Tanzania - Zanzibar 

2025- 2026

I have to admit—I've never really been a big fan of zoos or animals. It was never something that naturally excited me, and because of that, I never imagined that I would one day plan a trip to a place like Tanzania. Safari was never on my priority list, and it definitely wasn’t something I dreamed about while making travel plans.

But sometimes, travel surprises you in the most unexpected ways. Trust me when I say this—this has turned out to be one of the best trips I have ever taken in my life. Not just because of the destinations, but because of how deeply it changed my perspective on so many things.

I never knew a safari could be this incredible. Before this trip, I always thought safaris meant long hours of waiting with maybe one or two animal sightings if you were lucky. But Tanzania completely flipped that idea. Here, you can spot countless animals in a single day, and not just from far away—but up close, in their natural environment, living their lives freely.

I never imagined that I would see over 100 lions within just five days. Yes—more than 100 lions. That’s not something I ever thought was even realistic. Or witnessing a herd of more than 50 elephants moving together. Or standing there and seeing what “millions” of wildebeests and zebras actually look like in real life—something no documentary or photograph can truly capture. And definitely, I never thought I would step out onto my room balcony and see wild animals just roaming nearby. That feeling is something else—it’s both thrilling and humbling at the same time.

Watching animals in their natural habitat, observing their behavior, understanding how they survive, interact, and coexist—it changes you. It makes you pause and reflect on how perfectly balanced nature’s ecosystem is, and how everything has a role to play.

At the same time, it also makes you think deeply about what we, as humans, have done to this planet. Tanzania doesn’t just show you wildlife—it makes you feel connected to it. It makes you realize the importance of preserving it. And in many ways, it quietly forces you to reflect on your own role in that bigger picture.

I can confidently say this—if you take this trip with an open mind, you will not return as the same person. Some experiences stay with you, some change you, and some leave a lasting positive impact long after the journey is over. This was definitely one of those experiences for me.

Planning the Trip

Interestingly, this entire journey started very casually. While we were already busy planning a trip to Spain and Portugal, Amber casually mentioned that they were organizing a New Year trip with a colleague. That one small conversation sparked a completely new idea.

Very quickly, we created a WhatsApp group, and the discussions began. Like most group travel planning, it started with multiple options, different suggestions, and a lot of back-and-forth conversations. But eventually, we all aligned on one destination—Tanzania.

Looking back now, I can easily say this was one of the best decisions I made in 2025.

Once we finalized the destination, I started looking into planning. That’s when I realized something surprising—there are barely any Indian tourism websites that offer well-structured packages for Tanzania. It’s not as commercialized or easily accessible as other international destinations.

I reached out to multiple travel companies and requested quotes, but most of them were either extremely expensive or lacked proper detail and flexibility. It was difficult to find something that felt worth the cost.

That’s when I came across Monkey Adventure. Their quote immediately stood out—it was realistic, detailed, and seemed thoughtfully planned. After spending time reviewing their website, understanding their offerings, and going through the details, I felt confident enough to move forward with them.

So, I decided to take a hybrid approach. I booked the safari portion of the trip with Monkey Adventure, since that required local expertise and proper arrangements, and then planned the rest of the trip myself. It took more effort, but in the end, it gave us the flexibility we wanted along with the reliability we needed.

Day 1 - Arusha - Dan Stam Hotel - Self booked

Day 2 - Ndutu - Africa Safari sourth Sarengeti - Booked with Monkey adventure

Day 3 - Ndutu - Africa Safari sourth Sarengeti - Booked with Monkey adventure

Day 4 - Serengeti - Zuri Camps - Booked with Monkey adventure

Day 5 - Serengeti - Zuri Camps - Booked with Monkey adventure

Day 6 - Ngongoro - Omega view hotel - Booked with Monkey adventure

Day 7 - Zanzibar - Mangrove Lodge - Self booked

Day 8 - Zanzibar - Mangrove Lodge - Self booked

Day 9 - Zanzibar - Mangrove Lodge - Self booked

Day 10 - Kilimanzaro - Home stay - Self booked

Flights and Transport Booking

I never anticipated that finding flights to Tanzania would be this challenging. Initially, we were very hopeful about getting either direct flights or at least something with just one stop from Bangalore. But surprisingly, there were no good options available from Bangalore at all. Most of the convenient one-stop flights were operating from cities like Mumbai and Delhi.

