Adding Zanzibar to your safari: a practical guide

A few days on Zanzibar's beaches is the classic way to close out a Tanzania safari, and it's easier to add on than most people expect.

Getting there

Short scenic flights connect the northern safari circuit (via Arusha or the Serengeti's airstrips) to Zanzibar in about an hour — no need to backtrack through a major hub.

How many nights

Three nights is the minimum to actually unwind; four to five lets you pair beach time with a Stone Town history and spice tour.

Which coast

• North (Nungwi, Kendwa): lively, swimmable at all tides, best sunsets
• East (Paje, Jambiani): quieter, kite-surfing hub, dramatic tides
• Stone Town: history and culture, less about the beach

Tell us your pace and we'll slot the right stretch of coastline onto the end of your safari itinerary.