Indian Ocean Islands Travel Guide
Zanzibar, Mauritius and the Seychelles — the natural beach add-on to an East or Southern Africa safari.
Stone Town & the beaches
Zanzibar pairs Stone Town’s Swahili, Arab and colonial architecture with beach resorts along its northern and eastern coasts. It’s the most common island add-on to a Tanzania safari, reached by a short flight from the mainland.
Further out, more resort-focused
Mauritius and the Seychelles sit further from the East African coast and lean toward resort-style stays — both are popular honeymoon destinations, generally reached via direct international flights rather than as an add-on to a mainland safari.
Visa & entry
Zanzibar follows Tanzania’s entry requirements; Mauritius and the Seychelles offer visa-free entry to many nationalities for tourist stays. Confirm current requirements for your specific nationality before booking.
Currency
Zanzibar uses the Tanzanian shilling (US dollars widely accepted for tourism); Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee and the Seychelles the Seychellois rupee. Cards are accepted at resorts across all three.