Cuture, Nature, Ocean, all in one RelAction: Best of Zanzibar in a week!
7 days, 6 nights
Min 6-Max 12
18+
Zanzibar Airport
Explore the best of Zanzibar Island in only seven days on one of our curated Tanzania Zanzibar Island tours!
Idyllic waters of Indian Ocean, white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, a mix of cultures and interesting history from Arabian princesses to slave trade, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed maze of Stone Town, local villages. spice farms, mangrove forests, and an impressive array of marine life – to name only a few of the countless attractions on the island of Zanzibar, already make this stunning jewel a rewarding travel destination.
This is a relAction (semi-relaxed) trip that explores the best of the island in only 7 days, 6 nights at a decent pace leaving still ample time to sip on a cocktail or two by the pool. At the end of your week, you’ll have learned about Zanzibar’s history, experienced its culture, explored the best beaches and snorkeling sites.
This trip combines well with our Tanzania and Kenya Safari programs, but it’s also perfectly suitable for a quick (winter) break.
Needless to say, we can organize private Tanzania/Kenya/Zanzibar tours and safari packages for your party. Just ask us!
Ready to book? Secure your spot now!
* If you are joining both mainland safari and Zanzibar trips, we can arrange your domestic flight at an additional fee as per booking form. Please select the option accordingly.
Welcome in tropical paradise!
From the Zanzibar airport, you will be transferred to Stone Town and check in to our traditional Zanzibari hotel in the cultural capital of the island.
Depending on the time of arrival, you may want to explore the narrow streets of the historic Stone Town and try some local food.
In the evening, we will visit the Forodhani Gardens, nightly food market, where we can pick up some local delicacies such as sugar cane juice and a must-try, the Zanzibar pizza.
If you are joining the tour after one of our mainland safari programs, you will either arrive in the early afternoon (7-Day safari trips) or right before sunset (10-Day trip including Lake Natron).
Today after breakfast, we will be picked up at 09:30 am for a special journey in history of Zanzibar while following the footsteps of the legendary Princess Salme.
We'll start with a morning sailing cruise on a traditional dhow along Stone Town's seafront to the Mtoni Palace ruins, home of the first Sultan of Zanzibar and the birthplace of his daughter Salme. Our guide will bring this important part of Zanzibar’s history to life for us. We will be treated to a traditional coffee or tea ceremony and enjoy Zanzibari sweets before a short drive takes us to the island's spice farm area.
A leisurely walk around a lovely spice plantation, where we will learn about, and taste the abundance of spices, fruits and herbal remedies grown in Zanzibar. To round off the experience, we will be served a delicious home-cooked lunch (water and fresh juice inclusive), surrounded by the sights and sounds of Zanzibar’s countryside.
Tide permitting, our tour includes a visit to Princess Salme Museum in Stone Town at the beginning or end of the tour. Once back in Stone Town, we'll have some down time to relax by the pool or to get lost in the colorful maze of the town.
In the early evening, we’ll gather at one of Stone Town’s best rooftop restaurants for a Swahili dinner with local Taarab music, a truly magical Zanzibari experience.
Today after breakfast, we will be picked up at 8:45am and transferred to the South Western corner of the island where we will jump onto traditional wooden dhow (sailing boat) and explore the crystal clear waters of Menai Bay Conservation Area.
On this full day ocean safari excursion, we will be snorkeling in pristine waters where conservation efforts have allowed dolphins to flourish (snorkeling gear and qualified snorkeling guide included), relaxing on a tidal sandbank, explore the reefs and swimming in a mangrove lagoon. The blue safari will be topped off with a delicious Swahili seafood BBQ buffet for lunch (including lobster, fish and calamari as well as chicken and vegetarian options) and seasonal fruits. Drinks (soft drinks, water, beer) and snacks are included throughout the day.
After a rewarding day of adventures, we will then be transferred to the small town of Paje on the East Coast of Zanzibar, known for its shallow and crystal-clear waters.
Today is a free day at your leisure: swim, relax, kiteboard, chill, bike, kayak, and so on.
An activity we highly recommend is renting a bike or e-bike and exploring the white sandy beaches of the East Coast on two wheels. Stop at the most famous restaurant, The Rock, swim in the Blue Lagoon with starfish or head for a sundowner at Chwaka Bay for a relaxed vibe at sunset.
For those who wish to experience something off the beaten path and a truly authentic Zanzibari/African village, we can recommend a bike tour to Makunduchi village passing through areas dotted with baobab, banana and mango trees and red clay huts. Please note we don't sell any extra tours but we can help you organize any additional activities and provide insider tips.
Today we will be picked up early, at 07:30 am for a fantastic day in nature heading to Jozani Forest & Pete Village.
Accompanied by our private guide throughout the day, we will explore the mangrove forest on a nature trail, and try to spot Red Colobus Monkeys endemic to the forest. We will pay a visit to the nearby Butterfly Center and a coral cave. In Pete inlet, we'll canoe through the mangroves on a simple wooden dugout canoe. A typical Swahili lunch with fruits and soft drinks will be served in the village.
Then later in the day, we will be transferred to our hotel in the North West of the island. This part of the island is minimally effected by the tidal changes, hence the best beaches to swim are found here. The area is lined with beautiful restaurants overhanging sharp cliffs and overlooking the most crystal-clear ocean one could imagine. Beaches are bustling with African energy and there is always something to see and do.
We will make sure to enjoy a sundowner at one of the West facing restaurants - perfect end to any day!
There is one not-to-miss activity left on our agenda, that's snorkeling in the mind-blowingly clear waters of Mnemba Atoll, another iconic Zanzibar adventure.
