Name: Romance of Zanzibar: Private Couples Tour
Brand: Zicasso
Price: 732 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (198 reviews)

Romance of Zanzibar: Private Couples Tour

What to expect on this itinerary

Dance the night away on a private island and beneath the stars. Luxuriate in style as Indian Ocean waves lap gently onto the white sand beaches. Immerse yourself in the exoticism of Stone Town and drift into the sunset on a wooden dhow. This is Zanzibar, which is an island of indulgence where romance thrives, and there is the sense that life can be perfect. With this handcrafted escape, you get three days on a private island, two days in Stone Town, then three more days on the beach near Kendwa.

Countries Visited

Tanzania

Places Visited

Zanzibar Town, Mnemba Island, Stone Town, Kendwa

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Day 1

Mnemba Island – Bubbly Upon Arrival

You will land in Zanzibar Town where you will soon you be cruising westwards through secluded islets and sandbanks. Laying between Zanzibar and the mainland, this area has shelter from ocean winds and a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors. Mnemba is private, and as you arrive, it will be effortless to see the allure. Trees will carpet the interior while the coast will only be beautiful, white sand. There is only one resort on the island with only 24 guests. Shaded by the trees with an open view onto the ocean, your bungalow will be very much a reflection of Indian Ocean escapism.

It will be silent here so you can stop, breathe, and listen. There will not be any waves as the waters are more like a lagoon than what you would expect from an ocean. A cork will pop, and you will settle into the seclusion. You can call room service if you need anything from grilled lobster to fine wines. The island has hosted Mick Jagger and Bill Gates among others and is as idyllic as the photos suggest. This is a place to escape the world and to be alone as a couple.

Transfer

Accommodation

Day 2

Mnemba Island – Sunset Dhow Cruise

Today, you can wake up and take a stroll, and even splash in the shallow waters as you navigate the island. It is less than an hour’s walk all the way around. Breakfast will be served in your private dining area, and it will be just as you choose, containing everything from Bloody Marys to coconuts that have been freshly cut from the trees. Coral gardens will slope off from beyond the beach and will provide a place to snorkel that is easily accessible from the shore. Many of Zanzibar’s premier dive sites will be in the surrounding area, and two dives per day are included in your stay if you desire to do so. You can also take kayaks out should you wish.

Wooden dhows have always been the traditional means of navigating Zanzibar’s waters. These wooden boats run on wind power and are serene and sublime as they drift through the archipelago. You will set sail on a private, sunset tour today. The dhow will be available throughout your entire time here, so extended expeditions can be made if you wish. When the moon is high, the beach will remain a beautiful place to be after dark, as its soft glow will be the only light that you need to stroll around without a care in the world.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 3

Mnemba Island – Snorkeling, Diving, and Kayaking

This third day will be left entirely free, and by now you will have settled into the island rhythm. Zanzibar is an incredibly relaxed island, and Mnemba is the even-more-laid-back sister island. You may choose different water sports, take beach walks, mingle with other guests (the bungalows are spread across the island), and generally just luxuriate in the private setting. While the islands that are located further east are more famous, like the Maldives and Seychelles, the archipelago of Zanzibar will offer the same promise of exclusivity and escapism, as well as being just an hour by flight from great African safaris.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 4

Stone Town – The Romance Continues

After three days on the sand, you will be a little sun-kissed, and perhaps ready for a change of scenery. You will travel privately by boat back to Zanzibar Town and check into the many alleyways, where your hotel will be one of the traditional coral houses for which Stone Town has become a World Heritage Site. You will then head to the rooftop for dreamy views before taking off on a private walking tour. Palace opulence will unfold in the House of Wonders. Bells will chime softly in the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church, which is barely a street away from the muezzin’s call to prayer from Malindi Mosque. Sounds will echo down the lanes, and sometimes you will be guided by smell, primarily when the Darakani Bazaar draws near.

Large piles of spices can found here. You will be able to feel the excitement and charm of the traditional market because Darakani has barely changed in centuries. As you travel further through Stone Town, you will marvel at all the wooden doors, each intricately carved as a symbol of a household’s wealth. Some, like that at Tippu Tip’s House, hide secrets. Others open into Persian architecture like the Hamamni Baths. After dusk, you can dine at the street stalls in Forodhani Gardens, or you can head up to a rooftop bar for cocktails during the gorgeous sunset.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 5

