Zanzibar

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Zanzibar is a truly wonderful island that offers some of the finest tropical beaches within Africa. The name itself has captivated travellers imagination over the years and certainly lives up to expectations. Alongside the idyllic, crystal clear sea and vibrant reefs, excellent for diving, the island has a rich cultural and historical offering, particularly within the old Stone Town.

Zanzibar Safari Holidays

Zanzibar is very combinable with a safari in East Africa and tends to be an ideal beach bolt on to safaris in Tanzania and Kenya.

Zanzibar offers a real mix of accommodation choices with many of our favourites being the smaller boutique lodges offering a true Zanzibari experience. However, there are one or two resort-style hotels that offer a wider choice of activities and are often more suitable for families.

The archipelago’s turquoise seas are as stunning below as above the water line allowing for some magnificent diving. Manta rays, green turtles, hawksbill plus barracudas add to the array of colour with opportunities for wall dives nearer Pemba.

Zanzibar has seen a growth in visitor numbers in recent years but fortunately has remained relatively unspoiled or exploited. To really enjoy your time on the island it is important to find the right style and character of accommodation to suit you. The range is broad from large mainstream resorts to small exclusive hideaways; busy “backpackers” beach huts to private boutique guesthouses.

Click on the links in the right-hand margin for accommodation options or our favourite:

Luxury beach lodges are Matemwe Bungalows, Kilindi, Unguja Beach Lodge or Fumba Beach Lodge.

Lower cost beach guesthouses but still offering something special are Pongwe Beach, Kasha Boutique, Matemwe Beach, Shooting Star or Echo Beach.

Cool places to stay in Stone Town are Beyt Al Chai, 236 Hurumzi, Swahili House or Serena Inn.

Ultimate exclusivity at Mnemba Island.

Or if you want a resort look at: Barraza, Breezes Beach Club, Blue Bay or Ras Nungwi.

Read more

Safari&Beach Favourites

Baraza Resort & Spa

A stunning 30 villa boutique resort that has truly achieved 5* international standards. The quality of the furnishings and finish are o...

S&B Rating:
$500 Per person, per night  
Baraza Resort & Spa

Gold Zanzibar

Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa is located on the long stretching white sands of Kendwa beach in the north west of the Zanzibar: one of...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Gold Zanzibar

Next Paradise

A charming small hotel on a stunning stretch of beach between Matemwe and Kiwengwa. Excellent food, beautiful rooms and good fun atmos...

S&B Rating:
$143 Per person, per night  
Next Paradise

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe Beach is one of the best beach lodges on Zanzibar. Set within a secluded bay on the east coast, it has one of the finest beach l...

S&B Rating:
$156 Per person, per night  
Pongwe Beach Hotel

Zawadi

An exciting new addition to our luxury hotels in Zanzibar, Zawadi is a cool all villa, all inclusive boutique hotel beside the Indian O...

S&B Rating:
$390 Per person, per night  
Zawadi

Zuri Zanzibar

Zuri is a welcome new style of property in Zanzibar. For those looking for the ultimate stylish, hip and cool beach break – Zuri is ...

S&B Rating:
$365 Per person, per night  
Zuri Zanzibar

Boutique Beach Hotel

Baladin

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Baladin

Bamboo

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Bamboo

Kasha Boutique Hotel

Located in stunning Matemwe and with the amazing view of the Mnemba Atoll, this small yet luxurious boutique hotel delivers all the Ara...

S&B Rating:
$170 Per person, per night  
Kasha Boutique Hotel

Kilindi

Kilindi is a luxurious 15 unit piece of functional art scattered along a picturesque-perfect stretch of Northern Zanzibar....

S&B Rating:
$650 Per person, per night  
Kilindi

Kisiwa On The Beach

Kisiwa On The Beach, is situated on the seductive south east coast of Zanzibar, among swaying palm trees, on a sandy stretch of white b...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Kisiwa On The Beach

Kono Kono Beach Resort

This lodge sits on one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. It has been recently refurbished with improved and new guest villas with a stu...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Kono Kono Beach Resort

Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Lodge is a wonderfully secluded luxury beach lodge at the northern tip of the stunning beach of Matemwe....

