We are leaving soon for Zanzibar and are super excited. There is so much we want to do but we're not really big minute to minute planners. Can we just wing it? We're staying in a private staffed villa so they should be able to arrange things for us. But if we decide we want to go on an excursion, to Chumbe island or Prison island or Jozani forest, can we arrange it the day of or the day before? We're traveling with our 6 year old and want the flexibility of being very relaxed and easy going.

Will this work?

If you can't or prefer not to preplan, especially with a young child, then go with the flow. Have your resort/villa make the arrangements for you, a day prior is best.

Note: possible Chumbe Is. may no longer be available for day-trippers, only those staying on the island.

Most others though... should be fine.

Thanks for the reassurance.

Re: Chumbe Island. I've read (here, I think) that it's only open to people staying on the island and day trippers have been banned. But I can't seem to find anything else online that says that. Do you have any concrete information on it?

I read the same and don't blame them.

Even if Chumbe were still open to day trippers, the visit couldn't be booked till day prior, depending on the islands own paying guests. So, you'll have to wait till you get there.

You can definately 'wing it' - some trips you just need to decide the day before to organise transport, but otherwise just go with the flow - island style . I did the 'safari blue' when I was there too and loved it - full day trip out to islands. Enjoy!

Chumbe is most definitely open for day trips! They take bookings 2 days in advance but limit the number of people for environmental reasons and give a priority to overnighters. You even get the use of a bungalow for the day! Oct/Nov are not very busy in Zanzibar so you should have a good chance.

I went to Chumbe two weeks ago for a day trip and it was fantastic. I have never seen such coral diversity, it is pristine!!! The island is absolutely beautiful, food is fabulous, the staff are amazing and it is one of the few truly eco conscious and educationally focused projects in Zanzibar. There needs to be more efforts like this as Zanzibar is getting overdeveloped with thoughtless resorts that give little concern to the environment and communities of Zanzibar..

That's good news! We will be in Zanzibar for more than a week so hopefully we can find a day that works.

Now, for a new big worry. Weather! Based on averages we thought we were going to have clear skies and blue seas, but it looks like thunderstorms are in the forecast. Does anyone know if these are in and out in an hour storms or last all day storms? Do we need to bring board games to keep ourselves busy or do we just plow though the rain and keep to our plans?