Stone Town – Aromatic Spices and Cocktails

Zanzibar mostly traded slaves and spices. A slave cave provides a sobering moment on route to a spice plantation, which is not the prettiest sight, but an excellent opportunity to understand a little more about the island’s rich history. Then, at the plantation, your nose will take over. Cardamom, vanilla, cloves, lemongrass, turmeric, pepper, and other fragrances will intoxicate your nostrils as you take a tour, with each section of the farm having a pungent odor. A half day tour will cover you with colors and fragrances. Once you are back in Stone Town, you can have a look around the antique stores and boutiques. The town has some excellent rooftop restaurants, as well as a number of cocktail places that are located along the coast. You can also choose to stay in the hotel, maintaining your privacy from the previous few days.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 6

Kendwa – Back to the White Sand

It will be about an hour north, back to the white sand where you will settle into a contemporary lodge that will be located just west of the island’s northern tip. The north of Zanzibar has the island’s most beautiful beaches. Nungwe is the most famous and best-developed beach destination on the island. If you wander a few miles west, you will reach Kendwa where the sands are broader, and there are not as many hotels. You can walk further west from Kendwa, which is where your lodge will be located. From your whitewashed pavilion, there will be beautiful views of the bay. By tucking the pavilions into the trees, all the resort’s guests can enjoy full privacy while still being only a minute or so from the beach.

Like all of Zanzibar, the beach is not technically private. However, there are no other resorts in the vicinity, and the sand is only really shared with a handful of local fishermen from a nearby village. You can take a walk towards Kendwa, splash into the tropical shallows, or just relax around your pavilion. Your room will feature a private swimming pool, shaded deck, an open-air bathroom beneath the stars, and an architectural style that has been inspired by local Arab and Persian designs. Private butlers will bring you whatever you need, and there is an excellent spa should you wish to settle even further into the tranquility.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 7

Kendwa – A Day on a Wooden Dhow

Although the three days in Kendwa will be left at your leisure, one day with a wooden dhow has been included that you may use whenever you wish. By sailing privately by dhow, you can visit small islets and sandbanks, head out to snorkel and dive spots, or just drift around searching for passing dolphins. You are will be able to bring meals and drinks on board, and your cruise can be anything from one hour to a full day, depending on your interests. It is possible to sail eastward, so you can go alongside Nungwe and Zanzibar’s most famous beaches, before heading back west for the prime sunset views. This day with a dhow could be used yesterday or the following day as well. You may also consider a sunrise cruise, especially if you want to see dolphins as this is the most common time of day to spot them.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 8

Kendwa – Private Zanzibar Beach

A final day in Kendwa and you will be fully tuned into the island life. You may order breakfast to your room and eat it slowly, perhaps with your feet in the pool. Then, you can head to the beach and walk as far as Nungwe, or dip into the ocean and wonder how the waters have become such a turquoise color. Furthermore, you can go out for a snorkel or join a local guide on a fishing excursion.

As is usual in Zanzibar, the tide goes out a long way, so the only thing to think about it when to walk and swim. Low tide will be excellent for long walks, but mid tide and higher will be the most ideal for swimming. Kendwa can also be used as a base to explore more of the island, such as the monkeys in the Jozani forest or The Rock restaurant. However, as Kendwa is far in the north, visits like this are best planned as part of your transfer from Stone Town to Kendwa as this will save travel time.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 9

Zanzibar Town – Departure

Trip Highlights

Escape to Zanzibar’s most romantic accommodation that has been handpicked for privacy and island beauty
Settle into the exclusivity of Mnemba, which is an exotic island that has been reserved for just 24 guests
Surround yourself with cultural beauty during two days in the World Heritage site of Stone Town
Wander endlessly on white beaches and feel like royalty with a three-day, beach stay on Zanzibar’s remote coast
Snorkel and dive in some of the world’s finest marine sites, where pelagic creatures swarm around the vivid reef
Explore the famous spice plantations on a private tour
Drift towards the sunset on a wooden dhow sailing boat
Sip on sundowners on your private verandah and then at a glamorous Stone Town terrace
Take off your shoes and forget about them for four or five days

Detailed Description

As the last shades of an African sunset skirt along the ocean, you will sit back with cocktails in hand. Moonlight soon brings a glow to the sand, and you can dance in privacy, seemingly miles from anyone else. On another day, you can drift into the sunset, sailing on a private, wooden dhow like the merchants of old. Some days, you walk hand in hand and along white beaches that will always seem to be empty. On other days, you will swim and snorkel, or perhaps just lounge around the bungalow in the shade. As the days roll by, you will realize that you have forgotten about shoes.

