🚪Stone Town
The heart of Zanzibar. Wandering this magnificent old town feels like time travel — careful not to strain your eyes on the carvings of all those Arab and Indian doors :)
Ask on WhatsApp →📍 Zanzibar, Tanzania
with ErvaAFRİKARÜYASI
It means “the African dream”: a week in Zanzibar with a guide who lives there, where all you plan is what to wear. Ready when you are.
with love from Zanzibar 🌴
- Hundreds of happy guests
- A guide who lives in Zanzibar
- Tours in Turkish & English
- 4–5★ hotel stays
that's me ☺︎
Who is Erva, and what is she doing in Zanzibar?
Hi, I'm Erva. If you're reading this page, the dream of Zanzibar and Tanzania has found you too. After graduating in Cinema from Marmara University, I was working on an EU project in Portugal when a job offer brought me to Zanzibar — and I've been living by the ocean ever since.
Together with my team, I've shared the Zanzibar and Tanzania adventure with hundreds of guests — solo travelers, families with kids, couples… Zanzibar is best known by the people who live in it, and as a local I can't wait to welcome you to this magical island.
Once you're here, you'll fall in love :)
“It wouldn't have been the same with anyone else.”
The sentence I hear at the end of every trip — and the reason I keep doing this.
✈ The Signature Trip
Zanzibar with Erva — one unforgettable week
Kendwa in the north, Paje in the south… We stay in two different corners of the island and cover its most special routes together — from Stone Town to Mnemba, from a Maasai village to a safari in Tanzania. And if the dates don't fit, don't worry: private tours run all year round.
How does it work?
- 1
Info & Registration
Get in touch and I'll share all the details. Pick the date that suits you best — and if none do, don't worry: private tours run all year round.
- 2
Book Your Flight
When you're ready, buy your ticket — prices change fast, so sooner is better. Send it over and your spot is reserved. Installment payments are available.
- 3
We Meet in Zanzibar
Excitement at its peak! After a flight of about 7.5 hours we meet at the airport, and our week-long experience begins.
Kendwa ↔ Paje
🏝 Where you'll stay
- Stay in the north (Kendwa) and the south (Paje) to discover two different sides of the island
- 8 nights, breakfast included
- First hotel right on the ocean, second in a central location
- Hand-picked 4–5★ hotels — spotless and safe
✅ What's included?
- 8 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- Airport and all in-Zanzibar transfers
- All entrance fees
- Day safari in Tanzania + domestic flights (ZNZ–MKM)
- Open buffet lunch at the safari park and on the boat tour
- Traditional dhow boat tour and all tours
- Organization, planning and tour leader (Erva)
- Turkish-speaking guide
🚫 What's not included?
- International flight tickets
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
- Visa ($50) and Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance ($44)
→ Turkish green-passport holders are exempt from the visa.
Prices 🎟
$1,950Adults
$970Ages 0–11
+$480Single room supplement
Prices are per person; international flights are not included.
- No mandatory vaccinations
- Pay in installments
- Private tours all year round
What's waiting for you
Zanzibar's most special, most complete routes — all part of the trip.
Swipe — it's all included 👉
🚪
🐢Prison Island
Once a quarantine island, now home to 200-year-old giant tortoises you can get up close with. The tortoise-and-hare story will finally make sense :)
Ask on WhatsApp →
🏝Nakupenda Sandbank
A mesmerizing sandbank that appears with the tide — once you've been, you won't want to leave. “Nakupenda” means “I love you” in Swahili. Bring someone you love :)
Ask on WhatsApp →
⛵Mnemba & the Dhow
We sail Zanzibar's famous traditional dhow into the bluest water you'll ever see. Open buffet on board: lobster, calamari, octopus, guacamole, chapati and more. If we're lucky, we swim with wild dolphins — it's their home, so no guarantees, and we never disturb them.
Ask on WhatsApp →
🦁Safari in Tanzania
Tanzania is the most beautiful safari country on Earth. Since you've come all this way, we fly out for a day safari in Mikumi National Park. A safari takes a little luck — a “game drive” is like an animal treasure hunt, and this is their wild home. Make sure your phone has free storage; the photos are that good :)
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🔥Maasai Village Visit
We've come all the way to Tanzania — we can't leave without a tribal visit. We get to know the Maasai up close: their fire-making, their daily life and their lion stories, told firsthand.
