Zanzibar Safari & Beach: what you need to know
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.
Home to abundant wildlife, Tanzania is one of the best safari destinations in Africa.
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.
Treat yourself to a piece of Indian Ocean paradise on the island of Zanzibar.
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.
Kilindi’s luxurious pavilions are individually set in lush tropical gardens – perfect for privacy.
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.
Warm, clear water & safe swimming means Zanzibar is ideal for water lovers of all ages.
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.
Northern Zanzibar has the best scuba diving, especially on the reefs off Mnemba Island.
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.
Several resorts welcome families with children, offering kids’ clubs, pizza nights & age-appropriate activities.
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.
Walking the streets of Zanzibar’s Stone Town takes you into a world barely changed over the centuries.
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.
Choose the month of your visit carefully if you want to see the Serengeti wildebeest migration.
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
11-Days Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar – Starting with a luxurious tree-top suite at Lake Manyara, this journey takes in Big Five game viewing at the Ngorongoro Crater before three nights in the western Serengeti. Finishing with a grand flourish on private Mnemba Island, this is an itinerary for special occasions; go between July and October for the river-crossings in the Serengeti but book early.
14-Days Tanzania Safari & Beach Combo
14-Days Tanzania Safari & Beach Combo – Combining the varied landscapes and wildlife of Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti results in a highly diverse safari experience – ideal for nature photographers. Accommodation at each is excellent, ranging from a raised wooden chalet with its own pool, a manorial homestead and a luxurious tented suite, and the itinerary ends with 5 nights at an ocean-side villa on northern Zanzibar.
10-Days Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Zanzibar
10-Days Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Zanzibar – Eye-popping accommodation opens this safari from which you’ll enjoy Big Five game viewing at Ngorongoro before flying into the south-central Serengeti for three nights; there’s always great wildlife to see here but if you can choose, then go between December and March when the wildebeest migration is there. The safari ends on Zanzibar’s northern coast at lovely Matemwe – one of the island’s best destinations for scuba diving.
