Zanzibar Holidays With Calculated Prices and Coast-by-Coast Advice
Zanzibar Holidays Overview
Half-board Zanzibar beach packages ranging from £178 per person for a 3-night budget stay to £2,410 for a 6-night honeymoon in a jacuzzi bungalow at Zuri. Every price on this page is calculated from 2026 rack rates with the infrastructure tax and return airport transfers included. We arrange Zanzibar extensions for clients finishing safaris in Kenya and Tanzania.
We ended up doing Zanzibar because of client demand, not because we planned it. I’ve been guiding safaris across Kenya and Tanzania for over a decade, and at some point every second client started asking about tacking on a few beach days. So we started arranging it. We’ve sent hundreds of people there now and been ourselves, though my last visit was September 2024 and things change fast on the island.
The clove smell hits you the moment you step outside Abeid Amani Karume airport. That’s the one sensory detail I’ll give you because every Zanzibar article piles on five in a row and it starts reading like a perfume ad. The rest you’ll notice yourself.
What the Price Covers
All packages below include return airport transfers from Abeid Amani Karume International, half-board accommodation (breakfast and dinner daily), and the Zanzibar infrastructure tax of USD 5 per person per night (about £3).
Items We Don’t Handle
International flights, Tanzania e-visa (USD 50), the mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance through visitzanzibar.go.tz, lunches, drinks, excursions, tips, and personal spending. That insurance requirement kicked in October 2024 and they do check at immigration. Two of our clients got held up at the airport in November because they hadn’t completed the online form beforehand. Took nearly an hour to sort out.
Zanzibar Packages With Price Breakdowns
All prices per person sharing, half-board basis. We’ve shown the maths so you can verify.
3-Night Budget Beach Stay
Amaan Beach Bungalows, Flame Tree Cottages, Paradise Beach Resort, Zanzibar Bay Resort
Calculation: Room rate $80/night (B&B) = $40pp + $15pp dinner supplement = $55pp half-board + $10pp infrastructure tax = $65pp/night. Three nights at $65 = $195 + $30pp return airport transfer = $225pp total.
From £178 per person
Flame Tree Cottages in Nungwi is our pick of this lot. Small place, 19 rooms, owner lives on site. The veranda breakfasts are a nice touch. Amaan sits right on Nungwi beach but reviews have been mixed lately on the food side.
3-Night at the Z Hotel
The Z Hotel, Doubletree Nungwi, Karafuu Beach Resort, Pongwe Beach Hotel
Calculation: Z Hotel garden view room $275/night B&B (confirmed from thezhotel.com 2025/26 rate sheet) + $40pp half-board supplement = $355/room = $177.50pp + $10pp tax = $187.50pp/night. Three nights = $562.50 + $40pp transfer = $602.50pp.
From £476 per person
The Z Hotel doesn’t allow under-16s, so check that if you’re travelling with kids. Pongwe Beach Hotel sits on the east coast, much quieter, but the tides there are extreme. Karafuu is southeast, bigger resort, three pools. Different feel entirely.
3-Night Luxury at Zuri Zanzibar
Zuri Zanzibar, Gold Zanzibar, Essque Zalu, Royal Zanzibar
Calculation: Zuri bungalow $790/room half-board mid-season (confirmed from zurizanzibar.com 2026 rack rate PDF) = $395pp + $10pp tax = $405pp/night. Three nights = $1,215 + $50pp transfer = $1,265pp.
From £999 per person
Zuri’s rates include breakfast, dinner, water sports, and wellness classes. Their beach at Kendwa doesn’t lose the water at low tide, which matters more than people expect. Last time I was there the Maischa restaurant had changed its menu to more Middle Eastern dishes and the quality had gone up.
Longer Stays by Duration
Duration | Budget | Mid-Range (Z Hotel) | Luxury (Zuri) |
3 Nights | £178 | £476 | £999 |
4 Nights | £229 | £624 | £1,319 |
5 Nights | £281 | £772 | £1,639 |
6 Nights | £332 | £921 | £1,959 |
Same calculation method for each. Add one extra night at the per-person nightly rate shown above. No hidden fees. If you’re staying five nights or longer, we’d suggest splitting between two locations. Three on the north coast for swimming, two on the east for the kitesurfing scene at Paje. We sort the inter-hotel transfer.
Honeymoon Options at Zuri and Baraza
For couples we use Zuri’s jacuzzi bungalows or Baraza Resort on the southeast coast. Different experiences. Zuri is contemporary African design on Kendwa beach. Baraza is all-inclusive with Swahili-Arabic architecture and private plunge pool villas in Bwejuu.
Zuri Jacuzzi Bungalow Packages
Calculation: Jacuzzi bungalow $980/room mid-season half-board (from 2026 rack rate PDF) = $490pp + $10pp tax = $500pp/night + $50pp transfer.
