5 Day Zanzibar Family Holiday
A comfortable family holiday with enough activities for the children, but enough breathing room for the parents. Bases: Nungwi & Stone Town.
5 days / 4 nights | Family Friendly | Transfers | Selected excursion
A Zanzibar itinerary designed around families
This 5 day Zanzibar family itinerary combines time on the beach, activities children can enjoy, a dedicated family rest period and a short stay closer to Stone Town. Instead of filling every day with excursions, the itinerary gives the family time to enjoy the hotel, swim, play and have meals together. Nungwi is the main beach base because of its family friendly northern coast, while the Stone Town stay makes cultural and marine activities easier to combine.
The itinerary can be adjusted depending on the children’s ages, your preferred accommodation and the activities your family enjoys.
Why We Plan This Family Itinerary Differently
A family holiday should not feel like a sightseeing checklist.
Children need time to swim, play and recover from activities. Parents need time to rest. Moving between different parts of Zanzibar also takes time, so we look at where the family stays before deciding which activities belong in the itinerary.
That is why Nungwi is the main beach base, while the Stone Town stay is introduced later in the itinerary.
We would rather give a family a few activities that fit naturally together than add another excursion simply because it is popular.
The goal is simple: less rushing, fewer unnecessary transfers and more time actually enjoying Zanzibar together.
5 Day Zanzibar Family Holiday at a glance
| Package Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| Recommended Base | Nungwi + Stone Town |
| Best For | Families with children looking for a balance of beach time, activities and relaxation |
| Main Experiences | Nungwi Beach, Turtle Experience, Kendwa Beach, Sunset Dhow Cruise, Spice Farm, Stone Town, Prison Island |
| Optional Activities | Splash Paradise, kayaking, quad biking and additional family activities |
| Travel Style | Relaxed family holiday with light sightseeing |
| Accommodation | Family friendly hotel or resort in Nungwi + family friendly hotel in Stone Town |
| Transport | Private airport/ferry transfers and private sightseeing transfers |
| Customizable | Yes |
| Arrival & Departure | Zanzibar Airport or Zanzibar Ferry Terminal |
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Zanzibar and Settle Into Nungwi
Meet your driver at Zanzibar Airport or the ferry terminal and travel north to Nungwi.
After checking in, the rest of the day is free.
There is no scheduled excursion today.
The family can settle into the hotel, enjoy the swimming pool or beach, have dinner and simply recover from the journey.
Overnight: Nungwi
Day 2: Turtles, Kendwa Beach and Sunset
After breakfast, enjoy a family friendly visit to the turtle conservation area in Nungwi.
The activity is relatively short, leaving plenty of time for the family to enjoy lunch and have some private time together.
In the late afternoon, continue to Kendwa Beach.
Families with children aged 7 and above can choose to spend some time at Splash Paradise, the floating water park on Kendwa Beach. Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult, and the operator says non swimmers and young children without adequate swimming ability cannot use the inflatables.
For younger children, the family can simply enjoy the beach instead.
As the afternoon comes to an end, take a sunset dhow cruise before returning to your accommodation.
Overnight: Nungwi
Day 3: Spice Farm, Stone Town and Change of Hotel
After breakfast, check out of your Nungwi accommodation.
Travel towards Stone Town with a stop at a Spice Farm along the way.
This gives the children an opportunity to see and smell some of the plants and spices that are part of Zanzibar’s agricultural heritage.
Continue to Stone Town for a guided walking tour through the historic streets, markets and waterfront area.
After the tour, check into your Stone Town accommodation.
The evening is intentionally free.
The family can have dinner at the hotel or explore the area at their own pace. We recommend you check out Forodhani Gardens in the evening for a Swahili food exploration.
Overnight: Stone Town
Day 4: Prison Island and Family Free Time
After breakfast, take a boat to Prison Island for a half day excursion.
After returning to Stone Town, the rest of the day is free.
This is deliberately not another full sightseeing day.
Parents can relax at the hotel while the children enjoy the swimming pool or hotel facilities, or the family can take a slow walk around Stone Town and have an early dinner.
