Zanzibar: Discover and Disappear, 8 days
Discover the soul of Zanzibar. Then disappear into the Indian Ocean.
A beautifully balanced 7-night luxury Zanzibar escape combining the best of two worlds. Begin with three nights on Zanzibar's main island, staying at a luxury beachfront resort perfectly positioned for exploring the island's culture, history, cuisine and spectacular marine environment. Then leave the mainland behind. Cross the turquoise waters to an exclusive private-island retreat, where four nights of all-inclusive barefoot luxury await. Here, there is nowhere to be and nothing you need to do. Just the ocean, white sand, exceptional cuisine, personalised service and the freedom to spend each day exactly as you wish.
We hold Mnemba and comparable luxury island retreats. The property is confirmed with your dates, because availability on a private island is limited and moves quickly.
Yes. The eight days sit neatly after a northern-circuit safari, and we fly you from the Serengeti or Arusha to Zanzibar rather than driving.
Yes. Days six and seven can be built around swimming, kayaking and marine discovery, and the retreat's programme is optional throughout.
About an hour from Kilimanjaro International, and roughly two hours from the Serengeti airstrips.
- ✓3 nights at a luxury beachfront resort on Zanzibar's main island
- ✓4 nights at a luxury private-island retreat
- ✓Luxury accommodation throughout
- ✓All-inclusive board during the private-island stay
- ✓Meals according to the selected mainland resort plan
- ✓Airport meet and greet
- ✓Private airport transfer
- ✓Private mainland transfers
- ✓Boat transfer to and from the private island
- ✓Airport departure transfer
- ✓Private Stone Town tour
- ✓Spice Island experience
- ✓Private or premium dhow or marine excursion
- ✓Snorkelling experience
- ✓Sunset dhow experience
- ✓Selected island activities
- ✓Yoga where available
- ✓Personalised pre-arrival planning
- ✓Private airport assistance
- ✓Professional local guides
- ✓24/7 destination support
- ✓All applicable service charges and taxes
- —International flights
- —Flights to/from Zanzibar unless specifically quoted
- —Tanzania visa
- —Travel insurance
- —Any mandatory Zanzibar travel requirements or levies applicable at the time of travel
- —Spa and wellness treatments unless specified
- —Premium beverages outside the property's all-inclusive selection
- —Private experiences specifically excluded from the selected resort package
- —Scuba-diving courses for non-certified guests
- —Personal purchases
- —Tips and gratuities
- —Any services not specifically mentioned
Change anything on this itinerary
This is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Add nights, move parks, change the accommodation tier — tell us and we rebuild it.
8 days, in order
Arrival in Zanzibar
Met at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and driven to your luxury beachfront resort. The rest of the day is deliberately free.
Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, where your private AfricaMaze representative will welcome you.nnYour private vehicle takes you towards your luxury beachfront resort. As Zanzibar unfolds around you, coconut palms, local villages, spice plantations and glimpses of the Indian Ocean, the pace immediately begins to slow.nnArrive at your resort, check in and settle into your room.nnThe remainder of the day is deliberately free. Enjoy your first swim in the Indian Ocean. Relax beside the pool. Walk barefoot along the beach. Or simply enjoy a sunset drink as the sky turns gold over the water.
Stone Town and the Spice Island
A private cultural walk through Stone Town, then a private Spice Island experience in the countryside, with a relaxed local lunch.
After breakfast, discover the cultural heart of Zanzibar.nnYour private guide takes you into Stone Town, the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its winding streets, carved wooden doors, bustling markets and distinctive blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian and European influences.nnRather than rushing through a checklist of monuments, this is designed as a private cultural walk. Discover historic Stone Town, traditional carved doors, old trading quarters, Sultanate-era architecture, local markets, Swahili culture and history, and the hidden corners and atmospheric streets.nnContinue into the countryside for a private Spice Island experience. Walk through plantations growing cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom and other tropical spices. Taste fresh tropical fruits and discover why Zanzibar became famous throughout the world as the Spice Island.nnEnjoy a relaxed local lunch before returning to your resort.nnThe remainder of the day is free. Return to the beach. Enjoy the pool. Book a spa treatment. Or simply relax.
The Indian Ocean experience
A private or premium dhow experience along the coast: snorkelling, a sandbank, marine life and time on the water.
Today is dedicated to the ocean.nnAfter breakfast, head out on a private or premium dhow/boat experience along Zanzibar's spectacular coastline. Depending on the season and sea conditions, your experience can include snorkelling, swimming, a sandbank experience, marine-life viewing, traditional dhow sailing, fresh tropical refreshments and time to relax on the water.nnThe aim is not to fill the day with activities, but to give guests their first real taste of Zanzibar's extraordinary marine environment.nnReturn to your resort in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner at your resort and prepare for the most exclusive part of the journey. Tomorrow, you leave the mainland behind.
Crossing to paradise
Check out, transfer to the coast and cross the Indian Ocean by boat to your private island retreat. Barefoot from here.
