Best Zanzibar Tours And Holiday Packages 2024/2025
Tanzania Zanzibar tours or Zanzibar holiday packages take you for an exotic vacation in East Africa’s best beach holiday destination.
Tulambule is the ultimate key to the finest breath of fresh air and the best holiday experiences as it has been in the business for 10 years offering amazing holiday itineraries to Zanzibar. Through our variety of Zanzibar tours from solo tours to group tours with your family and friends to even personally customized best Zanzibar tours, every wish and prayer will be answered.
With our Zanzibar tour packages, every traveler will experience a simple and efficient manner of booking mesmerizing Zanzibar activities such as sunset dhow cruises, boat cruises, spice farm tours, stone town walking tours, Safari Blue Trip, Dolphin watching tour, snorkelling, scuba diving, and swimming – the best tours in Zanzibar.
Our highly affordable vacations to Zanzibar are always accompanied with the finest service, comfort, and sense of safety through all the best places to visit Zanzibar such as the Stone Town, Prison Island, Mnemba Island, Jozani Forest, and the gorgeous Zanzibar beaches.
So, contact us and enjoy relaxing holiday in heavenly spice islands of Zanzibar that sit among the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean about 30km off the northeast coast of Tanzania.
How Many Days Do You Need In Zanzibar?
How long you stay in Zanzibar will, of course, depend on how much time you have available and how much you’re willing to pay for your Zanzibar holiday. As a starting point, 3 days would be a minimum amount of time to dedicate for your tour, but we recommend at least a week.
The Zanzibar Archipelago is surprisingly large and diverse. It consists of two main islands and numerous smaller islets, together covering an area of about 2,462 km². Unguja which is the main island is 85 kilometers long and 39 kilometers wide.
The second-largest island, Pemba is 67km long and 22km wide. Across the islands, there’s variety of things to do and see. If all you have planned is to relax beach, then a few days at a resort should suffice. However, to truly get to know Zanzibar, there are plenty of activities to suit all tastes.
You may also like: 21 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Zanzibar
New Customized Zanzibar Tours and Holiday Packages This Year
Tanzania Safaris and Zanzibar Tours
Together, Tanzania mainland and the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar are fabulous destinations and offer a wonderful holiday experience of all that Tanzania has to offer.
If you visit both, you can enjoy a safari at one or more of the many Tanzania national parks on the mainland, and then follow it up with a relaxing beach holiday on Zanzibar, which also has amazing cultural and architectural legacy.
They are two distinct destinations, but they go perfectly well together in ways that lets you to experience the best that East Africa has to offer.
When To Visit Zanzibar | Best Time to Go For Tanzania Zanzibar Tours
Zanzibar is very much a year-round destination: it’s always warm enough to go to the beach. However, the best weather is usually from mid-June to October and from late December to late March. These two times no rains in case you care about raining.
Read more about the best time to visit Zanzibar.
How to Get To Zanzibar?
You can book your flight to Zanzibar through Tulambule. For more information you can Call or Whatsapp us at +256-782-915-447 or contact us via Email (info@tulambule.com). Zanzibar International Airport: located in historic Stone Town, the only airport on the island is served by flights from Entebbe, Nairobi, and Dar es Salaam.
Once you have arrived, take a taxi to your accommodation or enjoy the services of your hotel’s shuttle bus. There are regular flights from Zanzibar Island to Mafia and Pemba Island, but a boat transfer would take you from Zanzibar to Chumbe or Mnemba.
Scooters and motorbikes can be hired for an easy and fun way to get around the island though the streets of Stone Town are for walking only.
Places to Visit in Zanzibar | Best Zanzibar Day Tours and Excursions
Zanzibar is not only famous for its beaches but it is also known for its ancient monuments, cathedrals, mosques, museums, palaces, and national parks. Therefore, Zanzibar tours packages include extensive sightseeing tours that offer you a chance to experience the best of this tropical paradise. Some of the best places to visit and things to do in Zanzibar include:
1. Beaches in Zanzibar
Zanzibar beaches are justly famous. Fine white sands edge clear turquoise waters, traditional Arabic dhows sail into the dawn, silhouetted against pastel-tinted skies.
Beautiful coconut palm trees wave gently in the cool breeze. Whether as after-safari relaxation or as a stand-alone holiday destination, the beaches of Zanzibar’s east coast and around the northern of the island provide a quintessential tropical island paradise. Each Zanzibar beach has its own personality.
- Paje beach is known for its kitesurfing.
- Matemwe beach offers visitors on Zanzibar tours a more chilled vibe, and entices with its powdery sands and glimpses of village life.
