10-Day Zanzibar Island Holiday – Beaches, Culture and Free Days

10-Day Trip · 4 comfort levels

10-Day Zanzibar Island Holiday – Beaches, Culture and Free Days

From

$3,990

per person

Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a room. Your written quote confirms the final price.

Nine unhurried nights on two coasts, with Stone Town, a spice farm, Safari Blue and Jozani Forest included, and plenty of days left free for the beach.

Imagine waking to the sound of the Indian Ocean, walking barefoot on warm white sand and swimming in turquoise water, with time to do it all without rushing. Ten days lets you enjoy Zanzibar's beaches, Swahili heritage, spice farms, forests and reefs at a relaxed pace.

You spend the first five nights on the east coast, close to Stone Town, the spice farms, Menai Bay and Jozani Forest. Then you move to the north coast for four nights, where the beaches are good for swimming at most tides and the sun sets over the sea.

Whether it's a honeymoon, a family holiday, an anniversary or simply a long rest, the free days can stay free or be filled with snorkelling, a sunset cruise or a spa day.

Duration
10 days, 9 nights
Start and finish
Zanzibar International Airport
Nights
5 on the east coast, 4 on the north coast
Excursions included
Stone Town, spice farm, Safari Blue and Jozani Forest
Free days
4, for the beach or optional trips
Departures
Daily, subject to availability

Highlights

  • Two coasts: The quiet east coast, then the northern beaches.
  • Stone Town: A guided walk through the old town and its markets.
  • Spice farm: Learn how the island's famous spices grow.
  • Safari Blue: Sailing, snorkelling and a sandbank lunch in Menai Bay.
  • Jozani Forest: The rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
  • Time to slow down: Four free days to spend as you like.

Best months to travel: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Dec · Jan · Feb

Choose your comfort level

The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.

Mid-range

From $3,990per person

$399–$550 per day · $3,990–$5,500 for 10 days

Comfortable, well-rated hotels and the island's best-known excursions at a sensible price, with plenty of free time on the beach.

  • Comfortable 3–4-star hotels in town and on the beach
  • Private airport and hotel transfers
  • The guided excursions in the itinerary
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for the listed tours

Luxury

From $5,990per person

$599–$799 per day · $5,990–$7,990 for 10 days

Upgraded hotels and beach resorts with better rooms, attractive beach access and more refined dining.

  • 4–5-star hotels and beach resorts
  • A sea-view or upgraded room where available
  • Private transfers
  • The guided excursions in the itinerary
  • More meals included, or all-inclusive where the resort offers it

High-end luxury

From $8,500per person

$850–$1,200 per day · $8,500–$12,000 for 10 days

Premium beachfront resorts and boutique hotels, a higher room category and a more personal approach to every day.

  • Premium beachfront resorts or boutique luxury hotels
  • Higher room categories, subject to availability
  • Private guiding on excursions
  • Private boat options where available
  • Half board, full board or all-inclusive, depending on the property

Ultra-premium

From $25,600per person

$2,560–$5,550 per day · $25,600–$55,500 for 10 days

Exceptional villas and suites for special celebrations. The price depends heavily on the property and dates, so we quote it individually.

  • Exceptional suites or villas, often with a private pool
  • Dedicated private transfers
  • Private dhow or boat charters where appropriate
  • Fine dining and spa experiences by arrangement
  • Concierge-style personal service

How the prices work

These are indicative planning prices per person, based on 2 adults sharing a room. They are not confirmed quotations.

Your final cost depends on your travel dates, the hotels and room types you choose, the meal plan and whether excursions are shared or private. We confirm your price and hotels in writing before you pay a deposit.

To request a price for one traveller or a group of three to six, select your group size in the booking box and Ombeni will quote you directly.

Your private vehicle and guide are shared only by your own party, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arrival in Zanzibar

    Your driver meets you at Zanzibar International Airport and takes you to your hotel on the east coast, with a first look at palm-lined roads, villages and the sea on the way.

