Wondering how many days should you allocate for your Zanzibar holiday?
If you are planning a holiday to this captivating Indian Ocean Island of Tanzania, this guide will help you decide the ideal duration for your holiday.
Zanzibar is not one Island but it is an Archipelago or group of Islands. The Zanzibar Archipelago is large and diverse. In fact, Zanzibar is made up of 3 main islands (Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia) and a number of smaller islands. Unguja, which is the largest island, is the place most people are referring to when they talk about Zanzibar Island.
Across these islands, there are many things to do and see; from stunning beaches and resorts to historic landmarks and vibrant local markets. With so many things to see and do see in in Zanzibar, it is natural to want to maximize your time here. But it takes time to come up with one answer on how many days you should spend on your holiday.
So, how many days do you need in Zanzibar? While the perfect duration may vary depending on your schedule and desires, most travelers find 7 days (Week) is enough to get the most of Zanzibar. Let us delve deeper into how many days you need in Zanzibar for a fulfilling trip.
How Many Days Do You Need In Zanzibar?
The great attraction in Zanzibar is its abundance of activities that suit all tastes, from thrilling dhow cruises and water sports to cultural and historical tours.
We have been planning tours to Zanzibar since 2014 and we have come up with the final conclusion that 7 days (Week) is enough a fulfilling Zanzibar holiday.
We have designed our best 7-Day Zanzibar holiday package which you can check here. This is an ideal holiday itinerary which you can start with. It is also possible to tailor-made it to your personal preferences and interests.
However, if you have limited time for your holiday in Zanzibar, let say you only have 6, 5, 4 or 3 days, then please reach out to us to prepare the perfect itinerary to visit as many attractions as possible. You may also like; Best Time To Visit Zanzibar
Top Things to Do During Your Holiday Time in Zanzibar
While looking to decide how many days is enough in Zanzibar for your vacation, we have prepared for you some inspiration for things you can include in your Zanzibar trip. Please take a look below:
1. Zanzibar Safari Blue Trip
Zanzibar Safari Blue trip is a full day boat excursion along Menai bay, which is one of the best coral reefs in Zanzibar.
The major activities in Zanzibar safari blue trip includes visiting the naturally occurring sandbanks, snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear waters, touring 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 the best Zanzibar excursions for you. You will witness uncountable colourful fishes and other sea animals that survive among the coral reefs as well as underwater plants which together form the barrier reef ecosystem in the bay.
During the tour, you will enjoy the fresh seafood barbeque including Octopus, Squids, Lobsters, Calamaris, and fishes. You will also enjoy exotic fresh fruit tasting like Watermelon, Banana, Pineapple, and Mangoes. This will be the best adventurous day for your tour of Zanzibar Islands, and you will understand why we call this “Blue Safari”
Safari Blue Highlights!
- Snorkeling and swimming around Menai Bay area
- Seafoods BBQ Lunch; Octopus, Squids, Lobsters, Prawns, etc.
- Tropical fruits tasting; bananas, pineapple, mangoes, watermelon etc.
- Sailing with Traditional boat
- Visit Kwale Island, natural Lagoon and sandbank
You may also like: 21 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Zanzibar
2. Stone Town Tour
Zanzibar Town is the island’s main settlement, and the UNESCO World Heritage listed old Stone Town is its heart and soul. It is also a wonderful spot to get immersed in island rhythms.
Your guide will take you to explore the most important sites in the center of Stone Town like Forodhani Gardens, Old Fort, Palace Museum, Hamamni Persian Baths, House Of Wonder, Freddie Mercury House, Darajani Market, and the Former Slave Market.
A guide will walk with you around Darajani Market and the Stone Town narrow streets, where you will be able to randomly shop from souvenirs shops and take instagrammable photos, exploring the culture of Swahili people.
Stone Town Tour Highlights!
