A Typical Day on Safari!

Everyday is a different day on Safari. No agendas; just you and your Safari guide making plans on what to see, where to go, how long to be out, and more. Here are guidelines to navigate your day on a East African Safari.

Morning.
For the most part, waking up early should be the norm even if you are not a morning person. Why? Sunrise. This time of the day is truly glowing. 

Your wake-up call can be any where from 6:00 am onwards.

1. You can decide to have breakfast at the lodge. Enjoy coffee in your room, then head to the main area. Majority of the Safari lodges in the national parks have a deck looking out at the park. Enjoy the sunrise while eating breakfast.  
2. Start around 6:30 am and go out looking for wildlife in the early morning, when the sun is lighting up the African soil. Have breakfast around 8:30 -9:00 am [or when your stomach calls for food] in the middle of the national park. This should be your choice at least once or twice in each national park.

Zebras at Sunrise in the Laikipia, Northern Kenya

Afternoon.
Depending when you have started, you will have two choices. 

1. Stay out for lunch in the parks. If you have stayed in for breakfast, go out and stay out for a bit longer. There are many picnic spot your guide will take you or in some cases, you will eat in the car while watching the rhino crawl or in the middle of the Wildebeest Migration.
You can come back to the Safari lodge at your own leisure for your afternoon siesta.

2. Come back for lunch at the Safari lodge. If you have been out from early morning, this can be an option. And if you want, squeeze in an outdoor shower when the sun is out. 

Late afternoon / Evening.

Around 3:30 - 4:00 pm, you will be heading out again if you have been in the Safari Lodge. Go out to capture the evening golden hour. If you've had enough for the day, stay back. There are no rules. 

You will be out and about until 6:30 pm, stretching it to 7:00 pm before you have to return back. Many a rush drive back have been had as you want to soak in every last light on Safari.
Also, this is the time for sundowners. The time you park your vehicle, enjoy a drink while watching the glorious sunset in Africa. You will pinch yourself, you are on Safari.

Afternoons at camp sometimes mean snoozing and reading a good book, or playing games!

Night-time.

Pure cozy. Campfire, Safari stories by the camp manager or staff + a delicious dinner.
Some stories that have to be heard like this Maasai warrior telling us about his right of passage by hunting lions. Keep an open mind - it's not all black and white, lots of grey, lots of changes that need to be made, lots of traditional ways that have to alter, lots of cultural stories that need a new course - listen and be curious.

Evenings by the fire - stories, laughter. All of it.

In the end, you decide your travel style. Some clients want to be out all day; they want to soak every minute of being on Safari. Others want to relax a bit more; have all meals or more meals at the lodge and go out on game drive at leisure. 

Whatever your style, you will love everyday on Safari. 

Zanzibar – The soulful spice in your Safari adventure.

Want to end your Safari with a little salt in your hair and a swirl of spice in the air. That’s Zanzibar. 

I always get excited when guests ask, “Should we add Zanzibar to our Safari?” My answer? A resounding YES! If your Safari feeds the wild part of your soul, then Zanzibar is where your heart slows down, your senses wake up, and your connection deepens… not just to the land, but to the people who call it home. 

Upendo Beach - one of the beach resorts we enjoy sending you.

The perfect pairing: Safari + Zanzibar 

After days in the bush tracking lions, sipping sundowners under acacia trees, and waking to the calls of hornbills, there’s something magical about trading your hiking boots for flip-flops. 

You might see Zanzibar as a relaxing post-Safari “add-on,” but the reality is that it’s part of Tanzania’s beating heart. I always recommend visiting after your Safari, so you get to soak in that wild energy first… and then let the island bring you gently back to earth.

Via Sam Vox, a brilliant photographer who captures Zanzibar magically.

Stone Town: Zanzibar’s cultural heartbeat 

Stone Town is where Zanzibar tells its story. It’s not polished. It’s real, layered in history, and oozing character in every crumbling coral wall and carved wooden door. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a kaleidoscope of cultures (African, Arab, Indian, European) all woven together in narrow alleyways and buzzing bazaars. 

You’ll walk past colorful markets where spices fill the air and women wear kangas printed in Swahili proverbs. You’ll hear the call to prayer echo off centuries-old minarets as kids dart through the streets kicking homemade soccer balls. The scent of cardamom and grilled octopus floats through the evening air, and if you pause to look up, you’ll see balconies crafted hundreds of years ago, each one telling its own small tale of this island’s layered past. 

My kids in 2015. Watching in awe the kids jumping in Forodhani, Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Evening meal preparation in bustling Forodhani, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Anglican Church - a place of history

House of Wonders - place fit for a king.

Coffee break after exploring the sensory overload meat market.

Zanzibar’s history as a trading hub means you’ll taste Indian and Persian influences in the food (don’t skip a bowl of spicy biryani or Zanzibari mix). If adventurous, enjoy the Forodhani food scene in the evening. You may have passed the local market on your Stone Town tour.

You’ll see majestic Omani architecture near centuries-old churches. You’ll learn about the dark legacy of the slave trade, and witness how modern Zanzibaris carry their past with strength and grace. 

People here are proud of their heritage – and wonderfully open to sharing it with curious travelers. A guided walking tour is one of the best ways to explore the labyrinthine alleyways on your first day. After that, take it slow, get deliciously lost, and let the street rhythms lead you. 

Local etiquette note:
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, so dressing modestly in town is appreciated (think shoulders and knees covered). 

Humpback whales? Just another bonus! 

Want one more wild, heart-stirring reason to go? 

Between July and August, Zanzibar sits along the migration route of Humpback Whales traveling with their calves from the chilly waters of South Africa toward the warmer currents of Somalia. Seeing a mother and baby breach against a Zanzibari sunset? It’s the kind of moment that lives with you forever. 

This is the magic of combining Safari and sea. You go from spotting lion cubs on dust-colored savannas to watching whale tails slice through sapphire surf. 

Zanzibar is a vibe-shift… in the best possible way. 
It’s the celebration after the Safari. The soul after the thrill. 

If you’re dreaming of an adventure that’s wild, warm, and wonderfully human, Zanzibar is calling. And I’d love to help you answer. 

Best time to visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a year-round destination, but the two peak seasons are June to October (dry, sunny, ideal for beaches and water activities) and December to February (warm and mostly dry, perfect for combining with a Tanzania Safari over the holidays). The long rains run April to May and are worth avoiding if possible. If humpback whales are on your wish list, plan for July to August.

Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar

How do you get to Zanzibar from the Serengeti?

Most guests fly from the Serengeti or Arusha into Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport — it's a straightforward connection, usually via Dar es Salaam or direct on a charter. We handle all the logistics so you don't have to think about it.

How many nights do you need in Zanzibar?

We recommend a minimum of three nights to do it justice — one to explore Stone Town, two to properly unwind on the beach. Four or five nights is the sweet spot if you want to add a spice tour, snorkelling, or a day trip to Prison Island.

Which part of Zanzibar is best for beaches?

The north and northeast coasts — Nungwi and Kendwa — offer the calmest, clearest water year-round. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani) is stunning but can have seaweed seasonally. We'll recommend the right area based on when you're travelling.