Zanzibar With Kids: Our First Visit to Paradise (2-Night Itinerary + Honest Travel Experience)
For as long as I can remember, Zanzibar has been one of those places I’ve always dreamed about visiting.
White sand beaches, turquoise water, the historic charm of Stone Town… it always felt like one of those “someday” destinations.
And last year, that “someday” finally became real when we got to visit Zanzibar for the very first time — as a family of five (me, my husband, and our three kids).
It was short. It was a bit chaotic. It was absolutely unforgettable.
🎥 Watch our full Zanzibar travel vlog below to see the ferry journey, Stone Town, and our beachfront Airbnb in action!
Getting There: Entebbe → Dar es Salaam → Zanzibar
We started our journey flying from Entebbe to Dar es Salaam (I’ll be sharing our Dar travel experience in another post soon!).
We spent two nights in Dar es Salaam, which honestly helped break up the journey nicely before heading to Zanzibar.
From Dar, we took the 12:30 pm Azam Marine ferry to Zanzibar. While you can buy tickets same day at the ticket counter, I highly recommend buying tickets online here ahead of time to ensure you get seats for the date/time of the ferry you want to be on.
The ferry ride itself is about 1 hour 45 minutes, but you need to arrive at least 1 hour before departure for check-in, luggage drop-off, and immigration procedures.
Ferry Port Reality Check (Read This Before You Go)
I won’t sugarcoat it — getting through the ferry terminal was a bit chaotic and confusing.
There were multiple steps:
- ticket office
- passport checks
- luggage drop-off
- port clearance
It all felt a little overwhelming at first, especially with kids and luggage.
Thankfully, my husband speaks Swahili, which helped us navigate everything without needing extra assistance. If he had not been traveling with me, I 100% would have had to ask for assistance navigating the ticket office, passport checks, travel insurance check point and luggage drop off.
Important Travel Tip: Travel Insurance Is Required
One thing we did not know before traveling was that you need proof of travel insurance to enter Zanzibar.
We didn’t have it prepared in advance, but thankfully the Azam Marine cabin crew were incredibly helpful and guided us on how to quickly purchase short-term travel insurance online for each of us before boarding.
So if you’re planning this trip, make sure you sort that out ahead of time — it will save you stress at the port.
The Ferry Experience (Once You’re On Board)
Once we got through everything and stepped onto the ferry… it was honestly smooth sailing from there.
The Azam Marine ferry was:
- clean
- well organized
- comfortable
- surprisingly calm after the chaos at the port
There were different seating options:
- indoor air-conditioned seating
- outdoor deck seating
We chose indoor seating since we had the kids with us, and it was such a good decision.
The seats were plush and comfortable, and the air conditioning felt amazing.
We also had seats near the window, and the views were absolutely stunning — deep blue water stretching out in every direction as we approached Zanzibar.
That moment made everything feel real.
Arrival in Zanzibar: Immigration + First Impressions
Arriving at the Zanzibar port, we went through:
- immigration
- luggage collection
- exit procedures
The lines were busy and noisy, but everything moved faster than expected.
Within a short time, we had our bags and were officially standing in Zanzibar — figuring out how to get to the Airbnb we had rented for the next two days.
Getting a Taxi (The Real-Life Version)
Since we only had two nights in Zanzibar, we stayed close to the airport rather than traveling across the island.
Finding a taxi that:
- fit five people
- had space for luggage
- and knew where our Airbnb was
…took a bit of time.
Eventually, we found a private driver and headed off.
I know many people pre-arrange airport or ferry transfers in Zanzibar, and honestly — that’s a great option if you prefer everything planned.
But we tend to travel more flexibly and figure things out as we go (sometimes frugally, sometimes chaotically 😄).
Our Airbnb ended up being:
- about 15 minutes from the ferry port
- and 5 minutes from the airport
Our Zanzibar Airbnb: Beachfront Paradise
Because our time was short, we wanted somewhere special — and we found it.
Our Airbnb had:
- a private pool
- a large outdoor veranda overlooking the water
- direct beach access through a back gate
It was absolutely stunning.
When we weren’t in the pool, the kids were:
- swimming in the ocean
- collecting sand
- playing for hours outside
We honestly felt like we were living in a postcard.
Our Short 2-Day Zanzibar Itinerary
Since we only had a couple of days, we kept things simple and focused on enjoying the experience.
Planning a Family Trip?
If you’re dreaming about trips like this (or planning your own), I’ve put together a free printable Family Travel Checklist with everything we actually use for travel with kids — from packing to long travel days to international trips.
It helps take the stress out of figuring out what to pack and makes travel days a lot easier.
✔ Family packing essentials
✔ Carry-on must-haves
✔ Kids travel survival kit
✔ Comfort items for flights
✔ Simple travel reminders
Get the free checklist here →
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Stone Town Day Trip
One afternoon, we explored Stone Town, and it was full of life and energy.
We:
- wandered through the streets and local shops
- explored the Old Fort
- walked along the waterfront
- listened to live music at Forodhani Gardens
- watched the famous “Hakuna Matata” jump spot performances
- ended the evening with ice cream and coffee by the water
A Few Honest Things We Didn’t Expect in Stone Town
Just a couple of real-life notes that surprised us a bit during our time in Stone Town and Forodhani Gardens — nothing negative, just things we genuinely weren’t expecting.
First — there are stray cats everywhere. And I mean everywhere 😄
At one point in Forodhani Gardens, we counted close to 100 cats just sitting together along a concrete walkway area.
They’re mostly calm, friendly, and really just do their own thing. They don’t bother you or get in your space — it’s just one of those “wow, this is different” moments when you arrive.
Vendors in Forodhani Gardens
Another thing to be aware of is that the vendors in Forodhani Gardens can feel a little bold or persistent at first when they’re trying to sell items or experiences.
We found the easiest approach was simply:
- smile
- politely say no thank you
- keep walking
They generally move on quickly to the next person, and there’s no pressure once you decline.
It’s all part of the lively, energetic atmosphere of Stone Town — just a bit different from what we were used to, and helpful to know before visiting, especially with kids.
Food Highlight: Lukmaan Swahili Grill
One of the absolute highlights was lunch at Lukmaan Swahili Grill.
If you want a true local Zanzibari food experience, this place is a must.
The food was:
- flavorful
- authentic
- affordable
- and incredibly satisfying
The Rest of Our Time
Outside of Stone Town, we spent most of our time simply:
- swimming in the pool
- watching the tide come in and out
- eating local food
- soaking up the view
- slowing down (which felt rare and special)
Sometimes the simplest moments end up being the most memorable.
Leaving Zanzibar
Before we knew it, it was time to go.
We flew from Zanzibar back to Entebbe, and just like that — our short but incredible Zanzibar adventure came to an end.
Final Thoughts: Would We Go Again?
Absolutely.
But next time, we would:
- stay longer
- explore more of the island
- plan a bit more of the logistics in advance
Even though it was a whirlwind trip, it gave us a beautiful first taste of Zanzibar.
And it definitely left us dreaming of the next time we hear:
“Karibu Zanzibar.”
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