Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, is known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich cultural history. 4 days in Zanzibar offers the perfect balance of relaxation and exploration, from wandering through the historic alleys of Stone Town to visiting spice farms, snorkeling in clear lagoons, and unwinding on tranquil beaches.
Note – This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, I get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
Notes About this Itinerary
- You can do this 4 days in Zanzibar in any order that you like
- Keep ample time for your journey to and from the airport
- Distances around the island may look small but it takes time to get around
When to Visit Zanzibar
The best time to visit Zanzibar is from June to October. These months are usually considered the dry season with calm seas and sunny skies. However, it’s also peak tourist season. Another shorter window appears from December to February but it is hot and might be full of tourists trying to escape winter. March to May are considered long rains and is not the best time to go. See a full summary below!
| Period | Weather & Conditions | Ideal For | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| June – Oct | Dry season, sunny, calm seas | Beach-time, diving, photography | Peak tourist season = higher rates |
| Dec – Feb | Hot, mostly dry | Winter escape, good general weather | More humid, maybe more tourists |
| March – May | Long rains, high humidity | Budget travel, fewer tourists | Rain may interrupt plans |
| Nov (early Dec) | Short rains, some shower risk | Shoulder season value travel | Weather less predictable |
Where to Stay
Kendwa / Nungwi (North Coast) – Known for some of the best beaches on the island: long white sands, calm water (especially good when tides are less extreme) and beautiful sunsets
Matemwe / Kiwengwa (East Coast) – A bit quieter, more relaxed. Ideal if you want beautiful beach time but also a more laid-back pace.
Jambiani / Paje (south Coast) – A great choice if you like a combination of beach + local village life + more “undiscovered” corners. Possibly more budget-friendly with more authentic small-scale accommodation.
If you want to experience a couple of areas of the island, pick Kendwa/Nungwi AND either the east or the south. With 4 days in Zanzibar, two each would be an ideal split if you want to do this.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at an all-inclusive called Riu Palace Zanzibar and it was perfect! First of all the location was unbelievable. The beach and ocean in this area is straight out of a desktop screensaver. The hotel is huge and has 3 pools, several restaurants and a ton of amenities. The food and drinks were very good. Even their buffet restaurant was solid (which is not always the case at all-inclusive hotels). The staff were also very friendly and helpful! See HERE to book.
Getting to Zanzibar
There are several international airline carriers who fly into Zanzibar. These include (but not limited to ) Air France, KLM, Ethiopian, kish Airlines, Qatar etc.
If you are on the mainland, you can easily hop on a domestic flight for relatively cheap. Airlines like Precision Air and Flightlink Limited will connect mainland cities (i.e., Arusha, Dar es Salaam) to Zanzibar. There is also a ferry between Dar es Salaam and Stone Town takes about 2 hours; several departures daily.
Getting Around Zanzibar
Zanzibar is relatively small but it does take quite a bit of time to get around the island.
- Private Transfers – Private transfers are the most common and convenient way to travel between the airport, Stone Town, and beach areas. I used Zanzitaxi and they were very good. Easy to communicate with and were on time and courteous.
- Taxis- Taxis are not metered, so agree on the fare before starting your trip. Ask your accommodation provider (i.e., hotel) to book you a taxi or for recommondations on a good driver.
- Public buses – Dala-dalas are shared minibuses used mainly by locals. This is certainly a budget option but they are often crowded, slow and don’t really run on a fixed schedule.
- Self-Driving – I was actually very glad that I didn’t rent a car and drive. There were cops everywhere and my drivers were always bribing them to get past. so while you certainly can rent a car and drive, I personally would not do it.
4 Days in Zanzibar
This 4 days in Zanzibar itinerary aims to balance sightseeing with relaxing.
Day 1 – Paje Beach
On day 1 of this 4 days in Zanzibar itinerary, you could explore the beaches on the south side, especially Paje beach. If you are arriving on day 1 it will take you a bit of time to get from the airport or ferry terminal to Paje. Relax and enjoy the beautiful colors of the water. At Paje, you can enjoy water sports like kite surfing, snorkeling, and diving, relax with activities like beachside yoga and sunset dhow cruises. There are lots of cafes and restaurants along the water so that you can enjoy some food and drinks.
Day 2 – Tour of Southeast
The southeast of the island has some amazing beaches and views that you should try and check out. I did a tour that curated some of these places and it was perfect. We visited Mtende beach, had lunch at a beautiful restaurant that was on the water, visited Maalum caves where I got a relaxing massage (extra charge), visited the famous Rock restaurant and then visited Kae Beach for the sunset. This is a beach club with fun vibes and there are shows once the sun goes down. We also visited the Salaam cave to see turtles and I was told it was a sustainable operation but I was a bit skeptical. This is one place I would ask them to skip if I do it again. Below is the tour I did.
Day 3 – Mnemba Island Snorkeling
Mnemba had some of the best snorkeling I have seen. Unfortunately I don’t have a good tour to recommend because I did a dolphin and snorkeling tour thinking we would just see dolphins from our boat but they almost chased the dolphins and people were encouraged to jump into the water and swim with the dolphins as they were chased. To me this was highly unethical and therefore I highly encourage you to pick a tour without the dolphin part. Another option is to select a private tour so that you can ask them to skip the dolphins and take you directly to Mnemba which is totally worth going! The water was crystal clear and you could even see fish from the boat without even having to put your head in the water. We also visited a beautiful sandbar and you can ask them to keep that.
Enjoy the rest of the day on the beach at your hotel or a nearby beach.
Day 4 – Historic Zanzibar
On the last day of your 4 days in Zanzibar, you can explore Stone Town and its rich history. Start your day catching a boat to Prison Island.
Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is located about 5.6 kilometers northwest of Stone Town, Zanzibar. The island was originally used in the late 19th century as a place to detain rebellious slaves before it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. Today, it is best known for its population of Aldabra giant tortoises, a species native to the Seychelles, some of which are over 100 years old. Catch short 20 minute a boat in the morning to Prison Island and tour the old prison ruins, learn about the island’s history, and of course see the tortoises.
After Prison Island, head over to Stone Town to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You should consider hiring a guide or taking one of the tours I have listed below. Stone Town has so much rich history that I think it is definitely best explored with a guide. The town’s narrow alleys, coral stone buildings, carved wooden doors, and bustling markets reflect its multicultural past. Notable landmarks include the Old Fort, House of Wonders, Sultan’s Palace, and the Anglican Cathedral, which stands on the site of the former slave market.
Prison Island and Stone Town should take you about 4-6 hours depending on your pace. If you want to make a full 8 hour day of it, consider adding a spice farm tour or visiting the beautiful Nakupenda sandbank. Options are all these are shown below.
Did you find this post useful? Please let me know by liking/commenting below or sharing this post on social media! Thank you!!
Pin this post for later!
See all my posts on Zanzibar HERE!
