Accommodation
The Manta Resort
Famous floating Underwater Room World-class Pemba diving Remote eco seclusion Barefoot luxury villas Untouched…
From€ 700per night
Island destination
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a tropical spice island off the coast of Tanzania, ringed by powder-white beaches and turquoise water and steeped in Swahili, Arab and Indian history. It blends barefoot beach resorts and world-class diving with the atmospheric alleys of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, and pairs…
◷ Best time June to October and December to February
◎ 5 to 10 nights
☼ Beach lovers, honeymooners, divers, culture seekers and safari add-ons.
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Best timeJune to October and December to FebruaryDry season, ideal weather
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Ideal length5 to 10 nightsRecommended stay
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Best forBeach lovers, honeymooners, divers, culture seekers and safari add-ons.Nature, adventure and relaxation
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RegionNungwi, the East Coast, Stone Town and PembaZanzibar / Indian Ocean
Where to stay
View all Zanzibar lodges →
Accommodation
The Palms Zanzibar
Just six private villas Personal butler service Total seclusion and privacy Spa and fine…
From€ 900per night
Accommodation
Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Relaxed east-coast beach club Zanzibari-style rooms Good spa and dive centre Several restaurants and…
From€ 350per night
Climate & quick facts
When to go to Zanzibar
Tropical: driest and best June-October, with short rains in Nov-Dec. The heavy long rains (Mar-May) are best avoided.
Rainfall & temperature
Rainfall Avg high °C
JFMAMJJASOND
Best time to travelJune-October (dry season)
Indicative monthly averages. Sea temperature ranges 26-29°C; daytime highs 29-32°C.
Flight timeApprox. 4h from Johannesburg (via Dar es Salaam)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
LanguageSwahili & English
CurrencyTanzanian Shilling (TZS)
VisaVisa on arrival / e-visa (approx. US$50)
Best monthsJune-October (dry season)
Sea temperature26-29°C year-round
Overview
Zanzibar is a tropical spice island off the coast of Tanzania, ringed by powder-white beaches and turquoise water and steeped in Swahili, Arab and Indian history. It blends barefoot beach resorts and world-class diving with the atmospheric alleys of UNESCO-listed Stone Town, and pairs perfectly as a beach finish to a mainland safari or a Madagascar island trip.
Why visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar works beautifully as a relaxed, culture-rich beach island in its own right or as the classic finale to a Tanzanian safari. It combines barefoot luxury, diving and history, with a choice of livelier northern beaches or quieter east-coast sands.
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Powder-white beaches and turquoise water
See memorable landscapes and wildlife.
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World-class diving and snorkelling
Every route can feel different.
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UNESCO Stone Town and Swahili culture
Local expertise shapes the journey.
Best time to go
The dry seasons from June to October and December to February are the best travel windows. The long rains fall from March to May. The east coast has large tides that expose the reef flats at low water, while the north around Nungwi and Kendwa stays swimmable at all tides.
Dry seasonJune to October and December to February
Green seasonLush landscapes and fewer crowds
Travel noteMatched to lodge availability
How to get there
Flights arrive into Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Doha and other hubs, with easy road transfers to the beaches. Zanzibar links seamlessly with northern-Tanzania safari circuits.
FlightsMain gateway routing
ConnectionsDomestic or island transfers
TransfersPrivate or shared options
Explore Zanzibar
The north around Nungwi and Kendwa is the liveliest area, with deep water for swimming at all tides and great sunsets. The east coast runs from kitesurfing-famed Paje and Jambiani up to the luxury enclaves of Michamvi and Matemwe, with long tidal beaches. Historic Stone Town is the cultural gateway, while remote Pemba Island offers some of the finest diving in the Indian Ocean.
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