Beach Vacation in Tanzania

Mr. and Mrs. Silly were basking under the warm sun, admiring the ocean and walking bare feet on the white sands during their beach holiday in Tanzania. Everything seemed so perfect on their honeymoon trip in Zanzibar.

In a moment…

“Oh no! I packed lotions and not sunscreen” screams the dressy wife.

“Look at the dark clouds gathering. What about our kite-surfing session?” exclaims the not so wise husband.

“We would have rather plan better,” thought the Silly couple.

These are moments you don’t want to face just when you want it to be your ‘best ever beach holiday’. We know it could get overwhelming at times to just get everything right and you may miss out something important while planning. With our expertise and years of tailoring best holidays, we have gathered some useful tips to make your island vacations the most fulfilling.

Relax and let’s get started.

Pack your costumes first to enjoy a holiday with no regrets

1. Do not over pack

You do not want to head to the beach with heavy luggage and spend your holiday in the room digging your shorts under piles of unwanted stuff. We would suggest, pack few cotton outfits; dresses, tops, skirts and shorts that are light on your body and in the suitcase. Chuck jeans and fancy clothes but do not forget the sarong, hats, swimwear and glasses if you are in Tanzania for a beach vacation. Most hotels provide toiletries so you may make space for sunscreen rather than soaps and perfumes. There a handful of shops in Zanzibar and useful for your last minute buys. Make a packing list, travel light and keep room for some souvenirs to take back home.

The best kite-surfing experience is when the wind is in your favour

2. Plan during the right season

When you are here to sunbathe an unexpected rain shower may leave you disappointed. Avoid planning your vacation in Tanzania, especially to the beach in the months of April and May. The short rains in November are tolerable however if you are here for a pure beach time, the dry season from July onwards is ideal. Specific activities such as turtle hatching by the coast, whale-shark diving in Mafia island, kite-surfing in Zanzibar and fishing in Pemba are seasonal and planning your holiday during the right season is crucial. During the high season from June to December, the best hotels are fully booked and we recommend to secure your rooms at least 2 months in advance.

3. Choose your hotels wisely

Booking the right hotel for your beach holiday should be a top priority. If you are traveling with a family there are several hotels of various budgets and room options for your perfect family vacation. Many hotels also offer activities for kids, excursions and other retraction options. Do a thorough research on accommodation options well in advance. Honeymooners will prefer a holiday away from the crowd and Mnemba, Mafia and Pemba are some of the best places to stay. Booking on the very last minute, especially during the high season comes in with a price. Plan and discuss with your tour operators in advance. You can also choose to stay in different locations and beaches for unique experiences.

Choose exotic hotels that offer privacy if you want to avoid the crowds

4. Do not do plan too many activities

Unlike wildlife destinations where you are actively involved in game drives, a beach holiday invites you to relax by the warm beaches where doing nothing is often the best thing to do. You may be too excited for water based activities but striking a balance between excursions and resting by the beach is ideal. We recommend you to choose an activity or two during the day and spend rest of the time chilling by the pool, strolling on the beach and opt for local experiences that are refreshing and enriching. Planning an itinerary with your tour operator is one of the best options to travel without having the hassle to choose between too many options later.

Sometimes laying by the beach is the best thing you could do

5. Safari first, beach later.

Wildlife watching is an active holiday experience and often travelers want something relaxing later. If you are here for a combined bush and beach experience, we highly recommend you to start with wildlife destinations and head to the island next. After exhilarating game drives, days spent on bumpy tracks and active game viewing, it is now time to rejuvenate by the beach, indulge in soothing massage, dream on the hammock, stroll on the beach and immerse in the cool of the Indian ocean before head home. Many travelers also prefer beach holidays after hiking to Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru.

Have more questions while planning your beach holiday to Tanzania? Let us connect to tailor a suitable package for you.