Zanzibar is Tanzania's island archipelago: UNESCO-listed Stone Town, spice farms and white-sand beaches, about 1½ hours by air from Nairobi. Kenyans need no visa.
Zanzibar is the easiest international beach holiday from Kenya: a short flight from Nairobi, no visa for Kenyan citizens, and a mix of history, food and turquoise water you won't find on our own coast. The main island, Unguja, lies off the Tanzanian mainland. Its old quarter, Stone Town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Zanzibar gives you two holidays in one. There's Stone Town, a maze of coral-stone houses, carved doors, mosques and markets, and then there are beaches that range from lively to almost empty. It's also a classic finish to a Kenyan or Tanzanian safari.
The north coast around Nungwi and Kendwa has the smallest tidal change, so you can swim most of the day, and the sunsets are famous. The east coast, at Paje, Jambiani and Michamvi, has wide beaches and big tides that drain the lagoons at low water. That's ideal for kitesurfing and for peace and quiet. Two nights in Stone Town before or after the beach is the right amount.
June to October is dry, sunny and slightly cooler, the most popular season. Late December to February is hot and dry. The long rains, from about March to May with April the wettest, bring heavy showers and some hotel closures. November's short rains are lighter and often good value.
From Nairobi: direct flights take roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, from both Jomo Kenyatta International and Wilson airports.
From Mombasa: direct flights have come and gone. Jambojet suspended its Mombasa–Zanzibar service in September 2026, so for now most travellers connect via Nairobi, or fly to Dar es Salaam and take the fast ferry, which takes about two hours.
Guide checked October 2026 by the Jeff Tours team. Park fees and visa rules change — we confirm current ones in every quote.
Trips to Zanzibar
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Fly from Nairobi to Zanzibar for three nights: a Stone Town walking tour, a spice farm visit, a beach day and a sunset dhow cruise, with breakfast daily.
No. Kenyan citizens don't need a visa for Zanzibar or mainland Tanzania because both countries belong to the East African Community, but you should travel with a valid passport. Zanzibar does require visitors to buy its mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, and at last check East African citizens paid a reduced rate. Rules change, so confirm before you fly.
Direct flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar take roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on the airline and aircraft. Kenya Airways and several regional carriers fly the route from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and smaller airlines fly from Wilson. It's short enough for a long-weekend escape from Nairobi.
Not at the moment. Jambojet launched a direct Mombasa–Zanzibar service in 2024 but suspended it in September 2026, citing costs. For now, most travellers from Mombasa connect via Nairobi, or fly to Dar es Salaam and take the fast ferry to Zanzibar, which takes about two hours. We check the current options for your dates when you book.
The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has the least tidal change, so you can swim most of the day, and the sunsets are excellent. The east coast, at Paje, Jambiani and Michamvi, has wide beaches and big tides, which suits kitesurfing and a quieter stay. Stone Town is best for a couple of nights of history and food.
June to October is dry, sunny and slightly cooler, and it's the most popular season. Late December to February is hot and dry too. The long rains, from about March to May with April the wettest month, bring heavy showers and some hotel closures. November's short rains are lighter and often a good-value time to go.
Very. You can combine Stone Town's history, a sunset dhow cruise, snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll and slow days on the beach, and it's an easy add-on after a Kenyan or Tanzanian safari. Choose the north coast if you want to swim at all tides, or the east coast for privacy. Dress modestly away from the beach and hotel.
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