We have booked the 11 day safari tour with Gate1 next Aug-Sept and look to extend maybe another week on our own using local tour/driver, etc.. to visit Zanzibar area, any recommendations are appreciated.
Thank You.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1671 posts
What research have you done on Zanzibar and what is your reason for visiting?
I ask because Zanzibar is a small island. Stone town is interesting for 1-2 days, else most people will be at the beach. Not sure what you are planning to do with a driver unless just to get to a hotel or you are planning on moving from 1 part of the island to the next.
It may help if you can specify your intent.
Posted by
Northern New York
128 posts
My husband and I have visited Zanzibar twice after safaris in northern and southern Tanzania. It is an explosion of cultural beauty! In both.instances our travel agency made the arrangements. Definitely recommend to prearrange drivers and tour guides for airport pick up and drop off and any tours you might be interested in taking. You might choose to spend a few nights in Stonetown (we love the Serena hotel there) and then a few nights at a beach resort. The Indian Ocean is spectacular. If you need a recommendation for a travel agent, I highly recommend Jessica Plumb at Expert Africa. She can give you some ideas and then set you up with everything you might want.
Edited to add: We really enjoyed tours to Prison Island on a local boat to see giant tortoises and to a spice plantation. A walking tour of Stonetown is great as well.
Posted by
9123 posts
We did a great safari in Kenya and Tanzania and I researched going to Zanzibar.
We decided not to do it. It did look interesting, but I wouldn't have planned a week there, probably 2-3 days.
Posted by
OP
East Bay, CA
7 posts
Thank you all for your replies. We are just exploring what else to see/visit since we fly so far away with long flights, we want to take advantage of the time/money we will spend anyway :-), and we want to relax after safari tour. Gate1 has a 15 day tour, i.e., additional 4 days (1 in Stone Town, 3 days @ Zanzibar beach) to our 11 day tour, but we just want to see what we can do with more flexibility.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1671 posts
4 days for Zanzibar sounds reasonable unless you are beach people. If you are into snorkeling you can get a boat to take you out; just be careful about the currents