{"id":73031,"date":"2024-02-03T21:24:10","date_gmt":"2024-02-03T20:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/zanzibar-excursions-costs-which-ones-to-do-and-what-to-see\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T10:28:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T09:28:07","slug":"zanzibar-best-excursions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/safariavventura.com\/en\/zanzibar-best-excursions\/","title":{"rendered":"Zanzibar excursions: costs, which ones to do and what to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

It would be a shame to spend your entire vacation just around the hotel: Zanzibar is small, and in an hour or so from any beach, you can reach sandbars in the middle of the ocean, coral reefs, forests home to monkeys found nowhere else, spice plantations, and an old town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most popular excursions include the Blue Safari<\/strong> in Menai Bay, a trip to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbar<\/strong>, snorkeling at Mnemba<\/strong>, the Jozani Forest<\/strong>, the spice tour<\/strong>, and a visit to Stone Town<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Below you’ll find them listed one by one, along with who they’re best suited for, their approximate cost, and the pros and cons of the different ways to book them: through the resort, through a local tour operator, through the “beach boys” on the beach, or on your own.<\/p>\n

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In a nutshell: the hikes you won’t want to miss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hike<\/th>\nDuration<\/th>\nIdeal for<\/th>\nEstimated price<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Safari Blue, Menai Sound<\/td>\nFull Day<\/td>\nOcean, snorkeling, families<\/td>\n60\u201390 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prison Island and Nakupenda<\/td>\nHalf-day<\/td>\nEveryone, including families with children<\/td>\n30\u201360 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Snorkeling in Mnemba<\/td>\nHalf-day<\/td>\nSnorkeling, diving<\/td>\n50\u201390 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dolphins in Kizimkazi<\/td>\nHalf-day<\/td>\nNature, families<\/td>\n40\u201370 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jozani Forest<\/td>\n2\u20133 hours<\/td>\nNature, children<\/td>\n25\u201350 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spice Tour<\/td>\nHalf-day<\/td>\nCulture, families<\/td>\n25\u201340 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stone Town with a guide<\/td>\nHalf-day<\/td>\nHistory and Culture<\/td>\n20\u201340 USD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Boat Trips<\/h2>\n

Safari Blue in Menai Bay<\/h3>\n

This is Zanzibar\u2019s most famous boat tour and one of the most comprehensive. The trip departs in the morning from Fumba, on the southwestern coast, aboard a dhow<\/strong>\u2014the traditional sailing boat\u2014and spends the entire day in the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area. The classic itinerary includes stops for snorkeling on the coral reef, a sandbar that emerges at low tide, a lunch of fish and lobster on a small island, a lagoon surrounded by mangroves where you can swim, and a visit to a centuries-old baobab tree. While sailing, you may spot dolphins.<\/p>\n

Ideal for<\/strong>: those who love the ocean and snorkeling; also suitable for families with children who enjoy being on a boat.
\nLess suitable for<\/strong>: people who get seasick or don’t like spending the day in the water.<\/p>\n

Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbar<\/h3>\n

Two of the easiest and most enjoyable excursions, which are usually combined into a half-day trip departing from Stone Town. Prison Island<\/strong> (Changuu), about a half-hour boat ride away, is home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises<\/strong>\u2014some over a century old\u2014and the ruins of a prison built in the late 19th century that was never actually used as such. Not far away, the Nakupenda<\/strong> sandbar emerges at low tide in the middle of the ocean and shrinks or disappears at high tide: a strip of pure white sand where you can sunbathe, snorkel among starfish and colorful fish, and enjoy a lunch of grilled fish and tropical fruit.<\/p>\n

Ideal for<\/strong>: everyone, including families with young children and those who aren’t particularly athletic. Bring a mask and snorkel, sunscreen, and a hat: there’s no shade on the sandy beach.<\/p>\n