    The first day is kept free because flights arrive at different times. Settle in, walk the beach, and enjoy dinner at your hotel or a local seafood restaurant.

    Meals:
    Dinner
  2. 2

    Day 2

    A day on the beach

    A beach resort pool fringed with palm trees

    Wake up to island life and spend the day at your own pace: swim, read under a palm, or enjoy the hotel's facilities.

    On the east coast, the sea goes out a long way at low tide, revealing shallow lagoons and seaweed farms, and swimming is best around high tide. Kayaking and paddleboarding can be arranged where available.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  3. 3

    Day 3

    Stone Town

    You travel to Stone Town for a guided walk through one of the most fascinating old towns on the Indian Ocean. Narrow lanes lead past coral-stone houses, carved doors, small shops and markets, while your guide explains the African, Arab, Indian and European influences that shaped it.

    After lunch at a local restaurant, you have time on the waterfront before returning to your hotel.

    Some lanes are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
    Meals:
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. 4

    Day 4

    Spice farm

    A guided walk on a spice farm introduces you to cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric and lemongrass, depending on the season. You smell fresh leaves and bark, see tropical fruit growing and learn how spices are used in cooking and traditional remedies.

    The afternoon is free. If you love food, ask us to add a Swahili cooking class.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  5. 5

    Day 5

    Safari Blue in Menai Bay

    A traditional dhow lit up on the beach at dusk

    Today you see Zanzibar from the water. A traditional boat takes you through Menai Bay off the south-west coast to swim and snorkel over reefs, rest on a sandbank when the tide allows and enjoy a seafood lunch.

    Sandbanks change shape with the tide and routes can change with the weather, so follow the crew's lead. The evening is for a quiet dinner after a day outdoors.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, seafood lunch, dinner
  6. 6

    Day 6

    Jozani Forest and on to the north

    After breakfast, a guide takes you into Jozani Forest to look for the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else, and to walk among the mangroves that protect the coast.

    You then drive to the north coast and check into your hotel for the last four nights.

    Watch the monkeys quietly and never feed or touch them. Sightings are never guaranteed.
    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  7. 7

    Day 7

    Choose your day: snorkelling, a sandbank or rest

    Today is up to you. You could add a snorkelling trip to the reefs around Mnemba Atoll, a boat to a sandbank, or simply stay on the beach. You don't need to fill every day to enjoy Zanzibar.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  8. 8

    Day 8

    The northern beaches and a tropical sunset

    A dhow sailing past a red sunset on the Indian Ocean

    Spend the day on the beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, where the sand is soft and the water stays deep enough to swim at most tides.

    In the late afternoon, you could add a sunset dhow cruise, or watch the sun go down from the beach.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  9. 9

    Day 9

    Your last full day

    Return to a favourite beach, book a spa treatment, shop for souvenirs or visit a fishing village. If you're celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday, we can help arrange a romantic dinner or a private sunset experience.

    Leave a little time to pack and confirm your transfer.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
  10. 10

    Day 10

    Departure

    Enjoy a final breakfast before your driver collects you for the airport, about an hour and a half away. If you're continuing to a safari or another destination, share your plans and we'll arrange the transfer.

    Meals:
    Breakfast

Choose where you'll sleep

Pick your comfort level, then choose a stay for each part of the route. Your choices go with your booking request. Ombeni confirms availability and your final price, and suggests a similar stay if one is full.

Nights 1–5

The east coast (Paje, Bwejuu, Pongwe or Matemwe)

Boutique beach hotel

Dhow Inn Boutique Hotel

Paje, south-east coast

A boutique hotel at the edge of Paje, about an hour from Stone Town, with rooms around several pools and a short walk to the beach. Paje's wide lagoon is one of the best places on the island for kitesurfing.

What you can do here

  • Several swimming pools and a spa
  • Kitesurfing lessons on Paje beach, by arrangement
  • Jozani Forest about 20 minutes away

Nights 6–9

Nungwi and Kendwa, northern Zanzibar

Boutique beach hotel

The Z Hotel

Nungwi, northern Zanzibar

A boutique hotel of around 40 rooms on the beach at Nungwi, near the northern tip of the island. It is a lively, friendly base, with sea views from many rooms and the beach right below.

