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Tanzania · Trip plan

5 days in Zanzibar

Spice-island history, Stone Town alleys and white-sand Indian Ocean beaches.

Best time
Dec – Feb, Jun – Oct
Ideal length
5 days
A day, mid-range
$170 per person
Trip for two
about $1,700

Planning a 5-day trip to Zanzibar? Here's a day-by-day Zanzibar itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

December to February is a dry, hot season with calm, clear water: perfect after a safari or as an escape from northern winter.

Zanzibar is an archipelago off Tanzania with a rich Swahili, Arab and Indian heritage, spice farms and some of Africa's best beaches.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun: a good time to go
  7. Jul: a good time to go
  8. Aug: a good time to go
  9. Sep: a good time to go
  10. Oct: a good time to go
  11. Nov
  12. Dec: a good time to go

December to February: 26–32°C, sunny and humid.

Create my Zanzibar trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Zanzibar

  • 01

    Stone Town

    A UNESCO old town of carved doors and alleys.

  • 02

    Nungwi & Kendwa

    Beaches with swimming at all tides.

  • 03

    Spice tour

    Cloves, cinnamon and vanilla on a farm.

  • 04

    Mnemba Atoll

    Snorkelling with dolphins and turtles.

Day by day

Zanzibar itinerary for 5 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: Stone Town

    Morning
    Walk Stone Town's maze of alleys and carved wooden doors with a local guide.
    Afternoon
    Visit the Old Fort, the House of Wonders and the memorial at the former slave market.
    Evening
    Eat at Forodhani Gardens' night food market: Zanzibar pizza, skewers and sugarcane juice.

    Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Spices and Prison Island

    Morning
    Spice farm tour to taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg growing on the trees.
    Afternoon
    Boat to Prison Island to meet giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old.
    Evening
    Sunset dhow cruise along the Stone Town waterfront.

    Spice tours usually include a Swahili lunch.

  3. D3

    Day 3: North coast

    Morning
    Drive about an hour to Nungwi or Kendwa on the north coast.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon on the white sand and turquoise water.
    Evening
    Sunset on Kendwa beach, then dinner on the sand.

    Kendwa is swimmable at all tides.

  4. D4

    Day 4: Mnemba Atoll

    Morning
    Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll with turtles, reef fish and wild dolphins.
    Afternoon
    Lunch and a lazy afternoon on the beach.
    Evening
    Beach dinner under the stars.

    Choose operators who don't chase dolphins.

  5. D5

    Day 5: Home

    Morning
    A last swim.
    Afternoon
    Transfer to the airport.
    Evening
    Fly home.

    Allow an hour to the airport.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Zanzibar in 4, 5 or 7 days

4 days in Zanzibar

Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

7 days in Zanzibar

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.

What it costs

Zanzibar trip budget

StylePer person, a day5 days for two
Budget$80$800
Mid-range$170$1,700
Luxury$450+$4,500

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Zanzibar is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Zanzibar for every budget

  • Budget

    Guesthouses in Stone Town

    Stone Town

    Historic houses.

    from $60 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Beach hotels in Kendwa

    Kendwa

    Sunset beach.

    from $200 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Zuri Zanzibar

    Kendwa

    Bungalows on the beach.

    from $600 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Zanzibar

  • Zanzibar pizza

    A stuffed, griddled street food.

  • Octopus curry

    Coconut-rich and fresh.

  • Urojo

    Zanzibar mix soup.

Getting there

How to reach Zanzibar

Travel
Fly to Zanzibar (ZNZ) via Nairobi, Doha or Dar es Salaam; ferries from Dar es Salaam.
Getting around
Taxis and private drivers; dala-dala minibuses for budget travel.
  • Dress modestly in Stone Town.
  • East coast beaches have big tides.

Before you go

What to pack for Zanzibar

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Swimwear and flip-flops
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Zanzibar trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Zanzibar?

5 days are enough to see the highlights: Stone Town, Nungwi & Kendwa, Spice tour. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 5-day Zanzibar trip cost?

Roughly $80 a day per person on a budget, $170 mid-range and $450+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,700 for 5 days.

What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Dec – Feb, Jun – Oct. December to February is a dry, hot season with calm, clear water: perfect after a safari or as an escape from northern winter.

Where should I stay in Zanzibar?

Budget: Guesthouses in Stone Town (Stone Town), from about $60 a night. Mid-range: Beach hotels in Kendwa (Kendwa), from about $200 a night. Luxury: Zuri Zanzibar (Kendwa), from about $600 a night.

How do I reach Zanzibar?

Fly to Zanzibar (ZNZ) via Nairobi, Doha or Dar es Salaam; ferries from Dar es Salaam.

Is 4 days enough for Zanzibar?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 5 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Zanzibar?

December to February: 26–32°C, sunny and humid.

What food should I try in Zanzibar?

Zanzibar pizza: A stuffed, griddled street food. Octopus curry: Coconut-rich and fresh. Urojo: Zanzibar mix soup.

How do I get around Zanzibar?

Taxis and private drivers; dala-dala minibuses for budget travel.

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