About This Journey
The 9 Day Zanzibar Pemba and Mafia Island Explorer 2026-2027 combines three of Tanzania's most beautiful Indian Ocean islands into one tropical journey.
Begin in Zanzibar, exploring historic Stone Town, spice farms and beautiful beaches. Continue to Pemba Island for quieter coastal scenery, tropical forest and marine activities before finishing on Mafia Island, famous for protected marine environments, snorkeling, diving and whale shark experiences.
Zanzibar officially promotes Stone Town, spice farms, coastal experiences and beach tourism as some of the island's major attractions.
What Makes This Trip Special
Explore historic Stone Town
Zanzibar spice farm experience
Zanzibar beach relaxation
Fly from Zanzibar to Pemba Island
Explore Pemba's quieter island landscapes
Pemba snorkeling or diving experience
Tropical forest and coastal exploration
Travel from Pemba to Mafia Island
Mafia Island Marine Park experience
Snorkeling and marine wildlife
Optional whale shark excursion
Indian Ocean beaches
Local island culture
Eight nights island accommodation
A Look at the Journey
Itinerary
Arrive at Zanzibar International Airport or ferry terminal and meet your driver.
Transfer to your hotel in Stone Town for check-in and a short rest.
Later, explore the narrow streets, historic buildings, markets and waterfront of Stone Town with a local guide.
Zanzibar's current tourism promotion highlights Stone Town as one of the island's main heritage experiences.
Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, visit a traditional Zanzibar spice farm.
Learn about tropical spices and plants including cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg.
After the spice experience, continue toward the coast for lunch and beach relaxation.
Spend the afternoon swimming, walking along the beach or relaxing beside the Indian Ocean.
Stone Town, spice farms and coastal leisure experiences remain among the island experiences currently promoted by the Tanzania Tourist Board.
Enjoy a relaxing day along the Zanzibar coastline.
Depending on weather and your selected package, activities may include snorkeling, a traditional dhow excursion, sandbank visit or simply beach relaxation.
The afternoon can be kept free for swimming and enjoying the resort.
Dinner and overnight in Zanzibar.
After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your flight to Pemba Island.
Current scheduled nonstop flights between Zanzibar and Pemba take about 30 minutes, although departure times vary by airline and travel date.
On arrival, meet your local driver and transfer to your lodge or resort.
Spend the remainder of the day discovering the quiet atmosphere of Pemba or relaxing beside the ocean.
Dinner and overnight on Pemba Island.
After breakfast, explore the greener interior of Pemba Island.
The day may include a guided forest walk, local villages, spice growing areas and scenic viewpoints depending on your lodge location.
Pemba has a quieter and less developed character than Zanzibar, making it ideal for travelers looking for nature and a slower island experience.
Return to your lodge in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, enjoy a marine excursion around Pemba Island.
Depending on your experience level and confirmed package, choose between snorkeling or scuba diving.
Explore clear tropical waters, coral formations and marine life with experienced local guides.
Non-divers can enjoy snorkeling and beach time while certified divers can arrange suitable dive sites according to sea conditions.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and your final night on Pemba.
After breakfast, transfer to Pemba Airport and begin your journey to Mafia Island.
There is currently no regular nonstop scheduled flight between Pemba and Mafia, so this journey normally requires connections through Zanzibar and/or Dar es Salaam depending on airline schedules.
Flights between Dar es Salaam and Mafia Island take approximately 30-35 minutes on current schedules.
On arrival at Mafia Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your lodge.
Enjoy dinner and overnight on Mafia Island.
After breakfast, spend the day exploring the marine environment around Mafia Island.
Activities may include snorkeling, boat excursions, beach exploration and visits to selected marine areas depending on tides and weather.
Mafia Island Marine Park has been operating as a protected marine area since 1996, and current tourism promotion highlights the island's marine biodiversity, beaches and water-based experiences.
Return to your lodge in the afternoon for relaxation.
Dinner and overnight on Mafia Island.
Enjoy breakfast and your final morning on Mafia Island.
Depending on your travel dates, weather and marine conditions, an optional whale shark watching excursion may be arranged.
Whale shark experiences are among the marine activities currently promoted for Mafia Island, although sightings are never guaranteed.
After the activity, transfer to Mafia Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam or your onward destination.
Your 9 Day Zanzibar Pemba and Mafia Island Explorer 2026-2027 ends after the transfer.
Included & Excluded
Included
- Zanzibar airport or ferry transfers
- Zanzibar accommodation
- Stone Town guided tour
- Spice farm experience
- Zanzibar beach transfers
- Zanzibar to Pemba flight
- Pemba airport transfers
- Pemba Island accommodation
- Guided Pemba activities as specified
- Snorkeling equipment where included
- Local marine guides
- Pemba to Mafia flight connections where specified
- Mafia airport transfers
- Mafia Island accommodation
- Mafia marine activities as specified
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water during organized excursions
- Local taxes and service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Flights not specifically listed in the confirmed quotation
- Marine park fees unless specifically included
- Scuba diving unless included in the package
- Diving certification courses
- Optional whale shark excursion unless included
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions
The journey combines Zanzibar, Pemba Island and Mafia Island.
The itinerary includes eight nights: three nights in Zanzibar, three nights in Pemba and two nights on Mafia Island.
Yes. Current schedules include nonstop Zanzibar to Pemba flights taking approximately 30 minutes.
Regular nonstop service is not currently listed, so the journey normally requires connections through Zanzibar and/or Dar es Salaam.
Snorkeling can be included according to the confirmed package and daily itinerary.
Yes. Diving can be arranged for qualified travelers, subject to local operator availability and sea conditions.
No. Whale sharks are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Yes. Meals are included according to the daily itinerary.
Yes. Extra nights can be added in Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia depending on your travel schedule.
