Tanzania's Spice Islands

13 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Private Guided
With its white sands and turquoise waters, the Zanzibar Archipelago is an ideal place to unwind following a safari in Tanzania. You can spend your days snorkeling and diving among coral reefs, sailing on a traditional dhow and absorbing the Swahili culture. Our specialists, having visited Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and the Mafia Islands many times, can hel...
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy the superb snorkeling and diving in the Mafia Archipelago.
    • Relax on a private island complete with pristine white beaches.
    • Visit one of Zanzibar's famous spice plantations.
    • Explore Stone Town's winding streets, learning about the region’s mix of Arabic and African cultures.

What's this trip about?

    With its white sands and turquoise waters, the Zanzibar Archipelago is an ideal place to unwind following a safari in Tanzania. You can spend your days snorkeling and diving among coral reefs, sailing on a traditional dhow and absorbing the Swahili culture. Our specialists, having visited Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and the Mafia Islands many times, can help you plan a vacation to Zanzibar that takes in the archipelago’s highlights. There’s more to this string of islands than basking on palm-fringed beaches. Once a hub for spice traders, history here goes back 2,000 years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Stone Town, the Zanzibari capital, where you can wander winding alleys leading to spice markets and see piles of cinnamon and nutmeg lying in the sun. Exploring the green interior of Pemba Island, you might come across farmers tending their crops. And, on the Mafia Islands, watch as fishermen make and mend their nets in tiny coastal villages.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityDar es Salaam International Airport
End CityStone Town

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari
  • Scuba Diving

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Nature
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife Viewing

Trip includes

    • Price includes In-destination transfers
    • Activities and excursions as detailed
    • All accommodations

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Itinerary

Day 1 The Mafia Archipelago

 Dar es Salaam International Airport ,  Dar es Salaam domestic terminal ,  The Mafia Archipelago

Your flight will arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam today. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, you’ll be met by you...

Day 2 The Mafia Archipelago

 The Mafia Archipelago

Mafia is one of the best locations in the world for swimming with whale sharks. From October through March, the majestic 8 m (24 ft) whale sharks gather at the surface of the water close to the island to eat plankton. You’ll hop on a boat...

Day 3 The Mafia Archipelago

 The Mafia Archipelago

Just five minutes east of Mafia Island by boat, Chole Island was once the capital of these islands and is a place where time seems to have stopped. The jungle-like stretch of land is home to ruins of the earliest settlement in the archipe...

Day 4 The Mafia Archipelago

 The Mafia Archipelago

The glory of Mafia Island lies in its waters, and in 1995 the Mafia Island Marine Park was formed to protect them. The shallow reefs are perfect for snorkeling or learning to dive, and outside the bay are deep pockets for experienced dive...

Day 5 Songo Songo Archipelago

 The Mafia Archipelago ,  Songo Songo Archipelago

It’s time to island hop today. You’ll fly southwest from Mafia to the Songo Songo Archipelago, a group of islands 140 km (86 miles) south of Dar es Salaam, scattered with coconut palms and an important area for ...

Day 6 Songo Songo Archipelago

 Songo Songo Archipelago

Fanjove is a place to really slow down and detach from your daily routine, but there are plenty of ways to stay active and explore the island and its surrounding waters if you wish. Walking around the perimeter of the island takes about...

Day 7 Songo Songo Archipelago

 Songo Songo Archipelago

The food at Fanjove is fresh and delicious. Breakfast this morning will be fruit salad, toast, pancakes and eggs cooked to your liking, swallowed down with coffee and pleasantly sweet and tart passion fruit juice. Lunch will generally b...

Day 8 Songo Songo Archipelago

 Songo Songo Archipelago

One of the reasons that we love Fanjove Private Island is its status as an eco-lodge promoting sustainable tourism, creating jobs in local communities and bringing awareness to the importance of marine life. Everything is run on solar p...

Day 9 Songo Songo Archipelago

 Songo Songo Archipelago

We recommend at least five nights at Fanjove whenever possible, as it takes a few days to relax into island mode. Today is your last on the island, and you may want to go for a snorkel at high tide, swimming with parrotfish and pufferfi...

Day 10 Stone Town

 Songo Songo Archipelago ,  Dar es Salaam domestic terminal ,  Zanzibar Airport ,  Stone Town

A boat will take you back to Songo Songo this morning, where you’ll catch a light aircraft to Unguja, a major island of the Zanzibar Archipelago and most commonly refe...

Day 11 Stone Town

 Stone Town

Stone Town can be explored on your own, but to get a deeper look at its complex history it’s best to take a walking tour. Your private guide will meet you at your accommodation this morning and you’ll head off through the winding lanes and open mark...

Day 12 Stone Town

 Stone Town

The prevailing winds of East Africa have placed Zanzibar directly on the Indian Ocean trade routes throughout history, and the abundance of valuable spices on the island coupled with its location meant that it was the hub of the spice trade for cent...

Day 13 Return home

 Stone Town ,  Zanzibar Airport

Say goodbye to Zanzibar before being taken to the airport where you’ll catch your onwards flight towards home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,745
Price per day$442
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Audley Travel Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
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Logistics

Accommodation

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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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