Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by African Travel Hub Editorial
The best time for a Zanzibar holiday is June to October or late December to February, when the island is dry and sunny. Plan 5–7 nights, split between Stone Town (1–2 nights) and one beach coast. Budget US$150–400 per person per night for a mid-range stay, plus fixed entry costs of US$94–144 per person (visa and the compulsory US$44 Zanzibar travel insurance). Zanzibar works best as the beach finale to a 3–6 night safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara or Tanzania’s Serengeti, both of which connect to Zanzibar by direct flights of under two hours.
Zanzibar At A Glance
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Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, 35–40 km off the mainland coast. Most visitors stay on Unguja, the main island, which is roughly 85 km long and served by Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ).
| Fact | Detail |
| Main island | Unguja (commonly called Zanzibar); Pemba is the quieter northern island |
| Gateway airport | Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ), 15 minutes from Stone Town |
| Flight time from Nairobi | About 1 hr 20 min direct |
| Ferry from Dar es Salaam | About 2 hrs by fast ferry |
| Currency | Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars widely accepted for hotels and tours |
| Ideal stay | 5–7 nights alone; 4–5 nights after a safari |
| UNESCO site | Stone Town, inscribed 1999 |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Zanzibar?
June to October is the most reliable window: dry, breezy and 26–29°C, which also matches peak safari season in Kenya and Tanzania. Late December to February is hotter (30–32°C) with calm seas, ideal for diving. Avoid April and May, when long rains peak and many east-coast resorts close.
| Months | Season | Weather | Best for | Price level |
| Jun–Oct | Long dry | 26–29°C, low humidity | Beach + safari combinations, humpback whales (Jul–Oct) | High |
| Nov | Short rains | Brief afternoon showers | Value travel, quieter beaches | Medium |
| Dec–Feb | Short dry | 30–32°C, calm seas | Diving, snorkelling, kitesurfing (east coast) | High (peak at Christmas) |
| Mar | Transition | Hot, humid, rain building | Last-minute deals | Medium |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Heavy daily rain | Not recommended; many lodges close | Low |
Planning note: During Ramadan (expected to begin around 8 February 2027), restaurants outside hotels open later and Stone Town is quieter by day, but resorts operate normally.
How Much Does a Zanzibar Holiday Cost?
A mid-range week in Zanzibar costs roughly US$1,500–3,000 per person excluding international flights. Prices below are per person; conversions are rounded at US$1 = €0.87 = £0.75.
Compulsory Entry Costs
| Fee | USD | EUR | GBP | Notes |
| Tanzania visa (most nationalities) | $50 | €44 | £38 | Single entry, 90 days; apply at the official eVisa portal |
| Tanzania visa (US passports) | $100 | €87 | £75 | Multiple entry, 12 months |
| Zanzibar insurance (ZIC), adult | $44 | €38 | £33 | Compulsory since Oct 2024; 92 days’ cover |
| Zanzibar insurance (ZIC), child 3–17 | $22 | €19 | £17 | Under-2s exempt |
| Hotel infrastructure tax | $2–5/night | €2–4 | £2–4 | Varies by hotel star rating |
Insurance rule for safari combinations: Since 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania requires its own US$44 policy from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). Buy only one: the NIC policy if you enter mainland Tanzania first, or the ZIC policy if you fly into Zanzibar first (for example, from Nairobi). Neither replaces comprehensive travel insurance, because the state cover is basic.
Accommodation Budgets
| Tier | Per person per night (USD) | EUR | GBP | Typical style |
| Budget | $60–150 | €52–131 | £45–113 | Guesthouses, small beach bungalows |
| Mid-range | $150–400 | €131–348 | £113–300 | Boutique hotels, 4-star resorts, half board |
| Luxury | $400–1,500+ | €348–1,305+ | £300–1,125+ | Private-island and villa resorts, all-inclusive |
Popular Excursions
| Excursion | Duration | USD | EUR | GBP |
| Stone Town guided walk | 3 hrs | $25–40 | €22–35 | £19–30 |
| Spice farm tour | 3–4 hrs | $25–40 | €22–35 | £19–30 |
| Jozani Forest (red colobus monkeys) | 2–3 hrs | $15–30 | €13–26 | £11–23 |
| Prison Island giant tortoises | Half day | $35–50 | €30–44 | £26–38 |
| Mnemba Atoll snorkelling | Half day | $50–90 | €44–78 | £38–68 |
| Safari Blue dhow day trip (Menai Bay) | Full day | $70–95 | €61–83 | £53–71 |
Where Should You Stay in Zanzibar?