After breakfast, check out from your mainland resort.nnYour private transfer takes you towards the coast, where you board your boat for the journey across the turquoise Indian Ocean. As Zanzibar's main island disappears behind you, everything becomes quieter.nnArrive at your private island retreat. Welcome drink. Check-in. Barefoot. No shoes required. No schedule required. No rush.nnYour private beachfront accommodation becomes your home for the next four nights. Spend the afternoon swimming, walking the beach or simply settling into island life.nnDinner is served in the beautiful surroundings of the island.
Into the blue
Snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, diving, marine conservation and yoga, all optional, then a sunset dhow cruise.
Wake up to the sound of the Indian Ocean. After breakfast, choose your adventure. The island experience can include snorkelling on the coral reefs, kayaking across the turquoise shallows, stand-up paddleboarding on calm tropical water, scuba diving for certified divers, the island's coral restoration and turtle conservation work, and yoga beneath the island canopy.nnThese are not compulsory activities. They are simply opportunities available whenever you feel like moving.nnLate afternoon: return to the beach. Read. Sleep. Swim. Do nothing.nnIn the evening, enjoy a sunset dhow cruise, watching the Indian Ocean turn from blue to gold before darkness settles over the horizon.
The luxury of time
Intentionally empty. Wake naturally, swim, lunch beneath the palms, a wellness treatment, or nothing at all.
Today is intentionally empty. Because sometimes the greatest luxury is having nowhere to be.nnWake naturally. Enjoy breakfast wherever you choose. Spend the morning swimming in the warm Indian Ocean. Have lunch beneath the palms. Book a wellness treatment. Take a quiet walk. Read. Sleep. Repeat.nnFor guests wanting a little more activity, the island's marine programme remains available, including snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and other water experiences.nnFor everyone else: the beach is waiting.
Your final day in paradise
Your day to choose the ending: a last snorkel, a sandbank picnic, a wellness treatment, or nothing. A farewell dinner on the island.
Your final full day is yours. This is the day to choose your own ending.nnPerhaps one final snorkelling adventure. Perhaps a private sandbank picnic. Perhaps a wellness treatment. Perhaps a long lunch followed by an afternoon nap. Or perhaps you simply spend the entire day barefoot on the beach.nnFor couples and honeymooners, we can arrange a private beach dinner or special sunset experience. For families, the day can be centred around swimming, kayaking and marine discovery. For active travellers, there are opportunities for diving and further ocean exploration.nnAnd for those who have come to escape: do absolutely nothing. That is the point.nnAs night falls, enjoy your final island dinner surrounded by the Indian Ocean. No traffic. No city lights. Just the sound of the waves and the stars above.
Until next time, Zanzibar
A final island breakfast and swim, the boat back to the main island, then the private transfer to the airport.
Wake slowly. Enjoy your final island breakfast. Take one final swim. Walk barefoot along the beach.nnThen board your boat back to Zanzibar's main island. Your private vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.nnAnd just like that, your Zanzibar story comes to an end. But the feeling of the island stays with you.
Package prices
8 days / 7 nights at Elewana Kilindi Lodge and &Beyond Mnemba Island, all inclusive. Totals are for the whole party.
| Itinerary | Per adult | Per child | Package total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller (1 adult) | 17,138 | — | 17,138 |
| Two adults sharing | 13,444 | — | 26,888 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | 13,797 | 9,658 | 46,909 |
Accommodation
Where you sleep, on both sides of the water
Two properties across seven nights. The private-island retreat is kept flexible, so we can offer Mnemba or another comparable luxury island retreat depending on availability and your budget.
Zanzibar, main island
Luxury beachfront resort
3 nights
- Room and board
- Room and meals on the selected resort plan
Positioned for Stone Town, the spice plantations and the northern marine areas.
Swipe for more images
Private island
Private island all-inclusive retreat
4 nights
- Room and board
- Private beachfront accommodation, all-inclusive board
Mnemba or another comparable luxury island retreat, depending on availability and budget.
Swipe for more images
One team, from the first email to the airport
Keep looking
Other trips we run
Safari
Calving Season Safari, 10 days
A slower, more immersive safari through northern Tanzania. Three nights in Ndutu, timed for the Great Migration's calving…
- Days
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
On request
RequestView this tripSafari
Gombe and Mahale, The Western Tanzania Chimpanzee Journey, 8 days
Both of Tanzania's chimpanzee parks in one journey, linked by Lake Tanganyika.
- Dar es Salaam
- Kigoma
- Gombe
- Mahale
- +2 more
- Days
- 8
- Difficulty
- Moderate
from 6,239 USDper person, 2 sharing
RequestView this tripSafari
Gombe Chimpanzee and Lake Tanganyika Escape, 5 days
Chimpanzee trekking in Gombe, with three nights on the shore of Lake Tanganyika.
- Dar es Salaam
- Kigoma
- Gombe National Park
- Kigoma
- +1 more
- Days
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
from 2,880 USDper person, 2 sharing
RequestView this trip