S&B Rating:
$325 Per person, per night  
Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Retreat Villas

Matemwe Retreat is located on an amazing stretch of private land overlooking the Mnemba Atoll....

S&B Rating:
$520 Per person, per night  
Matemwe Retreat Villas

Mnemba Island

Set on a private island off the north eastern tip of Zanzibar, Mnemba Island Lodge offers guests the perfect destination to get away fr...

S&B Rating:
$1700 Per person, per night  
Mnemba Island

Qambani

S&B Rating:
$260 Per person, per night  
Qambani

Sharazad Boutique Hotel

A charming boutique hotel located on the stunning Jambiani beach along the south east coast of Zanzibar.  There is very much a relaxed...

S&B Rating:
$163 Per person, per night  
Sharazad Boutique Hotel

Shooting Star Lodge

Shooting Star Lodge is a relaxed, family-run, boutique resort situated on the eastern beaches of Zanzibar. The Lodge has just been ref...

S&B Rating:
$120 Per person, per night  
Shooting Star Lodge

Sunshine Marine Lodge

Beautifully located amidst colourful gardens and providing spectactular views of the sea towards Mnemba Island, Sunshine Marine Lodge i...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Sunshine Marine Lodge

The Palms

The Palms is a small private and intimate luxury resort with only six villas on the south east coast of Zanzibar....

S&B Rating:
$715 Per person, per night  
The Palms

The Sands

A brand new boutique beach hotel located on the northern stretch of stunning Paje...

$143 Per person, per night  
The Sands

The Z Hotel

The Z hotel has become a favourite. It is a modern boutique style hotel on the far north tip of Zanzibar within Nungwi village....

S&B Rating:
$143 Per person, per night  
The Z Hotel

Unguja Lodge

Unguja Lodge is a small, owner-run, luxury hide-away enjoying a private and tucked away beach location in Kizimkazi on the southern tip...

S&B Rating:
$182 Per person, per night  
Unguja Lodge

Upendo

A gem of a spot, Upendo is a very cool little beach lodge on a fantastic stretch of beach at Paje. Think barefoot, relax and chill and...

S&B Rating:
$312 Per person, per night  
Upendo

Xanadu Villas

Xanadu Villas & Retreat is located on one of the finest beaches on the South-East coast of Zanzibar. The hotel offers six unique and in...

S&B Rating:
$650 Per person, per night  
Xanadu Villas

ZanziBlue

A lovely new addition to the Safari&Beach portfolio, this charming boutique hotel has everything you want for a beach holiday.  Well l...

S&B Rating:
$182 Per person, per night  
ZanziBlue

Zoi Boutique Hotel

A cool boutique hotel located on the stunning beach at Matemwe. The hotel has been revamped with modern design whilst maintaining eco-...

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Zoi Boutique Hotel

Beach Resorts

Blue Bay Beach Resort

The Blue Bay Beach Resort & Spa is a large resort situated on landscaped, palm-decked 25-acres along the famed sparkling white sandy be...

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Blue Bay Beach Resort

Breezes Beach Club

Breezes Beach Club is the perfect place for those looking for a relatively small resort style accommodation with excellent service and ...

S&B Rating:
$125 Per person, per night  
Breezes Beach Club

Essque Zalu

Boutique luxe arrives in Zanzibar as Essque Zalu opens its beautifully crafted doors at Nungwi...

S&B Rating:
$360 Per person, per night  
Essque Zalu

Gold Zanzibar

Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa is located on the long stretching white sands of Kendwa beach in the north west of the Zanzibar: one of...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Gold Zanzibar

La Gemma dell’Est

Located on the north-western shores of Zanzibar near Nungwi, La Gemma dell' Est is a large 24 hour all inclusive resort from the Rui gr...

S&B Rating:
$110 Per person, per night  
La Gemma dell’Est

Lux* Marijani

Lux* Marijani brings a new type of cool to Zanzibar with fresh interiors and a very modern attention to detail. The property lies on a...

S&B Rating:
$300 Per person, per night  
Lux* Marijani

Riu Palace

A large adult only resort style hotel offering stylish rooms and extensive facilities on the beach between Kendwa and Nungwi....

