Discover Zanzibar through its beautiful beaches, clear tropical waters, local food, spice farms, and fascinating island culture. This six-day holiday combines time to relax by the Indian Ocean with opportunities to explore beneath the water, meet local people, and discover some of the island’s well-known attractions.
Your experience begins when your local driver meets you at Zanzibar Airport and transfers you to your selected beach accommodation in Kendwa or Kiwengwa. After settling in, enjoy some free time to relax, swim, or take in the coastal views.
During the following days, you can explore the underwater world around Tumbatu Island, visit a spice farm to learn about Zanzibar’s famous spices, meet sea turtles at a conservation facility, and enjoy a boat trip to the Mnemba Island area for snorkelling. You will also visit Prison Island, where you can learn about its history and see the giant tortoises.
With local guides sharing their knowledge of marine life, island traditions, spices, and history, this holiday offers more than beach time. It gives you a chance to experience Zanzibar through its people, landscapes, and coastal life.
Why Choose This Zanzibar Holiday?
Zanzibar offers different experiences beyond its beaches. This itinerary combines relaxation with marine adventures and cultural visits, making it suitable for couples, friends, and travellers who want to enjoy several sides of the island in one holiday.
If you enjoy the ocean, you can spend time scuba diving and snorkelling, discovering coral reefs and tropical marine life. If you are interested in local culture, the spice farm visit introduces you to the plants and ingredients that have shaped Zanzibar’s food and trading history.
You will also have time to relax at your accommodation rather than filling every day with activities. Private transfers make it easier to move between the airport, your hotel, and the planned excursions, while local guides help explain what you see along the way.
- Highlights
What makes this journey unforgettable
- Explore the ocean
- Discover local culture
- Experience Zanzibar by Boat and Beach
- Enjoy island adventures
- Visit a spice farm, enjoy a local lunch
- Visit Prison Island to see its famous giant tortoises.
- Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your journey, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Zanzibar – Transfer to Nungwi or Kiwengwa
When you arrive at Zanzibar Airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your selected beach hotel in Nungwi, Kendwa or Kiwengwa. During the drive, you will begin to see the island’s local villages, tropical vegetation, and everyday life.
After checking in, We recommend taking the rest of the day slowly. You can relax at your hotel, walk along the beach, swim when conditions are suitable, or enjoy the Indian Ocean views. If you arrive early enough, you may also have time to watch the sunset before dinner.
We want you to have time to settle in and enjoy Zanzibar before your activities begin the following day.
- Meals: Dinner
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Z Hotel Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 2
Scuba Diving at Tumbatu Island – Half-Day Experience
After breakfast, you will meet your diving team and head out for a half-day scuba diving experience around Tumbatu Island. Before entering the water, your instructor will explain the safety procedures, equipment, and what to expect during the dive.
Once underwater, you will have the opportunity to explore coral formations and look for tropical fish and other marine life. Your guide will help you understand the underwater environment and point out interesting marine species when they appear.
After the excursion, you will return to your hotel around midday, depending on the boat schedule and sea conditions. The afternoon is yours to relax, enjoy the beach, or spend time by the pool.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Z Hotel Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 3
Spice Farm Visit and Local Lunch – Nungwi Turtle Experience
After breakfast, you will visit a local spice farm, where your guide will introduce you to the plants that have made Zanzibar famous for its spices. You will learn how cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, and other spices grow, and how local people use them in cooking and everyday life.
I have included a local lunch so you can experience some of Zanzibar’s flavours rather than simply passing through the farm. After lunch, you will travel to Nungwi to visit a sea turtle facility.
There, you will learn about sea turtles, the challenges they face, and the conservation work being done to protect them. Depending on the facility’s rules, you may have an opportunity to enter the water with the turtles under staff guidance. The focus will be on observing them responsibly without disturbing the animals.
After your visit, you will return to your hotel and have the evening free.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Arusha Coffee Lodge.
- Day 4
Snorkelling in the Mnemba Island Area
Today, you will spend the day exploring Zanzibar’s underwater world on a boat excursion to the Mnemba Island area. After breakfast, you will meet your local boat crew and head out towards the designated snorkelling sites.
Your guide will explain how to use your snorkelling equipment safely and help you identify marine life as you explore the water. You may see colourful reef fish, coral formations, and other sea creatures, depending on the conditions.
Between snorkelling sessions, you can relax on the boat, enjoy the ocean views, and take a break for lunch according to the excursion arrangements.
I have left the evening free so you can return to your hotel, rest after your day on the water, and enjoy dinner at your own pace.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Z Hotel Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 5
Prison Island Excursion – Return to Your Beach Hotel
After breakfast, you will travel to Stone Town and take a boat to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. During your visit, you will learn about the island’s history and see its famous giant Aldabra tortoises.
Your local guide will explain the story of the island, how its purpose changed over time, and why the tortoises are an important part of its visitor experience. You will have time to explore the designated areas, take photographs, and enjoy views of the surrounding Indian Ocean.
After the excursion, you will return by boat and transfer back to your beach hotel in Kendwa or Kiwengwa. The timing will depend on the boat schedule and road conditions, so I will arrange the day with enough time for the planned activities.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Z Hotel Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 6
Transfer to Zanzibar Airport – Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast in Zanzibar and take some time to relax before leaving, depending on your flight schedule.
Your driver will collect you from your hotel at the agreed time and transfer you to Zanzibar Airport for your flight home. I will arrange the pickup time around your departure so you have enough time for the journey and airport check-in.
I hope you leave Zanzibar with wonderful memories of its beaches, marine life, local flavours, and the experiences you have enjoyed during your stay.
- Meals: Breakfast, depending on your departure time
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Arusha Coffee Lodge.
- What's Included
- Airport pickup and departure transfer
- Private transfers for the listed activities
- Meals stated in your final itinerary
- Half-day scuba diving excursion around Tumbatu Island
- Diving equipment and instructor or guide, as specified in the package
- Guided spice farm visit
- Drinking water in the vehicle on every game drive
- Boat excursion and snorkelling in the Mnemba Island area
- Applicable activity fees and taxes where specified in your quotation
- Personalised welcome pack and 24/7 on-trip support
- What's Excluded
- International or domestic flights unless stated in your quotation
- Visa fees, where applicable
- Applicable mandatory travel insurance or entry requirements unless specifically included
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone calls, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g. hot-air balloon, spa, scenic flights)
- Items of a personal nature and any pre/post-tour accommodation
- Tour Price Sharing Per Pax