We spent almost 2–3 weeks just exploring different routes, comparing durations, checking layovers, and trying to find something that was both comfortable and reasonably priced. After quite a bit of struggle and back-and-forth, we finally decided to go ahead with Qatar Airways, which turned out to be the best option available at that time.The total travel time from Bangalore to Kilimanjaro was around 16 hours, and the return ticket cost us approximately ₹80,000 per person. Considering the distance and limited options, it felt like a decent deal.

In addition to this, we also had to book internal flights within Tanzania. We booked return tickets from Arusha to Zanzibar, which cost us around ₹17,000 per person. These domestic flights are quite essential if you plan to combine safari with a beach destination like Zanzibar, and they save a significant amount of travel time.

Local Transport

Before traveling to Tanzania, I had a preconceived notion that it might not be a very safe destination, especially when it comes to local travel and transportation. Because of that, I played it safe and pre-booked all our airport transfers through the hotels well in advance.

However, once we actually reached Tanzania and experienced it firsthand, I realized that my assumption was not entirely correct. Tanzania is actually quite safe and very tourist-friendly, especially in the areas where safaris and major tourist activities are conducted.

That said, pre-booking transfers still turned out to be a convenient decision, especially after long flights where you don’t want to deal with last-minute arrangements. But if someone is comfortable, local transport options are definitely manageable.

Hotel Booking

All our hotel bookings outside the safari were done through Booking com, which worked out quite smoothly. We were able to compare options, check reviews, and find properties that suited our preferences and budget.

For the safari portion, everything was handled by Monkey Adventure. This included transportation, stay arrangements (hotels/tents), and all meals during the safari days. Honestly, having one operator manage all these details made things much easier, because coordinating safari logistics independently can get quite complicated.

Food Experience

Food was something we were a bit concerned about before the trip—but thankfully, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

In Tanzania, rice is a staple food, which naturally makes things easier for Indian travelers. During safari days, the resorts or camps provide packed lunch boxes, usually consisting of sandwiches, pasta, or rice with some kind of curry or gravy. While the food is not always hot, it is decent and sufficient for a full day outdoors.

Most safari camps offered buffet-style dinners, with a good mix of options. However, one standout experience was at Zuri Camps, which is a four-star property. Here, we were treated to a proper four-course meal, served in a very refined and luxurious style. It was not just about the food—it was about the entire dining experience.

Overall, I would say that you can expect good and manageable food options in Tanzania, even as an Indian traveler. And I must mention—the passion fruits and avocados in Tanzania were absolutely amazing. Fresh, flavorful, and something we genuinely enjoyed throughout the trip.

Total Cost Breakdown

Now coming to the most important part—the total cost of the trip.

For a trip like this in 2025, the overall expenditure comes to approximately ₹3 lakhs per person. Since we were a group of seven, the total expense for the entire trip was around ₹20 lakhs.

Flights alone contributed a major portion, costing roughly ₹1 lakh per person when you include both international and domestic segments. Safaris, as expected, are quite expensive. For our group, the 6-day safari cost around ₹10 lakhs in total, which comes to approximately ₹1.4 lakhs per person. This includes accommodation, meals, transport, permits, and guide services within the national parks. Our stay in Zanzibar was also on the higher side because we were traveling during the New Year period, which is peak season. Prices for resorts and hotels tend to be significantly higher during this time.

One important thing to keep in mind while budgeting for Tanzania is tipping. It is a very common and expected practice, especially for guides, drivers, and hotel staff. So it’s always advisable to carry a good amount of cash specifically for tips.

Day 0: A Journey Begins – 24 Hours in Transit

Unlike most itineraries that start from Day -1, I have to talk about Day 0 for Tanzania, which was a full 24 hours of travel. We kicked off our journey with a 3:30 AM flight from Bangalore to Qatar via Indigo. Sadly, this flight was far from ideal, with uncomfortable, non-reclining seats that didn't make for a pleasant start.

Thankfully, our second flight was a step up, featuring more comfortable seats, in-flight entertainment, and tastier food. Then came our third flight. We knew we had to re-check our luggage, but we didn't realize it had to be done from a different terminal. At Dar-es-Salaam airport, we had to rush through the blazing heat with our checked-in bags to reach the domestic terminal. We made it in time, but to our surprise, there was no air conditioning in that terminal. To kill time, we found a restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely lunch until it was time to board.