Overnight: Stone Town
Day 5: Departure
Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a relaxed breakfast, swimming or a short walk before your private transfer to Zanzibar Airport or the ferry terminal.
End of your Zanzibar holiday.
Why Stay in Two Locations?
You could stay in Nungwi for all four nights, but that is not necessarily the most practical way to experience everything in this itinerary.
By spending two nights in Nungwi and two nights around Stone Town, the itinerary follows the geography of the island.
Nungwi
This is your beach and family activity base.
It works well for: Beach time, Swimming, Turtle experiences, Kendwa Beach, Splash Paradise, Sunset dhow cruises, Optional kayaking and other activities
Stone Town
This becomes your cultural and sightseeing base.
It works well for: Stone Town, Spice Farm visits, Prison Island, Other activities around the western side of Zanzibar such as Safari Blue Tour, A more relaxed final part of the holiday
The result is not simply two hotels.
The accommodation locations are part of how we make the itinerary work.
Price Includes
- Airport or ferry terminal transfers
- 4 nights accommodation in your selected hotel
- Breakfast
- Activities and excursions as mentioned in this itinerary
- Local assistance during your stay
Price Excludes
- Flights to and from Zanzibar
- Meals not included by your accommodation or activity provider
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in your confirmed itinerary
- Private upgrades or other arrangements requested after booking
- Any applicable charges not included in the quoted package
Why Book Your Zanzibar Holiday With Us?
We are a local Zanzibar operator, so we look beyond the list of popular excursions.
We consider where you stay, how you move around the island, what your children will enjoy and how much time your family actually has to relax.
Your itinerary can then be adjusted around your family’s ages, interests, accommodation preferences and budget.
You don’t have to fit your family into a standard Zanzibar itinerary. We can build the itinerary around your family.
BOOK THIS 5 Day Family Holiday
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the main Zanzibar family holiday suitable for young children?
Yes. The itinerary is designed to keep the pace manageable and includes free time for swimming, playing and resting. Activities can also be adjusted depending on the children’s ages.
Why do we stay in both Nungwi and Stone Town?
The two locations serve different purposes. Nungwi is our main beach and family activity base, while Stone Town makes cultural experiences and activities around the western side of the island more practical.
Can we skip some of the activities?
Absolutely. This is a flexible itinerary. If your family would rather spend more time at the hotel or beach, we can remove activities and adjust the programme.
Can we stay in Nungwi for all four nights?
Yes. We can create a Nungwi based version, although some activities may involve longer transfers. We will advise you on whether changing accommodation makes sense based on what you want to see.
Can we customize the itinerary?
Yes. Your accommodation, activities, transport and daily schedule can all be adjusted.
Possible Alternatives
Alternative 1: Zanzibar Family Adventure for Older Kids
More activities, water experiences and a full day on the sea
This version is designed for families travelling with older children who are comfortable with longer activity days and want to experience more of Zanzibar in five days. It combines a Nungwi beach stay with turtle swimming, water activities and a full day Safari Blue Experience. The move to Stone Town on Day 3 also makes the full day Safari Blue easier to fit into the programme without repeatedly travelling back to Nungwi.
Day 1: Arrival and Settle into Nungwi
Overnight: Nungwi
Arrive in Zanzibar and meet your private driver at the airport or ferry terminal.
Transfer to Nungwi and check into your hotel.
The rest of the day is free to settle in, enjoy the hotel facilities, have a swim or take a relaxed walk along the beach.
Day 2: Turtles, Beach Walk and Water Activities
Overnight: Nungwi
After breakfast, head out for a turtle swimming experience.
Spend time with the turtles before continuing with a relaxed walk along the beach and around the Nungwi coastline.
The rest of the day is kept flexible for the family.
Older children can choose from suitable water sports and beach activities, while parents can relax or join in.
Rather than moving from one scheduled excursion to another, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Return to the hotel for a relaxed evening.
