Zanzibar is a fairytale island in the Indian Ocean with tropical greenery, turquoise-green warm seas, swaying coconut palms and a friendly population.
A perfect place for those who want to escape, relax, get active with snorkelling, kite-surfing and more or are looking for great instagram pictures.
Zanzibar is called the Spice Island as it was once the centre of the world's spice trade. The food culture is characterised by fresh fish, seafood, exotic fruits and dishes with coconut milk. Our package to Zanzibar includes one night in mythical Stone Town and the other nights in Jambiani, Nungwi or Matemwe.
You choose which area you wish to stay in. If you want to stay in a different area of Zanzibar, we can of course arrange that.
Our Swedish representative, Helen, will meet you or contact you on arrival and can give you tips and advice. Helen works closely with the locals on Zanzibar and can offer unique tours around the island.
Flights from Arusha to Zanzibar or Zanzibar to Arsuha
Airport pick-up in Zanzibar
Accommodation in Jambiani, Nungwi or Matemwe 4 nights
Accommodation in Stone Town 1 night
All transport in Zanzibar
Swedish representative on site who is available 24/7
You will be dropped off at Arusha airport and fly to the exotic island of Zanzibar, which takes about an hour. At the airport in Zanzibar you will be picked up by our local driver and transferred to your hotel. Here you can enjoy wonderful days on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, alternating sun and swimming with snorkelling and various activities.
On Zanzibar, you can bury your feet in the warm sand and drink a coconut drink or lie in the shade and read a book. At low tide, take a walk in the shallow waters to look for shells. Our contact Helen will contact you with tips and information about Zanzibar and tell you what excursions you can do.
Today you will be driven to Stone Town. The driver will drop you off at your hotel and you can set off to explore the town. There is a special magic and mystery about the charming maze of alleys that Stone Town consists of. In the evening, we recommend a visit to the Forodhani food market where you can try sugar cane juice and the legendary Zanzibar pizza.
In good time before your departure you will be picked up at the hotel and driven to the airport which is about 20 minutes away from Stone Town. Depending on the time of your flight, you can spend the last day of your trip taking a dip in the pool, enjoying a cup of coffee on one of the many rooftop terraces or strolling around the shops buying souvenirs or other locally produced goods.
Here are some suggestions for accommodation in Zanzibar
This is a very cozy hotel right on the beach in Jambiania. There are only a few rooms and all are uniquely designed. The atmosphere is very familiar. Along the beach you will find many restaurants and bars and with the village right behind you, you will get an insight into the life of the locals. The hotel's restaurant faces the sea so you have a nice view when you have breakfast.
This is a child-free hotel and is ideal for couples who want a quiet atmosphere and to relax in a sun lounger. It is located right on the beach and does not have many rooms. The rooms we usually book are the ones with a balcony or terrace facing the sea. The quality of the food is high so you can eat at the hotel, but there are also several places around.
Zanzibar Retreat is partly Swedish-owned, but the rooms are still Swahili-style. It is in a good location in Matemwe and is a very family friendly hotel where coffee is served every day. The staff are very helpful and friendly. The food at the restaurant here is among the best you can find in Matemwe. The hotel is small in size and suits those who want to stay genuinely and avoid large tourist crowds.
This is a lovely hotel in a perfect location in Paje. There is a mix of tourists, Maasai, kite surfers and locals picking algae and playing football. The beach is very nice and invites to lovely long walks. The hotel's restaurant faces the sea so you have a nice view when you have breakfast. Around the area there are many bars and restaurants to choose from. Just 5 minutes away is a shop where you can buy fruit, snacks or alcohol.
The hotel is located right on the beach and is very large and spacious. Even though it is full, it is not noticeable. There are lots of trees and birds around, which makes it extra nice. The rooms have an African design and all the little details in the hotel are very well thought out. The restaurant serves good food with local spices, ingredients and creative solutions.
