Family Fun at the Zanzibar Collection

They say that happy children make for happy holidays. The family-friendly Zanzibar Collection is the place for children to enjoy, parents to unwind and the whole family to bond with without compromising on quality and excellent service. Zanzibar has a very family-oriented culture and this being a family-owned collection of hotels you will find the staff are very attentive and caring when it comes to young guests.

On a practical level, we have baby cots, high chairs, extra beds and other amenities for children's comfort. Babysitting services are available at the Breezes Beach Club and Baraza Resort. A year-round dedicated kids' club at Baraza is stocked with lots of toys and games to keep the young ones well entertained under the watchful eyes of trained minders.

The restaurant menus have options for children's meals and healthy food, and arrangements can be made for children's mealtimes and special dishes with advance notice. Kids love our breakfast buffet because of its wide range of food items to choose from.

When it comes to having fun, our organised activities menu has all sorts of 'edutainment' for children of different ages. Try palm-leaf weaving, Zanzibari cuisine, an introduction to Swahili language lessons or traditional stories narrated by a local storyteller. All four properties have full-size swimming pools and the private plunge pools at Baraza Resort & Spa, The Palma and at Zawadi Hotel are perfect for a quick dip close by. Beach volleyball and football, frisbee, a game of petanque or pool, bike riding, and sand castle building are all child-friendly. For tennis enthusiasts, racquets and balls are provided at no additional charge.

Guided reef walks (with reef shoes for rental) at low tide are an excellent way to see small marine life in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Snorkeling trips to the local lagoon are suitable for children and at the Water Sports centre, families can learn the basics of windsurfing, kite surfing and kayaking with all equipment provided.

A gentle sail on a Swahili Dhow boat lets you explore the natural wonders of the mangrove coastlines, with a chance to try some traditional line fishing. Children 10 -14 years old can become PADI junior scuba divers through a certificate course taught by diving professionals at the Rising Sun Dive centre which includes dives into the open sea. The Bubble Maker program is an easy and safe entry into shallow water diving for younger children.

For adventures outside the hotel, take a family tour of the historic Stone Town, the spice plantations, Jozani Forest - home to the rare red colobus monkeys - and the nearby butterfly centre where kids can interact with multiple species of butterflies. Tours can be arranged from the hotel as well as family-oriented visits to the local village and school.

Consider the Kids Stay Free package at the Garden Villas of Baraza Resort and Spa. The Family Fun package has gift bags for children, discounts on scuba diving, free reef safaris and sundowners served in the room. The small and intimate Palms Hotel and the sophisticated Zawadi Hotel are appreciated by families with older children (minimum age 16 years) looking for a quiet, secluded place for time away together.