Day 3: Spice Farm and Move to Stone Town
Overnight: Stone Town
After breakfast, check out from your Nungwi hotel and begin the journey towards Stone Town.
Stop at a Spice Farm to discover some of the plants and spices that Zanzibar is known for.
Continue to Stone Town and check into your hotel.
The rest of the afternoon is free.
The family can relax at the hotel, explore the nearby streets or use the time to shop for souvenirs.
There is no additional scheduled tour today because the following day is a full day on the water.
Day 4: Full Day Safari Blue Experience
Overnight: Stone Town
Today is the most active day of the itinerary.
Enjoy a full day Safari Blue Experience, spending the day exploring Zanzibar’s marine environment, travelling by boat and enjoying time on the water.
This is particularly suited to families with older children who are comfortable with a longer day of activities.
After returning from the experience, head back to your Stone Town accommodation for a well-earned evening of rest.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy breakfast and your final morning in Zanzibar before your private transfer to Zanzibar Airport or the ferry terminal.
Depending on your departure time, you may have some free time for breakfast, a final walk or some last minute shopping.
Why choose this version?
Choose this option if your children are older and more active and the family wants to experience more of Zanzibar during the five days.
The itinerary gives you a relaxed first day, a flexible beach and water activity day, a shorter cultural experience and then a full day on the sea.
It is more active than our main family itinerary, but we still avoid filling every available hour.
Alternative 2: Zanzibar Family Culture, Sea & Beach
Start in Stone Town, explore the coast and finish with a relaxed Nungwi stay
This version is ideal for families who want to see more of Zanzibar’s historic and marine side while still having a proper day with nothing scheduled. Starting in Stone Town makes it easier to combine Nakupenda Sandbank, Prison Island and the historic centre before moving north to Nungwi for the final part of the holiday.
Day 1: Arrive in Stone Town and Relax
Overnight: Stone Town
Arrive in Zanzibar and meet your private driver.
Transfer to your Stone Town accommodation and check in.
The rest of the day is free.
After your journey, the family can relax at the hotel, have dinner or take a gentle walk around the area if everyone still has the energy.
There is no scheduled sightseeing today.
Day 2: Nakupenda Sandbank, Prison Island and Stone Town
Overnight: Stone Town
After breakfast, head out for a day combining some of Zanzibar’s most memorable marine and cultural experiences.
Begin with a boat trip to Nakupenda Sandbank, where you can enjoy time by the sea and relax on the sandbank.
Continue to Prison Island before returning towards Stone Town.
Later, explore the historic streets of Stone Town with a local guide.
After the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening.
This is a full day, so there is no need to add another major activity.
Day 3: A Proper Family Free Day
Overnight: Stone Town
Today, there is nothing scheduled.
This is intentional.
Sleep in, have a slow breakfast and let everyone enjoy the day at their own pace.
The family can stay at the hotel, swim, relax or go out for lunch.
If you want to explore Stone Town further, this is also a good day for browsing the shops and buying souvenirs without having to fit shopping between scheduled excursions.
Day 4: Spice Farm, Nungwi and Kendwa Beach
Overnight: Nungwi
After breakfast, check out of your Stone Town hotel and begin the journey north.
Stop at a Spice Farm along the way before continuing towards Nungwi.
Check into your beach hotel and take some time to settle in.
Later in the afternoon, head to Kendwa Beach.
Enjoy the beach, take a swim or simply relax together as the sun begins to set.
There is no need to add a major evening activity.
After several days of sightseeing, this is your opportunity to slow down and enjoy the northern coast.
Day 5: DepartureÂ
Depending on your departure time, there may be time for a final swim, beach walk or relaxed morning at the hotel before your private transfer to Zanzibar Airport or the ferry terminal.
Why choose this second alternative?
Choose this itinerary if your family wants a broader taste of Zanzibar, combining marine experiences, Stone Town, a Spice Farm and the northern beaches.
We also deliberately included a full free day on Day 3.
Rather than treating free time as something left after all the activities have been added, we make it part of the itinerary from the beginning.