S&B Rating:
$208 Per person, per night  
Riu Palace

Sultan Sands Resort

Sultan Sands nestles on the beachfront of a twenty-five acre stretch of subtly landscaped gardens decked with over a thousand palm tree...

S&B Rating:
$260 Per person, per night  
Sultan Sands Resort

The Mora Zanzibar

The Mora is a brand new 5 star luxury resort in north east Zanzibar on a fantastic stretch of white beach bang opposite Mnemba Island. ...

S&B Rating:
$200 Per person, per night  
The Mora Zanzibar

The Residence

A luxury hotel bringing a new style and quality to Zanzibar whilst retaining resident Swahili charm...

S&B Rating:
$300 Per person, per night  
The Residence

White Sands Luxury Villas

A stunning beach chic hotel made up of a collection villas spreading across this beautiful stretch of coastline....

S&B Rating:
$400 Per person, per night  
White Sands Luxury Villas

Barefoot and Happy

Chumbe Island

Chumbe Island is superb example of genuine Eco-tourism which has been a successful operation for just over 10 years....

S&B Rating:
$325 Per person, per night  
Chumbe Island

Indigo Beach

A lovely little boutique hotel well placed at Bwejuu on the south east coast of Zanzibar. Indigo beach positions itself as barefoot an...

S&B Rating:
$131 Per person, per night  
Indigo Beach

Kendwa Rocks

Kendwa Rocks is very simple, budget, guesthouse accommodation. Situated on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, it is not a...

S&B Rating:
$117 Per person, per night  
Kendwa Rocks

Seasons Lodge

Seasons lodge is a family built, and family run, hotel, opened in 2011 by the Clarkes, an Irish-Ugandan family.  The lodge has been m...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Seasons Lodge

Sunshine Bay

Sunshine Bay is a lovely boutique beach hotel located at Matemwe, one of the finest stretches on beach on the north west of the island....

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Sunshine Bay

Zanzibar Pearl

Zanzibar Pearl is located on a long and idyllic palm-lined beach and is one of the best beach guesthouses on Zanzibar....

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Zanzibar Pearl

Zanzibar Queen

A charming small resort on the stunning Matemwe beach in the north east of the Island. The hotel offers 35 air conditioned rooms in cl...

S&B Rating:
$125 Per person, per night  
Zanzibar Queen

Stone Town

Beyt Al Chai

For those who want to experience the charm of a historical Zanzibar setting with a touch of ancient Arabian mystique, then Beyt al Chai...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Beyt Al Chai

Dhow Palace Hotel

Dhow Palace Hotel is located in the heart of Stone Town. A very good mid range option with plenty of traditional character and charm....

S&B Rating:
$50 Per person, per night  
Dhow Palace Hotel

Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi is the second tallest building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The hotel has been restored to it's former glory when it was...

S&B Rating:
$110 Per person, per night  
Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson Spice

Fusing a restored nineteenth-century Swahili sultanâ??s palace and Zanzibarâ??s first photographic studio, this multi-storied small h...

S&B Rating:
$143 Per person, per night  
Emerson Spice

Kisiwa House

Luxury boutique hotel convenient for exploring the centre of Stone Town. A great option for those seeking an authentic hotel catering ...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Kisiwa House

Park Hyatt

New large scale hotel sitting on the waterfront in Stone Town. Very comfortable with excellent facilities and ideally placed for explo...

S&B Rating:
$250 Per person, per night  
Park Hyatt

Serena Inn

The Serena Inn is Stone Town's most luxurious hotel with an old colonial style, and is a haven of tranquillity and opulence amongst the...

S&B Rating:
$234 Per person, per night  
Serena Inn

Swahili House

Located in the bustling heart of Stonetown, Swahili House has re-opened after a full renovation and is one of the best small boutique h...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Swahili House

The Seyyida

The Seyyida is an elegant 17-room boutique hotel located in the heart of the World Heritage Site of Stonetown - Zanzibar. The hotel is ...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
The Seyyida

Upendo House

A cool boutique hotel bang in the middle of Stonetown. A great little spot for an overnight stay in this increasingly vibrant and fun ...

