This itinerary uses as your base, with easy beach days close by and a few well-planned trips to Stone Town, the east coast and the island’s nature spots. I’ve grouped outings by area to keep transfers manageable; travel times are approximate and can vary with traffic, tides and road conditions.
Budget
Allow roughly TZS 1,400,000–2,500,000 per person for meals, local transport, activities and entry fees across 13 days, excluding accommodation, international flights and shopping. Private transfers and excursions can change the total substantially.
Best time to visit
June to October is generally drier and comfortable for exploring; January and February are also popular warm months. Check the seasonal forecast and tide tables before booking water activities.
Settle into Uroa
Keep your first day close to your accommodation, with time to recover from travel and enjoy the shore.
Morning
Arrive and settle in
Check in at your accommodation in and take it easy. No additional travel is needed once you have arrived.
Afternoon
Take a gentle beach walk
Walk along the shoreline and get acquainted with the tides; allow about 5–15 minutes on foot from most stays.
Evening
Dinner by the beach
Have dinner at your accommodation or a nearby restaurant; most are a short walk or 5–10-minute drive away.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Uroa shoreline and village
Stay local for an unhurried day of swimming, tide-watching and a look around the village.
Morning
Enjoy the beach at high tide
Swim or stroll when the water is in, checking conditions with your accommodation. From most stays, the shore is about 5–15 minutes on foot.
Afternoon
Browse around village
Explore the local shops and everyday village life at a respectful pace; allow about 5–15 minutes on foot from the beach area.
Evening
Sunset and a relaxed supper
Return to the shore for sunset, then eat nearby. Allow roughly 5–10 minutes on foot or by car between the beach and dinner.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Uroa and nearby Chwaka Bay
Combine a slow morning on the beach with a short inland outing around the nearby bay.
Morning
Relax on
Enjoy a quiet beach morning and check the tide before planning any swim. It is around 5–15 minutes on foot from most accommodation.
Afternoon
Visit village and bay
Take a short drive to see the fishing village and the broad bay; allow about 20–30 minutes by car from , depending on the exact destination and road conditions.
About TZS 20,000–50,000Evening
Return for dinner in
Head back to your base for a relaxed evening; the drive from to is about 20–30 minutes.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Jozani Forest and the east coast
Make a focused trip to Zanzibar’s best-known forest reserve, then return to for a restful evening.
Morning
Walk in Jozani Forest
Take a guided walk to look for the endemic red colobus monkeys and learn about the forest habitat. The drive from takes about 45–60 minutes.
About TZS 50,000–80,000Afternoon
Explore the mangrove boardwalk
Continue through the park’s mangrove area with a guide; allow about 5–10 minutes between the forest trail area and the boardwalk, depending on the route.
About Included with park visitEvening
Rest back in
Drive back to , about 45–60 minutes from Jozani, and keep the evening free for dinner and downtime.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Pongwe and Uroa
Enjoy a neighbouring stretch of east-coast beach before returning to your familiar base.
Morning
Spend the morning at
Visit this quiet east-coast beach for a change of scenery; the drive from is about 15–25 minutes.
Afternoon
Lunch and a slow beach afternoon
Stay in the area for lunch and a swim timed around the tide. Nearby beach spots are generally a 5–15-minute walk or short drive apart.
About TZS 25,000–55,000Evening
Return to
Head back to your accommodation for dinner and an easy evening; is about 15–25 minutes away by car.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Stone Town’s historic centre
Spend a full day in Stone Town, keeping the main sights within its compact, walkable old centre.
Morning
Explore the Old Fort
Start with the historic fort and its central courtyard. The drive from takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
Afternoon
Visit the area
Walk along the seafront to see the from outside and explore nearby historic streets; allow about 5 minutes on foot from the Old Fort. Check current access before planning an interior visit.
Evening
Dinner at
Walk about 5–10 minutes from the to the seafront gardens and browse the evening food stalls. Return to by car in about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
About TZS 15,000–40,000
Uroa recovery day
After Stone Town, take a deliberately light day without a long transfer.
Morning
Have a slow breakfast and beach walk
Take the morning at your own pace, then walk to the shore; most stays are about 5–15 minutes from the beach.
