar
Zanzibar island extension: the complete guide
Rehema Said · June 19, 2025
After five days tracking wildlife in the bush, arriving on a turquoise coast feels like a different continent. Here is everything you need to plan the Zanzibar extension properly, from how to connect to where to stay.
Why the safari-then-beach combination works
The combination of a Tanzania safari followed by Zanzibar has become one of the most booked itinerary structures in East African travel. There is a reason it repeats: the contrast is the product.
After five or six days of 5am departures, dust, wildlife intensity, and bush camp living, arriving on a coral island with warm turquoise water and no schedule is genuinely restorative. The two experiences amplify each other. Guests who have done both consistently say the beach feels more special because of what preceded it.
This guide covers everything you need to plan the extension properly.
How to connect from the safari to Zanzibar
From Kilimanjaro (Arusha): Domestic flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Zanzibar's Abeid Karume Airport (ZNZ) take approximately 50-60 minutes. Precision Air and Air Tanzania operate this route most days. Book as a separate ticket from your international flight.
From Dar es Salaam: If your safari ends in Dar, you have two options. Domestic flights to Zanzibar take 20 minutes. The fast ferry takes 90 minutes to 2 hours and departs from the Dar port, a pleasant option if you are not in a hurry. The slow ferry takes longer and is not recommended for first-time travellers.
Timing: If your last safari day ends with a flight to Arusha/Kilimanjaro, budget an overnight in Arusha and connect to Zanzibar the following morning. Attempting a same-day connection from a game drive vehicle to an international-standard airport in time for a domestic flight is stressful and frequently fails.
How many nights in Zanzibar?
3 nights minimum: Stone Town (1 night) plus beach (2 nights). This gives you a meaningful sense of the island but leaves you wanting more.
5-7 nights ideal: Stone Town (1-2 nights) plus beach (4-5 nights). This is the structure that leaves guests genuinely rested and satisfied. Enough time to slow down completely.
What to avoid: arriving and going straight to the beach without Stone Town. The city is a genuine experience, UNESCO heritage architecture, Swahili food culture, a carved-door history that connects Arab, Indian, and East African trade routes. It earns a day at minimum.
Stone Town: what to see and how long to spend
One full day is the honest minimum. Two days gives you room to explore without rushing.
The non-negotiables:
- The old town on foot with a knowledgeable guide. The alleys look chaotic but follow a clear logic once explained. A half-day guided walk is worth every minute.
- Forodhani Gardens at night. The night food market on the waterfront is excellent, Zanzibar mix, urojo soup, grilled seafood.
- The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe). Built by Omani Arabs in the early 1700s. Free to enter.
- The Spice Farm. A half-day excursion from Stone Town. Clove, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, black pepper, all growing in the same plot. A good guide brings the history of the island's spice trade to life.
Where to stay in Stone Town: the Zanzibar Serena Hotel has the best location and a rooftop with harbour views. Park Hyatt is newer and larger. Boutique options include Emerson Spice and The Swahili House.
The beaches: which area to choose?
North coast (Nungwi and Kendwa): The most popular area. Consistent swimming year-round because the tide variation here is lower than the east coast. Lively at sunset, with dhow rides and beach bars. Nungwi village is at the tip of the island.
East coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe): Quieter and more remote-feeling. The east coast is better for kitesurfing (consistent wind) and snorkelling. The reef here is closer to shore in many areas.
South coast: Very quiet. Best for complete seclusion. Less infrastructure but some genuinely beautiful spots.
For most first-timers: Nungwi or Kendwa. Consistent swimming, sunset dhow access, and enough activity within the beach area to keep you engaged for 3-5 nights.
Activities on the island
- Dhow sailing: the traditional wooden sailing boats of the Indian Ocean. Charter one for a private sunset cruise or join a group trip to a sandbank.
- Prison Island: a 20-minute boat ride from Stone Town. Home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. Worth the trip, especially if you have children with you.
- Snorkelling and diving: the reefs around Mnemba Atoll (northeast of the island) are the best in Zanzibar for coral and fish diversity. Diving here requires booking ahead with a certified dive centre.
- Kizimkazi dolphins: morning boat trips to the southern tip of the island where spinner and bottlenose dolphins are resident. Swimming is possible in calm conditions.
Practical notes
- Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous Muslim region of Tanzania. Dress conservatively when off the beach (shoulders and knees covered in Stone Town). Alcohol is available in hotels and tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Currency: Tanzanian Shillings are accepted but USD is widely used in tourist areas. USD 20, 10, and 5 notes in good condition work everywhere.
- High season: July, August and December, January book out the best properties early. Plan 3-4 months ahead for these periods.
The honest verdict
Yes, Zanzibar is worth adding. Not as a quick beach stop but as a genuine counterpart to the safari. The island has its own personality, its own culture, and its own reasons to visit independently of Tanzania. When you put the two together with the right structure, the result is one of the best two-week trips available anywhere.