Zanzibar Weekend Getaway 2026

Afternoon

Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Taxi to Stone Town (20 minutes, $10-15). Check into a traditional Zanzibari guesthouse or boutique hotel in the heart of the old town. Start exploring the UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, crumbling palaces and bustling bazaars. Visit the House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib), the Old Fort and the Sultan's Palace Museum.

Late Afternoon

Take a spice tour ($30-40) through the plantations that gave Zanzibar its famous name. Touch, taste and smell cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla, turmeric and lemongrass growing in the tropical gardens. Your guide will fashion a crown from palm leaves and a tie from banana fibre.

Evening

Head to Forodhani Gardens at sunset for the legendary night market. Locals and tourists gather on the seafront as dozens of food stalls fire up: grilled octopus, Zanzibar pizza (stuffed chapati), lobster, sugar cane juice, urojo (Zanzibari mix soup) and Zanzibar mix for TSh 5,000-15,000. Watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean from the sea wall. Afterwards, rooftop drinks at Africa House Hotel or Emerson on Hurumzi for spectacular Stone Town views.

Morning

Boat trip to Prison Island (Changuu Island, $35 including boat, 30 minutes from Stone Town). The island was built as a prison but never used for that purpose — today it is home to Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. Hand-feed the gentle giants and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters around the island.

Afternoon

Drive 1 hour north to Nungwi Beach, one of Zanzibar's finest stretches of white sand. Unlike the east coast, Nungwi is less affected by tides so you can swim at any time. Visit the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation pond (TSh 5,000) to see rescued sea turtles. Snorkel from the beach or take a short boat trip to a coral garden ($20-30).

Evening

Sunset at Nungwi is spectacular. Dinner at Langi Langi Beach Bungalows for seafood or Z Hotel for upscale Swahili cuisine. If you prefer to return to Stone Town, the Livingstone Beach Restaurant does candlelit beachside dining. Saturday nights in Stone Town have occasional live taarab music (Zanzibar's traditional Arabic-influenced music).

Morning

Drive 45 minutes south to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park ($10 entry). Walk the boardwalk through mangrove forest and look for the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey — found nowhere else on earth. There are approximately 5,800 remaining. They are remarkably habituated and you will get close-up views. The forest also has Sykes monkeys, bush babies and over 40 butterfly species.

Afternoon

If you have time before your flight, detour to the east coast at Paje Beach — famous for kitesurfing and pristine low-tide sandbanks. Lunch at The Rock restaurant (book ahead), a tiny restaurant perched on a rock in the ocean — one of the most photographed restaurants in Africa. Transfer to the airport (30 minutes from east coast, 15 minutes from Stone Town).

• Getting there: Direct flights from Dar es Salaam (20 minutes, from $50), Nairobi (1.5 hours, from $150), and Arusha (1.5 hours, from $150). The Dar ferry takes 2 hours ($35 economy/$50 business).
• Visa: Most nationalities need a Tanzania visa ($50-100, available on arrival or apply online).
• Dress code: Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees when walking in Stone Town and villages. Beachwear is fine at the beach and resort areas.
• Currency: Tanzania Shilling, but USD is widely accepted at tourist establishments. Bring clean post-2006 USD notes.
• Bargaining: Expected at markets and for taxi/tour prices. Start at 40-50% of the asking price.
• The Rock restaurant: Book at least a week ahead, especially weekends. It is a 30-minute drive from Stone Town.

• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
• Base: Stone Town
• Budget from: $190
• Best months: Jun-Oct, Dec-Feb