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🐒Spice Farm & Jozani Forest
Fruit lovers, rejoice: imagine a garden where you can eat unlimited fruit straight from the branch. You'll learn why Zanzibar is called the “Spice Island”, ending with a tropical fruit tasting. Then on to Jozani Forest — the island's only national park and home of the red colobus monkey, found nowhere else. The monkeys are wild, mind you :)
Ask on WhatsApp →
🤫South Zanzibar & Local Life
Location: secret 🤫 a hidden paradise where we slip between the cliffs into the bluest water. A natural aquarium where you can feed sea turtles seaweed, and the famous The Rock restaurant standing in the middle of the ocean. In the southern villages I'll introduce you to the sweetest people in the world — and we always visit gently, without disturbing anyone.
Ask on WhatsApp →✨ Your Own Private Tour
Dates don't fit, or want to build your own route? I organize private tours all year round. Message me and we'll plan it together.
Real faces, real stories
The first messages my guests send after the trip — in their own words.
Erva, in Zanzibar you weren't just our guide — you became a wonderful friend. From day one your energy, warmth and smile made us feel at home. Thanks to you we fell even more in love with an already beautiful place and never wanted to leave. From now on we'll always remember Zanzibar with you 💙
10:01
Erva is Zanzibar's tourism ambassador as far as I'm concerned… Whatever photo, whatever view we came for, she created more. Hotels, restaurants, transport, shopping — I never once felt unsafe. It was the holiday of my dreams. Hop on a plane and go; I have a sister there now, say hi to her 😉
12:47
I joined the tour alone, but I never felt lonely. Erva knows the island like the back of her hand — thanks to her we saw both the classics and hidden corners nobody knows. As someone who has been to Bali, I can say Zanzibar is far more beautiful, and closer too ☺️
09:12
When should you come?
Zanzibar is warm all year — averaging 26–30°C (79–86°F). In short: there's no wrong time, only different kinds of beautiful.
☀️
December – February
The hottest stretch: around 32°C (90°F) by day. Perfect for sea, sun and long beach days.
🌱
March – May
The long rains (masika). The island turns lush green and prices drop; showers usually pass quickly.
🌤
June – October
Dry, cooler season: around 26°C (79°F). The most popular months — crisp air and low humidity.
🌦
November – early December
The short rains (vuli): brief afternoon showers, then sunshine again.
The ocean stays at 25–29°C (77–84°F) all year — swimmable in every season. 🌊
Join us on Instagram
Trip moments, upcoming dates and daily life in Zanzibar: @explorewitherva
I know, you're wondering about all of it…
Is Zanzibar safe?
Yes, it's safe. As anywhere in the world, we keep an eye on our phones and wallets, of course. Zanzibar is one of the safest places in Africa.
I'm coming alone and I'm afraid of feeling lonely — what should I do?
Ahh, I know that feeling. First of all, I'm here. And everyone who joins starts out as strangers and ends up with lifelong friendships. There's truly nothing to fear :)
Do I need vaccinations before coming to Zanzibar?
There is no vaccine or medication requirement imposed for entering Zanzibar. If it makes you feel better you're welcome to get vaccinated, but there's no requirement at entry.
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
You can get a visa at the airport for $50. To speed things up you can also apply online. (Turkish green-passport holders are exempt.)
Is there an age limit for joining?
NO! People of every age can join this group. Come with your sibling, your friend, your spouse or your child.
Roughly how much will I spend there?
The only things you'll pay for in Zanzibar are personal expenses plus lunches and dinners — figure $300–400. Whatever's left, you take home :) Cards are accepted in most places.
What should I bring with me?
Sunscreen, water shoes, a waterproof phone pouch, clothes in natural fabrics, and a slightly roomy wallet (for carrying Tanzanian shillings). We share a detailed packing list beforehand to help you prepare.
The dates don't work for me — what can I do?
Don't worry — I organize private tours all year round. Message me and we'll find a date that fits you.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight from Istanbul to Zanzibar takes about 7.5 hours. The moment you send me your ticket, your spot is reserved.
Is swimming with dolphins guaranteed?
No — and that's a good thing :) This is their natural habitat; we never chase or disturb them. We usually come across them on the way and get the chance to swim together.
Ready?
Don't postpone your dreams :)
For dates, availability and any questions, message me on WhatsApp — I usually reply the same day.
📞 +255 779 460 806