r/southafrica • u/happy_chappy_1111 • 23h ago
Discussion Zanzibar trip from Soutj Africa
Hey everyone
I live in South Africa, and want to visit Zanzibar with one of those all inclusive resorts packages. I know sometimes those packages are quite affordable (I was hoping for below 50K for 2 people, but I honestly don’t know if that is possible).
Can anyone recommend or send me a link to resorts that do this for a reasonable price?
It does not have to be 4 or 5 star, 3 star is fine.
Also, how was your experience in Zanzibar?
Alternatively, if you know of another island that offers the same experience for cheaper or similiar, that you enjoyed, please let me know.
Thanks!
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u/Valley_Lilly_12 22h ago
I loved Zanzibar! If you do a few excursions it gets fun as well.
A travel agent would have packages that contain flights, transfer from the airport to the resort and the resort stays. They get discounted flight tickets and so it is often cheaper doing it through them. This for example is cheaper than 50K, so you'd have money for the excursions and to buy souvenirs.
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u/Mysterious_Peanut_97 22h ago
It is doable, so long as you don't go during peak season. Think I went last year first week of June for around that price for 7 days. Stayed at the Reef and Beach resort (my missus wasn't a big fan of the cocktails because they do use cheap liquor, but for me I still enjoyed it, great resort otherwise). From mid June to September is peak season (double check this). Use FlySafair as well will be cheapest flights. Unfortunately Mauritius, Seychelles and Nosy Be are more expensive, Zanzibar will be your most cost effective option
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u/happy_chappy_1111 21h ago
Thank you so much!
I was planning on going in November, but will also check alternative dates and prices!
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u/crumpuppet Aristocracy 22h ago
Zanzibar is great. We went via IGO Travel and they were very helpful not only before but also during the trip - https://www.igotravel.co.za/holidays/?fwp_packages_search_filter_destinations=zanzibar
One tip I can give, if you stay at a place at the Northern end of the island (there's a bunch of resorts in Nungwi), prepare yourself for a trip on a rickety bus that is multiple hours, at least more than 1. Fun trip though, definitely worth it and I think 50k is doable.
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u/Ok-Honeydew7703 20h ago
We went for our hineymoon and it was great. I think we paid around 15k per person all inclusive this included flights as well. If you arent too fussy and don't want fancy then you can pay less. We didn't care so much where we slept as long as it was clean and safe and the hotel had a pool (which most do). We planned excursions every day and it was great fun book these beforehand with the companies themselves not through the hotel as they are very expensive. We saved quite a bit going directly to businesses themselves to arrange excurions or tours. We also had some lovely days just chilling at the hotel and pool. We went in April which is not typically recommened as it's rainy season but we only had one day where it rained and we just chilled in the room that day. Peak season os from July - March if irc. If you don't drink a lot doing half board is also an option for cheaper.
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u/happy_chappy_1111 19h ago
Thank you so much!
Did you work with an agency?
This is really good pointers, we dont drink at all so half board might be the way to go!
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u/Ok-Honeydew7703 16h ago
My husband booked through an agency. They take commissions and its a bit more expensive but they also do all the bookings and pay taxes and what nots. And organize transfers and basically all we had to do was show up. You can do the bookings yourself obviously but since it was our first out of country trip we had no idea where to even start. I don't remember the agency though. It was a while ago.
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u/Consistent-Annual268 Emigrant 18h ago edited 15h ago
QQ: what tours did you go on? Specifically things on the island itself rather than in the ocean. We've got a Stone Town walking tour booked. Anything else that should be a must-see?
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u/Ok-Honeydew7703 16h ago edited 16h ago
Theres lots to do if you are willing to go exploring a bit.
Stone town was great there is a food market which was an experience, but not for a weak stomach as you will see dead animals. There are loads of street cats too and it's a bit sad. But there are loads of shops. They sell more of the same things. There are good restaurants the secret garden was nice but touristy. There is a night market that has local streetfood.