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro – The Calm Before the Adventure

Day 1 - Our journey from Dar-es-Salaam to Kilimanjaro airport was brief and uneventful. Upon arrival, we made our way to the hotel, checking in around 9 PM. Without delay, we enjoyed a quick dinner and soon retired to our rooms, eager to get a good night's sleep. There was a shared anticipation among us—we knew the real journey, the safari experience we had dreamed about, would begin the next morning.

Rest was essential, and we made sure to get a good night’s sleep.

Day 2: First Safari Encounters – Expectations vs Reality

Day 2 -Our journey began at 8:30 AM from our hotel in Arusha, heading towards the Ndutu conservation area. The drive itself took nearly 5-6 hours, and initially, we anticipated a typical road trip—listening to music or dozing off—assuming the real safari adventure would commence the following day. However, our route passed through the Ngorongoro conservation park, and almost immediately upon entering the national parks, we started spotting wildlife. 

We were 7 people and we made a bet to "Guess the first animal" we will see, and who ever wins it will the prize. We all guessed like Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe etc but with great disappintment to all of because the animal we saw was Baboons; and nobody guessed Baboon or even Monkey.

 
As we progressed, gazelles, zebras, and other wildlife began appearing frequently. Coming from our experiences with Indian safaris, we expected limited sightings early on. Instead, Tanzania exceeded every assumption.
Drawing from our experiences with Indian safaris, we expected to see only gazelles, impalas, and monkeys. To our astonishment, we spotted a leopard perched gracefully on a tree. Leopard are the hardest animal to spot in any safari, and we saw it in Day1.

 
Shortly after, ee witnessed zebras and giraffes gathered near a scenic lake, all in close proximity. At that moment, I thought we had reached the highlight of our safari and felt incredibly fortunate. Little did we know, Tanzania had even more wonders in store for us over the next five days.

Another interesting surprise was the safari schedule itself. Traditionally, we believed that an early morning start(5am) was essential for a safari, but our guide advised us to begin at 8 AM, which was a pleasant surprise and a welcome relief. They explained that since we would be out for a full day game drive, there was no particular advantage to leaving at dawn. This new approach allowed us to enjoy a more relaxed start and savour the anticipation of the adventure ahead.

Day 3: A Day That Felt Like a Wildlife Documentary

Today was a full day game drive. If I haven’t explained it earlier, a game drive is essentially what a safari is called in Tanzania. Unlike short safari rides, this is a complete day experience. Everyone has to finish breakfast on time, and the resort usually provides packed lunch boxes since you spend the entire day out in the wild. Typically, the game drive continues until around 5–6 PM, and we return to the resort by 6:30 in the evening.

We initially planned to restart our little game—“Guess the first animal we will spot”—but I think the kids were still a bit heartbroken from losing the previous day, so they refused to play this time. :D

We began our game drive around 8:30 AM, feeling fresh and excited. Within the first 30 minutes itself, we were treated to a beautiful sight—multiple zebras and giraffes crossing a small river together. The scenery around it was already stunning, but watching these animals move gracefully through the water made it even more magical. It felt like the perfect start, and everyone silently thanked God for such a beautiful moment early in the day.

Around 9:30 AM, we spotted our first cheetah. Cheetahs are usually solitary animals, so most of the time you only see one at a time. But since we were clearly very lucky, just about half an hour later, we encountered a cheetah mother with four cubs. It was the first time I had ever seen cheetah cubs in real life. Unlike adult cheetahs, which have sleek coats with distinct spots, the cubs had long, slightly fluffy blackish hair, making it hard for us to believe at first that they were actually cheetah cubs.

Barely ten minutes later, we spotted yet another male cheetah. At that point, I jokingly thought—one of them must surely be the father of those cubs. ;)

By now, I had already started feeling that we had seen quite a lot for the day, and maybe we would soon break for lunch. But clearly, the day had just begun.

Around 11 AM, we spotted two lioness sisters playfully interacting with each other. My son, Tatva, immediately asked—“Why are there only two lionesses? Don’t lions live in pride?” And just as he asked, nature answered his question. Very soon, we came across a full lion pride nearby.

Now here is my personal theory—I felt like those two lionesses we saw earlier were either guarding the pride or perhaps keeping some distance for a specific reason (maybe even a punishment, who knows!). The pride we saw consisted of one adult male lion, three younger males, four lionesses, and four cubs. It was a complete family, right in front of us.

