Welcome to Zanzibar! The mythical island gem in the Indian Ocean which will be home for the next week. Arrive into Stone Town Airport, and we will be there to welcome to you to the island. Upon arrival, we will be picked up and taken to a charming hotel in Stone Town to freshen up before enjoying the Indian Ocean breeze as the sun sets.

We will take to the streets of Stone Town to perhaps enjoy some Taarab music, a fusion of nasheeds and love stories accompanied by flutes and stringed instruments as the notes hang in the evening air.

We will wake up to sound of the adhan and to the sights and sounds of the old town of Zanzibar. After breakfast we will take to the water and a short boat ride to Prison Island or Changuu Island, famous for its giant tortoises which were originally a gift to the country from the Seychelles. As well as getting a chance to see these magnificent creatures, we will have the chance to explore the diverse history of Changuu. After lunch we will take on a walking tour of Stone Town, visiting the historical sites and exploring the narrow streets of the city. We will make the most of our guided tour to get some shopping in along with our cultural visit before heading back to our hotel for our overnight stay

After breakfast our driver will come to pick us up as we head around the island to visit Vassalam, a beautiful community who are working for a self-sufficient Zanzibar. We will immerse into the real Zanzibar in the south of the island and learn about their children’s university for higher education, their camps where skills and experiences are shared and their sisterhood keeping the traditions of Zanzibar alive. The island is a potent blend of Arab, Indian and African cultures and these flavours make their way into a food fusion that we will witness first hand.

Here we will take part in a cooking workshop to sample the local flavours that have given the Spice Island its name while learning the traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations of kanga-making as well as learning how this special group is shaping the future of Zanzibar. When we are full of stories and Zanzibari dishes we will make our way to our beach front hotel for the evening and the next part of our journey.

Today we will awaken to the sunrise on the east of the island as our beach facing boutique gives us a perfect glimpse of the sun as we start our day. Today we will get a chance to don our comfortable shoes and set out in search of the colobus monkey as we enter Jozani forest. This natural woodland is a stark contrast to the soft sandy beaches and represents an older part of Zanzibar where antelope and even leopards used to be found (sadly no one has spotted one of those in a while).

We will have a front row seat to some incredible flora and fauna and once we have had our fill, will be able to retire to our beach for the afternoon to relax.

As a hub of eastern African commerce across hundreds of years, Zanzibar built up a reputation as a melting pot of cultures. And this is never more true than when considering its moniker as the Spice Island. For centuries these fragrant powders and plants were considered highly valued and today we will have a chance to visit a spice farm with its lush green gardens of innumerable species of spices and tropical fruits trees where we can learn how they are used in traditional cooking, medicine and cosmetics.

From there we will head to the coast to visit the turtle sanctuary and take a look at the conservation work being done around the island to preserve the marine wildlife. We will visit the baby turtles as well as looking at how they rehabilitate those that have been injured with a focus on ensuring that as many as possible survive and thrive.

When you think of Zanzibar, one of the first thoughts is the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean and we wanted to ensure that we had our chance to explore the underwater world. Today we will head down the coast to the Blue Lagoon where we will take a boat out to snorkel among the star fish, coral and the brightly coloured fish that dart from here to there. From here we will make our way to the Rock Restaurant, one of the most photographed in Africa for a lunch reservation before heading back to shore.

Our last full day on the island will give us the chance to make the most of our hotel with its spa, land and water sports and its links with the local communities. It will give us the chance to connect and reflect on all we have seen and recharge our batteries before welcoming the Zanzibari sunset for the last time.

We will wake up to sound of the ocean one last time on this trip and enjoy the morning on the island. After breakfast we will have some time to either take on an extra tour or to relax, reflecting and gathering ourselves before our trip home. We will be picked up in plenty of time and driven back across the island to Stone Town where we can say good bye until next time for our onward flights.

Located in the heart of the oldest section of Zanzibar's Stone Town, Serena is the perfect escape from its bustling surroundings. Relax in the hotel's spa and benefit from the waterfront location on the doorstep of the island's key historical destinations.

Alma Boutique Hotel incorporates various influences of the island’s history to create a unique ambiance where guests are indulged in an elegant and sophisticated yet casual atmosphere. The Zanzibari fusion of African, Arab and Indian influences swirl with a hint of Italian taste and tranquility for a unique exploration of the east coast of the island.