There is more to Zanzibar than the beaches though. Between two contrasting beach escapes, this itinerary will also take you to Stone Town, which is an existing World Heritage Site that has evolved from Persian, Swahili, Omani, and other European influences. By visiting spice plantations, you will indulge in the smells, and on rooftop terraces, the cocktails will come with nibbles and a lively atmosphere. Stone Town makes a nice break between your time in the sun as well, removing any trepidation that six days on private beaches would bring any monotony. This is something you will not need to worry about with world-class snorkeling and diving, kayaking, sailing, beach walks, and those special evenings beneath the stars.

Handcrafted to include Zanzibar’s two most romantic resorts, this nine-day tour is a celebration that has been crafted just for two. Mnemba is elegant and exclusive, and you will be staying at a white-sand island that will only be a short boat ride west of the main island. You will check in with bubbly upon arrival where your accommodation will be a bungalow that is cut off from the rest of the world. You can remove your shoes because these first three days are all about you, with a flexible program that can include different water sports and cruising on a dhow. Like your trip’s final destination near Kendwa, the resort will provide easy access to world-class marine sites with all the equipment. You will even have two dives per day included in your stay.

Stone Town is the cultural interlude, which is a mystical old city of narrow laneways and exotic scents. Stroll through all the history, checking out its unique architectural and artistic style, which is complete with ornate fixtures that enhance the traditional, coral buildings. There will be indulgence here as well, such as rooftop terrace restaurants and cocktail bars. From here you will travel an hour north to Kendwa, where your resort will be located on the deserted, northwestern tip of the island. It will be close enough to Nungwe if you desire restaurants and bars, but it has its own private space that opens onto a beach and is hardly visible to outsiders.

Like in Mnemba, the days here will be flexible. A wooden dhow will take you onto the Indian Ocean, and a range of water activities will be available. Your luxurious pavilion will provide shade and privacy along with all the space that you will need for your romance to flourish. There will be no need to encounter other guests, and butler service will bring foods and drinks to your room. You will also have a private swimming pool that will be tucked behind the trees. Rather than being directly on the sand, the rooms here are nestled against a hillside and offer more seclusion.

Starting Price

$6,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

Accommodations
In-country transportation
Some or all activities and tours
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 198 reviews

Review: Africa Safari Honeymoon, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Serengeti

This Africa Safari travel company planed a phenomenal trip for my husband and I, everything from accommodations, to in country transportation, to food was handled by this company and was seamless!

Arusha to the Onsea House retreat with beautiful views of Mt.Meru (brother to Mt.Kilimanjaro) : we were picked up by a wonderful guide who, unfortunately was expecting us the day before for a walking safari, but we were delayed 1 day (I will explain later in the review). Staff was amazing and accommodating, food was out of this world, and our room was gorgeous! Such a great pick for our first night in Africa. This is where we brought school supplies in accordance with "Pack for a Purpose" and left it with the staff to bring to the school at Onsea.

The Serengeti and getting there: We took a small Cesna plane into the bush which was a great and beautiful experience. upon arrival we were greeted by a guide who set up a small picnic breakfast for us next to the airstrip complete with table cloths, coffee, tea, fruit, cookies and biscuits! It was a very welcomed surprise after an early morning. We were paired with a game driver that we would stick with for the entirety of our stay at Lemala - Kuria Hills. We had a gorgeous view from anywhere in the lodge especially our room, great food, and amazing staff once again. The game viewing was great, say lots and lots of herbivores such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, impala, elepahnts, buffalo, and more. But were bit disappointed that we did not get to spot the entire Big 5. But hey! thats the wild for you! We had to always keep in mind that we were observing the animals in their natural habitat and it was by chance that we saw what we did.

I must say, that this trip was absolutely unforgettable and turned out to be the best choice for our honeymoon. But, to be completely fair, there were 2 mistakes that were made that dampened the trip (the reason it is not a 5 star review).

Our travel company was very great with reaching out on a very regular basis before the deposit was placed, and as time got closer to the trip, the communication was less and less.

Months before our trip, I sent in a client information sheet, complete with my and my husband's passport information along with other things they needed to know to book accommodations and transportation. Unfortunately, those documents were not looked over well enough by the staff at the company because there was an issue with my husband's passport expiration date. There was only 2 months left, when Tanzania required 6 months. This mistake cost us an entire day in Africa (the most expensive single day). The fact that we were only scheduled to be in Tanzania for 8 days, and now cut short to only 7 days, it really put a damper on our trip. So needless to say, we get to the airline to check our bags for the international flight, and they would not allow my husband to board! In a panic, we had to run to the other side of New York and get an expedited passport costing us lots of extra time and money.

From my experience, it is the Travel agent's responsibility to explicitly tell you, by phone, about rules of this sort. They are supposed to be the experts of tours in the country and should have been more proactive in that aspect.

