Why Honeymoon in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the natural counterpoint to safari. It is a short flight from the northern parks and the water is warm year-round. The pace is slow and sensual. You can snorkel over coral reefs, sail on a traditional dhow, explore a historic old town and dine on fresh seafood perfumed with local spices, all within a few days.
It also offers remarkable variety for a relatively small island. The north has beaches where you can swim at most tides and watch sunsets over the water; the east coast has wide lagoons and dramatic tides; and just offshore, tiny islands like Mnemba offer total seclusion. History, culture, food and beaches combine to create a romantic finale that feels completely different from the plains.
When to Go
Zanzibar is warm throughout the year, with sea breezes keeping the coasts comfortable. The main rains generally fall from about March to May, with a shorter rainy period around November and December; some resorts close or reduce services during the long rains.
The driest, most popular months are roughly June to October, which conveniently match the peak safari season. July tends to be the driest month. December to February is hot and humid but generally sunny. It pairs nicely with calving season in the southern Serengeti. If you plan to dive or snorkel, calm conditions and visibility are often best in the transitional months.
Where to Stay
Your choice of coast shapes the experience. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has beaches less affected by tides and lovely sunsets over the water. The east coast is home to long, palm-lined beaches and a wide lagoon that drains dramatically at low tide, revealing seaweed farms and tidal pools. Stone Town offers boutique hotels in restored merchant houses, good for a night or two of culture.
For complete privacy, &Beyond Mnemba Island occupies a small private island off the northeast coast, ringed by a protected reef. Only lodge guests can land. Couples stay in beachfront bandas with the ocean a few steps away, snorkeling among turtles and watching for dolphins. Elsewhere on Unguja, boutique beach hotels and larger resorts cover a wide range of price points.
Romantic Things to Do
Sail at sunset aboard a traditional dhow, the lateen-rigged wooden boats that have plied these waters for centuries. Wander Stone Town's alleys with a guide, past the Old Fort, the Forodhani waterfront and ornate carved doors. Come back to Forodhani Gardens after dark, when the night food market fires up its grills and couples stroll the seafront. Along the way, learn about the island's complex history, including its role in the East African slave trade.
Visit a spice farm to taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla straight from the plant. Snorkel or dive the reefs around Mnemba, where turtles are common. Spot the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey in and around Jozani Forest. And book a table at The Rock, a restaurant perched on a rocky outcrop in the sea on the east coast, reached on foot at low tide or by boat when the water rises.
Getting There & Around
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) receives flights from regional hubs and international carriers including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, making it easy to connect from the US via the Middle East or Europe. Light aircraft fly directly from many safari airstrips and from Arusha, so you can transfer from bush to beach in a single day.
Ferries connect Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam on the mainland; choose reputable operators. On the island, private transfers arranged by your hotel are the easiest way to get around, as roads can be slow. The drive from the airport to the northern and northeastern beaches takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half.
Food & Drink
Zanzibar's cuisine reflects centuries of trade, blending Swahili, Arab, Indian and Persian influences. Look for fragrant pilau rice, coconut-rich seafood curries, octopus and grilled fish rubbed with spices. Street-food stalls in Stone Town serve skewers, seafood and the island's famous Zanzibar pizza, a stuffed and griddled flatbread.
Fresh tropical fruit, spiced tea and strong coffee are daily pleasures. Nearly all Zanzibaris are Muslim, so alcohol is mainly served in hotels and tourist restaurants. During Ramadan, it is respectful to avoid eating and drinking in public during daylight. Beachfront dinners at your resort, lit by lanterns with your feet in the sand, are an essential honeymoon experience.
Honeymoon Tips
- Plan four to five nights to properly decompress after safari.
- Split your stay between a beach and a night in Stone Town for culture and food.
- Check tide charts if staying on the east coast; low tide can leave the water far out.
- Dress modestly away from the beach, covering shoulders and knees in towns and villages.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral.
- Expect beach vendors and would-be guides, especially in Stone Town and Nungwi. A friendly, firm no works. Hotel-arranged excursions avoid most hassle.
- Take a taxi rather than walking Stone Town's back lanes late at night.
- Ask your doctor about malaria prevention. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for this destination.
