ZANZIBAR
A Symphony of Spice, Sea, and Ancient Charm
Zanzibar, an archipelago adrift in the turquoise embrace of the Indian Ocean, is a place where time slows, and history lingers in the warm, spice-scented air. This cluster of islands off Tanzania’s coast has long been a crossroads of cultures, shaped by African, Arab, Persian, and European influences. The very name Zanzibar evokes images of ancient dhows gliding across sapphire waters, of labyrinthine streets scented with cloves and cinnamon, and of sun-drenched beaches fringed with swaying palms.
At the heart of Zanzibar lies Unguja (the island most people call ‘Zanzibar’), the largest island and home to Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where history whispers through narrow alleys and ornate wooden doorways. Beyond the city, Unguja unveils a world of serene beaches, from the powdery white sands of Nungwi and Kendwa in the north to the tranquil shores of Paje and Jambiani in the east, where kite surfers dance upon the wind. The island’s interior is a lush contrast, where the Jozani Forest shelters the rare and playful red colobus monkeys, and spice plantations unfurl in shades of green, their air rich with the heady aroma of nutmeg, cardamom, and vanilla.
Yet, to truly grasp the depth of Zanzibar’s allure, one must journey north to Pemba Island, often called “The Green Island” for its rolling hills, dense forests, and thriving spice farms. Unlike its more frequented sister, Pemba remains a hidden gem, its waters a paradise for divers exploring coral gardens and underwater caverns teeming with marine life. Life moves unhurriedly here, in the quiet fishing villages where dhows are carved by hand, and the air is thick with the scent of clove harvests drying in the sun.
Together, Unguja and Pemba form the soul of Zanzibar—a place of stunning contrasts and seamless harmony, where the past and present merge in a dance of culture, nature, and the eternal pull of the sea. Welcome to another EC’s adventure!
Day 1 - Get to Pemba island and settle in on one of the most authentic islands you’ll ever see
After landing at Zanzibar airport, reach the domestic terminal nearby and take a flight (in our case the airline was As Salaam Air) to Pemba island. The flight is around 30 minutes and will give you a unique opportunity to have a glimpse from up high into Zanzibar’s incredible coastline. Not only this - This stylish, 60s vibe plane you’ll ride on is definitely worth it by itself!
Once you land, your driver will be waiting for you to drive you to the incredible Aiyana Beach Resort. This hotel sits on a pristine, isolated beach and features 30 secluded villas, each with a picturesque panorama over the Indian ocean. The service and the food are simply outstanding.
Welcome to Pemba!
Days 2-3-4 - Enjoy the island and - if you feel like it - a diving session
The Aiyana is the perfect place to unwind, relax and enjoy the isolation from everything that could possibly bother you or stress you. The hotel organizes many excursions in Pemba, including a visit to the nearby villages and the island’s landmarks, or a hike within the lush Ngezi Forest - A true natural paradise.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, Aiyana also sets you up with Afro Divers, whose team will teach you how to dive or simply accompany you to one of the many stunning dive sites around the island. Afro Divers is, frankly, the best diving center we’ve ever tried - Michael, its owner, is a patient, fun, and competent diving instructor who knows the diving sites around the island like the back of his hand. All the equipment is brand new and very carefully kept - If you’re diving for the first time, this is probably the ideal place to learn!
During the break between the dives, you’ll enjoy a desert, paradise-like beach for yourself!
After some down time and maybe an aperitivo, enjoy a dinner at Aiyana - They do everything they can to make each night you spend there special! Here, for example, they had all guests have dinner on the beach. Another evening, they organized a bbq while another time they organized a local evening, with only local dishes and a dance session.
Day 5 - Fly back to Unguja and start exploring the island
It’s unfortunately time to leave Pemba to explore Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja. Once you land, rent a car - Not many people do this, in fact almost nobody, but as always we believe that there’s no better way to explore a Country than a car you drive yourself. Sure, you’ll need to adjust to Unguja’s particular traffic, but it’s going to be unforgettable - We promise!
Also, while most people choose a resort or a hotel to spend the week at, we think that touring the island by car and check out every corner of it is by far the best way to experience the trip. If you don’t know us yet, this is how we roll at the EC!
Head towards Dongwe, in particular to Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat - A stunning 9 villas resort in front of a dream-like beach. An absolutely lux experience - A private pool in every room (besides of course a common pool, duh), a private butler, outstanding food and drinks.