My last disappointment came, when we realized that the great migration was not going on in the portion of the Serengeti we were staying at that time of the season. Our agent knew that we were only in the bush for 4 nights and I explicitly requested that we wanted to see the great migration. When we got to the lodge, it was very well known that the great migration was NOT happening at that time. Our game viewing was much less than was we expected...don't get me wrong, it was absolutely phenomenal, but this was with a pretty experienced guide and lots and lots of searching.

Despite the early complications and loss of time, my husband and I did have the best Honeymoon. The staff at all our Tanzania locations were phenomenal. on our last night the staff at Lamala Hills celebrated my husbands birthday in the grandest of fashions. Dancing, singing, and great fun ran through the entire night.

Zanzibar and our trip home: After our week in the Serengeti we flew to the island of Zanzibar. We were greeted by our private transport and traveled to a resort located on the east coast of the island. The resort was fantastic. the beach was so wonderful. The customer service of the staff was a B+, still miss how amazing the bush was, and the beach was so cool. We walked for a almost two miles in knee high water exploring the natural reef and coral of the Indian ocean. The food was good and our stay had a wonderful "sundowners" with champagne & snacks. We even visited a great restaurant called which served the freshest seafood. The days were wonderful and the nights even more magical. We finished the island visit with a tour of historic stone town before leaving home.

Travel Review: Tanzania Africa Safari, Serengeti, Zanzibar, Stone Town, 6-Day Trip

We traveled to Tanzania and did a two night safari in Serengeti and then 3 nights in Zanzibar. Every moment of the trip was wonderful, we loved our Safari. Our guide was a Maasai man and he was extremely knowledgeable and fun throughout the game rides. The food at Kati Kati and the Lodge near the airport was delicious! Zanzibar was relaxing and our last night at the hotel in Stone Town was a homerun. Our suite was devine. Everyone we came in contact with throughout this trip was extremely friendly, genuine, and professional. Thank you travel company for the trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend this travel company and hope to plan for another trip soon!

Kenya & Tanzania Vacation Review: Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar, Stone Town, Safari

February 2021, I submitted a request through Zicasso to plan a group trip to Kenya,Tanzania and Zanzibar for June 2022. I was matched with Maurice. This travel company has surpassed our expectations and provided an amazing experience we will never forget. The camps were top rated, and we had a fantastic time there. In fact, all the accommodations we stayed at were phenomenal. They were beautiful, clean, each room had an amazing view, the staff were very attentive, and the food was top notch. Maurice even planned a few surprises for our group along the way.

Maurice booked all of our in-country transfers (both by car and plane). All we had to do was show up at the lobby of each accommodation at the time specified and everything else was taken care of. Our drivers were exceptional as well. We spent time in Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and ended on the beach of Zanzibar. Our drivers at Amboseli had many years’ experience, they were very knowledgeable about all of the animals. Within 5 minutes landing at the air strip, they took us straight to see many of the animals, especially a family of cheetahs eating their prey! Our drivers at the Maasai Mara were great as well. We told him we wanted to see a lots of lions and they didn’t disappoint. On our morning game drive, we saw lions feasting on a buffalo, we also saw a leopard with a vulture in a tree. Our drivers in the Serengeti & Ngorongoro were excellent as well, they took us to all the best locations to capture the animals. We were even able to catch a glimpse of a rhino in the distance. They did their best to ensure we were able to see the big 5 and the ugly 5. We then ended the trip visiting Zanzibar’s beaches, a spice tour & Stone Town.

I highly recommend using Maurice and this travel company for travel tours, safaris and vacations in the future and look forward to working with him again! Asante sana!

Tanzania Travel Review: Arusha, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Maasai Village, The Highlands, Zanzibar, Stone Town, Safari, Hiking