Snorkeling and Diving at Mnemba<\/h3>\n

Off the northeast coast,the Mnemba Atoll<\/strong> is a marine protected area with some of the clearest waters on the island: corals, sea turtles, tropical fish, and often dolphins. Trips depart from Matemwe, Kiwengwa, or Nungwi and last half a day. Mnemba Island is private and visitors are not allowed to go ashore, but snorkeling is possible around the reef. It is also one of the best destinations for scuba diving, with well-equipped dive centers in Nungwi and Matemwe.<\/p>\n

Ideal for<\/strong>: snorkeling and scuba diving. The sea is calmer and visibility is better from October through March.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins of Kizimkazi<\/h3>\n

In the waters off Kizimkazi, at the southern tip of the island, resident pods of bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins live. Tours depart early in the morning, when it\u2019s easiest to spot them. It\u2019s a wonderful experience if done the right way: unfortunately, during peak season, many boats chase and surround the dolphins to allow tourists to swim alongside them\u2014a practice that disturbs them. It\u2019s best to choose tour operators who observe them from a distance, without chasing them, and to accept that a sighting is never guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Ideal for<\/strong>: nature lovers and families; often combined with a visit to the Jozani Forest.<\/p>\n

Sunset on a dhow<\/h3>\n

A sunset cruise aboard a dhow, departing from Stone Town, Nungwi, or Kendwa, is one of the simplest and most romantic ways to experience the Zanzibari seas: a couple of hours of sailing, often with music and a drink, as the sun sets over the ocean.<\/p>\n

Excursions on the mainland<\/h2>\n

Spice Tour<\/h3>\n

Zanzibar is the “spice island,” and a visit to a plantation inland from Stone Town is one of the most enjoyable excursions, suitable for everyone. Guides let you smell, touch, and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, cardamom, and tropical fruits, often turning the tour into a game of guessing games that even the kids enjoy. You’ll also typically witness a boy climbing a coconut palm and receive small objects woven from the leaves. Many tours include a stop at the Kidichi Persian Baths, built for the sultan in the mid-19th century.<\/p>\n

Stone Town with a guide<\/h3>\n

You can explore the old city on your own, but a guide makes all the difference in understanding its history: the Slave Memorial next to the Anglican Cathedral, the Arab Fort, the sultans\u2019 palaces, the carved gates, the Darajani Market, and the house where Freddie Mercury grew up. In the evening, the street food market in Forodhani Gardens is a must-see. Everything there is to see is in our guide to Stone Town<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jozani National Park<\/h3>\n

Zanzibar\u2019s last remaining large forest, located in the south-central part of the island, is the best place to get an up-close look at<\/strong> the Zanzibar red colobus<\/strong>, a monkey found only here. The tour, led by a park guide, lasts a couple of hours and includes a walk along a wooden boardwalk through the mangroves of Chwaka Bay. It can easily be combined with a dolphin-watching trip to Kizimkazi or a transfer to the east coast.<\/p>\n

Caves and Historic Sites<\/h3>\n

North of Stone Town, visitors can explore the Mangapwani Caves<\/strong>, linked to the history of the slave trade, and the ruins of the Maruhubi<\/strong> Palace. In the southeast, near Jambiani, the Kuumbi<\/strong> and Kuza<\/strong> caves\u2014the latter featuring a natural freshwater pool\u2014are of particular interest to those staying on the east coast.<\/p>\n

Quad bike ride<\/h3>\n

For those seeking a bit of adventure, half-day quad bike excursions take you along dirt roads through plantations, villages, and bushland, with stops to sample fruit and meet the locals. Experience isn’t necessary, but it’s best to choose operators with well-maintained vehicles, helmets, and insurance.<\/p>\n

The Turtles of Nungwi<\/h3>\n

In Nungwi, a natural rock pool is home to sea turtles cared for by the local community; visitors can observe them and, in some cases, feed them. Choose your visit carefully: the most reputable facilities focus on rehabilitating injured animals and releasing them back into the ocean.<\/p>\n

Hiking for Sports Enthusiasts<\/h2>\n