Beach Holidays

From islands and coastal plains to plateaus, highlands and mountains, the friendly country of Tanzania is home to some of the world's most famous National Parks, Game Reserves and World Heritage Sites. With an unparalleled twenty-five percent of the country dedicated to conservation, it is a land of many wonders with a staggering diversity of culture, flora and fauna. 

With so many parks and itineraries to choose from, safaris to Tanzania are often divided into regional circuits, or groups of game parks whose geographical proximity and topographical variations make up a varied and diverse group. Please Contact Us to learn how Warrior Trails can maximize your safari experience based on our intimate knowledge of the game viewing, cultural and trekking opportunities in all of Tanzania’s parks and conservation areas

Zanzibar Island

With its romantic aroma of spices, memories of its extraordinary past of Sultans and Slaves, colourful underwater garden and life, untouched shiny white sand beaches, lush plantations, an incredible history and fascinating culture, and the magnificence of the Historical Stone Town, Zanzibar is an experience that will certainly be a highlight in your life. 

Zanzibar is a unique coral island lying in the Indian Ocean a short distance from mainland Tanzania. With Pemba, Mafia and about 50 other islands, Zanzibar originally was an independent country until 1964 when it was united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.

Going back many centuries, the country has a rich, fascinating history having been influenced by Arabs, Britons, Indians, Persians, Portuguese as well as Africans from the mainland. Its heyday came in the early 19th century when the Sultan of Muscat moved his court to Zanzibar. Spice cultivation - particularly the clove tree - was developed, and the slave trade was at its height as Zanzibar became the most important town in East Africa. Today, many of the winding streets and high townhouses of old Stone Town remain unchanged and visitors can walk between the Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders, the Portuguese fort and gardens, the merchants’ houses, and the Turkish baths of the old city. 

Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer visitors the chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous.

Sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you are on. The east coast offers waves that break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.

The port city of Stone Town dominates the west coast, and although the beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low tide, and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive away. a night or two spent on the east or north coast is well worth the extra hour it takes to drive there. Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town and nearby Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands make refreshing day-trips and a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the old city.

On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for the endangered species that come to breed on the island. Roads to the southeast coast take visitors through the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus monkeys and a number of other primate and small antelope species.

From international standard hotels and resorts, to more humble but comfortable lodgings, Warrior Trails works with the best Zanzibar has to offer. Please Contact Us for more details.

Pangani Coast

At the point where the Pangani River empties into the Indian Ocean, lies Pangani, a village that has grown from its historical development as an Arabic settlement and slave trading centre, and is now known as the “Zanzibar of the Tanzanian coast”. The Pangani River, flowing from the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, passes through the north side of the town, separating the old buildings and the present-day market on the north from the farms and small houses on the south side. 

Pangani town elders serve as knowledgeable guides who can impart their vast knowledge of local history and culture going back to the 15th century. Both Arab and German influences are evident in the colonial and Swahili architecture, giving the town a unique appearance. Many historical sites exist to commemorate various important events in local history. In the streets, carpet makers, woodcarvers, basket weavers, painters and other artisans sell a wide variety of hand made items. 

Pangani is truly a tropical and unspoiled paradise. Nowadays it is mainly a fishing town dotted with coconut trees, providing beautiful beaches for a quiet vacation. Maziwi Island is a newly designated marine reserve, and rests on a coral reef just of the shores of Pangani. It provides snorkeling and deep sea diving opportunities, which can be arranged with local fishermen. These Swahili fishermen, who spend 12 hours at sea seven days a week, are also more than willing to offer their services as a shuttle to and from the sandbanks offshore for a picnic in the sun. 

Most lodges in the Pangani area offer windsurfing, kayaking, dolphin tours and dhow rides as well as fishing trips. Longer excursions by motorized dhow include a cruise up the Pangani River to view the mangroves and bird watch in the rich forests of the interior. 

Please Contact Us to arrange for your visit to the beautiful Pangani Coast

Saadani National Park

The only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to boast an Indian Oceanfront setting, Saadani is where the beach meets the bush. White sand and blue water sparkle beneath palm trees while traditional dhows sail past slowly, and local fishermen cast their nets beneath the tropical sun. Yet it is also the one place where those idle beach hours might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past, or a lion coming to drink at the nearby waterhole!

Protected as a game reserve since the 1960’s, in 2002 Saadani was expanded to cover 430 square miles. It is located on the coast of Tanzania, approximately 200km (60 miles) northwest of Dar es Salaam as the crow flies.

A surprisingly wide range of grazers and primates can be seen on game drives and walks in Saadani, including giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon and vervet monkey. Herds of up to 30 elephants are seen with increasing frequency, and several lion prides are resident along with leopard, spotted hyena and black-backed jackal.

Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River result in a high chance of sighting hippos, crocodiles and a wide selection of birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo, while the beaches form one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.

Highlights of a stay in Saadani include game drives and guided walks, boat trips, swimming, and the opportunity to visit Saadani fishing village which lies within the reserve. The village is the site of a collection of ruins dating back to the 19^th century when it acted as a major trading port. There are tented camp accommodations in Saadani, and there are several campsites inside the park. The best time for game-viewing is in January and February, and from June to August.

Please Contact Us for tips on how to include Saandani National Park in your safari itinerary.