7-Day Romantic Excursion to Zanzibar and Wildlife Safari

Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you'll be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in or near Stone Town. After check-in and some time to settle in, spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the winding alleys and coral stone buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a relaxing sunset walk along the seafront or sip cocktails at the rooftop of the Emerson Spice Hotel. Dinner can be arranged at a local Swahili restaurant or at the Forodhani Gardens night market.

After breakfast, embark on a fully guided cultural tour of Stone Town. Visit historic landmarks including the Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace (Beit al-Sahel), House of Wonders, and the Anglican Cathedral built over the old slave market site. Learn about Zanzibar’s complex history of trade, colonialism, and resistance. Walk through local markets and meet artisans in traditional workshops. The afternoon is free for shopping or relaxing by the ocean. Enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant or opt for a rooftop dining experience.

This day is dedicated to exploring Zanzibar’s natural bounty. In the morning, take a guided tour of a spice plantation located just outside of Stone Town. You'll smell, touch, and taste a variety of spices, from vanilla and cloves to cardamom and cinnamon and enjoy a fresh local lunch. In the afternoon, take a short boat ride to Prison Island, once used as a quarantine station and now home to giant Aldabra tortoises. Swim or snorkel in the clear waters before returning to Stone Town for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for a morning domestic flight to Arusha (approx. 1.5 hours). Upon arrival in Arusha, your safari driver-guide will meet you and take you directly to Tarangire National Park (around 2 hours by road). Upon entering the park, you’ll enjoy a thrilling game drive across open savannahs dotted with massive baobab trees. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and predators, along with impressive birdlife. After a picnic lunch, continue your game drive into the afternoon. In the evening, transfer to your lodge.

An early breakfast will set you up for one of the most iconic wildlife experiences in Africa: a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. You’ll descend into the crater floor for a half-day game drive in search of the Big Five: lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard, all found in this compact and richly biodiverse area. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot near the hippo pool. After the game drive, ascend from the crater and begin the journey back to Arusha in time for your return flight to Zanzibar.

Spend the day relaxing at a beachside resort just outside Stone Town or on the island’s west coast before visiting Forodhani gardens known for its vibrant atmosphere, the garden comes alive especially in the evenings with a popular night food market offering a variety of local delicacies such as Zanzibar pizza, seafood, and sugarcane juice. Otherwise, enjoy the warm waters, white sands, and calm atmosphere.

On Day 5, enjoy a peaceful morning by the beach with time to relax, take a final stroll along the shore, or unwind with a massage. Afterward, check out from your hotel and transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your departure.