Zanzibar

Choosing the right side of the island matters more than choosing the hotel. Zanzibar's tides are large, and on some coasts the sea retreats hundreds of metres at low tide.

The north (Nungwi and Kendwa) has deeper water close to shore, so you can swim at almost any tide, plus the island's best sunsets. It is livelier, with more hotels and restaurants. The north-east (Matemwe) faces Mnemba Atoll, with quieter beaches and some of the best snorkelling access. The east (Paje, Jambiani and Michamvi) has the classic powder-white sand and turquoise lagoon, wide tidal flats and a relaxed, low-rise feel; Paje is also a world-class kitesurfing spot. The south-west (Menai Bay) is the quietest corner, with mangroves and sandbank excursions.

For guests who want to swim on demand, we usually suggest the north or a hotel with a good pool. For guests who want space and calm, the east coast.

Zanzibar is almost always the closing chapter of a Tanzania safari. Scheduled light aircraft fly from airstrips in the Serengeti and from Arusha and Kilimanjaro, so you can go from game drive to beach in a single morning. Many international airlines also fly directly into Zanzibar, which makes it easy to start or end your journey there.

We plan the whole route as one journey — the flight, your transfers and your hotel — with the same Emnel contact from start to finish. Popular combinations include the 7-Day Serengeti Safari & Zanzibar, the 10-Day Safari & Zanzibar and, for couples, the 10-Day Honeymoon Safari & Zanzibar. If you are already on the island, our 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar and 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar fly you to the mainland parks and back.

Zanzibar's wildlife is mostly underwater. The reefs around Mnemba Atoll, off the north-east coast, are a protected marine conservation area with clear water, reef fish, turtles and, in season, dolphins. Snorkelling trips leave from Matemwe and the north; diving is good year-round, with the calmest seas from October to March.

On land, the island's one true wildlife speciality is the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else on earth. The best place to see them is Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, where a short guided walk through the forest and mangrove boardwalk brings you close to habituated troops.

We are honest about dolphin trips from Kizimkazi in the south: they can be crowded, with boats chasing the animals. We prefer smaller, well-run alternatives, and we will tell you plainly what to expect.

Stone Town, the old quarter of Zanzibar City, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. For centuries it was the hub of a trading world linking East Africa with Arabia, Persia and India, and its narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and coral-stone houses reflect all of those influences. In the nineteenth century it was the seat of the Omani sultans who ruled the island.

That wealth was built in part on the East African slave trade, and Zanzibar was its largest market in the region. The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral now stands on the site of the last slave market, closed in 1873, with a memorial and exhibition beside it. We believe a visit there belongs on any Stone Town walk, and our local guides present it with care.

In 1964, a revolution ended the sultanate, and Zanzibar united with Tanganyika to form today's Tanzania. A half-day walking tour, followed by sunset on the waterfront and dinner at the Forodhani food market, is the best introduction.

Three nights is enough to rest; four or five lets you add Stone Town, a spice farm, Jozani forest or a day on the water without rushing. Our usual pattern is one night in Stone Town and three or four on the coast that suits you best.

For something quieter and wilder, consider adding Pemba Island to the north, or Mafia Island to the south for whale sharks between October and March. For the safari side of your journey, start with our Tanzania safari guide, or tell us your dates and we will shape the route around you.