This is the Zanzibar extension we book most often, because it gets the balance right for most travellers coming off safari: plenty of beach time, plus one morning in Stone Town so you see something of the island beyond the resort.
Stone Town is the old trading quarter of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a local guide you walk its narrow lanes, past carved wooden doors, the market and the waterfront, and hear how Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences shaped it - including its role in the East African slave trade, which guides cover seriously. You are back at the beach by early afternoon.
The rest of the time is unscheduled. If you only want the beach, the 3-day beach escape drops the Stone Town visit; if you are travelling as a couple, the 5-day honeymoon getaway adds a sunset dhow cruise.
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BEACH RESORT
Half-day guided walking tour of Stone Town, entry fees included
Two full free days at the beach
Private airport and tour transfers
Easy to attach to any Kenya or Tanzania safari
Private transfer from the airport to your resort. The rest of the day is free.
After breakfast you are driven to Stone Town for a half-day guided walk through the old quarter: the market, the carved doorways, the waterfront and the history behind them, including the island's place in the slave trade. Back at the resort by early afternoon.
Nothing scheduled. Swim, rest, or ask the resort to book a snorkelling trip or sunset dhow cruise.
A free morning, then a private transfer to the airport for your flight.
Planning tip: see our guide on How to Combine a Safari With Zanzibar: Flights, Timing and Nights.
Accommodation: Three nights at a mid-range beach resort on a bed-and-breakfast basis, upgradeable to luxury.
Vehicle: Private airport and tour transfers
The driest months, roughly June to October and December to February, have the calmest seas and best visibility for snorkelling. The long rains, roughly March to May, bring showers and choppier water but quieter beaches and lower prices.
Full Zanzibar Beaches destination guide »
It takes half a day and gives you real context for the island. Most guests are glad they went. If you would rather skip it, we can replace it with another beach day.
Zanzibar is largely Muslim. Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful in town; beachwear is fine at the resort.
Yes. We book flights from Nairobi, Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar as part of a combined quote.
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and pricing.