What you can do here

  • Outdoor pool and beach loungers
  • Spa and two restaurants
  • Sunsets over the sea on the west-facing coast

What's included in the price

  • Transfers: Private transfers from and to Zanzibar International Airport, and between your hotels.
  • Accommodation: In your selected comfort level, based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
  • Guides: English-speaking local guides on the listed excursions.
  • Fees: Entrance fees for the excursions in the itinerary.
  • Drinking water: On excursions.
  • Meals: Daily breakfast and dinner, plus 2 lunches on excursion days.
  • Stone Town: A guided walking tour and lunch.
  • Spice farm: A guided tour.
  • Safari Blue: A full-day boat excursion with snorkelling equipment and a seafood lunch.
  • Jozani Forest: Entry and a guided walk.

What's not included

  • International flights, and domestic flights between the mainland and Zanzibar unless listed.
  • Tanzania visa fees.
  • Zanzibar's mandatory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors, and your own travel insurance.
  • Drinks and meals not covered by your meal plan.
  • Optional excursions, spa treatments, diving and water sports.
  • Tips, souvenirs, laundry and personal expenses.
  • Single-room supplements for guests who don't share.
  • Any hotel or government levies paid locally, which your quote will list.

Why ten days?

Ten days gives you time for Zanzibar's beaches, culture and nature without choosing between them. The itinerary is a starting point: ask for more beach time, fewer excursions, a different area or a more luxurious level, and we'll tailor it.

Best time to visit Zanzibar

MonthsWhat to expect
June to OctoberGenerally dry, sunny and comfortably warm. The most popular time for beach holidays and boat trips.
December to FebruaryHot and mostly dry, with calm seas that suit swimming and snorkelling.
March and NovemberMore changeable, with some showers. Plans may need a little flexibility.
April and MayThe long rains. Some excursions can be affected, but the island is quieter and some hotels offer better rates.
Boat trips and snorkelling always depend on the weather, the tides and the state of the sea on the day.

Good to know before you go

  • Tides: On the east coast, the sea can go out a long way at low tide, revealing lagoons and seaweed farms. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, is better for swimming at most tides.
  • Dress: Zanzibar is a mainly Muslim island. Cover your shoulders and knees in Stone Town and the villages, and keep swimwear for the beach and the hotel.
  • Ramadan: Some restaurants open later during Ramadan, and it's polite not to eat or drink in the street during the day.
  • Mnemba: Snorkelling trips visit the reefs around the atoll. The island itself is private, so trips don't land on it.
  • Money: US dollars are widely accepted, but small Tanzanian shilling notes are useful for markets and tips.

Book your Zanzibar holiday

Tell us your travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred comfort level and whether you are arriving from abroad or after a safari or climb. We confirm your hotels, excursions and final price in writing before you pay.

  • WhatsApp: +255 785 938 860
  • Email: info@trusttourstz.com
  • Website: trusttourstz.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.

It starts from $3,990 per person at Mid-range level, based on 2 adults sharing. Luxury starts from $5,990, High-end luxury from $8,500 and Ultra-premium from $25,600. These are indicative prices, and your written quote confirms the final figure.

Yes. Many guests like to move, because it shows you two sides of the island, but we can keep you in one hotel for all nine nights.

Yes. Pick your comfort level, then choose a hotel for each part of the trip. Your choices go with your booking request, and Ombeni confirms availability. If a hotel is full, he will suggest a similar one.

Yes. Many travellers fly to the Serengeti from Zanzibar, or start with a safari in the northern parks and finish on the beach. We arrange the flights and book it all as one trip.

Read before you go

Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.

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Plan your 10-Day Zanzibar Island Holiday with Ombeni

Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a room. Your written quote confirms the final price.

From

$3,990

per person