- Visiting historical buildings in Stone Town
- Shopping at Darajani Market in Stone Town
- Experience the local Fish auction in Stone Town tour
- Learn more about culture and architectures of the Stone Town.
- Taking captivating photos of stone town
3. Prison Island Tour
Also known as Changuu Island, Prison Island is located in the west of Zanzibar Island, just off Stone Town. It takes about 25 minutes by local boat riding from the Stone Town beach. The main attraction at Prison Island is the popular Giant Tortoises, who can live up to 200 years.
On this tour, you will have an opportunity to learn the history of these beautiful creatures and also about Prison Island itself. Aside from being a place where you can go to see the Giant Tortoises, it also is a perfect destination to do swimming and relaxing on the beach.
Tour Highlights!
- Catch your local made wooden boat to Prison Island
- Feeding the giant Tortoises at Prison Island
- Learn more about culture and some history about Zanzibar islands
- Swimming and on the beach relaxation
4. Nakupenda Sandbank Trip
Nakupenda Sandbank is located just off Stone Town. Around 20 minute local boat riding from Stone Town. Once on the sandbank, you will be provided with snorkeling equipment such as masks for Snorkeling purposes.
The underwater world at Nakupenda Sandbank is unbelievably spectacular. There are countless colourful fishes and other sea creatures that survive among the coral reefs and underwater plants which together form the barrier reef ecosystem.
You will also do sandbank relaxing and try tropical fruits during or after snorkeling; fruits like Banana, Pineapple, Mangoes, and Watermelon are available.
Tour Highlights!
- Swimming and Sandbank Relaxing
- Seafoods BBQ Lunch; Octopus, Lobsters, Squids, Prawns, etc.
- Tropical Fruits testing; Mangoes, Bananas, Pineapple, Watermelon etc.
- Local Traditional wooden boat
- Sunbathing
You may also like; 13 best beaches in Zanzibar
5. Spice Tour
Zanzibar is also known as the “Spice Island”. This is because in the bygone days, spice trade dominated the economy of the Zanzibar Archipelago.
Today, the trade has faded, but going on a spice tour to the farms that dot Zanzibar Island makes for an enjoyable and informative excursion.
On these tours, you will get to experience, taste and smell different spices that are grown in Zanzibar Islands such as cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, black peppers, cloves, nutmegs, lemongrass, and so on. At the end of the spice tour, you can have a Spiced Rice Lunch with fruits and you will also be able to do spice shopping at the spice farm.
Tour Highlights!
- Getting full details about spices and herbs we grow in Zanzibar
- Smelling and tasting different spices
- Drinking fresh coconut Juice in the farm
- Learn more about culture and traditions regarding Zanzibar spices
- Having delicious spiced Rice (Pilau) Lunch with tropical Fruits
- Taking amazing photos and spice shopping at the farm.
6. Sunset Dhow Cruise
In Zanzibar, you can also enjoy breathtaking views in the evening by cruising on one of a traditional Arabian dhow, one of the worth romantic tour with your loved ones in Zanzibar. There is daily sunset Dhow cruise trip in Stone Town and also for Nungwi and Kendwa beaches. The sunset dhow cruise trip usually includes delightful locally made snacks and drinks.
Tour Highlights!
- Cruising with wooden traditional Arabian Dhow
- Best way to view the coast of Stone Town, Kendwa & Nungwi beach
- Test the local prepared snacks and Drinks
- Sailing with Traditional boat
- Best way to see the Sunset in Zanzibar
- Traditional Coastal Music Performance
7. Eating Out At the Rock Restaurant
The Rock Restaurant is one of the popular restaurants in Zanzibar. You perhaps will have seen pictures on different social media of travelers eating out or taking photos near the Rock Restaurant, built on top of the rock surrounded by the ocean during high tide.
The Rock Restaurant located on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, at Michamvi Pingwe beach village, is an ideal restaurant for couples, family, and friends. They offer a variety of fresh seafood like Octopus, squid, oysters, lobster, prawns, and so on.