Honestly, I could not believe that we were witnessing something like this. I had always assumed that seeing such scenes would require weeks of stay, specialized tracking equipment, or extremely expensive safari experiences. But here we were—just ordinary people—watching it unfold live.

Around 11:45 AM, we reached a lake area where we saw a massive herd of zebras and wildebeests. If someone really wants to understand what “millions” look like, this is the place. The sheer scale is impossible to describe. You see animals stretching endlessly in every direction. And no matter how good your camera is—whether it’s a DSLR, an iPhone, or even a drone—it simply cannot capture what your eyes experience in that moment.

As we started leaving that area, we once again spotted two lionesses maintaining a safe distance from the herd but clearly following them. I couldn’t help but wonder—were these the same lionesses we saw earlier? Were they tracking the herd and waiting for the right moment to signal their pride? It felt like we were watching a live strategy in action.

Just when we thought it was finally time for lunch, our guide suddenly heard something over his walkie-talkie. Without explaining much, he immediately began driving faster toward a new direction. We were both confused and excited.When we asked him what was happening, he simply said, “We’ll see… I got some lead.”

Soon enough, we spotted another cheetah—but this time, it was sitting beside its kill. Unfortunately, the hunt had already happened, and we had missed that part. However, we did witness the cheetah dragging its prey toward a safer location, likely to protect it from other predators.

Watching that reminded us of something very important—we were extremely hungry too! So we finally stopped and had our packed lunch. To be honest, the food was just okay. I personally don’t enjoy cold meals much, but it was decent enough to keep us going for the rest of the day. Post lunch, the safari continued with more beautiful sightings.

Giraffes—my absolute favorite—appeared again, this time in a group of six or seven. Honestly, no matter how many times I see them, I always feel like stopping and just admiring their elegance. There is something incredibly graceful about the way they move and feed. We watched them eating leaves from thorny acacia trees, which made me wonder—how do they manage to eat from such sharp thorns without any trouble?

As we moved ahead, we encountered two large, older elephants near a small river. There was a narrow bridge nearby, and due to that, many vehicles had gathered around the area. I must admit, I felt slightly nervous. If an elephant decided to charge, there wouldn’t be much room to move or escape. Thankfully, our guide handled the situation very cautiously, maintaining a safe distance and ensuring we stayed out of any potential danger.

Throughout the day, we kept noticing small deer-like animals. Every time we saw one, our immediate reaction was—“Look… small deer!” Later, our guide corrected us and introduced us to a new species—the dik-dik. These are extremely tiny antelopes, only about 30–40 cm tall and weighing around 3–6 kilograms. They are found mainly in eastern and southern Africa. Learning about them made us realize how much we still didn’t know about the wildlife around us.

By the end of the day, we were completely immersed in the experience. Every sighting, every moment, every unexpected encounter added something new to the journey.

Day 4: Entering the Serengeti – A Land Beyond Imagination

By now, we were convinced that every day would bring incredible sightings—and we were right.

We started around 8:30 AM and, before lunch, had already seen cheetahs, gazelles, elephants, and hyenas. But the real magic began as we entered Serengeti National Park. Suddenly, the landscape transformed into a living ocean of animals—hundreds and thousands of wildebeests and zebras stretching endlessly across the plains.

It is impossible to truly grasp what “millions” look like until you witness it here. No camera, drone, or phone can capture the scale or emotion of that moment. Nearly a kilometer of land was filled with grazing herds. Not far from this, we spotted a large pride of lions—around 13 lionesses and one dominant male. It was a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

And of course, the day had to end with my favorite—giraffes. We spotted a few on the way to our stay at Zuri Camps in Central Serengeti, where we had been upgraded to a 4-star property. The luxury of the property, combined with a thoughtfully curated four-course dinner, made for an unforgettable evening. It was not just a meal—it was an experience that nourished both body and soul.

Day 5: Living Among Wildlife

Every single day of the trip had surprised us in some way or the other—but today turned out to be something truly special, probably the best of all. The day didn’t begin with an alarm clock, but with nature itself. I woke up to the sound of bushes and grass moving just outside our tent. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was. Still half-asleep but curious, I slowly walked toward the balcony of the tent to take a look.

And there it was—a big elephant, standing just outside our tent.

