Safari and Beach · Mnemba Island · Stone Town
White sand, a warm Indian Ocean and the old spice island of Stone Town, an hour from the Serengeti. The finest resorts and a private coral atoll, arranged as the finale to your safari by our team in Nairobi.
Safari and Zanzibar journeys from USD 9,025 per person. June to October and the festive weeks book early.
Luxury Zanzibar Holidays, in Brief
A luxury Zanzibar holiday is the natural finale to an East African safari: white sand, a warm Indian Ocean and the old spice island of Stone Town, about an hour and a quarter by air from Arusha or an hour and a half from Nairobi. The finest stays are on the calm north and east coasts and on &Beyond Mnemba Island, a private coral atoll. June to October and December to February are the best months, and our safari and Zanzibar journeys start from USD 9,025 per person.
By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi
Where to Stay in Zanzibar
Each coast has a different character. Choose one to see when to go, how long the transfer takes and the luxury resorts and villas we use there.
A private coral atoll off the north east coast, with some of the finest snorkelling in East Africa
Luxury resorts and villas at Mnemba Island
Mnemba Atoll&Beyond Mnemba IslandThe north, where the tide barely retreats and the sunsets fall into the sea
Luxury resorts and villas at Nungwi and Kendwa
ZanzibarZuri ZanzibarThe calm north east coast, with long white beaches and a gentle reef
Luxury resorts and villas at Kiwengwa and Pongwe
ZanzibarMelia Zanzibar
ZanzibarTulia ZanzibarThe south east, with a wide turquoise lagoon and the Michamvi peninsula
Luxury resorts and villas at Paje, Dongwe and Michamvi
ZanzibarXanadu VillasA UNESCO World Heritage old town of carved doors, spice markets and rooftop sunsets
A UNESCO World Heritage old town of carved doors, spice markets and rooftop sunsets. We arrange a private guided morning from any resort, or a night at the end of the stay.
The island's only national park, and the home of the rare red colobus
The only national park on Zanzibar, home to the rare red colobus monkey. A private guided walk takes about two hours, easily combined with a spice farm.
Dolphins, sandbanks and a dhow lunch in a marine conservation area
A marine conservation area in the south west, with dolphins, sandbanks and a seafood lunch aboard a traditional dhow.
After Your Safari
All three are superb. The right one depends on where your safari ends, the month and how long you have.
| Zanzibar | The Seychelles | Mauritius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From the Serengeti or Nairobi | About 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 by air | About 3 hours 30 from Nairobi | About 4 hours 30 from Nairobi |
| Best months | June to October, December to February | April and May, October and November | May to December |
| The feel | Swahili culture, spice island history | Granite coves and private islands | Lagoons, golf and long lunches |
| Private island | &Beyond Mnemba Island | Fregate, North Island and others | Resort villas rather than islands |
| Best for | A short, easy finale to a Tanzania safari | Honeymoons and the most private islands | Families and longer beach stays |
See luxury Seychelles holidays, luxury Mauritius holidays and our guide to the luxury resorts of Zanzibar.
Luxury Safari and Zanzibar Packages
Our journeys that end on Zanzibar, with their prices. Every one can be reshaped around your dates, and Zanzibar can be added to any Kenya or Tanzania safari.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar is warm all year. What changes is the rain, the wind and the sea. Choose a month to see the weather, the wildlife, the prices and where we would send you.
Things to Do in Zanzibar
The carved doors, the old fort, the spice market and the House of Wonders, with a guide who grew up in its alleys.
Turtles, dolphins and some of the clearest water in East Africa, around a protected coral atoll.
A traditional sailing dhow at dusk, with fresh seafood and the Indian Ocean turning gold.
A guided walk to see the red colobus, found only on Zanzibar, and the mangrove boardwalk.
Cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon, and the history that made Zanzibar famous.
Dolphins, sandbanks and a long dhow lunch in the island's marine conservation area.
The safaris were intimate, never rushed, and our guide made each sighting significant.
Guest review · Rated 4.9 from more than 170 reviews
Good to Know
June to October, when it is dry, breezy and comfortable, and December to February, when it is hot, dry and the sea is at its clearest. April and May are the long rains, when many resorts close.
By light aircraft or scheduled flight, about an hour and a quarter from Arusha or the Serengeti airstrips, and about an hour and a half from Nairobi. We arrange the flights so you leave the bush after breakfast and are on the beach by lunch.
&Beyond Mnemba Island, a private coral atoll, is the most exclusive. On the main island, we use Zuri Zanzibar in Kendwa, Melia Zanzibar in Kiwengwa, Tulia Zanzibar on the east coast and the adults only Xanadu Villas in Dongwe.
The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has beaches you can swim from at every tide and the best sunsets. The north east around Kiwengwa and Pongwe is calm and quiet. The south east around Paje has a wide lagoon that empties at low tide, and is famous for kitesurfing.
Our safari and Zanzibar journeys start from USD 9,025 per person. Three or four nights at a luxury Zanzibar resort usually adds USD 1,500 to 4,000 per person to a safari, and &Beyond Mnemba Island more.
Three to five nights after a safari, with a morning in Stone Town. Four nights is the sweet spot for most guests.
Yes. Zanzibar is about an hour and a half from Nairobi, and pairs beautifully with the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Our 11 Day Kenya and Zanzibar journey does exactly that.
It is one of the finest safari honeymoon finales in Africa, particularly &Beyond Mnemba Island, the private villas of Xanadu, and a sunset dhow from the north coast.
Zanzibar is the shortest and easiest hop from a Tanzania safari, with Swahili culture and history. The Seychelles offer the most dramatic private islands, and Mauritius the most complete resorts for families and longer stays.
Begin
Share your dates and where your safari ends. A designer in Nairobi will match you to the right coast and resort, arrange the flights from the bush and send an exact price within 24 hours.
Also see luxury Tanzania safaris and luxury Kenya safaris.
