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Zanzibar Luxury, Tanzania
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Africa / Tanzania
Zanzibar Luxury
A 5-day island escape through Zanzibar Luxury, Tanzania — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Best season
- June
- From
- $4,350–$15,700 pp
The place
About this destination
A 5-day island escape through Zanzibar Luxury, Tanzania — hand-planned by Rachana, with where to stay, what to do and where to eat all mapped out.
My experience
This is Rachana's own 5-day itinerary for Zanzibar Luxury, Tanzania — the version she'd plan for a close friend. It threads together stays she rates like Options and Zuri Zanzibar, a day-by-day plan, and the meals worth booking ahead. Everything here is personally travelled and curated — no filler.
LuxuryBeaches & Islands
Through the lens · 4 frames
Photo journal
01
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Arrival & Relaxation
- 01Arrive at ZNZ Airport – VIP fast-track option available
- 02Private transfer to your resort
- 03Spa therapy or beachfront sundowner
- 04Dinner: At your resort (Upendo or Pavilion)
Day 02
Stone Town & Spice Tour (World Heritage Site)
- 01Guided Stone Town Walking Tour
- 02Freddie Mercury House
- 03Sultan’s Palace
- 04Old Fort & Forodhani Gardens
- 05Zanzibar Spice Plantation Tour – Walk through aromatic spice farms and enjoy a farm-fresh vegetarian Swahili lunch.
- 06Sunset rooftop dinner at Emerson on Hurumzi (fine-dining vegetarian options with panoramic views)
Day 03
Island Hopping + Snorkeling
- 01Full-Day Excursion
- 02Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling Trip
- 03Private boat
- 04Swim with tropical fish and dolphins
- 05Gourmet veg lunch on the boat or a secluded beach
- 06Optional: Scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, or sailing
- 07Evening: Return to resort for ocean-side dinner under the stars
Day 04
Unique Experience + Leisure
- 01Unique Experiences (Choose 1 or 2)
- 021. Dine underwater at The Manta Resort’s Underwater Room (requires boat ride to Pemba; can be done as a half-day luxury add-on).
- 032. Traditional Dhow Sunset Cruise – Live taarab music, wine & mezze-style vegetarian platters
- 043. Cooking Class with Local Chef – Learn to make Zanzibar’s veg curry, chapatis, and coconut rice
- 054. Kite Surfing (in Paje) – If you’re adventurous, Paje is Africa’s kite-surfing capital
- 065. Private Sandbank Picnic – Set up on a sandbar surrounded by turquoise water
- 07Dinner: Suggestion
- 08The Rock Restaurant (Michamvi) – Iconic dining perched on a rock in the sea. Reserve a vegetarian-friendly candlelit dinner with ocean views.
Day 05
Departure
- 01Morning: yoga or a relaxing beach walk
- 02Brunch: at the resort
- 03Private transfer to the airport
- 04VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS
- 05Top Stand-Alone & Hotel Restaurants
- 06Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop (Stone Town) – Traditional Swahili tasting menu, veg on request
- 076 Degrees South (Stone Town) – Global cuisine, great vegetarian mezze & grilled halloumi
- 08The Rock Restaurant (Michamvi) – Limited but beautiful vegetarian options with the view
- 09Lukmaan Restaurant (Local Eatery) – Vegetarian Zanzibari food in a casual setting
- 10Tea House Restaurant (Emerson Spice Hotel) – Sundowners and Swahili veg set meals
- 11Baladin Zanzibar Beach Hotel (Pingwe) – Italian-inspired vegetarian options with craft beers
- 12WATER SPORTS & MARINE ACTIVITIES
- 13Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll
- 14Scuba Diving (Mnemba, Paje, Nungwi)
02
Where to sleep
Hotels worth booking
What to order
Local cuisine
Must try
Zanzibari spice cuisine
Local speciality
Zanzibari spice cuisine
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Must try
Local speciality
Coconut & vegetable curry
Must try
Urojo (Zanzibar mix)
Local speciality
Urojo (Zanzibar mix)
Must try
Local speciality
Tropical fruits
Must try
Local speciality
Spiced chai
04
Logistics
Getting there & around
01 · Seaplane / speedboat transfers
Resorts are reached by scenic seaplane or private speedboat from the main airport.
02 · On-island
Buggies, bicycles or on foot — distances are short and unhurried.
03 · Airport arrival
A private meet-and-greet transfer is arranged from the moment you land.
The numbers
Budget breakdown
Total · per person
$4,350–$15,700 pp
USD
Breakdown
- Accommodation
- $600–$2,000 / night
- Food & dining
- $108–$440 / day
- Transportation
- $72–$300 / day
- Activities
- $90–$400 / day
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