Zanzibar
Itineraries
These itineraries are provided as a suggestion to you, and can be modified as much or as little as you want. We at i-escape do not put any packages together, we offer independent, first-hand advice and help you to book all the elements yourself – with no booking charge for our services.
back to topIsland safari (9-14 days)
This itinerary gives nature-lovers a chance to explore the rich
wildlife of Zanzibar and Mafia, both on land and underwater
(without scuba-diving). Highlights of the journey are the tropical
fish, monkeys, forests (baobab, palms etc) and dolphins. Light
aircraft are used to travel between islands, and accommodation is
at some of the best-designed and most ecological nature lodges we
have come across.
Day 1: Arrive Zanzibar. Transfer by taxi and boat to Chumbe
Island. Stay in eco-lodge (££) (3
nights)
Day 2: On Chumbe. Snorkelling among the coral reefs. Free
afternoon. Climb lighthouse at sunset.
Day 3: On Chumbe. Intertidal walk and / or guided forest
trail.
Day 4: Transfer by boat and taxi to Stone Town, short flight
to Mafia, transfer to Pole Pole Resort
(££) (3 nights)
Day 5: On Mafia. Option to go diving - some of the finest
aquatic life in east Africa.
Day 6: On Mafia. Optional dhow cruise e.g. to old Shirazi
town of Kua on Juani island, or to a low sandbank for a
picnic.
Day 7: Transfer to Mafia airport, flight to Stone Town, then
taxi to Bwejuu. Stay in Kikadini Villas
(££) | Palm Beach Inn (£) (2
nights)
Day 8: Morning trip to Kizimkazi to watch (and swim with)
dolphins. Free afternoon on beach.
Day 9: Taxi via Jozani forest (monkey sanctuary) to one of
our Stone Town hotels
Day 10: Morning tour of spice gardens. Afternoon by beach or
relaxing in palatial room.
Day 11: Free day in Stone Town - shopping,
sightseeing.
Day 12: Return flight
Diving the islands (9-18 days)
This itinerary combines the best dive locations on the main 3
islands in the Zanzibar and Mafia archipelagos. Travel between the
islands is by light aircraft, or, if you have time and fancy
exploring remoter seas, yacht. All lodgings below
have an on-site dive school and English-speaking instructors; most
offer two dives per day*. For more details on the dives, click on
your preferred lodging and then on Activities.
Day 1: Arrive Zanzibar. Transfer to Matemwe (3 nights). Stay
in Matemwe Beach Village (£) | Matemwe
Bungalows (££)
Day 2: In Matemwe / Mnemba. Dive Mnemba marine sanctuary
(coral reefs, shallows, wreck). Free afternoon* (sea-kayaking /
swimming / sunbathing).
Day 3: In Matemwe / Mnemba. Dive Mnemba marine sanctuary
(walls, deep sea). Free afternoon*.
Day 4: Transfer to Fundu Lagoon
(££+) on Pemba island (3 nights), either via taxi
to Stone Town, short flight to Chake Chake and taxi / speedboat to
resort; or, if you have time, by taxi / speedboat to Nungwi, and
2-3 day yacht trip to Fundu.
Day 5: On Pemba. Dive Mesali marine sanctuary. Free
afternoon (sea-kayaking / along the mangrove coast*.
Day 6: On Pemba. Dive the gaps (vertical coral cliffs over
100m). Free afternoon*.
Day 7: Transfer to Mafia island marine park, via sea-land
transfer to Chake Chake, flight to Dar, flight to Mafia and
transfer across the island. This journey may necessitate a night in
Stone Town / Dar; it is also possible by yacht,
taking 3-5 days. Stay in Pole Pole Beach Resort
(££) (3 nights).
Day 8: On Mafia. Dive Chole / Kinasi walls. Free afternoon*
(bird-walk / village tour).
Day 9: On Mafia. Dive Kinasi Pass or (weather permitting)
deep sea outside Chole bay. Free afternoon* / explore ruined
Shirazi town of Kua (by prior arrangement).
Day 10: Transfer to Stone Town, Zanzibar by taxi, then
flight via Dar. Stay at 236 Hurumzi
(££) (2 nights)
Day 11: In Stone Town – shopping, sightseeing, spice
tour.
Day 12: Return flight.
* all timings are tide-dependent
back to topSafari & beaches
For Safari and beach ideas in Tanzania & Zanzibar, see our suggested itineraries arranged by Tailormade Safaris