We will embark on a scenic boat trip around the north of Zanzibar, and once in Mnemba Atoll, we will jump off the boat and snorkel around the pristine reefs. You are guaranteed to be mesmerized by colorful reefs, fish and turtles. If we are lucky, we may even encounter dolphins. Snacks included between snorkel stops.
Please note: Scuba diving is optionally available at an additional fee. Please inform us while booking if interested in scuba diving so that we can arrange the trip accordingly. The difference in rate is to be paid directly to the dive center. We do not sell extra tours.
The afternoon is at your own leisure. Simply relax or take on one of the many beach activities.
Sadly it's time to say goodbye after so many wonderful experiences.
If you have time, it’s worth to stay on for a couple of extra days in Zanzibar to relax a bit more, delve deeper into the culture or underwater.
If you are flying out today, you will be transferred from the lodge to Zanzibar International Airport.
If you would like to have any additional services to the above itinerary, let us know and we will be happy to help in this regard.
You are on beach holiday, and saving on accommodation in Zanzibar may ruin your experience. Hence, we pick each accommodation on this trip with utmost care. All hotels/resorts will be hand-picked mid-range establishments with a pool, restaurant/bar and wherever applicable beach/seafront.
All rooms on all trips are shared with two people in each room. You'll have the option of a double bed or two single beds. Rooms may vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.
Solo travelers will be paired up with another participant of same gender. If you explicitly wish to have your own room, or if we cannot find another participant to share that room, there will be an extra surcharge as noted on the booking form.
Please note that this is Africa and one cannot expect the western standards in the places visited. Especially with respect to service, expect a lovely "laid back, unhurried" environment.
6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 1 Dinner are included in the tour price as outlined in the itinerary. Breakfast will be taken at the hotel/resort. 2 lunches will be served family style, 1 beach BBQ, and the rooftop dinner will be a set menu. For the remaining meals, there will be plenty of options to choose from cafes/restaurants or local eateries. Our guides will be happy to recommend good restaurants on the days when lunch or/and dinner are not included.
Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking, however, note that the options can be extremely limited. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.
During the trip, we'll travel in private car or minivan depending on the final group size (max 12).
For visiting Zanzibar you need a Tanzanian visa. It covers Zanzibar and the mainland and vice versa.
Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Tanzania and have at least three blank pages, two facing each other.
Holders of ordinary passports issued by most nations, including EU nationalities (except Malta, Cyprus), the US, the UK, Turkey, need a visa to enter Tanzania. Please check the up to date list of visa-free countries here: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines
Tanzania has introduced an e-visa system through which applications can be submitted and approved online prior to travel (allow 2-3 weeks for processing). Please check the progress of the visa yourself on the visa.immigration.go.tz website using your application number. The visa is usually NOT sent by e-mail.
Alternatively, It's also possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival for a single entry at the main ports of entry to Tanzania. You may be required to provide a proof of return ticket. Visas currently cost $50 USD for a single entry, with the exception of US citizens for whom a single-entry visa cost $100 USD.
Please consult the Tanzanian Embassy/Consulate (e.g. Berlin https://www.de.tzembassy.go.tz) in your country of origin for further information about visas, or visit the Tanzanian immigration website: https://www.immigration.go.tz
You must ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free.
As of the publishing date, there are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Tanzania, however, since the information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest travel updates and/or contact your local embassy.
If you are entering Tanzania from a yellow-fewer region or have a transit time of more than 12 hours in these countries, you may need to present proof of yellow-fewer vaccination. If it is the case and you do not have the vaccination, you may be given it at the airport or refused entry. Please consult with your local authorities. Travelers arriving Zanzibar from Tanzania mainland will be subjected to checks outlined above.
The prevalence rate of malaria in Zanzibar is currently below one percent--the lowest in Tanzania and in the Eastern and Central Africa.. However, we do still highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary.
To join this trip, you'll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves a fair amount of walking (max. half-day), early-morning wake-up calls, being in the sun in tropical hot temperatures, wading through knee-deep water to get on to the boat, and other similar scenarios.
Swimming skills are required for boat tours and snorkeling trips.
This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us.
Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.
We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.
While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, visa fee, meals not included are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your safari. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don't have to worry about hidden costs.
Tanzania accepts the USD or EUR for tourism. While credit cards are accepted, there is usually an additional fee up to 10%. ATMs are scarce outside of bigger towns. We recommend carrying some cash and budgeting around $20 – $50 USD per day for incidental expenses and tips.
Please note: Throughout this trip, we will have different local guides, and we will tip them on your behalf for the included activities in order to avoid the hassle of collecting small money each time. For optional activities/meals, tipping is at your discretion.
Please note the majority of the population in Zanzibar is Muslim. Respect their culture and dress appropriately. This is especially true when visiting local villages or walking around the streets in Stone Town. Wearing a bikini on beach is perfectly fine.
Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.
We care about getting to know our fellow travelers, hence we keep our groups small and intimate. Our tours usually run with 12 or fewer participants and require a minimum of 6 participants to take place. It will be an international group and the main language will be English. We also speak German and Turkish.
People from all walks of life and nationalities, singles, couples, friends, and families with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and an open heart can join our tours. We consider each trip as an opportunity to cultivate our travel persona with humility, curiosity, and respect, what we call a "Mindful Adventure".
Designing a trip is engineering work, and this is not a cookie-cutter tour. Maho and Tom, founders and owners of MAHO on Earth, curated this itinerary to make the best use of your hard-earned bucks and vacation days with lots of wonderful handpicked activities and locations included!
We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.
Join us on this Mindful Adventure, Highlands to Oceans in Zanzibar!
To reserve your spot, please use our booking form!
Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 18.
Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.
Have we missed anything?
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Zanzibar dream a reality.
Can’t make this one? Then, simply sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when registration opens on future trips.
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