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Beach holidays in Tanzania
Beach holidays in Tanzania
Beach holidays in Tanzania
Beach holidays in Tanzania
Beach holidays in Tanzania

Tanzania beach holidays

Tanzania's best lodges for beach holidays

Tanzania offers some of east Africa's very best beaches, both on the mainland and on the islands just off the coast - including Mafia and Pemba. These beach holidays vary from relatively inexpensive through to very high quality.

There are a good selection of beach lodges and beach hotels to choose from, to suit most tastes and budgets. We'll discuss the options with you and give you lots of ideas; you can then choose the best beach holiday for your trip to east Africa.

Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon organises day trips by boat to Misali Island, which has some of the best beaches around Tanzania's Pemba Island. You can scuba dive here, snorkel, or just relax and enjoy a great beach holiday.


Pole Pole

For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.

Chole Mjini

The best beaches near Chole Mjini are on isolated sandbars, uncovered by the tide and surrounded by coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Beaches don't come more magical, untouched or remote than this, making it one of the best beach experiences in Tanzania today.


Fanjove Lodge

Fanjove’s untouched beaches and exposed sand banks at low tide make it a beautiful spot to relax.


Manta Resort

The Manta Resort sits on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach. Its isolated location means that guests are unlikely to be disturbed during their beach break on Zanzibar – other than to be offered a fresh cocktail from the beach bar!


Greystoke Mahale

Greystoke’s spectacular white beach of fine powder-sand is not beside the ocean, but deep inland, next to the great Lake Tanganyika. So whilst chimp-tracking in Mahale, pause to enjoy a superb beach holiday right in the heart of Africa.


Qambani

Tucked away at the northern tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, Qambani boasts a wide expanse of quiet beaches and blue waters. It is a fantastic spot to lie back, relax and enjoy your surroundings on a beach holiday in Zanzibar.


Tulia Zanzibar

For a totally relaxing, luxury beach break, with excellent cuisine, Tulia Resort is hard to beat. The location is serene, the sea is often crystal clear for snorkelling and diving, and the pools and waterslides are fun.


Zuri Zanzibar

Located in the north west of Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar sits on a beautiful stretch of palm fringed beach. This area of the island is less tidal than Zanzibar's east coast meaning that you can swim in the sea throughout the day.

Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Tanzania


Pole Pole

Pole Pole

For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.


94% (103 reviews)
Thanda Island

Thanda Island

Thanda Private Island offers a stunning private island experience. If the sheer number of activities on offer here isn’t reason enough to come then the location certainly is. If you are travelling as a group consider this exclusive island for a beach holiday in Tanzania.


No reviews yet
Chole Mjini Lodge

Chole Mjini

The best beaches near Chole Mjini are on isolated sandbars, uncovered by the tide and surrounded by coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Beaches don't come more magical, untouched or remote than this, making it one of the best beach experiences in Tanzania today.


95% (30 reviews)
Greystoke Mahale

Greystoke Mahale

Greystoke’s spectacular white beach of fine powder-sand is not beside the ocean, but deep inland, next to the great Lake Tanganyika. So whilst chimp-tracking in Mahale, pause to enjoy a superb beach holiday right in the heart of Africa.


98% (47 reviews)
Manta Resort

Manta Resort

The Manta Resort sits on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach. Its isolated location means that guests are unlikely to be disturbed during their beach break on Zanzibar – other than to be offered a fresh cocktail from the beach bar!


95% (11 reviews)
Rubondo Island Camp

Rubondo Island Camp

Rubondo Island Camp has a delightful location in a sandy bay on Lake Victoria. Although the presence of hippos and crocodiles make the water unsafe for a dip, it would nonetheless work for a relaxing beach break in Tanzania.


100% (6 reviews)
Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon organises day trips by boat to Misali Island, which has some of the best beaches around Tanzania's Pemba Island. You can scuba dive here, snorkel, or just relax and enjoy a great beach holiday.


88% (8 reviews)
Fanjove Island Lodge

Fanjove Lodge

Fanjove’s untouched beaches and exposed sand banks at low tide make it a beautiful spot to relax.


100% (8 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Africa

Beach holidays elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Beach holidays in other countries.


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Kenya

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Malawi

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Beach holidays in Mozambique

Mozambique

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Beach holidays in Seychelles

Seychelles

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Beach holidays in South Africa

South Africa

Whilst most come to South Africa's Cape for more than a beach holiday, many want a few relaxing ...

Beach holidays in Zanzibar

Zanzibar

Zanzibar provides some of the top destinations for beach holidays, with endless stretches of palm-fr...

Where to see wildlife species in Tanzania

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,432 sightings from 4,241 observations

Where to see lion in Tanzania

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,215 sightings from 4,715 observations

Where to see leopard in Tanzania

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,171 sightings from 3,574 observations

Where to see cheetah in Tanzania

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

32% SUCCESS

995 sightings from 3,110 observations

Where to see wild dog in Tanzania

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,452 sightings from 4,490 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Tanzania

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

67% SUCCESS

2,792 sightings from 4,162 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Tanzania

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,903 sightings from 3,490 observations

Where to see buffalo in Tanzania

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.

100% SUCCESS

28 sightings from 28 observations

Where to see chimpanzee in Tanzania

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,645 sightings from 3,357 observations

Where to see eland in Tanzania

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

4,147 sightings from 4,557 observations

Where to see elephant in Tanzania

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,526 sightings from 2,187 observations

Where to see oryx in Tanzania

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

76% SUCCESS

102 sightings from 134 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Tanzania

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,992 sightings from 4,651 observations

Where to see giraffe in Tanzania

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

3,022 sightings from 3,377 observations

Where to see hippo in Tanzania

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

24% SUCCESS

565 sightings from 2,316 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Tanzania

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

23% SUCCESS

543 sightings from 2,334 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Tanzania

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

70 sightings from 374 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Tanzania

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

135 sightings from 992 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Tanzania

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,361 sightings from 5,183 observations

Where to see zebra in Tanzania

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

81 sightings from 3,737 observations

Where to see aardvark in Tanzania

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

64 sightings from 3,774 observations

Where to see pangolin in Tanzania

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

702 sightings from 2,310 observations

Where to see black rhino in Tanzania

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Other styles of holiday in Tanzania

Discover all that Tanzania has to offer


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Diving & snorkelling

Diving & snorkelling

Find captivating marine life beneath the waves

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

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