Zanzibar holiday packages offer a chance to immerse yourself in a heady mix of palm-fringed beaches, turquoise seas and a melting pot of exotic cultures. Lying off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is a romantic Indian Ocean island paradise that is still relatively untouched. It’s the largest coral island off the shores of Africa and is famous for its centuries-old sailing dhows, ornately carved wooden doors and the scent of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg – hence its nickname, the 'Spice Island'. 

Zanzibar’s main town, Stone Town, is the oldest part of the island and boasts 45 mosques, the Slave Market, the Old Fort, Dr Livingstone’s House and the Zanzibar Marubhi Palace ruins. The surrounding islands offer opportunities for further explorations. One of the most popular is Pemba, famous for its excellent scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and a variety of water sports in the untouched marine environment of the Pemba Channel. There’s also Prison Island, home to giant tortoises, and tiny Mnemba, only inhabited by the staff and guests of the luxurious &Beyond Mnemba Island all-inclusive resort.

Why travel to Zanzibar

• The weather is superb year-round. 
• There are numerous tiny islands surrounding Zanzibar that you can explore. 
• The beaches are beautiful. 
• Zanzibar's vibrant cultural heritage includes African, Arabic and Portuguese influences. 
• Zanzibar is a popular location for a romantic holiday. 
• It's a paradise for divers and snorkellers. 
• You can see red colobus monkeys in the Jozani Forest Reserve. 
• Enjoy delicious fresh seafood. 
• An ideal add-on if you’re going on safari in Tanzania. 

So what is the best time to visit Zanzibar? July to September is the dry season and a popular time to travel. However it is worthwhile going anytime of the year as the temperatures remain around 28 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius. 

Zanzibar’s proximity to Tanzania, where you can enjoy an unsurpassed wildlife experience, including watching the annual wildebeest migration, makes the island an ideal location for an unforgettable bush-and-beach holiday or romantic honeymoon. Let Thompsons Holidays assist with your 2023 travel arrangements to Zanzibar with a hassle-free holiday, from luxury to cheaper packages, to this beautiful, exotic island destination.

Zanzibar offers plenty of exciting sightseeing opportunities. When you’ve had enough of soaking up the sun and enjoying the varied water sports, you can visit a spice farm to touch, smell and taste various spices, learn all about local village life and enjoy some spiced tea and seasonal fruits. You can also sail off on a traditional wooden dhow to enjoy snorkelling at various locations, including Kwale Island. Alternatively, head for gorgeous Pemba, 80km from Zanzibar, with its beautiful beaches, prolific birdlife, and excellent dive sites where you can view coral and abundant underwater marine life.

Exciting things to do from our zanzibar-all-inclusive-packages

• Explore Stone Town's winding streets and marvel at the Arabic architecture en route to visit historic sights. 
• Soak up the sun on the famous Nungwi Beach. 
• Visit the Old Fort, Stone Town’s oldest building that dates back to the 17th Century. 
• Go snorkelling in the Mnemba Atoll. 
• Watch the sunset from the beach. 
• Party up a storm at one of the Full Moon parties at Kendwa Beach. 
• Discover the relaxed fishing village of Jambiani, one of the island’s best-kept secrets. 
• Visit Jozani Forest, home to thousands of crabs who live under the mangroves, and see a variety of wildlife, including red colobus monkeys. 
• Discover historic Prison Island, home to giant tortoises. 
• Visit the night-time food market, Forodhani, to enjoy a traditional seafood dinner. 
• Spend time in the Palace Museum, one of Stone Towns’ most historic buildings. 
• Go kite surfing on the island of Paje.   

Another fun thing to do in Zanzibar is sampling traditional food in Stone Town’s numerous restaurants. Zanzibar’s cuisine is delicious – there’s even a famous restaurant here, called The Rock, located on top of a rock in the sea, which offers sensational seafood and equally spectacular views. With so much to do and see in Zanzibar we recommend spending at least 7 - 10 days on the archipelago. Browse our fantastic range of Zanzibar holiday packages available and let's get your Spice Island holiday sorted!

• Lightweight clothing for summer, add layers during the cooler months. Don't forget your beachwear! 
• Comfortable walking shoes, sandals. 
• Sunscreen, lip balm, hat, swimsuits and sunglasses.  
• Dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Long, loose pants and long-sleeved cotton shirts are best.
• Mini first aid kit and regular prescription medication.
• Hand sanitiser and insect repellent.
• Camera.
• Travel adaptor.   

• Support local artisans.  
• Avoid single-use plastic. Zanzibar has officially banned plastic bags from the islands.   

Zanzibar was once a British protectorate and gained independence in 1963.

The history of Zanzibar can be traced back to the early 6th century. The island was occupied by Bantu-speaking people who were later joined by Arab traders from Oman, Persia, and India. In 1502, Zanzibar was visited by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama who named it "Ilha de São Lourenço".

In 1698, Zanzibar became a British protectorate following the signing of the Treaty of Friendship with Sultan Bargash bin Said Al-Busaid.

In 1963, Zanzibar became independent from Britain and merged with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.

There are a few ways to get to Zanzibar. The most popular way is by plane. There are two airports in Zanzibar, one in Stone Town and the other in the north, near the beach resort of Jambiani.

The Stone Town airport is only a few minutes from town and is serviced by many airlines.

The Jambiani airport is about 45 minutes from town but has more flight options.

Airlines that fly to Zanzibar include: Ethiopian Airlines, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Jetairfly and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.