Zanzibar operates at a different frequency to the rest of the world. The Indian Ocean here is so shallow that the dhow fishermen can wade to their boats at low tide; the old city of Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arab, Persian, Indian, and colonial European architecture; and the north beaches have the kind of water clarity that makes you stop and stare rather than immediately swimming.
Seven days is exactly the right length — enough time for Stone Town's history, the spice farms, the beaches, and the coral reef diving, without any day feeling rushed.
Planning Zanzibar?
We'll handle the hotel, Stone Town arrangements, spice farm tour, and diving or snorkelling bookings — so your time on the island is as effortless as the ocean itself.
- Day 1Stone Town WalkThe Arabic doors (each one hand-carved, no two alike), Persian bath houses, the slave market memorial (profoundly moving), the old fort, and the House of Wonders. Best with a local guide who can tell you what you're actually looking at.
- Day 1 EveForodhani Night MarketThe waterfront market that sets up each evening — fresh grilled octopus, Zanzibar pizza, sugar cane juice, and the extraordinary social scene of Stone Town at night.
- Day 2Darajani Spice Market & Mercury HouseZanzibar was once the world's greatest spice producer — the market is rich with vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom. In the afternoon, visit Mercury House — Freddie Mercury was born here in Stone Town in 1946.
- Day 3 AMSpice Farm TourA half-day tour of a working spice plantation — vanilla vines, clove trees, nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemongrass growing in the red earth. Your guide will cook a lunch from what you've just seen growing.
- Day 3 PMJozani ForestHome to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey — found nowhere else on earth. A boardwalk through the mangroves and forest is equally remarkable.
- Days 4–5North Beach DaysNungwi Aquarium turtle sanctuary, Kendwa Rocks beach bar, snorkelling at Leven Bank (world-class visibility and reef fish), traditional dhow-building village tour.
- Day 6Mnemba Atoll DivingBoat to the protected Mnemba Atoll conservation area — hawksbill turtles, dolphins, eagle rays, and extraordinary coral gardens. Some of the finest shallow-water diving in the Indian Ocean.
- Day 7Prison Island & DepartThe giant Aldabra tortoises of Prison Island (some over 100 years old) are remarkably endearing. Afternoon flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Dar es Salaam or onward connection.
Practical Information
Getting there: Fly via Dar es Salaam (DAR) or Nairobi (NBO). The flight from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar is 20 minutes. A fast ferry from Dar es Salaam takes about 90 minutes and is pleasant in calm conditions.
Language: Swahili is the first language; English is widely spoken in all tourist areas and hotels. A few words of Swahili ("Jambo" — hello, "Asante sana" — thank you very much) earn extraordinary warmth.
Diving: Bring your PADI certification if you have it. Zanzibar has excellent PADI schools if you want to qualify during your visit.
Currency: US dollars are widely accepted alongside Tanzanian shilling. USD100 bills get the best exchange rates at Stone Town's bureau de change.
Visas: Tanzania requires a visa — most nationalities can purchase an e-visa online before travel (easier than on arrival).