Zanzibar After a Safari: Which Beach, How Many Days and When to Go
How to add Zanzibar to a safari: which beach suits you, how long to stay, when the rains fall and…
Activity guide
Beach holidays: the complete guide
After the dust and early starts of safari, a few days on the Indian Ocean feels like the perfect reward. Kenya's coast offers long white beaches, warm water and coral reefs, and Zanzibar adds Swahili culture and island life. Whether you want to snorkel, sail, kitesurf or just lie under a palm tree, there is a beach for you.
Here is how the main beaches compare and when to go.
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Tours featuring Beach
01
Choosing your beach
Diani Beach
Long white sand, many hotels and restaurants, Kisite-Mpunguti day trips and colobus monkeys.
Mombasa
City history at Fort Jesus, plus resort beaches at Nyali, Bamburi and Shanzu.
Watamu
Quiet bays, marine park, turtles and forest walks.
Zanzibar
Stone Town, spice farms and beaches on the north and east coast.
02
Best time for the beach
December to March
Great
Hot, dry and calm.
July to October
Great
Cooler and breezy with clear water.
April to June
Green/Wet
Long rains and lower rates.
November
Good
Short rains.
03
Adding a beach to your safari
04
Frequently asked questions
Which beach is best?
Diani for long sand and variety, Watamu for snorkelling and quiet, Zanzibar for culture.
How long should I stay?
Four to five nights after a safari.
Is swimming safe?
Yes, in the lagoons and at high tide. Check tides and local advice.
Read before you go
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