Duration | Per Person |
4 Nights | £1,620 |
5 Nights | £2,015 |
6 Nights | £2,410 |
Zuri throws in sparkling wine, a 20% discount on couple’s massage, and a sundowner on the beach for honeymoons. You need the marriage certificate, dated within four months.
Baraza All-Inclusive Alternative
Baraza is all-inclusive, not half-board, so it’s a different comparison. Their rack rate runs around $1,055/night per villa from KAYAK’s recent bookings. That includes all meals, house wines, cocktails, spirits, kayaks, snorkelling gear, and gym. Airport transfer is $75 per vehicle each way ($150 return = $75pp).
Baraza sits on Bwejuu beach, which Conde Nast Traveler named one of the top 30 island beaches worldwide. The tides are significant on this coast though. At low water you’re walking a long way to swim. The resort handles it well with a freshwater pool, but adjust expectations if you want ocean swimming all day.
If you’re combining with a Kenya honeymoon safari we can route you Mara to Nairobi to Zanzibar. About four hours total with the connection.
Which Coast and When
This section is long because it matters. Picking the wrong coast for the wrong month ruins beach days.
Nungwi and Kendwa for Swimming
North tip of the island. Best for swimming even at low tide because the tidal shelf drops off closer to shore. Everywhere else the water retreats hundreds of metres at low tide, sometimes further, and you’re left on exposed seabed. That’s the main reason resorts cluster at Nungwi and Kendwa.
The trade-off is beach vendors. Locally called papasi, which is Swahili slang for the ticks that attach to cattle. They’ll approach with offers for boat trips, spice tours, souvenirs. Don’t say “Hapana asante” (no thank you) because in Zanzibari sales culture, “asante” opens polite conversation. Use “Nimeshafanya” instead. It means “I’ve already done it.” Doesn’t matter what they’re selling. Tells them there’s no sale to make and they move on immediately. I picked that up from a Nungwi hotel manager on my last trip and it works every time.
Between November and February, the Kaskazi wind blows from the north and makes Nungwi choppier than usual. Brings in floating seaweed too. It’s still swimmable, but if you’re going in January or February and want the calmest water, the smaller coves near Kizimkazi on the southwest coast are actually calmer. They’re shielded from the northern wind. Nobody writes about this because Kizimkazi isn’t a big tourist area.
From June to October the Kusi wind comes from the south. That’s when the northeast coast stays calm and clear and Nungwi is at its best.
Paje for Kitesurfers
Southeast coast. Younger crowd. More guesthouses than resorts. The wind between June and September makes it one of the best kitesurfing spots in East Africa. You’ll see a couple hundred kites on a good day. But the tides here are brutal. Low tide exposes the reef flat and you’re walking fifteen minutes before you reach water deep enough to swim in.
Stone Town for One Night
Don’t skip it but don’t linger. One night is enough.
For food, skip the Forodhani night market tourist stalls. The urojo there has usually been sitting out too long by evening. Urojo (Zanzibar mix soup) is actually a morning and lunchtime dish. If you want the real thing, the Babu Ishaaq stall near the Anglican Cathedral serves it fresh during the day. Costs almost nothing.
The architecture is worth a couple of hours walking. Look for the spot near the Old Fort where you can still see shell damage from the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896. Lasted 38 minutes. Shortest war in recorded history. Your guide will point it out if you ask, but most tourists walk straight past.
A word about dress code: Zanzibar is majority Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees away from the beach. When you shake hands with an older person or someone respected in the community, place your left hand on your own right elbow. It’s called showing heshima (respect) and it changes how people interact with you for the rest of the conversation.
Local Knowledge That Saves You Hassle
The ATM Brick Problem
Every travel blog says “bring cash.” None of them explain what actually happens when you try to withdraw. Most ATMs around Stone Town, including the ones by the Post Office, dispense 10,000 TSH notes. If you withdraw the equivalent of $200 (roughly 520,000 TSH), you’ll receive 52 individual bills. It’s a physical brick of paper that won’t fit in a normal wallet and makes you conspicuous. Bring US dollars from home in $50 and $100 bills printed after 2009. Older bills get rejected everywhere. And carry a flat pouch or dry bag for your TSH, not a wallet.
Credit card transactions at most hotels carry a 3% surcharge, so cash saves you money anyway.
Sunscreen From Street Pharmacies
This comes up on forums constantly. In Stone Town and Nungwi you’ll see branded sunscreen bottles (Garnier, Nivea) at street-side shops for $20-30. A lot of these are refilled bottles with cheap local lotion that offers no UV protection. At the equator, that’s a fast track to serious burns. Buy sunscreen duty-free before you arrive or from reputable shops like Z-Market. Not from street vendors.
The Infrastructure Tax Jump
Since August 2024 the government infrastructure tax sits at USD 10 (about £8) per person per night. It jumped from $5 to $10 almost overnight with barely any notice. Hotels were scrambling to inform guests who were already checked in. Many booking platforms still quote room rates without it. Always confirm whether a quoted rate includes the tax or not. Ours do.