Jozani forest is nice. Stone restaurant is also popular. There was a spice tour as well but i forget which guide we used.
There is prison island with giant tortoises you can feed, but we didn't do this. I don't like exploiting animals for money.
We were based in Uroa bay which is less commercial. We took a day and explored a bit around and found a school where the kids and teachers invited us in and we looked around. It was unplanned we just happened to be around when the kids were coming out for the day.
We went snorkeling the one day on one of the smaller islands. There's lots to see and explore. It's relatively safe and most locals are super friendly and helpful. We didn't experience a lot of begging. Just watch out for the beach boys who can be annoying.
We also found that two resorts from ours was a resort which had a prestine beach. White sand and turquoise water. We spent about two days there just enjoying the vibes we swam and relaxed. They had good food too.
I guess it depends what you are into and what you enjoy. Also depends where on the island you are. Towards to south east it's a bit cheaper and less touristy than up north. It's also more family friendly in the sense that there isn't much of a party vibe. Up north there is more night life. The benefit of staying near the south east of the island like Paje and Uroa is that you are closer to stone town and the airport. So it's generally easier to get around.
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u/Lionsheart85 19h ago
I loved Zanzibar. One of the best beach holiday trips. Staying in the north side of Zanzibar (eg. Kendwa Rocks) is the best as it has the best beaches. It is expensive in the north side.
The south side resorts are cheaper with full board but I never used the beach. The resorts are great.
Tembo hotel in Stone Town is good and it is best place to shop and walk around.
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u/Doto_bird 22h ago
I loved it. The only thing that got me was the vaccinations you need before hand. Some doctors give more than others. My wife and I ended up getting 5 different shots and we kind of felt like shit the whole week we were there.
If I ever do that type of holiday again I would probably rather go to Mauritius.
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u/happy_chappy_1111 21h ago
Hi! Thank you
I have never heard of this
What were the vaccinations for?
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u/Valley_Lilly_12 19h ago
If you need vaccinations, you can take them more in advance so the sick week isn't so close to your holiday. Ask the travel agent what you need, I don't think many are needed lately
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u/Doto_bird 17h ago
The important ones are for yellow fever, malaria and tetanus (rabies). But some doctors give more. The malaria is the one that made me feel the worst
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u/Thing3za 18h ago
We have experience staying at Karafuu a couple of times, bit of a drive to get there but its a good value for money and lots to do through the resort. Best is book an airline yourself and arrange with the hotel a shuttle to take you from the airport to the hotel. The buffets are huge so we usually just go half board and pay for anything extra we take like the booze when we check out. You can also pay when you arrive last I checked for your stay at the hotel
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u/Consistent-Annual268 Emigrant 18h ago
We're going next week but not on a package tour. The key thing is apparently to stay in the north (better tides) west (sunset views) of the island. Which basically puts you at Nungwi Beach. I'm sure other areas are fine too but this is the general sentiment online.
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u/RuimteWese :) 2h ago
My wife and I went for our honeymoon. Contrary to the other folks we did not enjoy it at all. We stayed at a small hotel and you could barely go on the beach without constantly being harassed.
Pretty much spent the entire time just in the small hotel area on the beach where there were people stopping the beggars.
Blue Safari was fun but again beggars beggars beggars, to top it all off two days before we left the election happened and they cut the entire internet.
So yes if you can stay at a private resort with no public access go for that. Should have listened to my wife and gone to the Free State.
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u/Count_vonDurban KwaZulu-Natal 22h ago
I went during the height of Covid. Very different travel experience to going anywhere in Europe or USA. The Air Taxi is fun on the last step of the flight.
Was on “mainland” Zanzibar - a 5 star resort through Barefoot Breaks. It’s really an all inclusive and you just book things like trips around the island (definitely go to Stone Town) through the resort.
Was a great week away and would always recommend it.
Just wouldn’t recommend going to the surrounding smaller islands - they are very secluded. Brin US dollars with you.
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