Step off the well-worn tourist trail on this 8-day journey through Zanzibar's cultural heart and its wildest shores. Begin with three immersive nights in historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where winding alleyways, carved wooden doors, and centuries of Swahili, Arab, and Indian influence come together.
Then venture north to Pemba Island, Zanzibar's less-visited sister island — a place of dense clove forests, dramatic coral drop-offs, and beaches you may well have entirely to yourself. With some of the best advanced diving in East Africa and a slower, more authentic pace of island life, Pemba is the trip for travelers who want to see Zanzibar as it once was.
3 nights in the historic old city
Pemba's coral walls & drop-offs
4 nights on unspoiled Pemba Island
The best months for this itinerary are June through October and December through February, when dry, sunny conditions give the clearest water for diving around Pemba and comfortable walking weather in Stone Town.
November and March offer lower rates and a quieter Stone Town, though short rain showers are possible. We recommend avoiding the long rains from April to May, when some Pemba dive sites have reduced visibility and forest trails can be muddy.
Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, where your guide will meet you and transfer you into the heart of Stone Town. Check into your boutique hotel, set within a restored 19th-century merchant house. Spend the afternoon settling in and getting your bearings with a gentle orientation walk through the nearby streets, past spice markets and carved wooden doorways. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner of Swahili-inspired dishes at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the harbor, with your first taste of Zanzibar's spice-laden cuisine.
A full day exploring Stone Town with a knowledgeable local guide. Wander the labyrinthine alleys to the House of Wonders, the former Sultan's Palace, and the Old Fort, learning how Arab, Persian, Indian, and African influences shaped this trading port over centuries. Visit the Anglican Cathedral, built on the site of the former slave market, for a candid look at this difficult chapter of the island's history. After a lunch break at a local café, browse the stalls of Darajani Market before an afternoon at leisure to revisit favorite corners or relax at your hotel.
Head into the countryside just outside Stone Town for a guided spice plantation tour, where you'll see, smell, and taste the cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla that once made Zanzibar one of the world's most valuable trading ports. Return to town for lunch and a free afternoon to shop for souvenirs or simply relax. As the sun begins to set, board a traditional wooden dhow for a cruise along the Stone Town waterfront, with the old city's skyline glowing gold behind you. Enjoy a final dinner in Stone Town before tomorrow's transfer north.
After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short scenic flight north to Pemba Island, watching Stone Town give way to dense green forest and a coastline dotted with tiny fishing dhows. On arrival, you'll immediately notice the change of pace — Pemba sees a fraction of Zanzibar's visitors. Transfer to your beachfront lodge on the island's northern coast and spend the rest of the day settling in, with time to walk the beach or simply relax to the sound of the waves before dinner.
Pemba is regarded as one of East Africa's premier dive destinations, with a coral wall dropping dramatically to over 1,000 meters just offshore. Certified divers head out for two guided dives at renowned sites such as Njao Gap and Manta Point, where strong currents feed exceptionally healthy hard and soft coral. Non-divers can join a snorkeling excursion over the shallower reefs instead, spotting turtles and reef fish in the clear water. Return to the lodge for lunch and a free afternoon before a beachfront dinner under the stars.
Trade the water for the forest today with a guided walk through Ngezi Forest Reserve, one of the last remnants of Pemba's original tropical canopy, home to rare palms, flying foxes, and vervet monkeys found nowhere else on the island. Afterward, visit a working clove plantation to learn how these fragrant buds — Pemba's most famous export and the source of its nickname, the "Green Island" — are grown, harvested, and dried. Return to the lodge in the afternoon for a swim or a rest before a relaxed dinner.
Board a traditional dhow for a half-day excursion to a secluded sandbank that appears only at low tide, one of Pemba's best-kept secrets and often entirely deserted. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the sand before sailing back in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours — snorkel from the beach, book an optional second dive, or simply do nothing at all. On your final evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the lodge reflecting on a week spent well off the tourist trail.
Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the ocean and, if time allows, one last walk along the beach. Transfer to Pemba's airport for your flight back to Stone Town or Dar es Salaam to connect with your onward international flight. For travelers wanting more time, we can arrange additional nights on Pemba, in Stone Town, or on Zanzibar's east coast beaches.
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing.
| Season | Dates | Price (Per Person) | Single Supp. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May, Nov | $2,400 | $450 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun | $2,750 | $500 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $3,200 | $600 | Limited |
Price includes accommodation, most meals, guided touring, internal flight, and transfers as listed. Optional diving (beyond the two included dives) and international flights are additional.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Emerson Spice Hotel, Stone Town | Boutique Hotel | ★★★★ |
| Days 4–7 | Manta Resort, Pemba Island | Beach Lodge | ★★★★★ |
Fly into Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), reachable via Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. On Day 4, a short internal flight connects Stone Town to Pemba Island's Karume Airport (PMA). Your return flight will be from Pemba, routed back through Stone Town or Dar es Salaam.
Your guide will meet you at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport on arrival for the transfer into Stone Town. Flights typically land throughout the day, so we tailor the pickup time to your arrival details.
Day 4: Stone Town (Zanzibar) to Pemba Island, approximately 20 minutes. Day 8: Pemba Island back to Stone Town or onward to Dar es Salaam. Luggage limit: 15 kg in soft-sided bags.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens), valid for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar/Pemba. A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic area.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Alongside our classic safaris, we run a growing collection of off-the-beaten-path itineraries for travelers who want to see East Africa beyond the well-trodden routes — from Pemba's coral walls to hidden forest trails. Every itinerary is guided by our own local team, who know these islands and parks intimately.