For a moment, I just froze. It felt unreal. Watching such a massive wild animal so close, right from the comfort of our room, was something I had never even imagined before. It was both thrilling and slightly intimidating at the same time. Just as I was trying to process that moment, I heard another sound—this time from a little distance away. When we looked carefully, we spotted a group of around 20–30 wild buffaloes grazing peacefully about 100 meters from our tent. That morning, without even stepping out for the safari, we had already experienced so much. For me, this is one of those mornings I will remember for many, many years.

We left for our game drive around 8:45 AM, still talking about the incredible start to the day. Our first stop was what I would like to call Hippo Valley. I say “valley” because I genuinely don’t know a better way to describe a place that has hundreds of hippos packed together in one area. The sight itself was fascinating—so many hippos resting, moving, and making sounds all around. But there was one small problem—we couldn’t stay there for long.

The smell.

Honestly, it was incredibly strong—so much so that it became difficult to even stand there for a few minutes. It made us realize something funny: animals that look so cute and harmless in cartoons and pictures can feel completely different in real life! The hippos, as adorable as they appear in media, are not exactly pleasant to be around when you factor in the smell. :D

After this, the game drive continued with more exciting sightings. We spotted a few more lion packs and something very interesting—a honeymooning lion couple. Yes, you read that right. We learned that although lions usually live in prides, there are times when a male and female lion leave the group and stay together separately for days or even months. This phase is often referred to as a “honeymooning period.” Watching such a pair gave us a deeper understanding of their behavior beyond what we usually see in documentaries.

By this time, you already know how much I love giraffes. But I had one small complaint—I hadn’t yet seen a large herd of giraffes together. Somehow, our guide made that wish come true. Just after lunch, we came across a big herd of around 25 giraffes, all gathered together. It was exactly what I had been hoping to see. Watching them move gracefully, feed on trees, and interact with each other was just beautiful. It was one of those moments where you simply sit back, stay quiet, and take it all in.

We also witnessed and learned about another fascinating wildlife behavior—elephant greetings.

There were multiple elephant herds gathered together, and among them was one noticeably larger and older elephant—the head or matriarch of the group. We observed younger elephants, including pregnant females, approaching her one by one. It almost felt like they were greeting her or paying their respects.

And what was even more beautiful was how the head elephant responded—almost like she was acknowledging them, greeting them back, or even blessing them in her own way. It may sound like an emotional interpretation, but when you watch it happening in front of your eyes, it truly feels like that. It was like watching a real-life Discovery Channel episode, but far more powerful because we were actually there.

On our way back to the hotel, the sightings didn’t stop. We spotted a mix of animals—hippos, mongoose, giraffes (again!), monkeys, hyenas, and even the tiny dik-dik. Every turn had something new, something unexpected. By the time we reached the resort, we were tired but extremely satisfied. Dinner, once again, was amazing—something we had started looking forward to every evening.

But the day still had one more surprise left.

As we were getting ready to head back to our tents after dinner, one of the hotel staff informed us that the same buffaloes we had seen in the morning were now standing somewhere along the path. To ensure safety, the staff had to carefully manage the situation—using small stones and flashing lights to gently guide them away from the walking path. That night, we were given strict instructions—not to step out of the tent under any circumstances. And honestly, after everything we had seen that day—from elephants and buffaloes right outside our room to encounters deep inside the wild—we had no intention of stepping out anyway.

Day 6 – The Final Safari, Yet Full of Surprises

Today was our last day of the safari. To be very honest, none of us had any expectations at all. After experiencing five absolutely incredible days filled with unforgettable wildlife sightings, we genuinely believed that we had already seen everything that a safari could possibly offer. In our minds, this day was going to be relaxed, slow, and probably less eventful compared to the previous ones.

Because of that mindset, we were not even paying much attention to what was happening outside. All of us were busy inside the jeep, playing games like Imposter and Guess in 10, completely immersed in our own fun conversations.

And that’s exactly when it happened. Suddenly, our tour guide stopped the vehicle. His tone immediately changed—calm but serious. He asked us to stay absolutely silent and quietly look outside. We followed his gaze, and there it was—a leopard sitting right by the roadside. 

It felt unreal.

What made this sighting even more unusual was the fact that leopards are mostly spotted resting on trees. Seeing one sitting out in the open like that, so calmly, was extremely rare. Naturally, we decided to stay still and observe. Our curiosity kicked in—what was it doing? Was it waiting for prey? Was it watching something we couldn’t see? Or was it just resting?

As we continued watching, we learned yet another fascinating wildlife behavior.