Mandatory Travel Insurance
Since October 2024 you must buy travel insurance through the official Zanzibar portal before arrival. It’s cheap but they check proof at immigration. Don’t leave it to the airport.
The Yellow Fever Transit Question
If you’re transiting through Nairobi for less than 12 hours on the way to Zanzibar, you legally don’t need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. But airport health officials sometimes demand one anyway and suggest a “fine.” Carry a printed copy of the Tanzania Ministry of Health travel advisory that states the 12-hour transit rule. Showing you know the regulation tends to end the conversation.
Wildlife Beyond the Red Colobus
Everyone visits Jozani Forest for the Red Colobus monkeys. Fewer people know about the Zanzibar Servaline Genet, a cat-like nocturnal carnivore thought to be mythical until it was finally photographed in 2003. If you’re staying at an eco-lodge near Jozani or anywhere in the deep southeast, ask the night watchmen (askari) about the “kicheche.” Seeing one is rare but they’re out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
When’s the best time for Zanzibar?
June to October is the main dry season. July and August are peak pricing. September gives you the same weather with fewer people and lower rates. January and February are also dry but hotter. Avoid April and May completely.
Can I combine this with a safari?
Yes. We do safari and beach holidays combining the Masai Mara or Amboseli with Zanzibar. Typical setup: 4-5 days on safari, fly to Zanzibar, 3-4 nights on the beach.
Are Zanzibar holidays good for families?
Nungwi and Kendwa are safest for kids because the tides are manageable. East coast beaches are tidal and not great for small children. Most mid-range and luxury resorts have kids’ pools and family rooms, though the Z Hotel doesn’t accept under-16s.
Is Zanzibar safe for solo female travellers?
Generally yes, though solo women report more street harassment than in Kenya. Stick to resort areas after dark. Stone Town’s side streets are poorly lit at night. Use hotel-arranged transport rather than flagging random taxis.
How much spending money do I need?
On half-board, budget USD 30-50 per day for lunches, drinks, small excursions. Spice tours run USD 25-35. Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll costs USD 40-60. Diving is around USD 70-100 per dive. If you want to negotiate a boat directly at Kigomani village near Matemwe, you can get Mnemba snorkelling trips for closer to $15 by dealing with captains directly, rather than the $50+ hotels charge.
Do I need a visa?
British citizens need a Tanzania e-visa covering Zanzibar. Apply online. Costs USD 50, valid 30 days.
Is the infrastructure tax included?
Yes. USD 5 (about £3) per person per night is built into every package above.
What about the five-star service gap?
Zanzibar’s luxury hotels don’t always match the finish you’d get in Southeast Asia or the Gulf. Power cuts happen, especially in the Nungwi area during peak demand months. Hot water can be temperamental. The top properties run backup generators and desalination but the polish is different. What you get instead is character and a pace that manufactured resort islands can’t replicate.
Kenya Safari Add-Ons
Most of our Zanzibar bookings start with a Kenya safari. Here’s what the Kenya portion costs. Add a Zanzibar package from the tables above for your full trip price.
Safari Package | Route | Per Person |
Nairobi to Mara, 2 nights | £901 – £1,943 | |
3 nights in the Mara | £1,225 – £2,710 | |
1 night Nakuru, 2 nights Mara | £1,209 – £2,615 | |
Amboseli, Naivasha, Mara | £1,809 – £3,942 | |
Amboseli, Nakuru, 3 nights Mara | £2,165 – £4,740 | |
Amboseli, Naivasha, 4 nights Mara | £2,457 – £5,475 |
Kenya park fees for KWS-managed parks are paid via eCitizen. Masai Mara entry fees are USD 100 in low season, USD 200 July to December. All park fees, vehicle, guide, fuel, and accommodation are included in the Kenya prices above.
For last minute holidays Kenya, we can sometimes find short-notice availability. Full pricing breakdown on our Kenya safari cost page. Family safaris use the same vehicle rates with child-friendly lodges.
Book a Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Tell us your dates, how many nights on the beach, and which tier of hotel suits you. We handle the airport transfer booking, hotel reservation, and the small logistics that eat hours when you’re doing it yourself. If you’re adding this onto a Kenya safari holiday we build it as one trip with a single point of contact throughout.
Recommended Reading
- Kenya Safari Holidays
- Safari and Beach Holidays
- Kenya Honeymoons
- Kenya Safari Cost
- Masai Mara Park Fees
- Best Time for Safari in Kenya
- What to Wear on Safari
- Kenya Holidays
- Last Minute Holidays Kenya
- Things to Do in Kenya
Meet The Author
Peter Munene is a licensed safari guide with over a decade in the field across Kenya and Tanzania. He’s part of the Kenya Luxury Safari team and posts clips from the bush on TikTok. This article was edited by Trevor Charles (Upwork), a native English speaker.