Where Culture Meets Coastline

Zanzibar Extension

August 1-5, 2025
Cost: $3,700
Leader: Augustine Mwangotya
Group Size: 12
Days: 5

Safari Overview

Extend your Tanzania safari adventure with a luxurious island escape to Zanzibar, where pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and Swahili culture create an unforgettable experience. Explore UNESCO-listed Stone Town, a labyrinth of historic alleyways, spice markets, and grand Arabian-influenced architecture. Venture into Jozani Forest to encounter the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey, a species found nowhere else on Earth. Discover Zanzibar’s famous spice plantations, where cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla have shaped the island’s rich history. Enjoy breathtaking Indian Ocean sunsets, indulge in fresh seafood, and relax in serene beachside accommodations.

WHY CHOOSE THIS EXTENSION?

  • Explore Stone Town’s Cultural Heritage: Wander through historic markets, Arab-inspired architecture, and bustling seaports in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Encounter the Rare Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey: Visit Jozani Forest, the last sanctuary of this endangered primate.
  • Discover Zanzibar’s Spice Plantations: Learn about the island’s historic spice trade, with guided tastings of cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  • Sail on a Traditional Dhow: Embark on an optional sunset cruise, witnessing the Indian Ocean’s dazzling colors from a handcrafted wooden sailboat.

ENHANCE YOUR TRIP

  • This is a post-trip extension to our Tanzania trip from July 16 to August 1, 2025.

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

Itinerary Updated: March 2025

Private Trip Available



Print Trip
Date Description Lodge Meals
Aug 1 Fly to Zanzibar & Begin Island Exploration. Arrive and explore Stone Town’s rich history. Zanzibar Serena Inn, Zanzibar B,L,D
Aug 2-3 Cultural & Wildlife Experiences. Visit Jozani Forest, spice plantations, and scenic coastal villages. Zanzibar Serena Inn, Zanzibar B,L,D
Aug 4 Final Morning in Zanzibar & Departure. Transfer to Dar es Salaam for flights home. B,L,D
Aug 5 Arrive home.

Our Trip Leaders

Augustine Mwangotya

Augustine, founder and owner of our local safari operator, studied at Tanzania’s College of Wildlife Management and served with the Tanzania Wildlife Department, developing an invaluable set of connections and knowledge. He received his Master’s in Conservation Biology and Ecotourism from Prescott College in Arizona. Augustine’s warmth and humor, intimate knowledge of animal behavior, friendships with indigenous people, and command of logistical details have given him a well-deserved reputation in the safari field.

Detailed Itinerary

A glimpse into our journey

Arrive in Zanzibar, Tanzania from our Tanzania trip.

Aug 1

Ocean
© Kliment Grozdanoski

Fly to the breathtaking island of Zanzibar, an exotic archipelago off the coast of mainland Tanzania, known for its rich history, cultural fusion, and stunning Indian Ocean beaches. The Zanzibar Archipelago consists of Zanzibar Island (640 square miles), Pemba Island, and the smaller islets of Tumbatu and Latham, each offering unique landscapes and history.

Zanzibar Town, once a small Arab fishing village, evolved into a thriving trade hub, where African and Arab cultures merged to create the Swahili language and heritage, still spoken in its purest form today. The first European explorers arrived in 1498, when Vasco da Gama made a historic stop, but Zanzibar’s golden age began in 1832, when the Sultan of Oman relocated his court to the island. This marked the rise of Zanzibar’s lucrative clove plantations and extensive ivory and spice trade, which expanded deep into East Africa’s interior. By the mid-19th century, legendary explorers like Sir Richard Burton, John Speke, and David Livingstone launched their African expeditions from Zanzibar. In 1873, British warships enforced the abolition of the slave trade, and today, a cathedral stands on the site of the former slave market, commemorating this transformation. By 1890, Zanzibar officially became part of the British Empire, setting the stage for its modern identity.

Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, echoes Zanzibar’s storied past with its winding streets, intricately carved Arabian doors, bustling spice markets, and sailing dhows in the harbor. Throughout the island, palm-fringed white-sand beaches, traditional coral-and-thatch villages, and historic spice plantations create an enchanting backdrop. The ruins of Marahubi Palace, once the extravagant home of the sultan’s harem, provide a glimpse into Zanzibar’s royal history. Whether exploring vibrant markets, pristine beaches, or historic landmarks, Zanzibar promises an unforgettable blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation.

Cultural & Wildlife Experiences

Aug 2-3

Port
© Jonas Thoren

Spend two full days immersed in Zanzibar’s natural and cultural treasures. Visit Jozani Forest, home to the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found only on this island. Walk through towering mahogany trees and mangrove swamps, spotting Sykes’ monkeys, bush babies, and over 40 bird species. Continue your journey with a guided tour of Zanzibar’s famous spice plantations, where you’ll see clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon growing in their natural environment. Engage in hands-on spice tastings, learning about the island’s role as the “Spice Capital of the World.” 

For a more leisurely afternoon, stroll along the white-sand beaches, take an optional trip to Changuu Island to see 200-year-old tortoises, or go on a sailing adventure on a dhow.

Final Morning & Departure from Zanzibar

Aug 4

Savor your last morning on the island of Zanzibar. This afternoon, you’ll fly to Tanzania’s port city of Dar es

Salaam where you’ll have a dayroom at the Kilimanjaro Hotel. After a farewell dinner, you will go to the airport for your flights.

Arrive home

Aug 5

Return home with unforgettable memories of Zanzibar’s vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and wildlife encounters.

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  • Cost & Payments
  • Included
  • Not Included
  • Climate
  • Fitness Level
  • Flights
  • Conservation
  • Conditions

Cost & Payments

Costs (in US$)

Type Cost Per Person
Trip Cost, double occupancy $3,700
Single Supplement $540

Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for flights from Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar es Saleem ), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.

If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement.


Payment Schedule

Payment Due Date Amount Per Person

Payment is due with your main trip’s final payment; see the itinerary for Tanzania for details.


Cancellations

Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.

Included

  • Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
  • Leaders for all activities unless described as optional.
  • Flights from Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar es Saleem
  • Accommodations (double occupancy) for the nights of August 1 through August 3 and a dayroom on Aug 4.
  • Meals from breakfast on August 1 through dinner on August 4.
  • Transfers on August 1 and August 4 between the Serena and the Zanzibar airport.
  • Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
  • Short-term AMREF Flying Doctor emergency evacuation insurance. This does not include hospital or treatment costs.

Not Included

  • Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
  • All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Round-trip airfare is approximately $1,200 to $1,500, depending on origin, from the US to Arusha and back to the US from Dar Es Saleem.
  • Passport and visa fees.
  • COVID tests.
  • Divergent airport transfers and extra hotel nights.
  • Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting about $20 to $30 per participant per day for 4 days with our leaders (about $80 to $120 total per participant).
  • Optional trip cancellation insurance.
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.

Climate

August falls in the dry season in Zanzibar, so rain is unlikely.  The average highs are in the low 80’s°f cooling off to the low 70’s° in the evening.

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness is required for this trip. You should be able to walk comfortably in town and in the forest. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.

Flights

Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.

Flights you book

  • Because you are arriving from our Tanzania trip, see the Flights section in its itinerary for arrival information.
  • Depart from Dar es Saleem, Tanzania (DAR) after 8:00pm on August 4.

Flights we book

  • Flights from Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar es Saleem are included in the trip cost.

FAQ

Accommodations

Seasickness

Transportation

Conservation

Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:

  • Ecotourism and Conservation for Tanzania
  • Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
  • Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.

Conditions

Read our current Terms and Conditions.