Afternoon
Rest or swim at high tide
Keep the afternoon flexible for a swim, reading or a massage at your accommodation. Allow about 5–15 minutes on foot to return to the shoreline.
About TZS 20,000–60,000Evening
Dinner close to home
Choose a nearby restaurant or your hotel dining room so there is no long journey after dinner.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Kiwengwa coast
Head north for a beach outing, keeping the day centred on before returning to .
Morning
Visit
Enjoy the open beach and coastal scenery; the drive from is about 35–50 minutes.
Afternoon
Have lunch and relax in
Stay nearby for lunch and a shaded break, with around 5–15 minutes between beach access points by foot or car.
About TZS 25,000–55,000Evening
Return to
Drive back to in about 35–50 minutes and enjoy a quiet evening at your base.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Paje and the southeast coast
Explore the lively southeast coast in one area, with time to enjoy the beach and local cafés.
Morning
Walk
Explore the broad beach and watch the kitesurfers; the drive from is about 45–60 minutes.
Afternoon
Lunch and browse
Stay around the village for lunch and a browse of its small shops; the beach and main village strip are about 5–15 minutes apart on foot.
About TZS 25,000–60,000Evening
Return to
Drive back to your accommodation in about 45–60 minutes; arrange transport in advance if you plan to stay for sunset.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Uroa sea and village life
Leave the schedule open for the tides, a gentle local walk and another easy evening at your base.
Morning
Enjoy the water at
Choose a swim or shoreline walk according to the day’s tide and sea conditions. The beach is usually about 5–15 minutes on foot from local accommodation.
Afternoon
Take a village stroll
Walk around and pick up essentials or snacks; allow about 5–15 minutes on foot from the beach area.
About TZS 5,000–20,000Evening
Enjoy a final beachside dinner
Choose a nearby meal and keep the rest of the evening free. Most dining options are within a short walk or 5–10-minute drive.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Stone Town markets and gardens
Return to Stone Town for its market and gardens, focusing on sights within the old centre.
Morning
Browse
See the busy produce and spice stalls with a local guide or at your own pace; the drive from takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
About TZS 5,000–20,000Afternoon
Visit the Anglican Cathedral and former slave market site
Explore this important historic site with time for a guided visit; it is about 10–15 minutes on foot from .
About TZS 10,000–20,000Evening
Relax at
Walk about 10–15 minutes from the cathedral area to the waterfront gardens for sunset and food stalls, then drive back to in about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
About TZS 15,000–40,000
Uroa and the nearby east coast
Keep your last full day flexible, with one short outing and plenty of time to enjoy the beach near home.
Morning
Spend a final morning on
Enjoy the shore at a tide-friendly time; allow about 5–15 minutes on foot from most stays.
Afternoon
Take a short trip to
Visit the neighbouring coast for a change of scenery or lunch; the drive from is about 15–25 minutes.
About TZS 25,000–55,000Evening
Return to for your last dinner
Drive back in about 15–25 minutes and enjoy a relaxed final evening close to your accommodation.
About TZS 20,000–45,000
Farewell to Uroa
Keep departure day simple, with breakfast, a short beach visit and time for your transfer.
Morning
Have breakfast and pack
Finish packing and check out according to your accommodation’s schedule. Allow no extra travel if you are staying in .
Afternoon
Take one last shoreline walk
If your departure timing allows, enjoy a brief final look at the coast; the beach is about 5–15 minutes on foot from most accommodation.
Evening
Transfer to the airport or port
Arrange a direct transfer from . Zanzibar’s airport is typically about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.
About TZS 80,000–150,000
Good to know
Tides
The east coast has pronounced tides. Ask your accommodation for the day’s tide times and local swimming advice, and plan beach walks or water activities accordingly.
Getting around
Agree the fare with taxi drivers before setting off, or ask your accommodation to arrange a driver. Long-distance days are easier with a pre-booked return transfer.
Stone Town
Wear comfortable shoes for uneven lanes, carry some cash in Tanzanian shillings and check current opening hours and access arrangements for historic buildings.
Respectful visits
Dress modestly when visiting villages and religious sites, ask permission before photographing people, and follow your guide’s advice around wildlife.
Costs
Prices are approximate per person in TZS and vary by season, operator and meal choice. Confirm park fees, transport and tour inclusions directly before booking.