What You Need to Know: For a Zanzibar itinerary, spend 3 days on Stone Town and one island trip, 5 days adding Jozani and a spice farm or the dolphins, 7 days for the full island with three or four beach days, or 10 days split between two coasts. Our holidays cost from US$330 per person for 3 days to US$750 for 10 days, covering airport transfers and guided excursion days; your hotel is separate or added from our list.
How Much Does a Zanzibar Holiday Cost by Length?
The price depends mainly on how many guided excursion days you add. Per person, by length:
| Holiday | Guided excursion days | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 2 | From US$330 |
| 5 days | 4 | From US$540 |
| 7 days | 5 | From US$645 |
| 10 days | 6 | From US$750 |
Prices cover airport transfers and the guided excursion days (US$105 per person per day; children half). Your hotel is separate, so you can choose any budget; we can add it to your quotation. Zanzibar requires every foreign visitor to buy the government's inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult with reduced rates for children; from October 1, 2026 mainland Tanzania has the same requirement. If your trip includes both, one policy is enough, bought for your first point of entry. We help guests buy it, or you can buy it on the official portal.
3 Days: Stone Town and the Islands
Three days covers Stone Town and a boat trip to the island nearby. Day by day:
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airport pickup, hotel in Stone Town, afternoon Stone Town walk |
| 2 | Prison Island by boat in the morning; Forodhani food market in the evening |
| 3 | Transfer to the airport, or a morning on the beach first |
5 Days: Culture, Forest and Beach
This is the most popular length with our guests after a safari.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airport pickup and a Stone Town walk |
| 2 | Prison Island, then transfer to a beach hotel |
| 3 | Dolphins and snorkeling, or Safari Blue |
| 4 | A half-day spice tour or Jozani Forest, or a free beach day |
| 5 | Beach morning, transfer to the airport |
7 Days: The Full Island
Stone Town, the islands, the forest, the dolphins and three or four days on the beach.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Stone Town: walking tour, Prison Island, sunset dhow cruise |
| 3 | Spice farm and Jozani on the way to the beach |
| 4 | Free beach day |
| 5 | Dolphins and snorkeling, or Mnemba Atoll |
| 6 | Free beach day |
| 7 | Transfer to the airport |
10 Days: Two Coasts and a Slow Pace
Two nights in Stone Town, four on the north coast and four on the east coast, with six excursions spread out.
| Days | Where | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Stone Town | Walking tour, Prison Island, dhow cruise |
| 3–6 | Nungwi or Kendwa | Mnemba snorkeling, a diving day, sunsets |
| 7–10 | Paje, Jambiani or Michamvi | Jozani, dolphins at Kizimkazi, Kuza Cave, The Rock restaurant |
Adapting a Zanzibar Itinerary for Families
Children pay half on our excursion days. For families we suggest Kendwa or Nungwi for swimming at most tides, Prison Island's tortoises, the dolphins from the boat and Jozani's monkeys, with plenty of free beach days in between.
Adding a Safari or the Mainland to Your Zanzibar Holiday
Many guests fly from Zanzibar to the Serengeti or Arusha for a 2- to 4-day safari, from US$1,930 with flights. See our safaris from Zanzibar.
Zanzibar combines easily with a safari or Kilimanjaro: flights from Arusha take about an hour. See our safaris from Zanzibar and safari packages.
Zanzibar Planning Tips for Any Length
Whichever length you choose, these tips help the days run smoothly:
- Stay in Stone Town for one or two nights, then move to the beach
- Book activities that depend on the tide (sandbanks, east-coast swimming) around the tide tables
- Remember Zanzibar's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult
- Allow a buffer night before a flight home, especially after a safari
How Many Days Do You Need in Zanzibar?
Three days is enough for Stone Town and one or two excursions, best as an add-on to a safari. Five days lets you add Jozani Forest, a boat trip and a couple of beach days. Seven days gives you the whole island at an easy pace: history, sea trips, and real time on the beach. Ten days suits travelers who want two coasts and a slow holiday, or a short trip to Pemba or Mafia.
Our holidays are priced from US$120 for transfers plus US$105 per excursion day, before your hotel; see our Zanzibar holidays for each length.
Where to Stay on Zanzibar for Each Itinerary
For three days, stay in or near Stone Town so you can reach the main excursions easily. For five to seven days, split your stay: one or two nights in Stone Town, then the rest on a north or east coast beach. For ten days, consider two beaches, such as Nungwi and Paje, or add a few nights on Pemba or Mafia. See the hotels we use on our accommodations page.
Common Questions About Zanzibar Itineraries
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Five to seven days for Stone Town, two or three excursions and beach time.
Does the price include the hotel?
No. It covers airport transfers and excursion days; we can add a hotel from our list.
Can we go on safari from Zanzibar?
Yes. See our safaris from Zanzibar.
How many days do I need in Zanzibar?
Five to seven days covers Stone Town, a few excursions and real beach time.
What is the best order: safari first or Zanzibar first?
Safari first, then Zanzibar to relax, is the most popular order.
Is 3 days enough for Zanzibar?
For Stone Town and a couple of excursions, yes; for beach time too, plan five or more.
Can I add Mafia Island to a Zanzibar itinerary?
Yes, as a whale shark day trip from Zanzibar from October to February.
Bottom Line: Which Zanzibar Itinerary Should You Choose?
Five days is the sweet spot after a safari; seven or ten if Zanzibar is your main holiday. Pick a length and we fit the excursions around your hotel and the tides.
Send us your dates, your hotel (or the area you'd like to stay in), the number of travelers and the trips you are interested in through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.