Where to begin... This was certainly a trip of a lifetime. We can see now how people can fall in love with Africa and its people. When we arrived in Arusha we had such a warm welcome at the hotel and felt immediately home. It was quaint and we were the only guests except for one other person which made it very special. The food was delicious and definitely catered to the guests so we asked for traditional Tanzanian food on the last night and the chef was so happy to accommodate our request. He taught us how to make Ugali and we ate with our hands. A big shout out to all the staff at the hotel. During our stay we also went to the driving range at the Golf Course and on a horse back safari. Even though we just stayed for 2 nights we felt part of a family and it was hard to say goodbye. On the 3rd day our next adventure began. We took a bush plane (our first and very memorable experience) to the Serengeti where we met our safari guide. It was such a nice surprise that he stayed with us for the full safari portion. We developed a great relationship and he made all of our wishes come true. We saw all the animals we wished for and more. He just knew how to find them. We even had breakfast with lions. LOL. The Lodge in the Serengeti was breathtaking and really provided us with a "Bush TV" where we could observe elephants, zebras, giraffes and many more animals on a daily basis. The staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and to have one waiter assigned to you was so special. She was amazing and she arranged for us to have Tanzanian food on the last day. We met the instructor of the safari guides and we learned so much from him. Again the goodbye was difficult.After five amazing days in the Serengeti we left for the Ngorongoro Crater to the Tented camp. On the way there we visited a Maasai village. What an experience. I wish I would have had more stuff for the children who greeted us with songs and some Math in English. We learned a lot about their culture and our view words of Swahili (from Jessica's travel book) were very much appreciated. At the Tented camp we were welcomed warmly with a lovely meal. We also experienced our first "talking shower". We wish we could have had another night there as well. It was so cozy.The next day we had an amazing game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater and saw more lion cubs and we even had a rare view of a rhinoceros. The landscape of the crater and the rim were spectacular. Thanks to our amazing guide and driver, we felt very safe throughout the travels.The drive to the Highlands was well worth it and again we were in a very different landscape of mountains and Maasai villages. The Highlands staff greeted us with a song and dance and we immediately felt at home. The dome accommodations were so different and so cozy with the fireplace to keep us warm. The staff catered to us and our waiter was amazing. Our room attendants made sure we had everything we needed. We completed 2 hikes on the same day (Empakatie and Olmoti crater) a Maasai guide and a ranger kept us safe and ensured we had an amazing experience. Even our guide/driver came with us. Again we learned so much about the culture of Tanzania during this hike and the stay at the Highlands.After our departure from the Highlands we had to say goodbye to our guide/driver at the airport. It was bittersweet. We were off to Zanzibar, Stone Town. I am really glad we stayed for one night it Stone Town before we went to the beach. We all enjoyed the historic city and the city tour was very informative. The next day we drove to our last stop of our vacation and we were ready to relax at the ocean. The Resort and Spa was just the place for this. We had a beautiful villa for all four of us that gave us even more family time. We had amazing spa treatments. The staff was warm, the food was excellent and the ocean was so warm! It was the perfect way to end our trip.Jessica and her team at our travel company made our one of a lifetime trip so memorable, all of Jessica’s suggestions and guidance were right on. Their travel booklet was very helpful and we appreciated the check ins throughout.We would absolutely recommend this travel agency to our family and friends.

Review: Africa Safari, Tanzania, Serengeti, Zanzibar

Out safari travel agent did an amazing job of planning our Tanzania trip together and arranging for everything. We didn’t know much about where we wanted to go when we first talked. She gave us the lay of the land and prepared itineraries for us to review, adjusting them to help fit our budget and priorities. We ended up deciding on a ~9 day trip to Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar, staying with a mobile campsite in the Serengeti, a resort on the east side of Zanzibar, and then a hotel in Stone Town. Our agent booked everything other than our international flights and provided us helpful materials and a packing list before we left. The trip couldn’t have gone more smoothly. Friendly drivers were always there waiting to take us from the airport or airstrip to our to hotel or campsite. Our accommodations were fantastic. The Serengeti campsite in particular we can’t recommend enough. It was great being able to not worry about the arrangements and just enjoy being in Africa. Two thumbs up!

Luxury Africa Safari Honeymoon Review: Tanzania, Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Nungwi Beaches

Our honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar was amazing! This Africa safari tour operator organized a wonderfully romantic and adventurous trip; from game drives in Ngorongoro crater and the Serengeti to relaxing on the beach in Nungwi, every detail was perfect. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and our accommodations were outstanding. We could not be happier with the trip and with all the help and guidance this company provided.

Zicasso in the News

Romance of Zanzibar: Private Couples Tour

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Mnemba Island – Bubbly Upon Arrival

Mnemba Island – Sunset Dhow Cruise

Mnemba Island – Snorkeling, Diving, and Kayaking

Stone Town – The Romance Continues

Stone Town – Aromatic Spices and Cocktails

Kendwa – Back to the White Sand

Kendwa – A Day on a Wooden Dhow

Kendwa – Private Zanzibar Beach

Zanzibar Town – Departure

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

Customizable Itinerary

Best of Zanzibar Itinerary: Two Weeks of Island Paradise

Nungwe, Stone Town, and Dongwe: Island Vacation

Legend of Zanzibar: Intimate One-Week Cultural Tour

Best of Serengeti Safari & Zanzibar Beach Getaway

East Africa Safari for Couples: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar

Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Wildebeest Migration Plus Zanzibar