Planning A Trip To Zanzibar And Tanzania Together

Why This Trip Will Stay With You Forever

Bali and the Maldives are gone hypes. Plan a trip to Zanzibar. It’s a paradise right within Africa. This combo of islands is famous for its beauty and spice trade port. However, this island trip can be combined with your Tanzania safari trip. Make a  Zanzibar stop and enjoy the best days of your life. 

This island has blue waters and white sands. This place is so beautiful that you won’t want to come back. If you are going to Africa and missing this place. It’s a loss! This is like a shining star of your African trip. Combine it with a Tanzania safari trip and make your journey perfect in every way. 

The Soul of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is basically a group of many small and two large islands in the Indian Ocean. Unguja and Pemba. The best thing is to combine it with a Tanzania safari tour. Tanzania is only 25-50 km away from the coast.

It’s a place where you will find essence of Africa. The place still follows traditional ways. The Unguja island is known as Zanzibar Island. This beautiful island mesmerizes you in unique ways. You can literally smell spice in the air. 

The island follows old African traditions. Fishermen still take out their traditional dhows for fishing. You get Moana movie vibes. One can see the African, Arabian, and Indian influences on life.

There is a stone town on the island. The streets are worth exploring. There are historical places like the Sultan’s palace and the House of Wonders to explore. The town has Islamic and Swahili influences. Once it was used as a port to trade spices and slaves all over the world. 

Tanzania’s Wild Heart

Mainland Tanzania is not far away from here. On one hand, you find blue and white beaches on this island. On the other, you see the raw safari. Tanzania Safari is famous for its wild and pure experience. Serengeti and Ngorongoro are sweetheart destinations. Meet lions, zebras, and elephants…in real life! Right in front of you. 

Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcano ground and has its own ecosystem. It is a home to the “big 5” animals. This place has a rich wildlife. Expect sight seeing colorful flamingos, hippos and leopards, all in one go.  

South of Tanzania is famous for its peaceful parks. Ruaha and Selous are famous ones. Seoul is famous for boat safaris. Ruaha has a diverse landscape with a variety of predators. Tanzania Safari is best for experiencing nature first hand. 

Why Combine Zanzibar and Tanzania in One Trip?

When you pair your safari trip with a Zanzibar trip. Voila! You make a complete tour package. You get to see both the calm and aggressive sides of nature. 

The wise way to do this is to spend some days in Tanzania. Explore dusty tracks. Meet predators and then let yourself loose in safe and warm ocean air. It’s a complete vibe shift that refreshes you. 

The best way to plan your trip route is. 

• Choose Northern Tanzania safari. It’s more safe for beginners and rich in wildlife. You will need at least a week to explore. Visit the lands of Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Don’t forget Tarangire and Lake Manyara.

Then

• Spend two or three days on the islands. This change of scenery will be a refreshing experience after safari. Explore town. Take spice farm tours. Go to see historical places. 

The flights take one hour to move between Tanzania and Zanzibar. Both places can be ideally explored in the same seasons. Pick June to October. When you can do both a safari tour and beach lounging. Both places are like yin and yang. Totally opposite but connected inseparably.

Planning the Stopover 

It is the smart way to plan your trip. Here is how you can pull off this plan in the best way possible. It is not only recommended by us but also ideal for the budget deal too. 

The Flights

You have to be at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha. Here your tour handler will handle everything. They will oversee the bookings, transfers and fees.

From Arusha, you can take a ferry or flight. The ferry is a more affordable option. But it takes 2 hours. You can also take a short domestic flight to Zanzibar. It can save you from the exhausting land-and-ferry route.

Plan Your Safari Circuit

If you are doing it for the first time. Go to the Northern route. Explore the beauty of Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Both places deliver the full safari magic. You will see abundant wildlife and well-run lodges.

If you are a pro and want a private safari. Go to the southern route. Here you can explore raw places like Ruaha, Mikumi, and Nyerere. 

Pick Your Zanzibar Base Wisely

It is an archipelago. Every coast is different. Where you are staying shapes your experience.

• If you want a more lively beach experience, pick the North Islands. Nungwi and Kendwa are the best. You can go swimming any part of the day. 
• If you are a private person. Choose the northeast side. Go to Matemwe and Michamvi. They are quiet and perfect for couples who want privacy. 
• You can stay for a day in a stone town. 
• Take a spice farm tour. See how they grow. Feel the air with cloves, nutmeg, vanilla scents. 

Right Time For Your Trip

Timing is important. It makes all the difference. Choose dry weather to explore both places, as the climate is perfect. You can go both on safari and sunbathing on consecutive days. December to February is more humid weather. March to May is not recommended. Unless you are ok with rainfalls. There can be long rains. 

What Else Does Zanzibar Offer? 

It’s not your ordinary hammock and cocktail island. You have a lot to explore here.

• The stone town is worth a visit. Navigate through the street. See the old slave market and cathedral.
• Go to the Jozani forest. The butterflies will take all your attention. The forest has over 40 species of birds. It is also a home to rare red colobus monkeys.
• Must visit the island of Mnemba Atoll. It has protected marine conservation. Meet turtles and dolphins there. 
• Explore local villages. See how life exists in this part of the world. People here are still rooted in their traditions. They built palm mats and dhows by hand. Buy a thing or two, as it helps the locals directly.

Contrasting Nature in a Perfect Way

Both safari and island are like two worlds coexisting in the same timeline. This trip is fulfilling in every way. You experience two distinct landscapes. Primal on one side and serene on the other. One day you are exploring lions and hippos. Next, you are in flip-flops and sunbathing alongside the ocean. 

This trip will make you realize that Africa is not one thing. It’s a mix of wild and calm. The culture here is ancient and rich. People are still rooted to their history. Tanzania and Zanzibar are not two trips. It’s one safari trip with an island stopover.