With its white sands and turquoise waters, the Zanzibar Archipelago is an ideal place to unwind following a safari in Tanzania. You can spend your days snorkelling and diving among coral reefs, sailing on a traditional dhow and absorbing the Swahili culture. Our specialists, having visited Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and the Mafia Islands many times, can help you plan a holiday to Zanzibar that takes in the archipelago’s highlights.
There’s more to this string of islands than basking on palm-fringed beaches. Once a hub for spice traders, history here goes back 2,000 years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Stone Town, the Zanzibari capital, where you can wander winding alleys leading to spice markets and see piles of cinnamon and nutmeg lying in the sun. Exploring the green interior of Pemba Island, you might come across farmers tending their crops. And, on the Mafia Islands, watch as fishermen make and mend their nets in tiny coastal villages.
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View offersSuggested tours for Zanzibar Archipelago
These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Zanzibar Archipelago could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Suggested activities for Zanzibar Archipelago
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Zanzibar Archipelago.
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Diving in Pemba Diving in Pemba
Pemba IslandDiving in Pemba
A conservation area was set up around Misali Island in 1998 following El Niño which had a bleaching effect on corals elsewhere in the Indian Ocean. Misali retained its dense coral cover and coupled with its dramatic drop-off reefs have made it a fantastic location for diving.
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Sailing Safari Sailing Safari
Stone TownSailing Safari
The bay has a number of uninhabited islands and sandbanks and is frequented by humpback and bottlenose dolphins.
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Jozani Forest Tour Jozani Forest Tour
Stone TownJozani Forest Tour
You walk through the nature trail of the forest which is a habitat for many species of animals and birds. It is famous for its red colobus monkey — a very rare species.
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Zanzibar Archipelago, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your holiday in Zanzibar Archipelago
Kiswahili, Arabic, and English are spoken in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Almost everybody at popular visitor destinations will be able to speak some English.
The currency of Zanzibar Archipelago is the Tanzanian shilling (TSh or TZS). You’ll find ATMs in Stone Town, but they sometimes run out of money. Credit cards are not widely accepted, but you may be able to pay by credit card at some larger hotels. Hotels, and some restaurants and shops in popular visitor areas, will also accept payment in US dollars.
In the Zanzibar Archipelago you should try urojo (a potato and lime soup), maharage (kidney beans cooked in coconut milk), and Zanzibar pizza (a pan-fried stuffed pancake). Fish and seafood dishes cooked in coconut milk are popular, and you’ll see Indian and Arabic influences in many dishes. For something sweeter try vitumba (coconut rice pancakes), or mandazi (deep fried dough balls), washed down by spiced milky tea.
It’s best to dress modestly in the Zanzibar Archipelago. The islands are predominantly Muslim, and while beachwear is acceptable at the poolside in your hotel, when out in public you should cover your shoulders, knees, cleavage, and midriff.
For the latest travel advice for Zanzibar Archipelago, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the .
In the Zanzibar Archipelago you can snorkel on coral reefs, take boat trips to secluded beaches, track monkeys in the rainforest, or explore the rich history and culture of the Zanzibari capital, Stone Town. Zanzibar’s powder-soft beaches and azure seas offer an idyllic backdrop for some time spent relaxing, but you’ll also find this string of tropical islands offers the chance to explore mangroves and coral reefs, see dolphins, sharks, and turtles, or sail on a traditional dhow. You could also tour spice plantations, venture into the thick forests to see rare Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, or explore 2,000 years of spice-trading history among the narrow winding streets of Stone Town.
You can stay in boutique hotels, historic townhouses, rustic beach retreats, or luxurious resorts in the Zanzibar Archipelago. You’ll find the greatest choice of places to stay on Zanzibar Island, where you can bed down in a former sultan’s palace in Stone Town, deluxe cottages on a secluded beach, or in boutique villas overlooking a tranquil lagoon.
Elsewhere, you’ll find stylish seafront and garden villas on Pemba, thatched bandas on a private island retreat, or stilted wooden bungalows on the Mafia Islands.
When choosing where to stay you may want to factor in tides on Zanzibar Island, which can swallow some beaches entirely at high tide and leave the waterline far away at low tide. Take a look at our collection of places to stay in Zanzibar for some ideas, then speak to your specialist about how tides affect local beaches.
Zanzibar is a group of 50 islands, but most visitors head to Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island, or the Mafia Islands. On Zanzibar Island, the largest in the archipelago, you can combine time on pristine beaches lapped by turquoise waters with a visit to Stone Town, the islands’ capital.
Once a hub for spice traders, Stone Town’s maze of narrow laneways are lined by ornate townhouses and palaces, and lead to spice markets, bazaars, small museums, and excellent restaurants.
Outlying islands offer a quieter experience, with lush Pemba Island a great destination for diving and snorkeling, and the Mafia Islands offering dense rainforest and unspoiled barrier reefs.
It takes around 12 hours to fly from the UK to the Zanzibar Archipelago.
The time zone in the Zanzibar Archipelago is UTC+3 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed here.
The best way to get around the Zanzibar Archipelago is to travel by car while on Zanzibar Island or to take a short flight between islands that are more distant. Zanzibar is a group of 50 islands, of which Zanzibar Island is the biggest. Boats travel between all the islands, but we recommend flying to more remote destinations such as Pemba Island.
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Zanzibar Archipelago. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Speak to your doctor for vaccine advice for the Zanzibar Archipelago. You can check the suggested vaccinations on the , but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country.
If you’re coming from or transiting through a country affected by yellow fever, you may be asked for proof of vaccination against the disease.
The Zanzibar Archipelago is classified as an area of high risk for malaria. You should visit your doctor well in advance of your trip to discuss which antimalarials to take.
You can reduce your risk of contracting the disease by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. Wear insect repellent with a 50% DEET content, cover your arms and legs, and use mosquito nets where provided.
Zanzibar Archipelago in pictures
Our expert guides to travelling in Zanzibar Archipelago
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Zanzibar Archipelago. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Zanzibar Archipelago at its best.
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Cruise destinations in Africa Cruise destinations in Africa
Cruise destinations in Africa
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Head to head: Zanzibar vs Mauritius Head to head: Zanzibar vs Mauritius
Head to head: Zanzibar vs Mauritius
Zanzibar and Mauritius are both popular options for those who want time on the beach to unwind after a safari. But there’s more to these destinations than just sun and sand. Discover which one is best for you.
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