After making a kill, leopards tend to secure their prey to protect it from scavengers and larger predators. Since they are solitary animals and relatively smaller compared to lions or hyenas, they often carry their prey—sometimes even heavier than their own body weight—up into trees for safety.

This particular leopard had clearly hidden its prey somewhere nearby and was guarding it from a distance. However, the sound of our jeep possibly made it uneasy. Perhaps sensing a risk in leaving its kill unattended, the leopard suddenly got up, crossed the road with complete grace, climbed a tree, retrieved its prey, and quickly moved behind the bushes.

Watching this entire sequence unfold right in front of us felt like witnessing a live episode of Discovery Channel. Except this time, there was no screen—this was real, raw, and happening just a few meters away from us.

Later in the day, we encountered a clan of hyenas—around 10 to 15 of them—busy chewing on leftovers from a kill. Our tour guide explained something very interesting: hyenas are often called the “Housekeepers of the wild" because they clean up carcasses and leftover prey, playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease in the ecosystem. It was another reminder of how balanced and interconnected nature truly is.

With these incredible sightings, we slowly began exiting the Serengeti National Park. Before heading back to town, I had planned one final experience—the Maasai village visit.

Although there is a fee charged (which goes toward the welfare of the village), the experience was absolutely worth it. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Tanzania. That said, some parts may feel somewhat familiar, especially if you have experienced tribal village tours in India.

As soon as you arrive, the Maasai people welcome you with traditional songs and dances. You are given some of their accessories to wear, which makes the experience more immersive. They then organize small activities like jumping competitions (a signature Maasai tradition) and involve visitors in their rhythmic dances.

After the welcome, you are taken inside the village, which feels somewhat like entering a close-knit community space. We also visited one of the family huts. Interestingly, the man we met had two wives, each with her own separate hut. Polygamy is a common and accepted practice among the Maasai people, and it was fascinating to learn about their lifestyle and traditions firsthand.

Post this cultural experience, we entered the Ngorongoro Crater, where we started noticing something we had unintentionally ignored until now—birds.

So far, we had been so focused on spotting the “big five” and large animals that we had barely paid attention to birdlife. But today, we consciously took time to observe and photograph a variety of beautiful birds, adding a completely new dimension to our safari experience.

After lunch, we spent some time shopping and collecting souvenirs—small reminders of an unforgettable journey.

We then headed directly to the airport, as we had a flight scheduled for 10 PM. However, like many unpredictable travel moments, things didn’t go as planned. The flight got cancelled due to technical issues, and we were rebooked on another flight at 3 AM.

By the time we finally reached Zanzibar, it was around 4:30 AM—completely dark and eerily quiet.

Thankfully, our resort driver was there to pick us up. But the drive to the resort turned out to be quite unsettling. The roads were rough, deserted, and poorly lit, making everyone a bit nervous. To add to the discomfort, there was a power cut in the entire resort area. When we finally reached the resort, there were no lights at all. After such a long and exhausting day—combined with a sleepless night at the airport—this was the last thing we had expected.

Amol was clearly upset and immediately started talking about changing the hotel. However, given that it was the New Year period, finding another good resort at such short notice would have been extremely difficult.

At that moment, all we could do was rest and hope that things would look better in the morning.

Day 7 -  Zanzibar – Serenity

We woke up quite late that morning, which was not surprising given the horrible experience we had the previous night. The exhaustion from the delayed flight, the dark arrival, and the unsettling conditions at the resort had clearly taken a toll on all of us. However, as soon as daylight settled in, everything began to feel different.

The moment I stepped out and properly saw the resort in the morning, my entire perspective changed. What felt disappointing in the dark now looked absolutely stunning in the sunlight. The place had a completely different charm—calm, scenic, and beautifully set up. The breakfast only added to the experience; it was fresh, delicious, and exactly what we needed to start the day on a better note.

And then came the real highlight—the view.

The moment you catch your first glimpse of the sea, along with the resort’s pool and bar area, it simply takes your breath away. Oh my God—everything about it was so beautiful, so serene, and so perfectly aligned with what you imagine a tropical escape to be. At that very moment, I made up my mind—I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I just wanted to stay right there and soak it all in.

Also, deep down I knew that we had made the right choice. I had spent a lot of time researching before booking this resort, comparing options, reading reviews, and understanding locations. And standing there that morning, I was convinced that we wouldn’t have found anything better even if we tried.

So instead of rushing around or planning more activities, we decided to slow things down completely.

