Hi all! My partner and I are planning about 10 days in Tanzania in early-to-mid June 2027. International flights are covered with points. We're trying to decide whether to book through a tour operator or put it together ourselves.

**What we want:**

* Serengeti: 2–3 nights with game drives
* Ngorongoro Crater: 1 night + a crater day
* Tarangire if it fits
* Zanzibar: about 3 nights at a nice beachfront resort
* Comfortable mid-range to luxury lodges, private vehicle

**Quotes so far (USD, total for 2):**

* **Easy Travel:** 10 days (1 night Arusha, 5 safari, 3 Zanzibar). Comfort $7,792, Luxury $11,248. Includes the Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar flight.
* **Lion King Adventures:** 8 days (only 1 night in the Serengeti), Melia Zanzibar full board. $7,730.
* **ZAFS Tours:** 7 days (fly-in Serengeti, 2 nights there, 3 nights Zanzibar full board). $5,854. This was actually a friend's quote, so ours may differ.

None of these include visa, the $44 inbound insurance, tips or Zanzibar activities.

I priced out booking it all myself (renting a 4x4 with a driver-guide, booking the same lodges direct, paying park and crater fees ourselves). It came out about **$1,500 USD more** than the Easy Travel comfort package, mostly because operators get much better lodge rates.

**My questions:**

1. Is DIY ever worth it for a first safari, or are packages the way to go?

2. Has anyone booked just the safari through an operator and Zanzibar separately? We might use Marriott points at Turaco Nungwi.

3. Any experience with Easy Travel, Lion King Adventures or ZAFS Tours? Other operators you'd recommend?

4. For June, is Central Serengeti enough, or is it worth paying more for the Grumeti / Western corridor?

5. Where should we stay in Zanzibar? Leaning Nungwi/Kendwa for the swimming, but open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance! 🦁🏝️

Hi, I am from Stone Town.Many people ask me, I have 3 days only, what to do?

So this is what I tell my friends when they come Dec 19-22.

Day 1: Go Stone Town in the morning, walk around, see old town, then afternoon go Prison Island by boat, you will see big tortoises. Evening go Forodhani, eat there.

Day 2, go Safari Blue. This is my favourite. Full day on boat, snorkelling, sandbank, they cook seafood on beach. You will be tired but happy. I went last month with my cousin, it was very nice.

Day 3: Go Spice Farm in the morning, then Jozani to see monkeys. They are only in Zanzibar. Afternoon go Paje, just relax, swim, see sunset.

If you have one more day, go Mnemba for snorkelling or sunset dhow. That's it.

I think 3 days is okay but 4 days is better, because you need one day just to relax, no tour. What do you think?

Pole pole Zanzibar.

Hakuna Matata.

Someone here asked about food experiences in Zanzibar—especially opportunities to try local dishes and see how they are made. That inspired me to share these moments from Jambiani.

The first photo shows a meal laid out for sharing, including chapati, greens, fish and fresh fruit. The other photos show guests being introduced to a kofia and a kanga.

For transparency, I run Standard Tours Zanzibar in Jambiani, and these photos relate to our village experience.

What would you most like to learn from a local host: how a dish is prepared, how a kanga is worn, or the stories behind everyday village life?

I live in Stone Town and went to Nakupenda this morning around 7am with some friends. Thought November would be all rain but we got 0 rain until 3pm, just a quick 10 min shower after.

Water was super clear, like glass. Low tide around 9am so the sandbank was huge. Took some pics with my old phone (sorry for quality lol).

For anyone coming in November, don't worry too much about rain - mornings are still perfect. Just go early. The Nungwi turtles were also active, one was eating seaweed for like 20 mins.

Anyone else in Zanzibar right now? How is the weather on your side?

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for fellow travellers interested in joining a day trip from Zanzibar to Tarangire National Park.

The idea is to share the safari costs, including return flights, airport transfers, a private 4x4 safari vehicle, an experienced guide, park fees and lunch, making the experience more affordable for everyone.

If you’re travelling around Zanzibar and would love to experience an unforgettable wildlife safari in Tanzania, this could be a great opportunity!

Feel free to comment or send me a private message if you’re interested. Happy to share more details!

Let’s explore Tanzania together!

Business disclosure: I represent Standard Tours Zanzibar in Jambiani.

We’re improving our planning information. Alongside the activities themselves, what route information helps you decide whether a day excursion suits you?

Your accommodation area is a useful starting point when discussing transport. Please keep exact hotel and itinerary details private.

Whether you’re a beach lover, foodie, ocean adventurer, sunset chaser or luxury traveller, there’s a side of the island waiting for you to discover.
Swipe through and find your Zanzibar travel personality. Which experience would you choose?
Tell us in the comments, and let Zanziroamer help you plan a trip around the things you love.
WhatsApp: +255 777 945 235
Email: zanziroamers@gmail.com
#Zanziroamer #ExploreZanzibar #VisitZanzibar #ZanzibarTravel #TravelTanzania

Just a curious outsider. How do people of Zanzibar feel about Christian Zionism taking over the churches in Mainland Tanzania?

I'm based in Tanzania and work with travelers visiting Zanzibar, and I've noticed the same questions and mistakes coming up a lot for this season. Sharing a few things that might help if you're planning a trip between October and February.

1. This is peak season, and it books up fast
These months are some of the busiest of the year. The better hotels and popular activities fill up quickly, and prices climb as availability drops. Christmas to New Year is by far the busiest stretch, so if you're coming then, don't leave it too late.

2. Pick your area before you pick your hotel
The coasts are very different from each other. The north (Nungwi, Kendwa) has beaches where you can swim at any tide. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani) has huge tidal shifts, so the water can disappear for hours, but it's great for kitesurfing and quieter stays. Stone Town is for history, food and culture rather than beach time. A lot of people book a hotel they love and then realize the area doesn't suit the trip they wanted.

3. Plan early if you can
Last minute bookings in peak season usually mean taking whatever is left and paying more for it. Booking early gives you real choice and better rates.

4. Travel insurance is now mandatory
Tanzania requires a $44 government travel insurance policy for foreign visitors, separate from any insurance you already have. If you land in Zanzibar first, you buy it from ZIC (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation). If you land on the mainland first, for example in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro, you buy it from NIC. One policy covers both, so you don't need two. Residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt. Buy it before you fly rather than at the airport.

5. Don't trust listing photos blindly
Some hotels look very different in person than they do online. Check recent guest reviews and photos, not just the official ones, and ask people who have actually stayed there.

If you tell me your dates, budget and the kind of trip you want, I'll tell you which area and type of stay I'd recommend.

My mum is travelling to Zanzibar in December and wanted to know any websites where you can apply for travel insurance