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Explore our holiday types
If you're looking for a specific style of holiday, we've got you covered. Our range of travel types includes honeymoons, family breaks and solo travel, as well as specialist trips focused on wellness, wildlife-watching and lots more.
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Half Day Spice Tour (from Stone Town, Beaches S/SE & N/NE)
Learn how Zanzibar’s world-famous spices are produced at a local farm. Learn how these precious spices are produced, from seed to harvest and then exported all over the world. The farm is also home to tropical fruit trees such as coconut, mango and papaya, some of which your guide will pick for you to sample.
On this half-day tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to one of the island’s top plantations, which has been growing various spices for generations.
Throughout the tour, your guide will point out everything from black pepper, vanilla and ginger to turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon. One of the most famous spices you'll see are cloves, which locals often sun-dry and then squeeze to extract their oil for use in medicated soaps.
Jozani Forest Tour (from Stone Town, Beaches S/SE & N/NE)
Visit the Jozani Forest to spot rare wildlife in a protected natural reserve. Covering over 6,200 acres, it’s a haven of trees and plants known for their medicinal qualities, as well as wildlife including monkeys, bush pigs, tree hyraxes, dik diks and over 40 species of birds.
This three-hour tour starts with a transfer to the forest, which is a protected natural reserve and part of Zanzibar’s only national park, Jozani-Chawaka.
You’ll take a guided walk along the forest trails, stopping to look at the local flora and wildlife. Jozani Forest is filled with various species of trees, including eucalyptus, baobab, mahogany and teak and is a sanctuary for red colobus monkeys. Previously endangered, there are now about 2,500 in the reserve and their numbers are slowly increasing. The monkeys are very relaxed and used to visitors, so you can get incredible photos of them playing in the treetops and feeding on fruit.
Next, you’ll head over the other side of the park to see the mangroves, which are formed by salt water flooding in from the ocean. There’s a wooden boardwalk here which you can wander along for a glimpse into this lush ecosystem. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Zanzibar.
Stone Town Tour (from Stone Town, Beaches S/SE & N/NE)
Discover UNESCO-listed Stone Town on this half-day trip, from its decorative Arabic doors to daily market life and Freddie Mercury’s former home.
The guided walking tour starts in Stone Town’s slave market, which lies next to the Anglican church and has a moving memorial sculpture. Here, you’ll learn about the sobering legacy of the slave trade in Zanzibar. You’ll get the chance to explore Darajani Market too, which is a hive of activity for locals. Wander around stalls filled with colourful produce and spices, taste some fresh sugar cane juice and spot the town’s famous carved doors.
Next, you’ll move on to visit the former home of famous Queen singer, Freddie Mercury, the Old Fort and House of Wonder, which was built by some of the island’s first British settlers. After learning about these key landmarks, you'll have time to go shopping for wooden carvings, spices or Tanzanite jewellery. The tour ends with a visit the Forodhani food market. This is the most popular place for locals and tourists to gather in the evening on Zanzibar, as it’s full of Swahili food stalls selling all kinds of seafood, pilau dishes and Indian cuisine. If your tour is in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a golden sunset from this busy market.
Best time to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar does tropical in its own way: warm seas, palm-lined beaches, centuries-old Swahili towns, and a scent of cloves in the air. The weather is warm year-round, but like mainland Tanzania, it dances to the rhythm of two rainy seasons. The long rains fall from March to May, the short ones in November, and in between is plenty of sunshine, sea breezes, and good excuses to do very little.
Zanzibar Weather
Jan - Feb, Jun - Sep
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Zanzibar Weather by Month
January in Zanzibar
January brings warm days and clear skies, making it one of the best times to stretch out on a beach. It’s hot but not oppressive, around 31°C most days, and the sea is so warm it feels like stepping into a bath. Good visibility and calm water make it ideal for snorkelling or sailing, and the island feels lively without being packed.
February in Zanzibar
Hot, sunny, and full of energy. Feburary is the warmest month of the year, often topping 33°C, and you’ll notice the humidity. The breeze off the water helps, and if you're near the coast, it’s all very manageable. Stone Town buzzes in the mornings, then slows right down after lunch. Bring your sunglasses and your laziest mood. It’s a great time for diving, paddleboarding or long, slow lunches with your feet in the sand.
March in Zanzibar
Things start bright and summery, but by mid-month, clouds roll in and the long rains begin to make an appearance. It’s still warm, the sea stays inviting, and mornings are often dry. But by afternoon, you might find yourself caught in a sudden tropical downpour. Great for reading under a palm tree or stretching out spa time. It’s quieter now, too, so if you like space and don’t mind an unexpected downpour here and there, it can be a relaxing time to visit.
April in Zanzibar
The rain settles in now. Heavy showers are common, especially in the afternoons and evenings, and the island feels steamy and green. Many small hotels take a break, but bigger ones stay open, and you’ll often have the beach to yourself. If you're the kind of traveller who enjoys warm rain, dramatic skies and slow mornings, it has its charm. Just don’t expect to sunbathe every day.
May in Zanzibar
Still part of the wet season, but by the end of the month, the sun starts to break through more regularly. The air feels fresh, the greenery is lush, and the pace of life is very relaxed. Beaches begin to dry out, boats head back into the water, and everything starts to feel like it’s stretching and waking up. If you want a calm, low-key trip and don’t mind dodging a few showers, May is a gentle and beautiful time to be in Zanzibar.
June in Zanzibar
Here comes the dry season. The humidity drops, the skies turn reliably blue, and the days hover around 29°C with a breeze that makes everything feel easier. It’s a brilliant time to visit, especially if you’re after that ideal mix of sunshine and comfort. Stone Town is great for wandering in the mornings, and the afternoons are made for hammocks and sea swims.
July in Zanzibar
July is pretty much perfect, weather-wise. Warm but not roasting, dry without being dusty, and just the right amount of liveliness. It’s an excellent month for snorkelling, as the water is clear and the sea is calm. Evenings are breezy and ideal for al fresco dinners. Bring a light layer for the evening and settle in.
August in Zanzibar
Another crowd-pleaser. The weather’s settled, the sea is warm. Temperatures stay in the high 20s, and the beaches are buzzing, especially with families on holiday. If you’re watching kite surfers do some tricks, Paje is where the action is. For everyone else, it’s a good time to snorkel, wander, and linger over cold drinks with a sea view.
September in Zanzibar
Sunny, quiet, and all-round lovely. The summer crowds thin out, but the good weather sticks around. It’s warm enough for lazy beach days, cool enough for walks through Stone Town, and the sea is just as welcoming. If you’re looking for that sweet spot between seasons, this might be it.
October in Zanzibar
Still dry, still warm, but with a bit more humidity creeping in. Rain isn’t guaranteed, but you might get a quick afternoon shower here and there. The island feels laid-back and spacious. Diving is particularly good now, especially along the south coast.
November in Zanzibar
The short rains arrive, usually in the form of quick, dramatic showers that pass almost as quickly as they came. It’s warm, it’s green, and things feel a bit more local again. Fewer visitors mean more space, and the beaches are still beautiful. The sea can be a little choppier after rain, but it’s an excellent time for a slower kind of trip.
December in Zanzibar
The rains usually ease off early in the month, and things shift quickly back to dry, sunny days. Temperatures creep back into the low 30s, and the island starts gearing up for the festive season. Christmas and New Year get busy, but the vibe is fun, the sunsets are dramatic, and the sea is warm enough to stay in until your fingers wrinkle.
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Your dream holiday is just a phone call away
Call us on 0800 294 9706
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Wednesday: 10am - 5pm
Thursday: 10am - 5pm
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Sunday: Closed