Many African destinations sell themselves as a safari and beach combination but few do it with such scale and authenticity as Tanzania and Zanzibar.
On mainland Tanzania you have some of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa to choose from: the Serengeti and Tarangire, the mighty Selous and the Ngorongoro Crater. And on the island of Zanzibar there are idyllic Indian Ocean beaches with colourful coral reefs, private islands and a cobbled-street old city.
The two experiences are linked by a short domestic flight, making it one of the most seamless safari and beach combinations in Africa, and to sweeten the deal even more, many Zanzibar beach resorts offer long-stay specials, giving you great value for money.
It’s an appealing proposition, especially after a bumpy and dusty safari. There’s something for everyone here – scuba-dive lodges, family resorts, luxurious hideaways – and Zanzibar is simply ideal for honeymooners, especially given its wide range of accommodation. We’d recommend the Z Hotel for the best honeymoon deal but you can max the luxury at lodges like Zuri Zanzibar and Kilindi, and top out at fabulous Matemwe Lodge or even Mnemba Island, a slice of private paradise with pristine reefs and turtle breeding beaches.
The trick, however, to the perfect Tanzania and Zanzibar safari is to know when and where to go. The safari experience, for example, will be determined by the time of year you visit, and Zanzibar is an island with distinct regions and weather patterns. For the visitor, this means the year is divided into high, low and shoulder seasons which are priced accordingly. The highest prices are paid for the optimum combination of wildlife viewing, climate and location.
Let’s take a closer look at Zanzibar Island. It is actually the biggest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, a cluster of Indian Ocean islands lying off Tanzania in East Africa. With a long history as an interface between Africa and Asia, Zanzibar is characterised by its cultural diversity, something reflected in its coastline – it is quite different depending where you are. That in turn affects the kind of activities offered and experiences available.
The general rule is that the further north you go on the island, the more exclusive the beaches and resorts become. This means fewer other visitors and more privacy, especially on Zanzibar’s prime north-east coast where you’ll find the island’s top accommodation as well as its best scuba diving and snorkelling. The north is also least affected by the ocean’s tidal range, making water activities more accessible here; it’s also where you’ll find Mnemba Island and Matemwe Lodge.
Travel east and you’ll find Zanzibar’s best beaches with a wide range of accommodation but note that this is where the tidal range is the greatest; you may need to walk out a bit to reach the ocean at low tide. The tidal range peaks on the south-east coast but the beaches here are idyllic and there are many lodges to choose from.
Zanzibar’s south is where most of the population lives and this is where you’ll find the better cultural experiences, whether spice-farm tours or local excursions. Swing to the west and you won’t find many beaches but there is Stone Town, the old capital of the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drawing on its historical importance as a Swahili trading city, Stone Town retains its old charm and character but has also embraced the modern world with boutique hotel accommodation and fine dining.
As for when to go, then December, January and February are some of the best months to visit: the weather in Zanzibar is warm and mostly dry, the scuba-diving is at its best and you’re right on time for the calving season during the Serengeti wildebeest migration – great for predators.
July and August are also excellent months to visit; it’s dry, cooler weather on the island, the diving is good and the Serengeti wildebeest are at the dramatic river-crossing stage of the migration. And if you can’t manage either of those times, try November: there’s some rain on Zanzibar but you’ll get the thundering start of the wildebeest migration.
Sounds like a safari and beach combination worth exploring? Browse our best-sellers below and contact us for further information and advice.
11-Days Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar
14-Days Tanzania Safari & Beach Combo
10-Days Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Zanzibar
