Zanzibar Itinerary 7 Days

On arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, you are welcomed and transferred to Stone Town in about 15 minutes. After checking in at Tembo House Hotel, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the historic heart of Zanzibar. You walk through narrow streets filled with carved wooden doors, old merchant houses, and centuries of Swahili, Arab, and Indian influence. Key stops include the Old Fort, the Old Slave Market, and the Anglican Cathedral, each telling a powerful part of Zanzibar’s history. As evening arrives, the waterfront comes alive at Forodhani Gardens, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and local snacks while watching the sunset over the ocean.

The morning begins with a short boat ride to Prison Island, where you meet the famous giant Aldabra tortoises and explore the island’s old quarantine buildings. The atmosphere is calm, with clear water and wide ocean views surrounding you. After returning to Stone Town, the journey continues inland to a spice farm where you experience Zanzibar’s famous spice heritage firsthand. You see, smell, and taste fresh cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and many other spices growing naturally in the fields. The day ends with a relaxed sunset dinner overlooking Stone Town, giving you a perfect mix of nature, culture, and local flavor.

After breakfast, you check out and travel toward Zanzibar’s east coast. Along the way, you stop at Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the rare Zanzibar Red Colobus monkeys. The forest walk takes you through mangroves and dense greenery where wildlife is often easy to spot. After the visit, you continue to Paje and settle into your beachfront stay. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax on the long white sandy beach or explore the small cafés and kite-surfing scene. In the evening, you enjoy a laid-back dinner by the ocean with music and sea breeze.

The day starts early with a drive to Kizimkazi on the southern coast for a boat trip in search of wild dolphins. The experience is natural and depends on ocean conditions, but sightings are common in this area. After the boat excursion, you continue to the Blue Lagoon, where the shallow waters and coral formations make it ideal for snorkeling. The water is calm, clear, and full of tropical fish. Later, you stop at Michamvi for lunch or drinks at The Rock Restaurant area, one of Zanzibar’s most iconic viewpoints. The evening is relaxed back at your east coast hotel.

After breakfast, you head to Matemwe for a boat trip to Mnemba Atoll, one of the best snorkeling and diving areas in Zanzibar. The marine life here is rich, with colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and sometimes dolphins and sea turtles. The water visibility is often excellent, making it a highlight for ocean lovers. You enjoy time in the water followed by a traditional Swahili seafood barbecue either on a sandbank or aboard the boat. In the evening, you return to Paje and relax, often ending the day with a beach walk or a quiet sunset moment.

You travel from the east coast to the northern part of Zanzibar, arriving in Nungwi or Kendwa. This area is known for its swimmable beaches regardless of tides and its soft white sand. You visit the Baraka Natural Aquarium, where you can see and swim with rehabilitated sea turtles in a natural lagoon environment. The afternoon is spent enjoying the beach, swimming, or relaxing under palm trees. As the sun begins to set, you board a traditional dhow cruise and sail along the coastline while watching the sky change colors over the Indian Ocean.