The itinerary at a glance
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stone Town on foot: seafront, old fort, Darajani market, sunset at Forodhani | Stone Town |
| 2 | Boat trip: Prison Island and Nakupenda, or Mnemba for snorkelling | Stone Town or north coast |
| 3 | Beach day (Nungwi or Paje), then departure | Before your flight |
Day 1: Stone Town
Arrive early and walk the old town: the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the carved doors and Darajani market. In the evening the Forodhani gardens host the night food market. A local guide for the morning helps with the city's history; see Stone Town in one day.
Day 2: at sea, two choices
Choice 1, from Stone Town: Prison Island (giant tortoises) and the Nakupenda sandbank, with a seafood lunch. Choice 2, from the north: snorkelling at Mnemba, pricier but better for fish; sleep in Nungwi or Kendwa then. To decide, read Safari Blue or Mnemba. Trips are cancelled in rough seas, so keep some slack.
Day 3: beach, then departure
In the north, Nungwi beach is swimmable at any tide. In the east, Paje is the kitesurf spot but the sea drains far out at low tide: see tides in Zanzibar. Leave extra time for the road to the airport: from the airport to your hotel.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not change hotel three times in three days: each transfer costs half a day. Do not book two sea trips on the same day. To pick the right area, see where to stay in Zanzibar.
FAQ
Are three days in Zanzibar enough?
Yes for Stone Town, one sea trip and a beach; no if you also want a safari.
Where to sleep for 3 days?
Stone Town for the first two nights, then the north coast if you chose Mnemba.