At Xanadu relax is mandatory, but depending on the season you can surf, kite surf, snorkel, go fishing, and much more. Certainly, walking along the long Dongwe beach was one of our favorite things - It’s only a few steps away from the hotel. The spa is also located next to the beach - A massage is always a good idea!
Day 6 - Enjoy another day at Xanadu
Xanadu is just the perfect place to enjoy silence, interrupted only by the sound of the waves. Stay for another full day to recharge before the next adventure. Something unique Xanadu does is organizing a private dinner in your villa’s patio - We couldn’t recommend it more! And of course, they set up your lunch anywhere you’d like!
Day 7 - Time to head South!
Driving through Unguja is simply exciting - You are one of the very few non locals throughout the whole time, and you can go and check out from up close anything that catches your attention. The sheer amount of colorful Vespas you’ll see around the island is simply mind blowing!
After one hour driving (and likely more, considering the many spots and photo ops you’ll stop for) you’ll get to the beautiful Kizikula hotel. This hotel sits in a remote part of the coast, providing you with the tranquility you’re probably looking for. Its aesthetics are outstanding - A brutalist touch, mixed with locally sourced materials, make every perspective of the hotel wonderful to look at.
Enjoy your afternoon at Kizikula while having a yoga or meditation session, working out at their open-air gym, or having a swim in this wonderful pool. Dinner will be served right next to it.
Day 8 - The sandbank
Wake up early, have a quick breakfast, and jump on a boat for a full day of incredible reef, colorful nature, and relax on the sandbank. There are multiple operators offering this day trip - We recommend Hamid (contact via Whatsapp +255 773 152 189). The day starts with one of the most impressive snorkeling we have ever had - Around Pungume island. The reef is an explosion of colors, different types of corals, fish and turtles.
The second stop is going to be Pungume island’s sandbank - The shades of blue surrounding the sandbank are something you’ll never forget. Snorkel around it and enjoy the BBQ that Hamid will prepare for you - Seafood and tropical fruits!
After a few hours spent on the sandbank, you’ll jump on the boat again to explore the incredible mangrove forests of Uzi Island, right along the coast. Here you’ll have a chance to spot the numerous monkeys living on them and jumping from one plant to the other to look for food.
Once you’re back at the hotel, if you still have some energy left, you can take the car and explore the nearby town of Makunduchi - A beautiful, colorful town only 15 minutes away driving. Drop the car and walk around - Locals are going to be curious, it’s pretty rare for tourists to visit - They are going to be very warm and hospitable!
Head back to the hotel to enjoy a beautiful sunset while sipping a beer or a cocktail!
Day 9 - The dolphins and the trip up North
It’s not uncommon to find dolphins swimming around whenever you hop on a boat, but this excursion is entirely dedicated to them! Wake up early in the morning and hop on a boat - An added benefit will be the unforgettable sunrise you’ll witness while navigating.
Whenever you find dolphins - and you very likely will - the captain of the boat will ask you whether you’re ready to jump in the water to check out the dolphins from up close. While this is undoubtedly a very fun activity, we’re not really sure whether it’s entirely ok for the dolphins - Use your best judgment to keep a safe distance from them while you dive with your mask!
After a few hours you’ll be back at the hotel - This is going to be the view from the cliff and some of the nature you’ll find while walking on the sand.
Have your last lunch at Kizikula and get ready to leave! Get the car and drive a little under two hours to the very North of the island - Your destination is the beautiful beach resort Zuri Zanzibar! The same rule applies - Whenever you see something you’re curious about, take your time and drive there, Zanzibar is safe and locals are usually very welcoming.
One beautiful stop you could make is near Jambiani - A 7 kilometer long beach with powdery white sand and swaying palms. You could also stop for one night at the tranquil Sharazad Boutique Hotel!
Zuri Zanzibar features 56 bungalows, suites and villas, surrounded by a tropical forest a few steps away from a private sandy beach filled with palm trees!
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening at Zuri - The hotel features several restaurants with multiple cuisines - All you need to do is pick your favorite!
Day 10 - Diving or snorkeling in Mnemba island
You can do so many things at Zuri, but certainly one of the most intriguing activities is a diving or snorkeling session around Mnemba Island, a beautiful atoll some 30 minutes away by boat from the resort. After breakfast, go to the water sports center, where a boat will pick you up to go to Mnemba. During the ride, it’s possible that you’ll see dolphins, of course! Menmba’s reef is just unbelievable, and most likely a nice current will gently accompany throughout the dive. If you decide to snorkel instead, it’s still going to be a beautiful experience, and you’ll have another nice chance to spot dolphins!
