Zanzibar's Stone Town is a UNESCO-listed maze of carved doors, markets and Swahili history, while the northern and eastern coast offer turquoise water and diving. Easy to add after a safari. June to October and January to February are driest.
Month by month
Best: January, February, June, July, August, September, December
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Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Aug
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Oct
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Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
How long to stay
4–7 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 17h from the US East Coast, 9h from Europe, 6.5h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Tides on the east coast change beaches dramatically; check tide tables.
- Dress modestly in Stone Town and off the beach.
- Book spice tours through guesthouses; they are inexpensive.
Plan a trip to Zanzibar
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Zanzibar's best places.
Destination