FOR YEARS I had seen so many instareels on Zanzibar and I knew it was on the top of my bucket list when I went back to Africa. I went to Zanzibar in February, after I did a week long Safari. On this trip I wanted the best of both worlds, the bush and the beach! My birthday is in Feb, and growing up I spent every birthday celebrating in the cold snowy midwest…(woohh hooohhh)… so in my adult life, I try to visit places that are warm and tropical, ideally, these places are on a beach with a spicy marg in my hand. So to the southern hemisphere of the world we go!
Before going to Zanzibar I read and watched so many travel blogs/vlogs, and spent HOURS literally looking up every single hotel property on google maps. Hopefully this guide helps streamline your choices and saves you time when planning your vacay! Spoiler alert, lots of bikini pics because literally I could not get over how blue and tropical the water was!
WHY ZANZIBAR OVER OTHER ISLANDS
The top options for African Island Destinations are, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Lamu, Kenya, Mozimbique and Madagascar. I was between Zanzibar and Seychelles/Mauritius, however from all my research, Zanzibar feels a lot more like an authentic African island opposed to Seychelles and Mauritius which is a bit more resort-like / commercialized, not to mention more expensive. With all that in mind, I felt like Zanzibar was the perfect beach island to start with. Zanzibar also has a deep history in itself, which I’ll touch on below.
GETTING THERE
A popular route is flying to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, & then take the 2 hour ferry to Zanzibar. Depending on where you are traveling from, there are usually more flexible times going that route. HOWEVER you can fly straight into Zanzibar island on the airline Safair, skipping the 2 hour ferry. Which is what I did!
As I’m writing this blog post, Safair only flys Joburg to Zanzibar 3 times a week, and the flights are super late. After landing, immigration, and the travel time in the taxi to Nungwi beach, we got to our hotel at about 2:30am.
You really do not want to drive yourself in Zanzibar because most roads aren’t developed or well maintained, there’s not really street signs, and you most likely will get lost. The hotels will be able to arrange taxi pick ups to get you to your location efficiently and safely. Depending on where you are staying, plan for a minimum of an 1.5 hours of car travel time from the airport or ferry.
VISAS
I read some conflicting info back and forth on the visa, whether you should apply for it before you get to Zanzibar or get it on arrival at the airport. When I tried to apply online, it didn’t give me an option to do a single entry tourist visa, I could only do a multiple one, which is a higher cost than a single entry and one I didn’t need. From all the travel blogs and advice I read, everyone said to get it on arrival when you land. The line tends to be longer for people who applied previously for a visa & it’s easier to just get it on arrival.
Remember to bring cash! I was able to pay for the visa with a credit card….HOWEVER, the American tourist next to me in line was trying to pay with his card and the machine kept failing to get onto wifi…which made the process a lot longer for him & it was already 1:30am…woof.
Keep in mind that Zanzibar, like many parts of Africa, is still a developing region, so occasional power and Wi-Fi outages are part of the experience. But hey that’s why we travel right!? Well not to have power outages but to see more of the world outside of our bubble! 😉
ZANZIBAR HISTORY
Zanzibar has a rich and diverse history, there is much to elaborate on, but here is a brief synopsis:
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The official languages of Zanzibar are Swahili, Arabic, and English. Zanzibar’s population is 98% Muslim. Zanzibar was established by trade routes for trading spices, ivory, and, the darker side to it’s history, slaves. The British also had influence on Zanzibar, and in 1963 they gained their independence, and merged to form The United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar culture today has influences from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
TOURISM INFO
Since the post-Covid tourism boom, Zanzibar has seen an impressive surge in visitors, but it’s important to remember that the island is still developing. This means occasional challenges like power outages and water supply disruptions. Keep this in mind also when choosing where to eat. We went to a highly reviewed local seafood spot, however… occasional power outages= altered temp of refrigerated seafood = potential food poisoning. Also only drink bottled water.
Unfortunately we did experience food poisoning for about 24 hours, which was a frustrating to lose a day of vacation. On top of that, with the water being shut off and an inability to flush the toilet, the situation became even more…… inconvenient.
Other info:
Cash seemed to be the preferred method of payment, and they do accept US dollars. Again, power outages = no wifi or data service = can’t pay with credit card
Alcohol is more expensive on the island, it is a highly Muslim/conservative island so many hotels / restaurants might not serve it
Plan your activities around the tides, more on that below
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re planning a week-long getaway to Zanzibar, I highly recommend dividing your time between two distinct sides of the island. This approach gave us an incredible experience, and I couldn’t be happier we chose it! My top beach picks are Nungwi and Paje. From my experience, staying directly on the beach is an absolute must. Venturing just across the street in either area typically places you in the village, which feels much less developed and lacks the charm of the beachfront.
Understanding the tides is crucial when choosing where to stay in Zanzibar. The eastern side of the island is particularly impacted by dramatic tidal changes, which can significantly affect your beach experience. If you want more relaxed swimming beach spots, I would stay at Nungwi Beach. For that middle of no where beach vibe and water activities, I would do Paje.
NUNGWI BEACH
Nungwi, located at the northernmost tip of Zanzibar, is a true paradise for beach lovers. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and pristine sandy shores, it’s one of the best spots on the island for swimming and basking in unforgettable sunsets. The beach comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere, lined with charming restaurants, lively bars, and quaint beachside shops. Here, you can indulge in fresh seafood, sip on tropical cocktails, or easily arrange a variety of island adventures, from snorkeling and diving excursions to dhow sailing trips.
SAFAYA LUXURY VILLAS
Safaya is right at Nungwi beach, and is the epitome of beachfront luxury—private, all-inclusive, and exclusively for adults. Nestled right on the sand, this serene property offers an intimate escape. Each room features its own private backyard oasis, complete with a sparkling pool, hammock, and cozy lounge chairs. The privacy of having your own space to swim and unwind was an absolute highlight. Safaya’s rooms are definitely aesthetically pleasing.
The property is secured and perfectly positioned, allowing you to seamlessly transition between the beach and your private pool—a true “best of both worlds” experience. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, with an impressive variety of options that felt endless. While there’s no onsite alcohol, we easily picked up wine from a nearby beach store to enjoy with dinner or while relaxing in our room. Safaya perfectly balances luxury, tranquility, and convenience for the ultimate Zanzibar getaway.
PAJE BEACH
Paje Beach boasts expansive stretches of powdery white sand and a tranquil, laid-back atmosphere that feels like a slice of paradise. Located on the eastern side of Zanzibar, this beach is known for its dramatic tidal shifts and steady, refreshing breezes. These winds create perfect conditions for kite surfing, making Paje a top destination for both beginners and seasoned kite surfers alike.
I am SO grateful that we decided to change locations halfway through the week. After 3 days at Nungwi Beach we were definitely ready to go see another side to the island and try staying in a new place.
AMANI BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Amani Boutique Hotel is at Paje Beach, and is a luxurious, adults-only 5-star retreat that offers an exceptional blend of relaxation and sophistication. The property features a stunning pool, a stylish bar, private beach access, and a tranquil spa—everything you need for the ultimate escape.
While I loved both properties I stayed at in Zanzibar, Amani easily became my favorite. The hotel includes breakfast and dinner in the room rate (alcohol excluded), making it an excellent value for a high-end experience. Breakfast is served buffet-style with endless delicious options, while dinner is a refined sit-down affair featuring a carefully curated multi-course menu.
Amani also hosts unique evening events to enhance your stay. One night, we enjoyed an intimate wine tasting, and another evening was made magical by live music during dinner. This thoughtful combination of luxury, ambiance, and personalized experiences truly sets Amani apart.
The property also offered paddle boards for guests to enjoy and featured an onsite spa that was incredibly popular. I indulged in a massage and pedicure, and it was pure bliss. There’s nothing quite like transitioning from lounging on the beach to being pampered at the spa, then stepping back outside to the breathtaking sight of crystal-clear, turquoise waters. It was the perfect combination of relaxation and tropical paradise—a dream beach vacation come to life.
WHAT TO DO IN ZANZIBAR
Scuba Diving -there are so many scuba diving places to choose from in Zanzibar! I have my PADI scuba certification so when I was looking to book, it came down to choosing a convenient time and location, and a dive school that would offer a refresher course. We went over the basics again in the pool before heading out on the boat. It’s best to go out in the morning when the tide is higher…we figured that out after having to walk half a mile out to the boat with all our gear when we booked a noon trip.
Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium – Feeding and SWIMMING with turtles! This spot is a sea turtle conservation project located on the northern-most end of Nungwi Beach. The turtles are in a conservation pond and natural aquarium. We were able to rock right up and pay the entrance fee. We had a guide that was super knowledgeable about the marine life. If you are going to get in the water with the turtles, be careful of your bikini straps!! I was wearing a bright orange bikini and one of the turtles thought the string was food and literally untied my top which led to almost flashing everyone around me.
Horse Back Riding – This was one of the top activities I wanted to do, but when we were on Paje beach we saw some of the horses and they looked scared from all the wind and didn’t look like they were handled that well (my partner has horse experience so he was the judge of that) we ended up skipping the experience. With that said, it is still on my list when we go back! I’ve read good things about Zanzibar Horse Club on Nungwi Beach, & next time I’d book through there.
Snorkel at Mnemba Island – Mnemba Island is part of the marine conservation area in Zanzibar where you can snorkel, scuba dive and swim with dolphins! We did 2 days of scuba diving so we got our ocean fix there, but Mnemba Island is one of the top activities to do in Zanzibar everyone talks about.
Hopefully, this guide has provided some helpful insights as you plan your stay in Zanzibar!! If you found this information useful, be sure to follow instagram @travelfarley for more travel tips, guides, and updates from around the world <3
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