Wander the old streets and carved doorways with someone who knows their stories.

The spice that named the island

Walk a spice farm and understand why the world once sailed here.

Sail the old way, with the sail full and the water glass-clear beneath you.

The long, blue afternoon

Do gloriously little, exactly where the sea meets the sky.

Swahili flavours, fresh off the boat, as the sun goes down.

Land in Zanzibar, transfer to your stay, the first slow afternoon by the water.

A morning in the old streets with a guide, a spice-farm walk, a Swahili table by evening.

Time that belongs to the sea — a dhow sail, the reef, or gloriously nothing at all.

One more swim before you fly out, or onward to the mainland.

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

June to October and December to February are driest and sunniest; the island is rewarding most of the year.

Can I combine Zanzibar with a safari?

Yes — bush-and-beach is one of our most-loved journeys; we handle the connection seamlessly.

Is Zanzibar good for families or relaxed travellers?

Very. We design the island at whatever pace you want, including accessible and multi-generational options.

Signature journey · from 5 nights

Shores of Zanzibar

Shores of Zanzibar is a tailored island journey through Zanzibar, Tanzania, designed by Nobu — blending coastal relaxation, Swahili culture and Stone Town heritage across comfort levels from Essential to Private Collection.

Narrative introduction

After the dust and the drama of the plains, the island asks only that you slow down. Zanzibar arrives on the air first — clove and cardamom on a warm wind — long before the water turns that impossible blue beneath the dhow.

Shores of Zanzibar is the gentle close to an African story, or a chapter all its own. Mornings lost in the carved-door labyrinth of Stone Town, where Africa, Arabia and India have traded for a thousand years. Afternoons that dissolve into the sea. Evenings of grilled fish, spiced coffee and the call to prayer drifting over the rooftops.

This is not a beach. It's a culture you can taste, set to the rhythm of the tide.

Experience moments

Lost in Stone Town — Wander the old streets and carved doorways with someone who knows their stories.
The spice that named the island — Walk a spice farm and understand why the world once sailed here.
Out on a dhow — Sail the old way, with the sail full and the water glass-clear beneath you.
The long, blue afternoon — Do gloriously little, exactly where the sea meets the sky.
A table by the water — Swahili flavours, fresh off the boat, as the sun goes down.

How you'll travel

From a characterful Essential guesthouse in the heart of Stone Town to a Private Collection villa with the beach to yourself, Zanzibar is yours at the level that suits you — each stay chosen for its sense of place, not just its sea view.

Make it yours

Pair the island with a Tanzania safari for the classic bush-and-beach story. Add a Swahili cooking afternoon, a free-diving lesson, or a quiet day on a sandbank that appears only at low tide. Travelling with family or at a gentler pace? We'll design the island soft and easy.

The rhythm of the journey

Arrive & exhale — Land in Zanzibar, transfer to your stay, the first slow afternoon by the water.
Stone Town & spice — A morning in the old streets with a guide, a spice-farm walk, a Swahili table by evening.
The long blue days — Time that belongs to the sea — a dhow sail, the reef, or gloriously nothing at all.
A last morning — One more swim before you fly out, or onward to the mainland.

Most island stays run 3–5 nights, and pair beautifully with a mainland safari.

What's included

Typically included: accommodation at your chosen tier · airport transfers · guided Stone Town and spice experiences as specified · breakfast (and meals per property) · a dhow excursion where included.

Not included: international and inter-island flights · visas and insurance · most lunches and dinners unless specified · premium drinks · optional excursions and watersports · gratuities. Quoted in full before you book.

What it costs

Shores of Zanzibar is designed bespoke. Your quote is built from live rates, season, group size, routing, guiding, permits and accommodation tier. We'll give you a clear, all-in quote, and a combined one if you pair it with a safari.

Zanzibar, in context

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, famed for its Swahili culture, the UNESCO-listed Stone Town, its spice heritage and some of the Indian Ocean's finest beaches. It pairs naturally with a mainland safari and suits travellers seeking culture, relaxation or both. Nobu designs Zanzibar journeys year-round, for couples, families and every kind of explorer.

Common questions

Lost in Stone Town: Wander the old streets and carved doorways with someone who knows their stories.
The spice that named the island: Walk a spice farm and understand why the world once sailed here.
Out on a dhow: Sail the old way, with the sail full and the water glass-clear beneath you.
The long, blue afternoon: Do gloriously little, exactly where the sea meets the sky.
A table by the water: Swahili flavours, fresh off the boat, as the sun goes down.
Arrive & exhale: Land in Zanzibar, transfer to your stay, the first slow afternoon by the water.
Stone Town & spice: A morning in the old streets with a guide, a spice-farm walk, a Swahili table by evening.
The long blue days: Time that belongs to the sea — a dhow sail, the reef, or gloriously nothing at all.
A last morning: One more swim before you fly out, or onward to the mainland.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?: June to October and December to February are driest and sunniest; the island is rewarding most of the year.
Can I combine Zanzibar with a safari?: Yes — bush-and-beach is one of our most-loved journeys; we handle the connection seamlessly.
Is Zanzibar good for families or relaxed travellers?: Very. We design the island at whatever pace you want, including accessible and multi-generational options.