Zanzibar was the final stop on our Africa trip, and I had mixed feelings going into it.

After the intensity and magic of safari in the Masai Mara, I wanted calm. Quiet beaches. Clear water. A place to exhale. What I quickly learned is that Zanzibar can be many things — but you have to be intentional about how you experience it.

This post covers:

• What we loved about Zanzibar
• The tours I’d book again in a heartbeat
• Why snorkeling choice matters here
• Where we stayed — and what I’d do differently next time

If you’re planning Zanzibar after safari (or as a standalone trip), this will help you avoid the most common mistakes.

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Stone Town: History You Can’t Skip

We intentionally started our Zanzibar time with a guided walking tour of Stone Town, and I’m so glad we did.

Stone Town — also known as Mji Mkongwe, meaning “Ancient Town” — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most historically significant places in East Africa. Walking it on your own is possible, but you miss so much context without a guide.

Our tour lasted about 5-6 hours and was incredibly engaging, even for our kids.

We walked through:

• Narrow, winding streets lined with antique shops
• Beautiful carved Arabic and Indian-style wooden doors
• Historic buildings and local museums
• The former main slave market of East Africa
• A Portuguese fortress
• The iconic House of Wonder
• A bustling local bazaar

It was immersive, educational, and gave us a much deeper understanding of Zanzibar’s role as a historic trade center with strong Swahili and Islamic influences.

We booked this as a private Stone Town walking tour combined with a spice farm visit, and I would absolutely recommend doing it this way. Having a private guide allowed us to move at our own pace, ask questions freely, and keep things comfortable for our family.

This is the exact tour we booked through Viator: Private Stone Town Tour with Spice Farm Plantations

The Spice Farm: Surprisingly Fun (and Kid-Friendly)

I’ll be honest — I didn’t know how I’d feel about a spice farm tour.

It ended up being a highlight.

We walked through active plantations and learned how cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices are grown and harvested. It was hands-on, sensory, and surprisingly engaging for kids. Smelling, touching, tasting — it was a great way to slow down after the busy streets of Stone Town.

Pairing Stone Town with the spice farm made the day feel balanced and intentional instead of overwhelming. Private Stone Town Tour with Spice Farm Plantations

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Snorkeling in Zanzibar: Why Who You Book With Matters

Zanzibar snorkeling can be incredible — or it can be crowded, loud, and disappointing.

I was very intentional about who I booked our snorkel trip with, because I specifically wanted:

• No party boats
• No blasting music
• No overcrowded sandbars
• A focus on reefs and marine life
• A small number of people on the boat

That’s exactly why we chose One Ocean Diving Zanzibar.

They offer snorkeling experiences with the same care and professionalism they give their divers. The focus is on the underwater world — not entertainment, not alcohol, not crowds.

They provided:

• High-quality, well-maintained snorkeling equipment
• Professionally trained guides
• Clear instructions for beginners and experienced snorkelers
• A calm, respectful experience on the water

You don’t need to scuba dive to see stunning fish and coral here. The reefs around Zanzibar are accessible right from the surface, and this felt like an actual underwater safari — not a floating party.

This was one of those choices where being intentional paid off completely.

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Where We Stayed: Hyatt Zanzibar (And What I’d Do Differently)

We stayed at the Hyatt Zanzibar, and I want to be very honest about this part.

The hotel itself is beautiful. It’s a great option if you want:

• A polished city experience
• Easy access to Stone Town
• A comfortable, reliable stay

That said — it was not the quiet beach experience I personally wanted after safari.

The beach area here is busy and very much part of the city. If your vision of Zanzibar includes:

• Long, quiet stretches of sand
• Minimal foot traffic
• A more remote, peaceful atmosphere

This likely won’t be the right fit.

If I were doing this again, I’d choose a more remote beach property on Zanzibar and treat Stone Town as a day trip instead of a home base.

This isn’t a knock on the Hyatt, it is beautiful — it just comes down to expectations.

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Safety and Comfort

We felt safe the entire time in Zanzibar.

Key things that helped:

• Pre-arranged transfers (here is the operator we used for airport transfers in Zanzibar).
• Guided tours instead of wandering aimlessly
• Being mindful with cash
• Choosing reputable tour operators

Who Zanzibar Is (and Isn’t) For

Zanzibar is a great fit if you:

• Want culture + ocean
• Enjoy guided experiences
• Love snorkeling and marine life
• Are willing to plan intentionally

It may not be ideal if you:

• Want completely empty beaches without effort
• Don’t enjoy cities or crowds at all
• Expect a resort-only experience without movement

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How Zanzibar Fit Into Our Africa Trip

Zanzibar was the decompression stop after safari — a chance to slow down, reflect, and experience a totally different side of East Africa.

If you’re planning a similar trip, these posts show how it all fits together:

• How We Booked a Multi-Country Africa Safari With Points
• How We Booked Our Africa Flights With Points
• Is an African Safari With Kids Worth It?
• Africa Travel Logistics With Kids: Visas, Transfers, and Safety

Zanzibar can be magical — but like everything in Africa travel, it rewards intention.

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Affiliate Disclosure

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you choose to book through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend tours and experiences we personally used and loved.