A safari followed by a few days on a Zanzibar beach is the classic Tanzania holiday, and for good reason. After early mornings, dusty roads and the excitement of the bush, the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean is the perfect way to slow down. Here is how to put the two together without wasting time or money.
Safari first, beach second
We nearly always recommend doing the safari first and the beach afterwards. Game drives start early and need energy, so it is better to do them while you are fresh. The beach is the reward at the end. It also makes the logistics easier: most international flights arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), close to Arusha and the northern parks, and many leave from Zanzibar (ZNZ), which has direct flights to Europe, the Middle East and other parts of Africa. Arriving at one airport and leaving from the other means you never backtrack.
How to get from the safari to Zanzibar
- From Arusha or Kilimanjaro: scheduled flights to Zanzibar take about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, with several flights a day.
- From the Serengeti: light aircraft fly from Serengeti airstrips to Zanzibar, usually with a stop in Arusha, in about 3 to 4 hours in total. This saves the drive back from the park.
- From Lake Manyara: flights from the Manyara airstrip are convenient after the Ngorongoro Crater.
- By road and ferry: possible via Dar es Salaam, but it takes a full day or more and we rarely recommend it.
Domestic and light-aircraft flights have luggage limits of about 15 to 20 kg in soft bags, so pack light. Our packing list helps.
How many days?
| Total time | Safari | Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days | 4–5 days (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, maybe Serengeti by air) | 3 nights |
| 10 days | 6–7 days (the full northern circuit) | 3 nights |
| 12–14 days | 7–8 days | 4–5 nights, with Stone Town |
Three nights is the minimum we suggest on Zanzibar. It gives you two full beach days, which is what most people need to relax. Four or five nights lets you add Stone Town and a reef trip without rushing.
When to go
The best months for both safari and beach are June to October and late December to February, when it is dry on the mainland and on the island. January and February are hot and sunny on Zanzibar and coincide with the calving season in the Serengeti. March, and especially April and May, are the long rains, when some Zanzibar hotels close and the sea can be rough. November brings short rains, usually as brief showers, and good value.
Which part of Zanzibar?
North (Nungwi and Kendwa)
The tides here are small, so you can swim at almost any time of day. Lively, with restaurants and the best sunsets. Our mid-range favourite is Nungwi Beach Resort by Turaco.
North-east (Matemwe, Kiwengwa)
Long white beaches, calm and close to the Mnemba Atoll reef for snorkelling with turtles and dolphins. Meliá Zanzibar is one of our luxury partners here.
East and south-east (Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi)
Quieter, with a strong tide that goes out a long way, which is great for walking, kitesurfing and reef pools, but less so for swimming at low tide.
Stone Town
The old Swahili trading town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow lanes, carved doors and markets. One night, or a day trip from the beach, is enough for most travellers.
What it costs
Add the domestic flight (often around $150 to $300 per person, depending on the route and the date), the Zanzibar hotel and transfers. Zanzibar hotels range from simple boutique guesthouses to five-star resorts with all-inclusive plans. Zanzibar has its own mandatory travel insurance, about $44 per person, and an infrastructure levy of about $5 per person per night, normally paid at the hotel. Mainland Tanzania also requires its own $44 insurance since 1 October 2026; read our insurance guide.
Things to do on Zanzibar
- Snorkel or dive at Mnemba Atoll
- Sail on a traditional dhow at sunset
- Walk Stone Town with a local guide
- Tour a spice farm and taste fresh cloves, nutmeg and vanilla
- See red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
- Eat grilled seafood at the Forodhani night market
Respecting local customs
Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. Swimwear is fine at hotels and on the beach, but cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in town during daylight hours; hotels continue to serve guests as normal.
Sample itinerary: 10 days
- Day 1: arrive at Kilimanjaro, night in Arusha or Moshi
- Days 2–6: Tarangire, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 7: fly to Zanzibar
- Days 8–9: beach, reef or Stone Town
- Day 10: fly home from Zanzibar
Other beach options
Zanzibar is the most popular beach after a safari, but not the only one. Pemba, Zanzibar's quieter northern sister island, has excellent diving and a handful of small, secluded lodges. Mafia Island, south of Dar es Salaam, is known for whale sharks from October to March and is very peaceful. The mainland coast near Pangani and Saadani has empty beaches and a more local feel. These options take longer to reach and have fewer flights, so they suit travellers with more time.
Booking tips
Book your international flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro and leave from Zanzibar (an open-jaw ticket). Many airlines offer this at a similar price to a return. Leave at least one night between the end of your safari and your international flight home, to protect against delays on domestic flights. Choose your Zanzibar hotel based on what you want to do there: swimming at any tide, snorkelling, peace and quiet, or restaurants and nightlife. Tell us your preferences and we will suggest two or three hotels that fit, from boutique to all-inclusive.
Honeymoons and special occasions
A safari and Zanzibar is our most popular honeymoon combination. We can arrange private bush dinners, a sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti, a room with a private plunge pool on the beach and a sunset dhow cruise. Tell us if you are celebrating, so we can let the lodges know.
Getting around the island
Zanzibar is about 90 km long, and roads are slow, so the drive from the airport to Nungwi or the east coast takes about an hour. Our team meets you at the airport and arranges every transfer, including day trips to Stone Town, so you never need to rent a car or bargain with taxis.
Our safari and beach trips
Our 10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar includes a Kilimanjaro day hike, the Serengeti, the crater and three nights on the beach. You can also add our 4-day Zanzibar beach escape to any safari, for example the 6-day classic safari. See our safari and Zanzibar page, or tell us your dates and we will plan the flights for you.
Frequently asked questions
01How do you get from a safari to Zanzibar?
By a short scheduled flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro, about 1 hour 15 minutes, or by light aircraft from the Serengeti or Lake Manyara airstrips.
02How many days should I spend in Zanzibar after a safari?
At least three nights. Four or five nights lets you add Stone Town and a snorkelling trip.
03What is the best time for a safari and Zanzibar?
June to October and late December to February, when both the parks and the island are dry.
Ready to plan?
Tell us your dates and travel style and we will shape a route around them.