You’ll be back right on time to enjoy a fantastic lunch at Zuri. If you’d like, of course, right at the beach!
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon - Or of course a spa is available, just like yoga or meditation classes - but be ready for the incredible sunset bonfire at the beach. This is a pretty unbelievable sight to enjoy a nice cocktail in front of!
Another beautiful feature Zuri offers is the BBQ dinner on the beach - We couldn’t recommend more!
Day 11 - The island hotel
It’s going to be a tough one, but it’s time to leave Zuri. Drive South for a little under an hour to reach the unique The Island Pongwe Lodge - This hotel is located on a tiny, private island, only a few hundred meters away from the coast. Depending on the tide, reaching the island is either going to take you 2 minutes by canoe or a few minutes walking on the sand! The Island offers 5 Standard Villas and 1 Luxury Sultan Villa, all facing the ocean. Each room is hidden in the shadow of the trees and has its own veranda with a romantic seating outside to enjoy sunset, sunrise and Zanzibar starry sky.
We recommend staying here for 24 hours to enjoy a day fully isolated - When the tide is low, locals will come around the island to harvest seaweed - You can observe life moving on around the island while you relax by the pool!
Day 12 - Stone Town’s magic
Leave the hotel and drive for about an hour and 15 minutes towards the final destination of your trip in Zanzibar - Its incredible capital, Unesco World Heritage Site, Stone Town! Unfortunately, there are no hotels that we like at the moment, but we did find a cute and stylish Airbnb instead! The rooms are located on the ground floor of a spice export company, whose owner is an outstanding and friendly host! Definitely ask him for his recommendations - He’s going to help you out and show you around if you’d like! From the rooftop, you have a beautiful view over the bay!
It’s worth spending at least one and a half days in Stone Town to have enough time to discover its history, find its finest hand-made crafts, and enjoy a few meals in its most magic restaurants!
Start by stopping for lunch at Lazuli Café, a cute small oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling old town. Walk around the old town and breathe in the centuries of history ofArab, Indian, and European influences.
When the sun starts setting, reach the port to witness one of the most fun attractions of the city - Young kids and teenagers having fun diving from the pier!
Once you’re ready, head to the open air market to have some local food as a starter - Forodhani park gets populated every evening with hundreds of stalls offering all kinds of wonderful food!
Even if you’re not hungry, it’s definitely worth checking out this incredible show! When you’re ready, have dinner at the jaw dropping Secret Garden!
The restaurant serves good Indian food, but the location is simply unforgettable - You get to seat surrounded by the original walls of an old building and by beautiful tropical plant!
Day 14 - A last tour of Stone Town before departing
After breakfast, head again to Stone Town’s heart - Here is a list of shops you absolutely need to check out:
Fahari - Both men and women clothes, really nice bags
Doreen Mashika - By far the most expensive shop, but still worth a stop. They also have jewellery.
Surti & Son’s - If you are into leather sandals, this is a must
Moto - Amazing handmade towels, wicker baskets and much more
Farouque Abdela - All clothes are designed by a 60 year old local. By far the most original shop with absolutely reasonable prices. It’s not on Google Maps, so you’ll need to look around the hotel Emerson on Hurumzi
Upendo Womens Store - Unmissable. Everything is made by local women and is beautiful. A lot of clothes for kids!
Darajani Market - Absolutely unmissable as well. You can find absolutely everything here. If you don’t mind being the only foreigner around, you can cross the big street next to the market and have a stroll in the other portion of the market.
1001 Organic Spicery - Our favorite spice shop
Have lunch at Café Turquoise, a nice little breakfast/lunch restaurant - You can eat anything from an avocado toast to a chicken wrap. The juices are outstanding.
For aperitivo and dinner, hit Upendo House. They have live music on the rooftop at sunset every Thursday. The music is usually great and cocktails are amazing as well! The restaurant is one floor underneath - It was one of the best dinners of the vacation.
Head to the airport to catch your flight! We hope that you like our itinerary and, as always, if you need help planning your own itinerary, we’re here to support you!
Our practical suggestions for you
How long: Two weeks
Season: July, August (Winter in Zanzibar) is just a perfect time to visit
How to travel through the country: Car rental
Practical advice: Zanzibar is usually very safe - At night pay a little bit more attention to your belongings. If you have an extra day in Stone Town, you can go to Nakupenda beach by boat! Compared to the sandbank in front of Kizikula, it’s definitely going to be much more crowded, but still definitely worth a visit!
