4-Day Trip · 4 comfort levels
From
$1,596
per person
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a room. Your written quote confirms the final price.
A short, full escape: Stone Town and its spice farms, a sandbank picnic, snorkelling at Mnemba and a last night by the sea in Nungwi.
Four days is enough for a real taste of Zanzibar if the route is planned well. You start in Stone Town, the island's historic heart, with a guided walk, the Darajani market and a sunset dhow cruise on your first evening.
Next comes a spice farm, then a boat trip to Prison Island's giant tortoises and the white Nakupenda sandbank for swimming and a seafood lunch.
On the third day, you snorkel the reefs around Mnemba Atoll before moving to the north coast for a final night by the beach, and a visit to the sea turtles of Nungwi before you fly home.
Best months to travel: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Dec · Jan · Feb
The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.
From $1,596per person
$399–$550 per day · $1,596–$2,200 for 4 days
Comfortable, well-rated hotels and the island's best-known excursions at a sensible price, with plenty of free time on the beach.
From $2,396per person
$599–$799 per day · $2,396–$3,196 for 4 days
Upgraded hotels and beach resorts with better rooms, attractive beach access and more refined dining.
From $3,400per person
$850–$1,200 per day · $3,400–$4,800 for 4 days
Premium beachfront resorts and boutique hotels, a higher room category and a more personal approach to every day.
From $10,240per person
$2,560–$5,550 per day · $10,240–$22,200 for 4 days
Exceptional villas and suites for special celebrations. The price depends heavily on the property and dates, so we quote it individually.
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 1
You are met at Zanzibar International Airport and driven to your hotel in Stone Town. Your guide then leads you through the old town's lanes, past the Old Fort, the House of Wonders (under restoration) and the Sultan's Palace, and into the busy Darajani market, full of spices, fruit and fabrics.
As the sun goes down, you board a traditional dhow for a cruise along the coast, then enjoy a Swahili dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2
In the morning, you visit a spice farm to see, smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, and learn why Zanzibar became known as the Spice Island.
In the afternoon, a boat takes you to Changuu, or Prison Island, home to giant Aldabra tortoises, and then to Nakupenda, a bright white sandbank surrounded by clear water. You swim, snorkel and enjoy a seafood lunch on the sand before returning to Stone Town.
Day 3
You leave Stone Town early for Matemwe on the north-east coast and take a boat out to the reefs around Mnemba Atoll, one of the best places on the island to snorkel. Expect clear water, coral and tropical fish, with a chance of seeing dolphins on the way.
Afterwards, you continue to the north coast and check into your beach hotel, with the rest of the day free to swim and watch the sunset.
Day 4
After breakfast, you visit the Baraka Natural Aquarium in Nungwi, a natural lagoon where you can see and swim near green sea turtles and learn how the local community cares for them.
Depending on your flight time, you have time for a last swim before the drive to the airport, about an hour and a half away.
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.
Your nights on this trip
Nights 1–2
Heritage hotel on the seafront
Shangani, Stone Town
A restored seafront building in the Shangani quarter, on the small town beach facing the harbour. Rooms keep a traditional Zanzibari style, and the historic streets, Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort are a short walk away.
What you can do here
Boutique town hotel
Gizenga Street, Stone Town
A boutique hotel in the heart of Stone Town, just behind the House of Wonders and the Old Fort. Its rooftop terrace has wide views over the old town's roofs and out to the Indian Ocean.
What you can do here
Boutique town house
Behind the Old Fort, Stone Town
A former family home in the heart of Stone Town turned into a small boutique hotel, with individually decorated suites full of African fabrics and antiques. Its rooftop looks out over the old town's roofs and minarets.
What you can do here
Luxury seafront hotel
Shangani seafront, Stone Town
A luxury hotel on the Stone Town seafront that includes the restored Mambo Msiige, one of the town's historic houses. Many rooms look out over the Indian Ocean and the dhows passing the harbour.
What you can do here
Restored merchant's house
Central Stone Town
A restored 19th-century merchant's house in the old town, with individually decorated rooms full of carved wood, stained glass and antiques. Its rooftop restaurant is one of the best places in Stone Town to watch the sunset.
What you can do here
Heritage hotel on the seafront
Shangani seafront, Stone Town
A seafront hotel in Shangani made from restored historic buildings, decorated with Zanzibari chests, carved doors and Persian rugs. Its terraces face the ocean, and the old town begins at the back door.
What you can do here
Night 3
Boutique beach 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
Beach bungalows
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
A good-value, 3-star stay in Nungwi village, a few minutes' walk from the beach. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the village's restaurants and dhow builders are close by.
What you can do here
Beach hotel
Kendwa, northern Zanzibar
A lively beach hotel on Kendwa beach, with rooms ranging from simple bungalows to beach houses. It is known for its monthly full-moon beach party, so ask for a quieter room if you'd rather sleep early on those nights.
What you can do here
Luxury resort
Nungwi peninsula, northern Zanzibar
A luxury resort on the quieter, sheltered side of the Nungwi peninsula, with suites and villas set in tropical gardens above the sea. It suits couples who want space and calm close to the north coast's beaches.
What you can do here
Luxury beach resort
Kendwa, northern Zanzibar
A luxury resort on Kendwa beach, where the sand stays good for swimming at most tides. Bungalows, suites and villas sit among tropical gardens and a working spice garden, and the beach faces west for sunsets.
What you can do here
Adults-only all-inclusive resort
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
An adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort at Nungwi. Meals and drinks are included, which makes it an easy choice for couples who want to relax without planning each day.
What you can do here
All-inclusive beach resort
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
A large all-inclusive resort at Nungwi on the island's northern tip, with several pools and restaurants. With meals, snacks and drinks included, it is an easy choice for families and couples alike.
What you can do here
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to October | Generally dry, sunny and comfortably warm. The most popular time for beach holidays and boat trips. |
| December to February | Hot and mostly dry, with calm seas that suit swimming and snorkelling. |
| March and November | More changeable, with some showers. Plans may need a little flexibility. |
| April and May | The long rains. Some excursions can be affected, but the island is quieter and some hotels offer better rates. |
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.
Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.
Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.
Spice-island history, powder-white beaches and turquoise water — how to plan the perfect end to a Tanzania trip.
Read guide →Zanzibar · 6 min readFrom the deep-water swimming of Nungwi to the kitesurf lagoons of Paje — how to pick the right stretch of sand.
Read guide →Zanzibar · 6 min readCarved doors, spice markets and a thousand years of Swahili history in Zanzibar's UNESCO-listed old city.
Read guide →Ready to go?
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing a room. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$1,596
per person