Choose your coast by tide and activity. The north has the smallest tidal range and the best all-day swimming; the east coast has dramatic low tides that expose the reef for hours, but the best kitesurfing and seaweed-farming village life.
| Area | Best for | Tide | Watch out for |
| Stone Town | History, food, 1–2 nights | n/a | Busy streets; modest dress expected |
| Nungwi & Kendwa (north) | Swimming, sunsets, couples | Minimal | Busier, more developed |
| Matemwe & Kiwengwa (north-east) | Mnemba Atoll access, all-inclusives | Large | Reef walks at low tide |
| Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu (south-east) | Kitesurfing, relaxed village feel | Very large | Water can be ankle-deep at low tide |
| Michamvi & Kizimkazi (south) | Sunset bay views, dolphin trips | Moderate | Fewer restaurants |
How to Combine Zanzibar With a Safari
A safari-and-beach holiday is the most popular way to see East Africa: wildlife first, then the island to unwind. Both routes below use short direct flights, so no day is lost to long road transfers.
Kenya Safari + Zanzibar (9 Days)
Best if: you want the Great Migration in the Masai Mara (July–October) and the simplest routing. Nairobi has the most international flights in the region, and Nairobi–Zanzibar is a direct flight of about 1 hr 20 min, typically US$150–350 (€131–305 / £113–263) one way.
| Day | Itinerary |
| 1 | Arrive Nairobi; overnight near the airport or in Karen |
| 2–4 | Fly 45 min to the Masai Mara; game drives (reserve fee US$200 per adult per day in peak season) |
| 5 | Fly Mara–Nairobi, connect to Zanzibar; transfer to Stone Town |
| 6–8 | Beach resort on the north or north-east coast |
| 9 | Fly home via Nairobi, Doha, Dubai or Addis Ababa |
Indicative mid-range cost: US$3,200–4,800 (€2,780–4,180 / £2,400–3,600) per person sharing, excluding international flights.
Entry requirements for this route
- Kenya eTA: about US$30 per person, including children; apply online before departure.
- Yellow fever certificate: carry proof of vaccination, because Tanzania may require it from travellers arriving from Kenya.
- Zanzibar insurance: buy the ZIC policy, since Zanzibar is your first point of entry into Tanzania.
Tanzania Safari + Zanzibar (10 Days)
Best if: you want the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the calving season (January–March) or northern Serengeti river crossings (July–October). Light aircraft fly from Serengeti airstrips or Arusha straight to Zanzibar; from Arusha the flight takes about 1 hr 20 min.
| Day | Itinerary |
| 1 | Arrive Kilimanjaro (JRO); overnight in Arusha |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park: elephants and baobabs |
| 3–5 | Central or northern Serengeti, depending on migration month |
| 6 | Ngorongoro Crater game drive |
| 7 | Fly Arusha–Zanzibar; afternoon in Stone Town |
| 8–9 | Beach resort |
| 10 | Depart from Zanzibar (ZNZ) |
Indicative mid-range cost: US$4,200–6,800 (€3,650–5,920 / £3,150–5,100) per person sharing, excluding international flights. Tanzania costs more mainly because park and crater fees are higher. Buy the mainland NIC insurance only, as it also covers you on Zanzibar.
Practical Tips Before You Travel
- Dress code: cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages; swimwear is fine at resorts.
- Cash: carry US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later, as older notes are often refused.
- Plastic bags: banned in Zanzibar; pack reusable bags.
- Health: antimalarials are recommended; consult a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.
- Booking window: reserve 6–9 months ahead for July–August and Christmas–New Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Five to seven nights is ideal on its own: one or two in Stone Town and four or five on the beach. After a safari, four nights is enough to rest.
Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Yes. Zanzibar is generally safe for visitors. Use licensed guides, avoid unlit beaches at night and agree taxi fares before setting off.
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
Yes. Zanzibar uses the Tanzania visa: US$50 for most nationalities and US$100 for US citizens, plus the compulsory US$44 insurance.
Is it better to combine Zanzibar with Kenya or Tanzania?
Choose Kenya for easier international connections and Masai Mara migration views from July to October. Choose Tanzania for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, especially during calving season from January to March. Check out this 12 Days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Trip here or this 12 Days Kenya and Tanzania Safari plus Zanzibar Beach package. Both are customizable to your budget, style and liking.
Plan your Zanzibar holiday with a local expert. Hallmark Travel Planners has designed East African safari and beach holidays from Nairobi since 2006. Tell us your dates and budget, and we will send a tailored Kenya or Tanzania + Zanzibar itinerary with transparent pricing.
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