For good reason, a 4-day trip to Zanzibar is at the top of most people’s wish lists. Four days in Zanzibar is just enough time to see the sights and feel like you’re in paradise the moment you step foot on the island. After an absolutely amazing safari, I couldn’t have imagined that our vacation could get much better, but then we went to Zanzibar. No, I was totally incorrect. I knew we were in for an adventure the moment we climbed aboard the tiny, rickety plane, and Zanzibar was the ideal place to cap off this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Four days in Zanzibar is the perfect amount of time for a honeymoon, or just to unwind after an action-packed safari in Tanzania. Check out our recommended itineraries and activities for a memorable vacation in Zanzibar.
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Day 1 – Stone Town
Get your 4-day Zanzibar vacation started in the exciting Stone Town. Stone Town is a great spot to spend your entire trip if you don’t like the beach, but if you’re like us, the beaches here are too amazing to pass up, so we suggest taking at least one day to see the city. Make arrangements for a taxi to meet you at the airport.
Tours around the city are a must-do for any newcomers. Understanding an area better through the eyes of a local, who you can ask anything of, is invaluable. It serves as a wonderful introduction to any destination.
Visit the old slave market site, the Anglican Church, the city market, the Palace Museum, Freddie Mercury’s home, and more on this walking tour of Stone Town. Spend the afternoon meandering the narrow streets of Stone Town after seeing the city’s most famous attractions. If you want to make the most of the evening’s cooler temperatures but survive the hot and sticky afternoons, you might want to consider taking a nap.
The evening meal should be had at the Forodhani Gardens Food Market. As far as activities to do in Stone Town go, this is up there with the best of them. All kinds of delicious aromas are wafting from the kitchens here.Want to try the best of Stone Town’s cuisine but find the city’s street markets intimidating? This tour is for you.
Day 2 – Beach time
Visit the beach! Zanzibar is known for its stunning beaches, and these were some of the most lovely we’ve ever seen. Read the descriptions above before making your hotel reservations because each Zanzibar beach resort region has a slightly different vibe.
Use today to take full advantage of the beach, the sea, and your resort, wherever you end up. Take some time to unwind, read a book, listen to music, go swimming in the ocean, and stroll along the beach at dusk. You’ll believe you’ve reached paradise!
Day 3 – Head off on a Blue Safari
To experience the underwater life of Zanzibar, schedule a snorkeling excursion to the Mnemba Atoll, one of the greatest places to do so. Underwater, you might encounter turtles, dolphins, barracuda, and countless other creatures.
If you’re not a fan of the ocean, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a great alternative. You can go on an adventure through the jungle and look for wildlife like the endangered red colobus monkey. The mangroves and turtle refuge are also on the itinerary so you can witness firsthand the efforts being made to preserve these magnificent creatures.
Day 4 – Visit the Famous Prison Island
Go on a sightseeing tour of infamous Prison Island. In 1893, British First Minister of Zanzibar Lloyd Mathews bought Prison Island. The island eventually became a quarantine center for people with yellow fever after a prison was constructed there but never used to house inmates.
The local population of tortoises (some of which are over a hundred years old!) may be more interesting than the stories of the humans who settled here.
There will be a beach barbecue, Zanzibar style, as part of this tour. You may rest assured that today will be wonderful in every way.
Sunset sailing in a traditional Dhow is the perfect way to cap off your four days in Zanzibar. It’s likely that you’ve seen these magnificent vessels cruising the shore, so why not get aboard one and see it for yourself? You may watch the sun go down over the ocean as a fitting capstone to this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.