Travelling to Zanzibar as a Solo Mom with Kids

Travelling solo can be quite daunting, travelling solo as a Mom with kids can be outright terrifying!

If you are a Mom reading this, you know how much your interests differ to your kids. I find it fascinating and often quite amusing just how different I am to my kids, even though we look so similar and even behave so similar, when it comes to vacationing and ensuring we each get our magical experiences, we couldn't be more different from one another, and this can make travel planning overwhelming and quite exhausting.

If you can relate, I have great news, we're here to help!

Have you always dreamed of strolling along the white sandy beach, sun glistening off your skin, the souls of your feet absorbing the healing power of the warm Pacific Ocean? Is this blissful vision interrupted by the concerns of where will your kids be? Will they be safe? Will you get a moment to yourself or do you in-fact need to give it 10 years before you attempt to make travel plans? Fear not, after having these same thoughts and choosing to travel solo with my kids, I have decided to share my lessons and tips, and give you as many reasons as possible to take the trip! Book that vacation to Zanzibar, and whether you travel solo or solo with your kids, Wild & Free Zanzibar is here to help you plan the vacation of a lifetime - for you, and your kids!

Why Zanzibar Works for Moms + Kids

✅ Short, affordable flights from SA & East Africa

✅ Calm, shallow beaches (especially Kendwa & Nungwi) → safe for kids

✅ Resorts with babysitters & kids’ activities

✅ Culture + spice farms → fun, educational, interactive

✅ Safari + beach combos possible if you want to add Tanzania mainland

Zanzibar is magical for a solo mom with kids — laid-back, affordable, safe in tourist areas, and full of beach + culture experiences that keep both you and the little ones happy.

Top Activities for Moms + Kids

• Beach Time: Paje, Nungwi & Kendwa for calm, shallow swimming.

• Spice Farm Tour: Hands-on → kids taste, smell, and see where spices grow.

• Prison Island: Short boat ride from Stone Town; giant tortoises are a kid favorite.

• Dhow Sunset Cruise: Safe, guided, magical for kids.

• Jozani Forest: See red colobus monkeys (gentle, fun walk).

• Sandbank BBQ: Half-day boat trip with snorkeling. (Spot Dori and friends)

• Turtle Sanctuary: Swimming with turtles is a favorite for all ages!

Best Areas to Stay

• Nungwi & Kendwa (North): Calm turquoise waters, safe swimming, lots of family-friendly resorts.

• Paje & Jambiani (East Coast): Kite surfing hub, wide sandy beaches, magical turtle sanctuaries — great for kids of all ages.

• Stone Town: Cultural stop (1–2 nights max with kids).

  
  

Safety & Mom Tips

• Health: Malaria precautions (mosquito repellent + meds if advised).

• Food: Stick to bottled water, resorts/known restaurants. Kids usually love chapati, grilled chicken, fresh fruit.

• Transport: Arrange private driver or transfers → safer than dala-dalas.

• Clothing: Respect local culture in towns → cover shoulders + knees (beachwear fine at resorts).

• Downtime: Use resort babysitting for spa time or yoga on the beach.

Families (especially single parents) often skip Africa because they assume it’s unsafe, too logistically complicated, or only for high-end safaris. At Wild & Free Zanzibar, its our mission to create safe, flexible itineraries for mom's travelling solo, and kid-inclusive itineraries with child care support, cultural activities for kids, and mom-friendly wellness elements for the solo mom's travelling with kids.

Why is travelling solo with your kids important?

Benefits for the Kids

1. Confidence & Independence

   • Kids learn to adapt to new places, people, and routines.

   • They gain resilience and flexibility (important life skills).

2. Cultural Awareness & Open-Mindedness

   • Exposure to different languages, foods, and traditions makes them more curious and accepting.

   • They start to see the world as bigger than their immediate surroundings.

3. Problem-Solving & Creativity

   • Travel throws surprises (missed buses, new foods, different playgrounds).

   • Kids learn to adjust, ask questions, and explore solutions.

4. Quality Time with Mom

   • With no distractions of work, school, or busy routines, kids feel fully seen and heard.

   • Strengthens emotional connection.

Benefits for the Mother-Child Relationship

1. Shared Adventures Create Lifelong Memories

   • Inside jokes, stories, and “remember when we…” moments build a unique bond.

   • These experiences become anchors of connection, especially as they grow older.

2. Teamwork & Trust

   • You and your kids rely on each other — even in small ways like navigating an airport or trying new food together.

   • Builds a sense of “we’re in this together.”

3. Empowerment for Both Mom & Kids

   • Kids see their mom as strong, resourceful, and adventurous.

   • You prove to yourself (and show them) that you can create joy and adventure, even without a partner.

4. Improved Communication

   • Travel brings space for conversations you don’t normally have in everyday life.

   • Kids often open up more during adventures and downtime.

The Big Picture

Traveling solo with your kids teaches them:

• The world is safe, exciting, and theirs to explore.

• Family doesn’t have to look “traditional” to be full of joy, adventure, and love.

• Their mom is capable, strong, and fun — and that creates deep respect.

My kids and I built incredible friendships during our travels to Zanzibar, we have since visited these friends and made new ones during our trips to Europe. I have enjoyed a few solo travels to Zanzibar without my children, and wish to help other moms take the plunge and do this too.

If the idea of sipping on fresh coconut water while your kids enjoy exploring mangroves excites you, if dancing the night away barefoot in the sand inspires you to pack your bags now, then get in touch with us so we can make this dream a reality!

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