5 Days Zanzibar Island Beach & Spice Tour
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Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stone Town exploration
Spice farm tour: cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom & nutmeg
Dhow sunset cruise with Swahili seafood dinner on board
Crystal-clear snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll (optional)
Nungwi or Paje Beach: two of Africa's finest white sand beaches
Jozani Forest: red colobus monkeys found nowhere else on Earth
Prison Island: giant 150-year-old Aldabra tortoises
Local Swahili market and Street Food Walk in Stone Town
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation: 1 night Stone Town riad, 3 nights beachfront hotel
- Daily breakfast
- Stone Town guided walking tour (Day 1)
- Spice farm tour (Day 2)
- Prison Island tortoise visit and dhow transfer (Day 2)
- Sunset dhow cruise with snacks (Day 2)
- Jozani Forest red colobus guided walk and park fee (Day 3)
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- Professional English-Swahili speaking guide
What's Not Included
- Flights to/from Zanzibar
- Mnemba Atoll snorkelling trip (approx. $60–$80 per person)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Zanzibar tourism levy ($1 per night)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and hotel staff
- Kitesurf lessons at Paje
Detailed Day Wise Itinerary
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Day 01 - Arrival at Zanzibar & Stone Town Orientation
Fly into Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport from Dar es Salaam (30 min), Nairobi, or Kilimanjaro. Transfer to your Stone Town riad or boutique hotel, ideally located in the heart of the old city within walking distance of all historic sites. After check-in, walk the ancient Arab quarter with a local guide.
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Day 02 - Spice Farm, Prison Island Tortoises & Sunset Dhow Cruise
Morning spice farm tour (90 minutes) in the interior of Zanzibar, the island was once the world's largest producer of cloves and the origin of its Persian name 'Zenj al-bar' (the Black Coast). After the farm, board a dhow to Prison Island (30 min from Stone Town). The island's British-built quarantine station now shelters a colony of enormous Aldabra giant tortoises - some over 150 years old and weighing 300 kg. They allow you to touch and feed them.
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Day 03 - Jozani Forest Red Colobus & North Beach Transfer
Morning drive to Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park in Zanzibar's forested interior - home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found on no other island or landmass on Earth. After the forest, transfer north to the Nungwi or Kendwa beach area (2 hours), white sand, clear water, no tides - and check in to a beachfront hotel. Afternoon at leisure on the beach. Sunset dinner at a beach club.
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Day 04 - Full Day Nungwi Beach & Optional Mnemba Atoll Snorkelling
A completely free beach day. Take advantage of the warm 27°C Indian Ocean waters. The optional add-on for this day is a snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll, a protected marine sanctuary off the northeast coast where visibility extends to 30 metres on a clear day.
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Day 05 - Paje Kitesurf Beach & Departure
Morning leisurely breakfast on the beach terrace. Optional visit to Paje Beach on the east coast, Zanzibar's kitesurfing capital and known for its spectacular blue shallow lagoon exposed at low tide. The flat water and consistent trade winds make Paje one of the world's top kitesurfing locations. Even non-surfers enjoy the tidal walks across the reef flats and the fishing village atmosphere. Transfer to Zanzibar Airport (approximately 1 hour from Nungwi/Kendwa) for your onward flight. Airport departure hamper provided.
Special Notes
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BEACH LOCATION CHOICE: The included beach stay is at Nungwi (north coast) by default - excellent for swimming year-round as tides do not expose the reef. For guests who prefer a quieter, more traditional atmosphere, we can substitute Matemwe on the northeast coast at no extra charge. Paje (east coast) is our recommended upgrade for kitesurfers.
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TIDAL AWARENESS: Zanzibar's east and south coast beaches (including Paje) experience significant tidal fluctuations - the sea can recede 300–400 metres at low tide, exposing the reef flat and making swimming impossible for several hours. Nungwi and Kendwa are generally not affected by tides. If you book an east coast beach hotel through us, we will provide a detailed tidal chart.
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MNEMBA ATOLL CONDITIONS: Snorkelling at Mnemba is best from July to October (calm Indian Ocean monsoon gap) and November to December. The long rains (March–May) can reduce underwater visibility. The trip operates daily subject to sea conditions.
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STONE TOWN RAMADAM CONSIDERATIONS: If your visit falls during Ramadan, certain restaurants and spice farm operations may adjust their hours. Stone Town during Ramadan is in fact a fascinating cultural experience. We will advise if your travel dates overlap.