Zanzibar After Safari: Stone Town, Spice Farms and the Perfect Beach

Zanzibar has been a crossroads of the Indian Ocean for centuries, where African, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences meet. Add powder-white beaches and warm turquoise water, and it is easy to see why it has become the favourite way to end an East African safari.

Key takeaways

• Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best explored on foot with a local guide.

• Spice farms, Jozani Forest and Mnemba Atoll make easy, rewarding day trips.

• The north coast has smaller tides for all-day swimming; the east coast is famous for kitesurfing and big tides.

• Zanzibar is a short flight from mainland Tanzania and Kenya, so it pairs naturally with a safari.

Stone Town

The historic heart of Zanzibar City, Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a maze of narrow alleys, coral-stone buildings and elaborately carved wooden doors. It rewards slow exploring.

Highlights not to miss

• The Old Fort, built in the late 17th century, now a lively cultural space.

• The former slave market and the Anglican Cathedral built on its site, a powerful memorial to East Africa’s history.

• Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront, where a night food market brings grilled seafood and Zanzibar pizza as the sun sets.

• Sunset from a rooftop terrace or a traditional dhow cruise.

Stone Town is best experienced slowly: get a little lost, then let a local guide bring its stories to life.

Beyond Stone Town

Spice farms

Zanzibar’s nickname, the Spice Island, comes from its long history of growing cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. A spice farm tour lets you see, smell and taste them straight from the plant.

Jozani Forest

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park protects the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else on Earth. The playful monkeys are easy to watch from the forest trails.

Mnemba Atoll

Off the north-east coast, the reefs around Mnemba Atoll offer some of Zanzibar’s best snorkelling and diving, with turtles, colourful fish and, often, dolphins.

Choosing your beach

Area	Best for
North coast (Nungwi and Kendwa)	Swimming at most times of day, thanks to smaller tides, plus spectacular sunsets
East coast (Paje and nearby)	Kitesurfing and long walks on the sand at low tide
South-east and quieter bays	Peace and seclusion away from the busier resorts

Before you go

• Pack modest clothing for Stone Town, covering shoulders and knees

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat

• Carry some cash for markets and small purchases

• Pack swimwear, sandals and a light layer for evening breezes

• Book your flight from the mainland to Zanzibar at the same time as your safari

Plan your island escape

The 3-Day Zanzibar Stone Town & Beaches Starter on Safirify blends Stone Town’s history with relaxed beach time, an ideal way to wind down after a safari in the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara.