5 days in Zanzibar

Day by day

1. Day 1: Stone Town and Forodhani Gardens night market

   Stone Town, Forodhani Gardens night market and Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), then Kendwa and Nungwi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Stone Town

      Explore early in the morning before the heat and the tour groups; getting lost is part of the experience, and the waterfront is never far. (A full day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Forodhani Gardens night market

      Agree the price of seafood before it is grilled, and choose stalls that are busy with locals. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Zanzibar pizza

      Forodhani Gardens night market and street stalls in Stone Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)

      Climb the walls for a view over the waterfront, and check whether a music or dance event is on in the amphitheatre. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Kendwa and Nungwi

      Beach bars and the monthly full-moon party at Kendwa, the island's biggest night out.

2. Day 2: Spice farm tour and Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

   Spice farm tour, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and Former slave market and Christ Church, then Paje in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Spice farm tour

      Choose a small farm tour that includes lunch, and bring cash for buying spices directly from the farm. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

      Visit on the way to the east-coast beaches, and keep the recommended distance from the monkeys. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Urojo

      Specialist urojo stalls in Stone Town, mainly in the afternoon and evening.

   4. Afternoon

      Former slave market and Christ Church

      Take the guided visit to understand the site's history; allow time to reflect. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Paje

      Beach bars and parties popular with kitesurfers and backpackers.

3. Day 3: Darajani Market and Prison Island (Changuu)

   Darajani Market, Prison Island (Changuu) and Nakupenda sandbank, then Stone Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Darajani Market

      Visit in the morning; the fish and meat sections are intense, but the fruit and spice stalls are good for tasting. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Prison Island (Changuu)

      Combine it with the Nakupenda sandbank on a half-day boat trip from the Stone Town waterfront. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pilau

      Local restaurants in Stone Town and village eateries across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Nakupenda sandbank

      Go with an operator that brings shade and leaves no rubbish behind; there are no facilities on the sandbank. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Stone Town

      Rooftop bars and hotel bars with sunset views, plus live music during festivals.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Mnemba Atoll

   About 1 hour by road and 20–40 minutes by boat each way. Getting there: Road transfer to Matemwe or Nungwi, then boat.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Mnemba Atoll

      About 1 hour by road and 20–40 minutes by boat (Road transfer to Matemwe or Nungwi, then boat); about 55 km.

   2. Day

      Mnemba Atoll

      The island's top snorkelling and diving area, a protected reef ring around a private island with clear water, reef fish, turtles and frequent dolphins. Best for couples, families and beach.

   3. Evening

      Back in Zanzibar

      Dinner: try Biryani.

5. Day 5: Mnemba Atoll snorkelling and The Rock restaurant

   Mnemba Atoll snorkelling, The Rock restaurant and Kizimkazi, then Sunset dhow cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mnemba Atoll snorkelling

      Book with a licensed dive centre or operator and go early, before the wind picks up and the boats arrive. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      The Rock restaurant

      Book well ahead and ask about the tide at your booking time. (2 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Biryani

      Swahili restaurants in Stone Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Kizimkazi

      Choose a dolphin operator that does not chase or crowd the animals, and do not jump in on top of a pod. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Sunset dhow cruise

      Sail along the Stone Town waterfront on a traditional dhow as the sun sets.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for The Rock restaurant before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Stone Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Kendwa ($$$) suits beach, couples and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 29–37 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.8 hours in May to 12.5 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Zanzibar
• 2 days in Zanzibar
• 3 days in Zanzibar

Questions travellers ask