Zanzibar with Chelsea

Dates

Sep 2–8, 2023

Group Size

8–25 Travelers

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Activity Level

Relaxation

About This Trip

Escape to Spice Island on this week long oceanside retreat. Starting off in the UNESCO-recognized streets of Stone Town, you’ll soon be getting plenty of sand, surf, and sun at resorts in the beachside towns of Nungwi and Paje. You’ll boat to sand bars, take a wooden dhow to snorkel world-class reefs off Mnemba Island, explore the jungles and plantations of inner Zanzibar on foot and quad bike, track monkeys and visit a limestone cave. And when it’s all said and done, you’ll have incredible memories with new friends in the island jewel of Africa.
$2,199USD
$2,299USD
Sep 2–8, 2023
7 days
Trip Closed

Meet Your Host

Chelsea Davis
Chelsea Davis

Hello everyone! I'm an adventure travel enthusiast who loves to explore new places, cultures, and food. I've been to 80 countries across 5 continents and always looking for the next adventure.

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Trip Activities

  • Walking Tour of Stone Town

  • Sand Bank Island Visit and Lunch

  • Spice Farm Tour

  • Baraka Natural Aquarium,

  • Mnemba Island Snorkel Safari and Dolphin Tour

  • Guided Jozani Forest and Red Colobus Monkey Walk

Included in Your Trip

  • Double occupancy in 4-star and 3-star hotels

  • Local Guide throughout trip

  • All city transfers

  • Arrival airport transfer (until 7 pm on first day)

  • Departure airport transfer (morning of last day)

Not Included

  • International flights

  • Food and alcohol (except as noted)

  • Visas and travel insurance

  • Airport transfers outside of designated times

  • Tips for Guides

Itinerary

*All durations are approximate

Day 1

Info

Welcome to Zanzibar! Take your transfer to the city hotel and freshen up before your welcome dinner on the rooftop.

Airport Transfer

30 Mins

TrovaTrip will provide 3 transfers from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) to the Tembo House Hotel at 9:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.

dinner

Get to know your group and enjoy your welcome dinner in a rooftop restaurant overlooking historic Stone Town.

Tembo House Hotel (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 1/2

Overnight in Stone Town

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Day 2

Info

It's a full day to explore Stone Town and the surrounding waters with your local Guide. Start off with a walking tour of the city, then hit the waters and head to a nearby island or sand bar, tides depending. After lunch, you'll have some time to relax and take a swim before heading back to town. In the later afternoon explore the historic streets of Stone Town on your own or with new friends.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Walking Tour of Stone Town

1 Hour

Your local Guide will meet you at the hotel for an hour-long walking tour of the UNESCO heritage site of Old Town, Zanzibar City. While visiting the photogenic architectural highlights, your Guide will be sure to orient you to the history and culture of the area. (~1 hour)

Sand Bank Island Visit and Lunch

5 Hours

Board a boat and take a short ride of 1hs to a nearby island or sand bank, tide-dependent. Eat a seafood barbecue with soft drinks on the shore, relax, then take a swim before heading back to Stone Town. (~5-7 hours)

lunch

Lunch on the sandbank island is included.

Tembo House Hotel (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 2/2

Overnight in Stone Town

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Day 3

Info

It's time to leave the city and make your way north to the beautiful beaches of Nungwi. Along the way, you'll stop for a short tour of one of the many spice farms that give the island its nickname. In the afternoon, relax on the beach at the resort, soak up the sun, and take a swim.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Transfer to Nungwi

1 Hour 30 Mins

Make your way north to the beautiful beaches of Nungwi on a private bus (~1.5 hours)

Spice Farm Tour

1 Hour

You'll stop along the way north at one of the many spice farms that make the island famous. With cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, local soaps and fruits you'll get a great taste of the island interior.

Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 1/3

Overnight in Nungwi

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Day 4

Info

Visit the most interesting place in Nungwi, Baraka natural aquarium, where sea turtles are protected. The best part is you can swim and feed them up close.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Baraka Natural Aquarium,

1 Hour

Take a short trip to the northern part of Nungwi for the sea turtles experience. (~2-3 hours)

Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 2/3

Overnight in Nungwi

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Day 5

Info

Set off a traditional wooden dhow and embark on an ocean safari for snorkeling at the reefs off Mnemba Island. Along the way keep your eyes peeled for the many dolphins that call the waters home. After snorkeling, you'll head back to shore for a freshly cooked meal and some beach time. In the afternoon, transfer back to Nungwi and relax at the resort.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Mnemba Island Snorkel Safari and Dolphin Tour

6 Hours

See bottle-nosed and humpback dolphins from the traditional wooden dhow, a piece of Arabic heritage found in Zanzibar. After a short boat ride, you'll make your way to the protected reefs around Mnemba Island and some of the best snorkeling in the Indian Ocean. After you've had your fill of the fish and coral, take the dhow back to shore for a hot lunch and some time on the beach (~6 hours)

lunch

Lunch during your snorkel safari is included.

Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 3/3

Overnight in Nungwi

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Day 6

Info

Head back into the island interior as you make your way south to the pristine beaches of Paje. Known for half-mile tides, soft sand, and the kite surfers that call the waters home, it's an incredible and entirely different experience from Nungwi. Along the way, you'll stop at Jozani Forest, home of the endangered colobus monkey. A ranger will take you on a guided walk through the forest, looking for the monkeys and learning about the endemic flora and fauna.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Transfer to Paje

1 Hour 30 Mins

Make your way south to the pristine beaches of Paje on a private bus (~1.5 hours)

Guided Jozani Forest and Red Colobus Monkey Walk

1 Hour

You'll learn how Zanzibar's wildlife evolved in isolation from the mainland, follow a wooden walkway through a mangrove swamp, and wander between towering eucalyptus and mahogany trees that provide critical habitat for native birds. Keep an eye out for the endangered red colobus monkey. The rangers keep tabs on their movements, so there's a great chance you'll get to see them! (~2-3 hours)

dinner

Farewell dinner at The Rock is included

Cristal Resort (or similar)

Accommodations may vary based on availability or group size, but no matter what, you can expect the same comfort and quality.

Night 1/1

Overnight in Paje

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Day 7

Info

All good things must come to an end, but only until our next adventure! Check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport.

breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel is included.

Transfer to the Airport

3 Hours

TrovaTrip will provide 3 transfers to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on the last day (~1.5 hours)

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Physical Activity Level:Relaxation

These trips are designed to help you get into (and stay in) chill mode. Think hanging out, good food and good conversation. These trips won't make you break a sweat unless you want to.

Cancellation Policy

We get it—life happens. Here's how cancellations work depending on where you're at in the process:

Spot Pending

100% refundable
Not confirmed yet? No worries. You can cancel at any time for a full refund.

Spot Confirmed With 91 or More Days Before Your Trip

Partially refundable + credit towards a future trip
You'll receive a future trip credit for the amount of your down payment (minus a $100 cancellation fee per Traveler). This trip credit is valid for one year from the date it is issued. Additionally, any payments made beyond the original 25% down payment will be refunded to your original form of payment.

Spot Confirmed With 90 or Fewer Days Before Your Trip

Non-refundable
At this point, all payments are non-refundable because your experience is already in motion behind the scenes. By this time, our operating partners will be working with local businesses to secure your accommodations and finalize your activities.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Protect Your Adventure-Invest in Peace of Mind

We strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage to safeguard your investment. With travel insurance, you're covered in case of unexpected events—from illness to emergencies—that could affect your plans. Life is unpredictable, but your dream trip doesn't have to be.

After booking, you'll receive a personalized recommendation for coverage tailored to your trip. For full details on our cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

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FAQ

Traveling with TrovaTrip

What's it like to travel on a Trova Trip?

Trova Trips are curated group travel experiences designed to help you see the world, meet new people, and connect over shared interests. Each trip is hosted by a community leader you know and trust, and run by professional local Operators who handle the logistics. Expect meaningful experiences, authentic activities, and a like-minded group to share it all with.

What's the difference between the Host, the Operator, and Trova?

Great question! Each plays a key role in bringing your experience to life:

  • The Host is your community leader who brings the group together, fosters connection, and perhaps leads a workshop or two. They're there to bring the vibes, not the logistics. That's the Tour Operator's job.
  • The Operator is the professional travel company that runs the trip on the ground. They handle it all—accommodations, local Guides, activities, and safety. Every Operator we partner with is licensed, insured, and vetted to deliver high-quality group travel.
  • TrovaTrip is the platform who connects it all. We help design the trips, partner with Hosts with Operators, and support you before and during your journey to ensure everything runs smoothly.

In short: The Host brings the vibe, the Operator runs the trip, and we make it all happen. Read more about who does what here.

I'm nervous to book. How can I feel more confident?

First, let us say—it's totally understandable, and you're not alone! Travel can feel intimidating, but we built Trova to take the guesswork out of group travel and earn your trust every step of the way:

    • Every trip is run by licensed Tour Operators with vetted local Guides.
    • Hosts are there to foster connection, meaning you'll arrive solo but never feel alone.
    • Itineraries are clearly outlined so you know what to expect, including activity level, example accommodations, and what's included.
    • Our team is available to support you pre-departure, and Operators—plus your local Guide—are on the ground to assist during the trip. And rest assured, all our Operating partners are trained in crisis management.
    • We always recommend travel insurance for extra peace of mind, whether you're traveling with Trova or solo. It can cover medical issues, lost luggage, or even cancellations.

We know it takes trust to book a trip with new people, and we're here to make sure you feel ready, supported, and excited!”

Can I book solo?

