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About Zanzibar

An island with two tides and a thousand stories

Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. Its main island, Unguja, has Stone Town on the west coast, long beaches in the north and east, forests and spice farms in the middle and coral reefs all around. Swahili, Arab, Indian and European history meet here, and you can taste all of it in one evening at the Forodhani food market.

All day trips Plan my trip
Stone Town seafront and boats at sunset
Why go

Four reasons to come

01

The sea

Coral reefs, turtles, dolphins, sandbanks and dhows. Snorkelling here is easy and beautiful.

02

Stone Town

A UNESCO World Heritage old town of carved doors, markets and rooftops, with a history that is not always easy.

03

Spices and forest

Clove and cinnamon farms, and the red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest, found nowhere else.

04

Safari close by

Nyerere and Mikumi are about an hour away by small plane, and the Serengeti a few hours.

Top places

Where to go

3 tours Stone Town The old heart of Zanzibar: coral-stone houses, carved doors, markets and a seafront where the whole town comes out at sunset. 2 tours Nungwi & Kendwa 1 tour Paje & Jambiani Zanzibar island Kizimkazi Zanzibar island Mnemba Atoll & Matemwe Zanzibar island Jozani Forest 3 tours Nyerere National Park 2 tours Mikumi National Park 1 tour Serengeti National Park 1 tour Ngorongoro Crater
Safaris

Safari from the island

Light aircraft fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere, Mikumi and the Serengeti. Wake by the sea, watch elephants by lunch.

Explore Zanzibar Holidays

Holidays

North coast for swimming at any tide, east coast for lagoons and kitesurfing, south coast for dolphins.

Explore
Best time to visit

When to go

  1. June – OctoberDry, sunny and breezy. Best for safaris and kitesurfing. Book early for July and August.
  2. December – MarchHot, calm and clear. The best months for snorkelling and dolphins.
  3. April – May, NovemberThe rains. Green, quiet and the best prices of the year.

  1. Hot and clear. Calm sea, great snorkelling.

  2. Hot and dry. One of the best months for the sea.

  3. Very hot and still. Rain starts at the end of the month.

  4. Long rains. Quiet island, lowest prices.

  5. Rain eases at the end. Green and fresh.

  6. Dry season begins. Breezy and sunny.

  7. Dry, sunny and busy. Great for safaris.

  8. Dry and windy. Peak kitesurfing.

  9. Dry and warm. Excellent for safari and sea.

  10. Warm and dry. A sweet spot before the short rains.

  11. Short rains, mostly afternoon showers.

  12. Hot again and busy over the holidays.

Why travel with us

Travel with Richstar Tour

01

Zanzibar-based

We are on the island, not behind a call centre.

02

Safari without the long drives

Fly-in safaris from Zanzibar, or the ferry-and-train adventure if you prefer.

03

Trips that bend

Every trip can change: a day longer, a different beach, a better room.

04

Stays sorted too

Add a holiday home or villa from Zanta Booking when you book your trip.

05

Clear prices

Every trip shows a clear "from" price before you ask.

06

Fast answers

WhatsApp, call or email — a real person on the island answers.

Ready for Zanzibar?

Tell us your dates and what you love — sea, history, wildlife or simply a good beach — and we will build the trip around you.

Talk to our crew