- Nungwi beach, in northern Zanzibar, sees tradition mix with contemporary life.
- Nearby Kendwa beach shares some of Nungwi beach’s buzz, but everything is more spread out, and the beach here has the advantage of being swimmable around the clock.
- Quiet Pongwe beach is more isolated, and good for getting away from the crowds.
- Jambiani beach, with its impossibly turquoise waters and sun-bleached coral-rag houses, is an ideal spot to gain insights into local life.
2. Stone Town City Tour in Zanzibar
Zanzibar Town is the main settlement of the Island, and the historical old Stone Town is its heart and soul. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a wonderful spot to get immersed in island rhythms.
The town got its name because of the houses built with Coral stones and Limestone with Arabian and Indian styles and more than 200 different door designs from Arab and Indian combination. On your Zanzibar tours of the Stone Town, you will be able to visit;
- Forodhani Gardens
- The Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs
- The imposing House of Wonders
- Stone Town’s maze of narrow alleyways
- Palace Museum
- The beautiful Aga Khan and Ijumaa mosques
- Hamamni Persian Baths – Zanzibar’s first public baths
- Anglican Cathedral, with its moving Slave Memorial and the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibit.
- The lively Darajani Market
3. Spice Tours in Zanzibar
In bygone days, spices dominated Zanzibar’s economy.
Today, the trade has faded, but going on a spice tour to the plantations that dot the Zanzibar Island makes for an enjoyable and informative half-day excursion. You will get to know why Zanzibar is referred as a “Spice Island”.
You also will get to see, taste and smell many of the spices, fruits and herbs that grow on Zanzibar, including cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, jackfruit and lemongrass. These Zanzibar tours usually include lunch and some also offer visits to village cooperatives.
4. Prison Island Trip In Zanzibar
Prison Island is one of the best places to visit on Zanzibar tours.
This is a prison that was never used. It was built in 1892 as a detention for disobedient Slaves but was never used because of abolishment of slave business by the British in 1894.
It became a quarantine station for Yellow Fever victims from Zanzibar and the Mainland until early 19th Century, but now is a host of The Giant Tortoises introduced in the 19th Century from Seychelles and snorkeling, swimming and watersports.
It is 30minutes by Boat from Stone Town.
5. Nakupenda Sandbank
This is probably the most beautiful patch of white sand surrounded by turquoise water near stone town. The best place to snorkel while enjoying a feast of barbequed seafood, the best place for Honeymooners’ and wedding events.
This tour is sometimes combined with a visit to Prison Island.
6. Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest is Zanzibar’s largest area of indigenous forest. It offers nature walks that provide a glimpse of the vegetation that once covered much of the island. It is known for hosting the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, an endangered species found nowhere else on Earth.
The forest is also offers a refuge to other species of monkeys, as well as duikers and more than 40 bird species. Jozani Forest can easily offers some of the best Zanzibar day tours and can be visited as a stop en route from Zanzibar town to the beaches.
Allow some hours to hike the forest trail and enjoy the nature.
7. Zanzibar Safari Blue Trip
Safari Blue trips are a full day tour along Menai bay, which is one of the best coral reefs in Zanzibar. Main activities in the tour includes visit to naturally occurring sandbanks, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, visiting Kwale island with its natural green lagoon and climbing the old Baobab tree for spectacular view of the Island.
If you love ocean, this is one of your best Zanzibar tours and excursions. You will marvel at countless colourful fishes and other sea creatures that survive among the coral reefs.
You also enjoy the fresh seafood barbeque; Lobsters, squids, Octopus, Calamaris, Fishes. Taste exotic fresh fruit like Watermelon, Banana, Pineapple, and Mangoes.
This can be the best adventurous day for your holiday in Zanzibar and you will understand why we call this “Blue Safari”.
8. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar
The Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar is indeed Africa’s paradise, with warm sky-blue waters gently lapping shores of fine white sand that stretch for miles.
But wait until you explore what lies underneath. Schools of colorful fish, frolicking spinner and bottlenose dolphins and majestic whale sharks skillfully traverse the captivating coral reef.
The waters around Kizimkazi Beach and Mnemba Island are the best spots for aquatic adventures, though any of the many beaches offer great opportunities.
9. Sunset Cruises
Zanzibar Island has the best sunset cruises point in Africa.
This can be observed almost everywhere in the Island but Kendwa Beach, Kae beach, Stone town and South coast host the best sunsets. Sail in a traditional wooden Dhow while listening to Music and perhaps a drink and snacks.
10. The Rock in Zanzibar
The Rock Restaurant is a picturesque restaurant constructed upon a bed of stone on the Indian Ocean floor on Michamvi’s Pingwe Beach of Zanzibar. During low tide, you can easily walk up the stairs and into to this small boutique of incredible flavors and aromas.
But during high tide it becomes its own island, and a boat cruise must take you to its doors – hence its nickname, Tidal Island. The Rock experience on Zanzibar tours more than satiates your physical appetite, it elevates it. While European-inspired, everything on the menu is a fusion of local ingredients and sultry spices.
FAQs About Zanzibar Tours
To help you plan your Zanzibar holiday, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Zanzibar on holiday.
Get all the answers you need to plan your ultimate Zanzibar holiday. For any other questions or more in-depth info contact our travel expert who has been there.
1. Is Zanzibar A Country?
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous province of Tanzania; it is not an independent country. It was once the separate state of Zanzibar, which united with Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Currently, the population of Zanzibar is largely divided.
Many still seeking for independence from Tanzania and seek to have Zanzibar declared its own country. Regardless of their political differences, the discussion remains respectful between the locals. You are just as likely to see them passionately debating politics in town centers as you are to see tropical fruit farmers hawking their produce roadside all around the islands.
2. Do I Need A Visa To Visit Zanzibar?
Ugandans, Kenyans, and Rwandans do not need visas to visit Zanzibar. However European, Canadian, Australian and USA travelers all need tourist visas to visit Zanzibar.
As Zanzibar is a part of Tanzania, the entry requirements and visas are the same for both destinations. It is possible to get visa on arrival in Tanzania but it is better for travelers to apply for an e-visa before traveling. The cost of a single-entry tourist visa is US$ 50 and US$ 100 for US citizens which gives them a 12-month multiple entry visa.
3. What are the best tours in Zanzibar?
According to our experience from travellers, the best tours in Zanzibar are;
- Boat trip to Prison Island and Nakupenda sand bank
- Full day Mnemba Dolphins and snorkeling tour
- Safari blue trip
- Spice Farms Tours
- Jozani Forest nature walks
- Stone town walking tour
- Sunset Dhow Cruises
4. What are the best Zanzibar tours for Couples?
If you are a couple, then these tours we think is best for you;
- Private Safari Blue Trips
- Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Traditional Cooking Class
- Dolphin tour, Jozani Forest, Jambiani Kuza Cave
- Paje Beach & The Rock restaurent
- Full-Day Private Stone Town, Spice Farm and Prison Island Tour
5. What are the best Zanzibar tours for Family?
If you are a family, here are the best Zanzibar tours for families;
- Stone Town Walking tour
- Boat Trip to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sand Bank
- Private Safari Blue trip
- Dolphin tours
- Mnemba Snorkelling tour
- The Rock Restaurant and Paje Beach Experince
- Kendwa/Nungwi Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Jozani Forest walking tour
- Sea kayaking, kite surfing, swimming
Zanzibar Cooking Class Tour
6. What are the best Group tours in Zanzibar?
The best group tours in Zanzibar include;
- Safari Blue Trip,
- Boat cruises to Prison and Nakupenda Sandbank
- Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Swimming with Dolphins
- Swimming with turtles
7. What is the best Private Zanzibar Tours?
The best private tours in Zanzibar include;
- Mnemba Dolphins & Snorkeling,
- Safari Blue
- Horse Riding
- Quad Biking
8. What are the Cultural Tours in Zanzibar?
If you are interested in culture on your Zanzibar holiday, then you should do;
- Stone Town Tour
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Spice Farm Tour
- Traditional Cooking class
- Visit Seaweed Centre
Visiting local villages by walking, biking, driving or with Quad bike.
9. Is Zanzibar cheap or expensive?
It depends on what you want to do and how you want to travel. Some resorts and hotels and day trips are expensive. However, if you are able to customize your holiday by picking cheaper hotels, or if you just want to use it to relax on the beach, it can be done much cheaper.
International flights to Tanzania are likely to be the single biggest expense of a trip to Zanzibar. The best way to save money on your Zanzibar holiday is to keep an eye out for flight specials to Tanzania and even flight deals to Zanzibar, direct.
From Dar es Salaam on Tanzania mainland, you can then take the affordable ferry or fly to Stone Town on Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja.
10. What time of year is cheapest to visit Zanzibar?
If you have a tight budget and want to go to Zanzibar, November, March, April & May are the cheapest times. It is the off-peak holiday season on the island as most tourists seek other warmer destinations. During this time, you expect reduced accommodation, flights, excursion fees, and food prices. March marks the start of Zanzibar’s long rainy season that lasts until May. April is the wettest month of the year, so pack your rain gear.
