Zanzibar Beach Extension After a Safari: Planning Guide

A Zanzibar extension is one of the most natural ways to close out a Tanzania safari, and the logistics make it easy: short flights connect the Serengeti and Arusha directly to Zanzibar, avoiding what would otherwise be a long, unnecessary road transfer back through the mainland. Where you base yourself on the island depends on what you're after. The east coast — Paje and Jambiani — suits swimmers and kitesurfers with its calmer, more active beach scene, while Stone Town suits travelers more interested in history and culture than time in the water. Most travelers find 3 to 4 nights is genuinely enough to properly unwind after an active safari schedule — long enough to shift gears completely, without turning your whole trip into a beach holiday if wildlife was the main draw. See our Zanzibar overview, or browse our Zanzibar itineraries to add a beach extension.