This is a lovely hotel with a perfect location in Paje. There is a mix of tourists, locals, Masai and lots of kite surfers. The atmosphere here is lovely and vibrant. The beach is very nice and invites you to enjoy long walks. The hotel's restaurant faces the sea so you have a nice view when you have breakfast. There are many bars and restaurants to choose from all around. Just 5 minutes away is a shop where you can buy fruits, snacks or alcohol.
The Emerson is a unique and historically significant building. Its design combines the elegance of the period in which it was built with antique furniture and decoration. The hotel is close to the Darajani Market and other restaurants. The roof terrace of the Emerson has a spectacular view of Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. Here you lean back against cushions like a Zanzibari and enjoy the sunset over Stone Town's rooftops and 270-degree ocean views. The food is an interesting fusion of traditional and modernized Swahili dishes.
Seyyida Hotel is located in the heart of Stone Town and is close to all the small souvenir shops. It is one of the coziest and most charming hotels in town. The rooms are elegant and inspired by Swahili and Arabic culture. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a rooftop terrace with a lovely view of the Indian Ocean. If you want to have a drink or something to eat, there is also a restaurant and a bar.
Kholle House is located in the centre of Stone Town and was built in 1860. It is one of Stone Town's most unique hotels. All 10 luxurious rooms are individually decorated with exposed wooden beams and antique furniture. The hotel has an outdoor pool, a garden and a rooftop terrace with a Swahili-style teahouse overlooking the Indian Ocean. For a drink or a bite to eat, there is also a restaurant and bar.
Sandies is large with lots of greenery. The location is right by the sea, which brings in a nice breeze. Just below is a sandy beach, but there is also a swimming pool with an accompanying pool bar. Around the hotel there are many different restaurants. There are several types of rooms to choose from. The restaurant has a sea view and serves different types of food.
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This hotel is located in Kendwa, right on one of the finest beaches in Zanzibar. It's busy with many tourists but the resort is very large. There are plenty of sun loungers to lie and relax on and if you don't want to swim in the warm sea you can swim in a pool instead. In the evening you can order a fruit drink from the bar and sit on the beach and enjoy the sunset.
This hotel is just 10 metres from the sea. All rooms have a balcony or a terrace. The villas are spacious and the pool is shared between 2 or 4 villas. The area is perceived as quiet and it is not crowded with tourists. Along the beach you will find many restaurants and bars and with the village just behind you will get an insight into the life of the locals.
Flame Tree Cottages is a small hotel on a large green plot with individually decorated cottages in a lush garden. Here you can enjoy sunset dinners right on the beach. The bungalows are simple but this is compensated by the fact that your breakfast is served on your veranda. The location is perfect because you're in a quiet spot but can easily walk down to the beach and reach the hustle and bustle after just a few 100 metres.
This hotel is located right on the long, beautiful beach in Matemwe. It is quiet and nice and not many tourists on the beach. There are two different pools to choose from. Around the bar there is a relaxed and cosy atmosphere as the people working here are often in a cheerful mood. The restaurant offers Swahili and European cuisine.
Z hotel is set in a lush garden in the centre of Nungwi. The beach here is nice and you can swim most of the day. There are many restaurants and bars next to the hotel. The hotel has a stylish design and many nice details. Some of the furniture is made from coconut trees. Each room has a balcony overlooking the garden or the sea, and there is a rooftop where you can enjoy sunsets.
This is a lovely hotel with an excellent location near the village. Here you will experience the genuine Zanzibar and meet the local people. The hotel has just undergone a complete renovation. The advantage of Casa Beach is that it is located at the best part of the beach where you can go out and swim at low tide. Around it there are many small bars and restaurants even though it is perceived as quiet.
Here are some activities to choose from during your stay in Zanzibar.
The Emerson Hurumzi is one of the finest buildings in Stonetown and a meal on the rooftop terrace here is fantastic. At 6pm, a pre-dinner drink is served and then a three-course dinner is enjoyed as the sun sets over Stonetown. You can choose to sit on cushions and eat Arabic style or sit on chairs if you prefer. The view is stunning as you have a 360 degree view of Stonetown. Traditional live music is often played on the terrace.
