Tanzania Coast & Zanzibar
Zanzibar and Pemba in the Indian Ocean, plus the mainland's Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo and Kilwa, a seaside extension after a safari.
This region is defined by administrative region and includes the five mainland coastal regions of Tanga, Pwani, Dar es Salaam, Lindi and Mtwara, plus the three regions of Unguja Island and the two of Pemba Island in Zanzibar.
Highlights: Zanzibar's Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its carved wooden doors, slave market site and Forodhani night market; the white-sand beaches of Paje and Jambiani on the east coast and Nungwi and Kendwa in the far north; spice farm tours and the red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest; the giant tortoises of Prison Island; Pemba's clove plantations and diving; the old slave-trade town of Bagamoyo; the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara (a UNESCO World Heritage Site); whale shark watching at Mafia Island; and Pangani beach and Amani Forest near Tanga.
Classic itineraries: fly to Zanzibar after a northern safari; 2 days in Stone Town plus 3–4 days on the beach is the classic combination; for a cultural route, add Bagamoyo and Kilwa.
Getting there: Zanzibar has an international airport, and fast ferries run from Dar es Salaam in about 2 hours. Note: Zanzibar is a Muslim area, so dress modestly away from the beaches; during Ramadan, restaurants may close in the daytime.
Destinations
- Zanzibar
- Kilwa
- Pemba Island
- Bagamoyo
- Dar es Salaam
- Nungwi & Kendwa
- Paje & Jambiani
- Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Itineraries
- Nyerere National Park Safari & Zanzibar – Fly from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park for a river safari, then head to Zanzibar's Stone Town and East Coast.
- Zanzibar & Pemba Twin Island 10-Day Getaway – Explore Zanzibar's Stone Town, East Coast, and North Coast, then fly to Pemba Island for cloves, forests, and Misali Is…
- Swahili Coast Ancient Cities Tour – Travel north from Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo, then head south to Kilwa to explore World Heritage sites.
- Northern Safari & Zanzibar Island – Complete the Northern Circuit in eight days, then fly to Zanzibar to explore Stone Town and relax on the beaches.