What to do in Zanzibar - the ultimate Zanzibar itinerary

What to do in Zanzibar the ultimate itinerary! Zanzibar is a gorgeous island and so worth visiting, we loved it. There’s a huge array of things to do in Zanzibar, this is the best way to plan your time if you want to see a little of everything!

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Best time to visit Zanzibar

We visited Zanzibar in July and it was beautiful, we really think it was the best time to go. I heard horror stories of those visiting in the rainy season. I highly recommend July, we had blue skies, great temperatures and no rain!

How to get to Zanzibar

We flew into Zanzibar after our Serengeti Safari and it was the perfect way to relax after such an exciting week in the Serengeti. Flying from Arusha to Zanzibar was really easy, we went with Air Tanzania and they were great! You can alternatively take the ferry if you are in Dar es Salaam or fly from there also.

Best beaches on Zanzibar

This is the biggest question we had when coming to Zanzibar so we decided to stay at the there main beaches to find out (check out our best beaches on Zanzibar blog). Ultimately it depends on what you like best but we think that experiencing all three is a great way to spend your first time in Zanzibar as they all have a different vibe and appeal.

What to do in Zanzibar, the Ultimate Itinerary

For this itinerary I give the amount of days that I would spend in each place. This is a general guide and will depend on your overall timeframe. Use these days as a guide and adjust to your schedule.

Day 1-3 Arrive in Zanzibar and head to Paje Beach

Have your transport pre-booked when you arrive so you are just collected is the easiest way to start your trip here. There is a taxi company at the airport but the prices are a little high. We recommend booking with Beka, we used him in Zanzibar and he is a really lovely local man who will make sure you get where you want to go with ease.

Start your trip in Paje Beach. This beach is not our favourite for swimming but it is full of local vibes and kitesurfing. We stayed at a beachfront hotel that we loved (The Nest, check out our review here) but there is loads of accommodation available at different price points, another one we liked was Mr Kahawa.

This is a great beach to stay for a introduction to the island, learn the local lingo and pick up on the vibes here as they do change a little at other beaches. This is a very chilled out beach.

Day 4-7 Kendwa Beach

Have your transfer booked ready to go to Kendwa Beach, we recommend staying at Sunsets Kendwa for your time here, or if you can afford it stay at Zuri Zanzibar. Kendwa has a little less of the local vibes and more of the touristic scene. There is a lot of activities to do here and some of the best swimming water, we loved the spot out front of Zuri Zanzibar and walked there everyday to swim. We spent our sunsets at Sunset Kendwa having cocktails (we think they are the best on the beach). The weather can still get windy here but much less than at Paje, we only had one windy day when we moved to Kendwa.

Day 8-11 Head to Nungwi Beach

Nungwi is maybe my favourite location of those we visited. It is very central and I feel that it offers the most well rounded experience. Nungwi is a huge area but I recommend staying near the Nungwi Public Beach as it is the most central position.

We stayed at Kibanda Lodge and Beach Club and I highly recommend it! Although not beachfront itself there is a lot on offer here, we took the all inclusive deal they offer so our meals were taken care of. They also offer access to their beach club for which they will organise you a free taxi to get there and back. This is how I would spend my time here: check the tide times and when they are low head to the beach at Nungwi Public Beach, take a stroll down the beach towards Kendwa and check out all the markets along the sand, such a unique experience. Walk down to Zuri (it isn’t hard) have a swim in this area, it is the best!

Make sure you walk back before the tide comes up as you can get very, very stuck (this happened to us at one point and we ended up walking through waist high water). Then get the Kibanda crew to grab you a taxi up to the beach club. Here you can have lunch or just chill on the sun beds and swim. There is a great local restaurant a short walk away called Fish Market Local Restaurant if you want to try a different restaurant. Sunsets are beautiful here at the beach club, we loved it.

If you prefer to stay closer to the beach then check out Nungwi Getaway. Walk to the beach and soak up lazy days and stop in at all the little restaurants and bars in Nungwi. We liked Nanasi Beach Club for sunset drinks but you can also spend the day there for a fee which you can then spend on food and drinks. Mama Mias is really popular for Italian food. There are also tons of tours you can do from here-this blog highlights all the best ones.

Day 12-15 Explore Stone Town

We loved Stone Town! It is such a unique blend of culture and history. Wander the old winding streets and get lost in the maze of old doors rich history. Here you will find a vibrant atmosphere, welcoming people and intriguing history of the ancient trading town. Check out our Stone Town blog for the things to see and do from Stone Town. Some people advise of just a day trip here but I really think that you would miss out if you didn’t spend at least one night in this unique city, and former capital of Oman!

Zanzibar Travel Tips

This is everything we wished we knew before going to Zanzibar, there is alot of informaiton out there and some of it was confusing. This is the important stuff!

You will need to carry cash for smaller purchases and markets. We could tap our card at many places but ultimately there was a need for cash also. We brought some small USD and withdrew some TZS at ATMs.
To get around Zanzibar you will need to either hire a car or use taxis. The price depends on the distance traveled. We trust Beka to get us around the island and highly recommend his service for fair pricing and friendly service.
The rumours are true about being stopped when renting a car and driving between towns is true. You will be stopped by police or other local authorities and charged a fine/fee. There are some real checkpoints that you will see the guides and taxis stop at and pay a fee to get through, or have prepaid it. It is easier to use a taxi as they already know what to do and how much to pay.
It is respectful to wear modest clothing. The general rule is covered to the shoulder (or elbow) and knee unless you are on a beach. This is particularly important in Stone Town or the small villages.
Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellant. We also took malaria tablets while in Zanzibar.
Only drink clean bottled water at all times, also use it to brush your teeth.
Tipping is expected by tour guides but not by taxi drivers or local restaurants. It is always appreciated by everyone though, especially as the service is usually excellent.
Power outages still happen, we had a couple while there. Make sure to take battery pack chargers in case you need them.
Pre-booking your tours online does make it easier when there so you aren’t trying to organise on the fly.
Low tides are really big and change the look of the beaches. The northern beaches aren’t as affected but I still think Nungwi is the best for this.

Are You Booking a Trip Soon? These are the sites we trust!

These are the sites we use to book, they are our affiliate links and by clicking through you will help us earn a few cents to keep our website up online. We really appreciate it!

1. Book Your Flights

We will always check and book through Booking or Trip.com they have great deals!

2. Book Your Accommodations

We always check Booking.com, Expedia, Klook and Trip.com. They all have great deals and sometimes are better in different continents, for example we almost used Trip and Klook exclusively in Asia and Booking.com always in Europe!

3. Buy your E-sim!

E-sims have changed the game in communication while travelling. They are cheap and easy to use, we never go without them. Our current favourite is Yesim!

4. Book Your Tours & Experiences

I usually use and recommend Get Your Guide, Klook and Viator to book tours and activities. THey also have shuttle options to and from airports which is great. I love the real reviews you can check and we have never had a problem with them!

5. Book Your Rental Car

Self-driving is my favourite way to explore most destinations, we use Rental Cars.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must, Mike travelled for years without it but now we see that was a little crazy! We feel so much better knowing we have a backstop for cancelled flights, delayed luggage, sickness on the road and wouldn’t be without it! Safety Wing is great, especially for frequent travellers.

7. Airport Lounge Access is a must!

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