S&B Rating:
$120 Per person, per night  
Upendo House

Places to Stay

Bamboo

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Bamboo

Blue Bay Beach Resort

The Blue Bay Beach Resort & Spa is a large resort situated on landscaped, palm-decked 25-acres along the famed sparkling white sandy be...

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Blue Bay Beach Resort

Breezes Beach Club

Breezes Beach Club is the perfect place for those looking for a relatively small resort style accommodation with excellent service and ...

S&B Rating:
$125 Per person, per night  
Breezes Beach Club

Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi is the second tallest building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The hotel has been restored to it's former glory when it was...

S&B Rating:
$110 Per person, per night  
Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson Spice

Fusing a restored nineteenth-century Swahili sultanâ??s palace and Zanzibarâ??s first photographic studio, this multi-storied small h...

S&B Rating:
$143 Per person, per night  
Emerson Spice

Essque Zalu

Boutique luxe arrives in Zanzibar as Essque Zalu opens its beautifully crafted doors at Nungwi...

S&B Rating:
$360 Per person, per night  
Essque Zalu

Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon is a beautifully remote luxury lodge on the wonderful island of Pemba. It's a truly amazing place....

S&B Rating:
$350 Per person, per night  
Fundu Lagoon

Gold Zanzibar

Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa is located on the long stretching white sands of Kendwa beach in the north west of the Zanzibar: one of...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Gold Zanzibar

Indigo Beach

A lovely little boutique hotel well placed at Bwejuu on the south east coast of Zanzibar. Indigo beach positions itself as barefoot an...

S&B Rating:
$131 Per person, per night  
Indigo Beach

Kilindi

Kilindi is a luxurious 15 unit piece of functional art scattered along a picturesque-perfect stretch of Northern Zanzibar....

S&B Rating:
$650 Per person, per night  
Kilindi

Kisiwa House

Luxury boutique hotel convenient for exploring the centre of Stone Town. A great option for those seeking an authentic hotel catering ...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Kisiwa House

Kisiwa On The Beach

Kisiwa On The Beach, is situated on the seductive south east coast of Zanzibar, among swaying palm trees, on a sandy stretch of white b...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Kisiwa On The Beach

Kono Kono Beach Resort

This lodge sits on one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. It has been recently refurbished with improved and new guest villas with a stu...

S&B Rating:
$195 Per person, per night  
Kono Kono Beach Resort

La Gemma dell’Est

Located on the north-western shores of Zanzibar near Nungwi, La Gemma dell' Est is a large 24 hour all inclusive resort from the Rui gr...

S&B Rating:
$110 Per person, per night  
La Gemma dell’Est

Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Lodge is a wonderfully secluded luxury beach lodge at the northern tip of the stunning beach of Matemwe....

S&B Rating:
$325 Per person, per night  
Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Retreat Villas

Matemwe Retreat is located on an amazing stretch of private land overlooking the Mnemba Atoll....

S&B Rating:
$520 Per person, per night  
Matemwe Retreat Villas

Mnemba Island

Set on a private island off the north eastern tip of Zanzibar, Mnemba Island Lodge offers guests the perfect destination to get away fr...

S&B Rating:
$1700 Per person, per night  
Mnemba Island

Next Paradise

A charming small hotel on a stunning stretch of beach between Matemwe and Kiwengwa. Excellent food, beautiful rooms and good fun atmos...

S&B Rating:
$143 Per person, per night  
Next Paradise

Park Hyatt

New large scale hotel sitting on the waterfront in Stone Town. Very comfortable with excellent facilities and ideally placed for explo...

S&B Rating:
$250 Per person, per night  
Park Hyatt

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe Beach is one of the best beach lodges on Zanzibar. Set within a secluded bay on the east coast, it has one of the finest beach l...

S&B Rating:
$156 Per person, per night  
Pongwe Beach Hotel

Qambani

S&B Rating:
$260 Per person, per night  
Qambani

Riu Palace

A large adult only resort style hotel offering stylish rooms and extensive facilities on the beach between Kendwa and Nungwi....

S&B Rating:
$208 Per person, per night  
Riu Palace

Seasons Lodge

Seasons lodge is a family built, and family run, hotel, opened in 2011 by the Clarkes, an Irish-Ugandan family.  The lodge has been m...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
Seasons Lodge

Serena Inn

The Serena Inn is Stone Town's most luxurious hotel with an old colonial style, and is a haven of tranquillity and opulence amongst the...