We spent the entire day just relaxing—unwinding by the pool, enjoying drinks, walking along the beach, and letting the sound of the sea take over. There was no agenda, no rush, no checklists—just pure relaxation and enjoyment of the surroundings. After the intense safari days, this felt like the perfect balance.

By evening, we decided to step out and explore a bit, so we headed to Stone Town, the historic old town of Zanzibar. The place has a unique charm, with its narrow lanes, bustling market areas, and a blend of cultural influences visible everywhere.

Food was, of course, a major highlight.

We tried the famous Zanzibar pizza, which is an absolute must-try. It’s unlike any regular pizza—more like a stuffed, layered street-food delicacy, cooked fresh right in front of you. Alongside that, we indulged in a variety of ice creams made from local fruits, each flavor more refreshing than the other.

Day 8 - New year eve, welcoming 2026

In the morning, we started our day with a visit to the Tortoise Sanctuary and Prison Island, which was a very unique and peaceful experience. Seeing those giant tortoises up close was fascinating—they move so slowly and calmly, almost like time itself has slowed down around them.  After spending some time exploring and taking pictures, we headed for our next activity—snorkeling.

Now let me ask you something—have you ever gone snorkeling with jellyfish? If yes, then you already have my full sympathy. We began our snorkeling session with a lot of excitement. The water looked clear, inviting, and perfect. Within a few minutes, I started noticing tiny jellyfish around us. At first, they didn’t seem like a big deal. We could feel a slight tingling sensation on the skin, which we initially ignored, assuming it was just part of the experience.

But very soon, things escalated.

Within a few minutes, the tiny jellyfish turned into something much bigger—literally. We suddenly found ourselves surrounded by jellyfish that were almost the size of footballs, floating all around us. It was one of those moments where excitement instantly turns into panic. Without wasting another second, we all rushed back toward the boat as quickly as we could. :D

At that time, we were laughing it off and joking about it, but later we realized those “tingling sensations” had actually turned into mild burning marks on our skin. Thankfully, nothing serious happened, and we were lucky to escape without any major stings. Looking back, it definitely became one of those crazy travel stories that you laugh about later.

And just like that, the day had already turned into an adventure. But it wasn’t over yet—because it was New Year’s Eve. The resort owner had organized a special celebration, and we decided to go for it. And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions.

There was a beautiful old ruin villa near the property, which had been transformed into a stunning, decorated ruin fort for the evening. The setup was absolutely magical—soft lighting, open spaces, a rustic yet elegant vibe—it felt like something straight out of a movie scene. I absolutely loved everything about it—the ambiance, the effort, the detailing, and of course, the food. The dinner was fantastic, and the entire arrangement had a very warm and festive feel.

To make it even better, there was live music, a DJ, and free champagne flowing through the night. The energy kept building as we got closer to midnight. We danced, laughed, and truly enjoyed every moment. And in between all the celebrations, we also found time to sit together and play Mafia with the kids—which turned out to be equally fun and memorable.

It was one of those rare evenings where everything just felt right—good location, great food, wonderful company, and a beautiful setup. A perfect New Year’s Eve, spent exactly the way it should be—with family, friends, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Day 9 - Time to say goodbye to Zanzibar

In the morning, we decided to take it slow and spend some quiet time by the beach before wrapping up this incredible journey. We walked along the shoreline, took plenty of pictures, and just paused to soak in the beauty around us one last time. The sound of the waves, the endless stretch of blue, and the peaceful vibe—it all felt a little more special knowing that we were about to leave.

There is something about those final moments of a trip that makes you more aware of everything—the colors feel brighter, the breeze feels calmer, and you try to capture as much as you can, both in photos and in memory. We weren’t in a rush; we just wanted to enjoy the place for a little longer.

However, our plan for the day wasn’t ideal. We had to fly back to Kiruna, and the only reason for that was our earlier booking decision. We had booked our to-and-fro tickets from Kiruna even before finalizing the rest of the itinerary. At that time, it felt like the right thing to do, but now it meant adding an extra leg to our journey.

In hindsight, it would have been so much better if we had planned the return directly from Zanzibar. We could have easily saved this entire travel day and instead spent more time here—relaxing by the beach, exploring more of the island, or simply doing nothing at all, which somehow felt perfect for this place. But travel plans don’t always align perfectly, and that’s part of the experience too.

Day 10 - Back to India.