Absolutely! As of 2025, almost 84% of TrovaTrip Travelers go solo. (And yes, we may be a little biased, but we think group travel is one of the best ways to meet new people!) You'll have your own bed and the option to book a private room on most trips. Plus you'll be traveling with others who are just as excited to explore and connect.

What if I need to cancel?

We understand that life happens. Our cancellation policy is designed to provide flexibility while balancing the logistics of group travel:

  • Spot pending100% refundable. Not confirmed yet? No worries. You can cancel at any time for a full refund.
  • Spot confirmed with 91 or more days before your tripPartially refundable + credit towards a future trip. You'll receive a future trip credit for the amount of your down payment (minus a $100 cancellation fee per Traveler). This trip credit is valid for one year from the date it is issued. Additionally, any payments made beyond the original 25% down payment will be refunded to your original form of payment. 
  • Spot confirmed with 90 days or fewer before your tripNon-refundable. At this point, all payments are non-refundable because your experience is already in motion behind the scenes. By this time, our operating partners will be working with local businesses to secure your accommodations and finalize your activities.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Protect Your Adventure–Invest in Peace of Mind
We strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage to safeguard your investment. With travel insurance, you're covered in case of unexpected events–from illness to emergencies–that could affect your plans. Life is unpredictable, but your dream trip doesn't have to be.

After booking, you'll receive a personalized recommendation for coverage tailored to your trip. For full details on our cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

What's included in the trip cost?

Most trips include accommodations, daily activities, ground transportation, some meals, and a dedicated local Guide. Because Travelers are coming from all around the world, flights to and from your destination are not included. Each trip page breaks it all down for you.

Will I have free time?

Yes! While we pack in incredible experiences, most itineraries include built-in free time so you can relax, wander, or check out personal must-sees.

What do the activity levels mean?

Every trip has a physical Activity Level from 1 to 5 so you can find the right fit for your travel style:

  • Level 1 – Relax + Unwind: Minimal movement (spa days, beach lounging, local markets)
  • Level 2 – Low-Key Movement: Light, easy-paced activity (snorkeling, boat tours, gentle hikes)
  • Level 3 – Moderate Activity: Ready to move (multi-day hikes, skiing, camping)
  • Level 4 – Get Your Heart Rate Up: More intense movement (long hikes, biking, active days)
  • Level 5 – Extreme Adventure: High-adrenaline travel (challenging hikes, dives, technical climbs – experience may be required)

You'll find the Activity Level clearly listed on each trip page, and a more in-depth explanation of each level here.

Who can I contact with more questions?

Our support team is here to help! Visit trovatrip.com/company/contact-us to reach out. You can expect to hear back within 2 business days, but probably sooner—our Trova elves are pretty speedy!

Accommodations

What does "or similar" mean next to the accommodations?

When we say “or similar,” it means the hotel listed is an example of what you can expect—not always the exact spot you'll be staying. Sometimes Operators adjust accommodations due to seasonal availability or group size. But rest assured: the quality and comfort will match what's shown.

Why would the accommodations change from time of booking?

Flexibility allows Operators to choose the best-fit accommodations closer to your trip—based on availability, logistics, and what works best for the group (like the number of Travelers and room configurations). This ensures a smooth experience without sacrificing comfort or quality.

Finalized hotel info is typically shared about 30 days before departure in your Traveler Portal, along with your final itinerary.

Trip Operations & Compliance

Who actually runs my trip, and how does Trova keep things safe?

Your trip is operated by licensed, certified Tour Operators who manage all trip logistics and safety—from accommodations and local Guides and day-to-day logistics. All trips comply with local legal and regulatory standards. We vet each Operating partner carefully so you can travel with confidence.

Who do I talk to if I have questions about safety or compliance?

If you have any questions about safety protocols or trip compliance, reach out to us at safety@trovatrip.com. We're here to help.

General Travel Questions

Do I need any documentation to travel?

It depends on where you're headed. Though it is not a universal requirement, many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. This ensures Travelers have sufficient time to return home even if their visas are extended or if unexpected circumstances arise. 

Some destinations may also require a visa. Check our visa page to consult your country's travel resources.

Do I need any vaccines?

It's always best to check with your healthcare provider or a travel doctor before your trip. You can also visit the CDC website (or your local government's travel health resource) for destination-specific vaccine guidance. Health and safety first!

Are flights included in the trip cost?

Because our Hosts and Travelers are coming from all around the world, flights to and from your destination are not included. Some trips include internal flights (like a short domestic hop), and those details will always be listed on the trip page if applicable.

Can you accommodate my dietary needs?

We’ll do our very best! Our Operators aim to accommodate dietary restrictions, though availability varies by destination. For example, some places offer plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices, while others might be quite limited. The earlier you let us know—through your trip form or by contacting our support team—the better we can prepare. Once you arrive, be sure to remind your local Guide about any allergies or restrictions so they can help you enjoy your meals safely and comfortably.