Things to do in
Zanzibar

Our most recommended things to do in Zanzibar

From Zanzibar: Selous Game Reserve Day Safari with Flights

1. From Zanzibar: Selous Game Reserve Day Safari with Flights

Explore the impressive Tanzanian nature and wildlife while joining us for a day safari to Selous/Nyerere National Park. Fly early morning from Zanzibar to Selous/Nyerere National Park, the largest protected game reserve on the African continent. Enjoy a full-day game drive and a bush lunch during the break time. Fly back to Zanzibar late afternoon. You will be picked up early in the morning at the hotel you are staying for a transfer to the airport. At around 07.00/07.30 your flight will depart from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve/Nyerere National Park, where you will arrive at 07.30/08.00. At 08.00/08.30 in the morning your shared safari game drive will start in the largest Game Reserve of the African Continent, with a mid-morning coffee/tea break at 10.30. During the game drive you will explore the wildlife and environment of Tanzania. Our driver guides have a lot of experience with the area and the wildlife and love to tell you everything about it. Experience an authentic safari bush lunch in the middle of the National Park! At 12.30 a warm lunch will be served at set tables in the bush. After lunch, you will continue with the game drive till 15:30, when you will be driven back to the airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar. Your flight will depart at 16.15 from the airstrip of Selous Game Reserve/ Nyerere National Park back to Zanzibar, where you will arrive at 17.05 and will be picked up and brought back to your hotel.

From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

2. From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

09H00 we pick you up at the Nungwi or Kendwa by boat and start cruising by searching the dolphins and swimming with them as we head to Mnemba conservation area, after reaching Mnemba conservation area we start doing snorkeling around the coral reefs, then if there is low tide we cruise to the sandbank. 13H00 We take you back to Nungwi or Kendwa beach and drop you of to the nearest beach of your hotel

From Zanzibar: Mikumi Day Safari

3. From Zanzibar: Mikumi Day Safari

Explore the unique Tanzanian nature and wildlife while joining us for a day safari to Mikumi National Park. Fly early morning from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park, the fourth-largest National Park in Tanzania. Enjoy a day game drive and an bush lunch during the break time. Fly back to Zanzibar late afternoon. You will be picked up early in the morning at the hotel you are staying for a transfer to the airport. Following this, your flight will depart from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park to begin your shared safari game drive. During the game drive you will explore the wildlife and environment of Tanzania. Your driver guides have a lot of experience with the area and the wildlife and love to tell you everything about it. Experience a bush lunch in the afternoon. After lunch, continue with the game drive, then get driven back to the airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar at 3.00pm. Once you arrive back in Zanzibar, enjoy a transfer back to your hotel.

Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

4. Zanzibar: Stone Town, Spice Tour and Prison Island Day Tour

Take a walking tour of Stone Town, visit an organic spice farm, and explore the historic Prison Island all in one day on a full-day, guided tour of Zanzibar. Meander through a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways between towering limestone houses, and interact with Aldabra tortoises. Start your day with a walking tour of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. Relive the grander age of this port city as you stroll through the twisting streets and look at former palaces, Sultan’s Palace, and Arab mansions. Get an insight into the tragic history of slave trading. After your walking tour, drive to the plantation and learn why Zanzibar is known as “Spice Island”. Smell, touch, and even taste some of the crops grown on this Island and find out what the spices were originally used for. Finally, take a boat ride offshore to Prison Island, home to large land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles. Get to touch and feed these creatures living in a sanctuary. Also, learn about the island’s historic use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s.

Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

5. Prison Island: Private Half-Day Tour

This private guided half day tour can begin any time from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Meet your well-trained guide and boatman as your board your steam-engine wooden boat. Head to the prestigious island and enjoy the 30-minute journey.  Listen to the history of the island and discover the past centuries through the historical buildings, which have served many purposes over the years including a prison, chapel, and hiding place for slaves after the abolition.  Enjoy a swim or snorkel around the colorful coral rocks and turquoise waters. Play with giant tortoises and you may take photographs with these old precious creatures. If you do not have much experience or confidence in the water, you will be provided with a life jacket. 

Zanzibar: Airport to Hotel Transfer

6. Zanzibar: Airport to Hotel Transfer

Avoid the expense of a taxi and the hassle of navigating a foreign public transportation system with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Bypass the expensive and unreliable taxi drivers and kick-off your holiday in style with this comfortable and punctual service. Avail of an affordable and reliable transportation service from the airport to any hotel on Zanzibar Island. Your price includes transportation for up to 7 passengers with light luggage or 5 people with more luggage.  Relax in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle driven by an experienced driver. Enjoy a comfortable 0.5 to 1.5-hour transfer, depending on the location of your hotel.

Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

7. Zanzibar: Quad Bike Adventure Tour to a Local Village

Meet your guide at the office of the activity provider then drive along the main road going to Pwani Majangani, for about 4 km. The tour usually stops for a few minutes at a local shop where you can buy some food to offer as a present to the village. After this small pit stop, you leave the tarmac road to ride the quad off-road through the rice fields, where your guide stops for about 15 minutes to explain the economy, culture, and habits of the villages in the middle part of the island. After this explanation, the excursion goes ahead through the environment of the island to arrive at the local village, where you'll stop for about 1 hour. Travelers will have the opportunity to stay with the children, play with them, and be in contact with the community of the village. After this first contact, your guide will offer guests local fresh fruits (Madafu, seasonal fresh fruit). Next, head to the House of Mad, a typical home in the rural village, as your guide discusses the life and culture of the Zanzibarian people. Before getting back on the quad, visit plantations of cinnamon, cloves, lemon grass, and other varieties, which are cultivated by the people of the village. You finally leave the village riding to Pwani Majangani to reach the fishermen's village. At the village, you will stop for a few minutes to explain the difference between the rural village and the community based on the coast of the Island. Following the sand road, passing through the fishermen's houses, you arrive at the beach where you will stop for a few minutes before heading back to the starting point.

Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

8. Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

Discover all there is to know about sea turtles at Mnarani Aquarium in the small village of Nungwi. Get a chance to feed and swim with the turtles in their natural lagoon pond. Find out how the aquarium rehabilitates sea turtles once they have recovered any injuries caused by being caught in nets. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Zanzibar and be driven to the village of Nungwi on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Near the lighthouse, visit Mnarani Aquarium and its turtles with your guide; Mnarani means the "place of the lighthouse" in Swahili. Discover a large, natural tidal pool in the coral rock behind the beach where the turtles swim. It was initially set up to rehabilitate and study marine turtles caught in fishing nets. The project was developed to ensure that local baby turtles were also protected. Buy some seaweed from the turtles' carers to feed them or get into the pool for a closer encounter to swim with them. Learn all about the rehabilitation project and the efforts to protect local baby turtles. Gain an insight into the life cycle of turtles, their food, and more.

Mnemba: African Maldives Day Tour with Lunch

9. Mnemba: African Maldives Day Tour with Lunch

Prepare to be captivated by the exquisite allure of Mnemba Island. Embark on a remarkable day of sightseeing in the serene natural beauty of the African Maldives. Relax on your journey with hotel pickup and lunch included. Your adventure begins as you board a boat at Nungwi beach or muyuni beach . Set sail to the dolphin spot, where you'll have the exhilarating opportunity to swim and frolic with these magnificent creatures . It's an enchanting encounter with nature you won't soon forget. Next, your destination is Mnemba Island, a haven for underwater enthusiasts. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for an awe-inspiring snorkeling experience, surrounded by vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs. After your aquatic adventures, unwind on the island's pristine beach while relishing a selection of fresh, tropical fruits. Let the tranquility of the surroundings wash over you. As the day unfolds, sail back to Nungwi beach, taking in the picturesque coastal views. It's a serene journey that allows you to savor the beauty of Zanzibar's coastline. Recharge with a sumptuous lunch at an ocean-view restaurant, where you can savor delectable dishes while enjoying the soothing sound of waves lapping at the shore. Finally, your unforgettable day concludes with drop-off at your hotel.

Mnemba Island Tour, Prison Island, Jozani Forest, The Rock

10. Mnemba Island Tour, Prison Island, Jozani Forest, The Rock

Enjoy a complete full day tour to get to know a breathtaking highlights of Zanzibar, experiencing the natural beauty of Zanzibar with all your senses. Save time and optimize a good value for money. Explore Mnemba Island Atoll Zanzibar! Enjoy Snorkeling, swim with playful Dolphins, and relax on a shallow water Sandbank. Discover natural beauty of Prison Island! Witness The giant tortoise which is an iconic Zanzibar species. Visit Jozani Forest where you will interact in close proximity with our beautiful and friendly Red Colobus Monkeys. Visit The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar! One of the most iconic views of Zanzibar! We have exclusive surprise added values, free upgrades, and extras to make sure that this excursion is your special getaway in Zanzibar. Lunch at The Rock Restaurant is extra supplement.

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What people are saying about Zanzibar

Overall rating

4.4
(695 reviews)

Amazing! The guide and captain were fantastic. The waves were too high and the ocean was a bit rough so the dolphins were not visible but our guides searched for them and made sure we got to take pictures of them from the safety of our boat. The captain steered the boat well and made us feel safe. The guide was extremely helpful as well. Great experience!

We actually saw dolphins and almost touch them. Very nice experience, driver and captain were very good. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are too many boats chasing dolphins so we were a bit worried about it when we were in the water (and we were low season). But it’s an experience that I recommend!

We enjoyed our tour very much. Abdi was very knowledgeable, customized our tour for the 3 sites we wanted to see. He was punctual and courteous. We would highly recommend him.

It was a very nice experience, everything was great and our tour guide and driver very friendly and helpful!

Terrible weather but guide was great and we saw some black monkeys and 1 red one