S&B Rating:
$234 Per person, per night  
Serena Inn

Sevi Hotel

Located in Matemwe, a very intimate bay in north-eastern Zanzibar, surrounded by a tropical garden with a direct view of the small isla...

S&B Rating:
$230 Per person, per night  
Sevi Hotel

Sharazad Boutique Hotel

A charming boutique hotel located on the stunning Jambiani beach along the south east coast of Zanzibar.  There is very much a relaxed...

S&B Rating:
$163 Per person, per night  
Sharazad Boutique Hotel

Sunshine Bay

Sunshine Bay is a lovely boutique beach hotel located at Matemwe, one of the finest stretches on beach on the north west of the island....

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Sunshine Bay

Sunshine Marine Lodge

Beautifully located amidst colourful gardens and providing spectactular views of the sea towards Mnemba Island, Sunshine Marine Lodge i...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Sunshine Marine Lodge

Swahili House

Located in the bustling heart of Stonetown, Swahili House has re-opened after a full renovation and is one of the best small boutique h...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
Swahili House

The Loop

The Loop is a lovely little beach resort offering a cool vibe and excellent water sport facililties.  The hotel is located on Jambiani...

S&B Rating:
$100 Per person, per night  
The Loop

The Mora Zanzibar

The Mora is a brand new 5 star luxury resort in north east Zanzibar on a fantastic stretch of white beach bang opposite Mnemba Island. ...

S&B Rating:
$200 Per person, per night  
The Mora Zanzibar

The Palms

The Palms is a small private and intimate luxury resort with only six villas on the south east coast of Zanzibar....

S&B Rating:
$715 Per person, per night  
The Palms

The Residence

A luxury hotel bringing a new style and quality to Zanzibar whilst retaining resident Swahili charm...

S&B Rating:
$300 Per person, per night  
The Residence

The Seyyida

The Seyyida is an elegant 17-room boutique hotel located in the heart of the World Heritage Site of Stonetown - Zanzibar. The hotel is ...

S&B Rating:
$130 Per person, per night  
The Seyyida

Unguja Lodge

Unguja Lodge is a small, owner-run, luxury hide-away enjoying a private and tucked away beach location in Kizimkazi on the southern tip...

S&B Rating:
$182 Per person, per night  
Unguja Lodge

Upendo

A gem of a spot, Upendo is a very cool little beach lodge on a fantastic stretch of beach at Paje. Think barefoot, relax and chill and...

S&B Rating:
$312 Per person, per night  
Upendo

Upendo House

A cool boutique hotel bang in the middle of Stonetown. A great little spot for an overnight stay in this increasingly vibrant and fun ...

S&B Rating:
$120 Per person, per night  
Upendo House

White Sands Luxury Villas

A stunning beach chic hotel made up of a collection villas spreading across this beautiful stretch of coastline....

S&B Rating:
$400 Per person, per night  
White Sands Luxury Villas

Zanzibar Queen

A charming small resort on the stunning Matemwe beach in the north east of the Island. The hotel offers 35 air conditioned rooms in cl...

S&B Rating:
$125 Per person, per night  
Zanzibar Queen

ZanziBlue

A lovely new addition to the Safari&Beach portfolio, this charming boutique hotel has everything you want for a beach holiday.  Well l...

S&B Rating:
$182 Per person, per night  
ZanziBlue

Zawadi

An exciting new addition to our luxury hotels in Zanzibar, Zawadi is a cool all villa, all inclusive boutique hotel beside the Indian O...

S&B Rating:
$390 Per person, per night  
Zawadi

Zoi Boutique Hotel

A cool boutique hotel located on the stunning beach at Matemwe. The hotel has been revamped with modern design whilst maintaining eco-...

S&B Rating:
$150 Per person, per night  
Zoi Boutique Hotel

Zuri Zanzibar

Zuri is a welcome new style of property in Zanzibar. For those looking for the ultimate stylish, hip and cool beach break – Zuri is ...

S&B Rating:
$365 Per person, per night  
Zuri Zanzibar

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