This day trip starts with a sail in a traditional dhow to Pungume corals, one of Zanzibar's best snorkelling spots. Here you can see what Zanzibar looks like under the surface and swim with exotic fish. After snorkelling, the tour continues to a sandbank where you can swim, sunbathe and relax. This while a delicious BBQ consisting of sea delicacies is prepared. On your way back you can enjoy the view and a cold drink.
Stonetown is a maze of streets and a guided tour will give you an insight into its interesting history. You'll see the old fort, Freddie Mercury's childhood home and many other buildings that reflect times gone by. Here you will find traces of Indian, Chinese, Arab, Dutch and British culture combined with the typical African Swahili culture. During the tour you will stop at the famous spice market and also stop at the slave museum to get an insight into the dark history of the island.
The rainforest, Jozani forest, is the largest forest and the only national park on Zanzibar. The dense forest is home to the rare red colobus monkey, which lives only on Zanzibar. Here you will also find many other monkeys, reptiles, birds, butterflies and tropical trees. A tour takes about 45 minutes and the environment is changing with tall eucalyptus trees but also mangrove swamps full of fish and crabs.
Want to see something other than palm-covered beaches and get a mix of adventure and relaxation? Then a trip on a stand up paddle board in Zanzibar's mangrove swamps is the perfect activity. There are 8 different species of mangrove trees and amazing bird and animal life. You'll have a guide with you to tell you about the fascinating surroundings and help you manoeuvre your SUP. The tour works well for beginners and professionals alike. If you'd rather paddle a canoe, you can do that instead.
The trip to Uzi Island is a unique one as the island is not known to tourists and the inhabitants live an isolated life. The majority are fishermen or farmers. After a boat ride across to the island, Abdullah will meet you and then you will go on a tour around the island on the family ox cart, getting a chance to visit the locals and try local sweets, among other things. Afterwards, you'll have lunch at the home of Abdullah's family. The day ends with a wooden canoe ride through the fascinating mangrove forests.
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In the village of Makunduchi you'll find red mud houses, banana plantations, large mango trees and children playing football. The villagers here live a typical Zanzibari life at a leisurely pace. During the tour you will pass the village school, try to get water from the local well, visit a family making coconut ropes, talk to the locals and try local specialities. If you prefer to cycle, there is a possibility to do so.
The sunsets on Zanzibar are magical. And to experience them from a dhow in the Indian Ocean is something out of the ordinary. Dhow is the traditional wooden boat used by locals mainly for fishing. With the wind in your sails, you can enjoy the red horizon and it's a perfect opportunity to take great pictures. Drinks, fruit and snacks are served on the boat. If you wish, you can also finish with a BBQ on the beach.
In Jambiani, Okala is a small and charming restaurant. The restaurant is mostly made of coconut trees. The name comes from the chef, Mr Okala, who learned to cook from his grandmother. Okala is passionate about sustainability issues and all ingredients are locally sourced. He will show you the methods of Swahili cooking and together you will enjoy a delicious and tasty meal.
Zanzibar is called the Spice Island because it was once the centre of the world's spice trade. This spice tour takes you to a plantation visited by few other tourists and here you will smell, taste and learn about different spices. Depending on the season, you can find vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, lemongrass, cumin, pepper, oregano, coriander and many more spices. Before returning home, you will be served lunch made from ingredients from the plantation.
We have issued travel guarantees in accordance with the rules and requirements of the Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. The travel guarantee is a financial protection for travellers if a trip is cancelled or interrupted.
Being on the ground locally, we have good contacts with the locals and a unique knowledge of Zanzibar and can therefore offer you the best and most genuine activities.
We carbon offset all our trips and work with a variety of projects to benefit local people and make a positive carbon footprint in Tanzania.
On site in Zanzibar is Helen, who is experienced in the travel industry. She will contact you on the spot and you can always reach her during your stay in Zanzibar.
A request is not binding and you can of course change the number of days or make other wishes.
We will respond to your request shortly!
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