Birthday in Paradise: Our Zanzibar Baecation
The Journey There
First things first getting to Zanzibar is no small feat. We flew Delta 1 first class to Amsterdam, and then premium economy from Amsterdam all the way to Zanzibar. That second flight alone was nearly nine hours, and we even hit some sky traffic over Europe that pushed our departure back. But honestly? Aside from the travel time, we really can't complain. We felt truly blessed to experience that level of comfort in the air.
By the time we landed, the time difference was no joke but somehow our bodies adjusted quickly. We think the long travel day just knocked us out enough to reset completely.
Day One: Settling In
Our first day was all about rest and we have zero regrets about that. We had breakfast at the hotel and immediately noticed something — the food here just hits different. The fruits tasted real. Everything was fresh. It honestly made us realize how much the quality of food back home leaves to be desired.
After breakfast we hung by the pool, squeezed in a 60-minute spa massage, and then napped. Twice. We were staying at a beautiful little boutique hotel that had everything we needed. Our room had a cozy seating area outside, a desk, a full-body mirror, a fridge stocked with fresh water daily, and a nice clean bathroom. Simple, but everything you need.
Day Two & Three: Stone Town, Nakupenda Island & Prison Island
Day two we strapped up — backpacks on, fanny packs secured and headed out for our first real day of activities. We did a Stone Town tour, though we'll be honest, we were exhausted and our guide could tell. He called our driver and basically said get these people out of here we laughed about that.
We also visited Nakupenda Island, which means "I love you" in Swahili. Just let that sink in. The views were absolutely insane crystal clear water as far as the eye could see. We also made a stop at Prison Island where we got to feed the giant tortoises, which was such a cool, unexpected experience.
Horseback Riding in the Ocean 🐴
One of the most memorable experiences of the whole trip was horseback riding and for one of us, it was a first time on a horse ever. The horses went in the water and everything. Our two horses, Clean and Matt, were not exactly friends, and our guide warned us about that. Apparently a previous couple ignored the warning and their horses ended up kicking each other. We absolutely kept our distance and just enjoyed the ride. Thirty minutes of pure joy.
The Rock Restaurant 🦞
After the horseback riding, we also visited the Rock Restaurant and wow. The food was a straight 10 out of 10. One of us had a Purple Rain ravioli stuffed with potato and eggplant in a parmesan sauce, and the other had a full seafood platter that looked like a mountain of food. They really give you a bang for your buck out here. It's a meal we're still thinking about.
Swimming with Dolphins & Sandbank Stop 🐬
We woke up one morning with plans to swim with the dolphins but once we got out there, our guide advised us not to go in. The boats in the area were driving aggressively and just chasing the dolphins around, so we respected that and watched from the boat instead. We still got to see them up close which was honestly magical.
The highlight of that morning was the sandbank a little strip of land made entirely of sand sitting right in the middle of the ocean. We stopped there, they cut us fresh fruit on the spot, and we just sat and took it all in. Simple, beautiful, unforgettable.
Safari Day 🦁🐘🦒
Yes a safari, in Zanzibar! We went out to see animals in their natural habitat and we were not disappointed. We saw a lion, a leopard, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and more antelopes than we could count. It was an experience to say the least. On the way back on the boat we started feeling a little seasick — didn't throw up, but it was touch and go for a moment. We made it though, and it was 100% worth it.
Checking Into Amalia Resort Our Final Stay ✨
Saving the best for last we checked out of our second hotel and into Amalia Resort, staying in the Level Pavilion section with all-inclusive food and drinks. The moment we walked in, we sat in silence for about ten minutes just taking it all in. It was giving Bora Bora, but make it Tanzania.
The room had a stunning view of the ocean, a gorgeous bathtub, a balcony, a fully stocked mini fridge, macaroons and welcome drinks waiting for us, robes, slippers, and a separate toilet room with a bidet. We had access to around seven restaurants on the property and the property was so large they drove us to our room by golf cart.
We stayed here for the last four days and woke up every morning to that ocean view. There are truly no words.
Final Thoughts 💛
Zanzibar exceeded every expectation. From the food to the culture to the water to the experiences — this trip was everything and more. If you're planning a birthday trip, a baecation, or just want to experience something truly special, put Zanzibar at the top of your list. You will not regret it.