Zanzibar Culture & Adventure Retreat

$500.00

20–30 January 2026


Join us on our exclusive 11-day women’s only journey to Zanzibar, a carefully designed experience that seamlessly integrates cultural immersion, adventure, and wellness. This unique program offers a comprehensive exploration of Zanzibar’s rich heritage and natural beauty, from guided visits to historic villages and UNESCO World Heritage sites, to encounters with marine life and optional safaris. Each day balances meaningful activity with opportunities for relaxation, reflection, and personal growth in inspiring surroundings.

Designed specifically for women seeking a holistic travel experience, this journey fosters connection, empowerment, and wellbeing within a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Through thoughtfully curated workshops, volunteer engagements, and shared cultural experiences, participants will cultivate lasting bonds and a deepened sense of sisterhood.

Whether you’re seeking meaningful travel that goes beyond the surface, looking to challenge yourself with new experiences, or hoping to nurture a sense of sisterhood and personal growth, this journey offers the opportunity to experience Zanzibar in an authentic, immersive, and unforgettable way.

📍 General Inclusions

  • 11 days / 10 nights accommodation

  • 2 nourishing meals per day (breakfast + lunch or dinner)

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure days

  • All ground transportation during the retreat

  • All entrance fees, local guide fees, and activity costs for included activities in the itinerary

  • Daily group support and retreat facilitation

  • On-site hosts and cultural facilitators

  • SIM card

🌍 Cultural Immersion & Guided Tours

  • Guided tour of Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

  • Spice farm visit and tasting experience

  • Visit to Kizimkazi village and one of East Africa’s oldest mosques

  • Walk through Jozani Forest to see red colobus monkeys

  • Time to explore local artisan shops and markets

  • Visit to a local orphanage for community engagement

🎨 Workshops & Creative Experiences

  • Traditional soap-making workshop

  • Ngoma drumming and rhythm session

  • Interaction to local cooking techniques

  • Eco-printing workshop (create your own kimono)

  • Traditional basket weaving with village artisans

🌊 Nature & Ocean Activities

  • Visit to Mtende Beach and The Rock Restaurant

  • Day trip to Paje Beach with free time to swim or explore

  • Boat excursion to a Sandbank Island with beach picnic

  • Snorkelling in protected marine areas

  • Swim with turtles in a conservation lagoon

  • Relaxation time at Jambiani Beach

🐾 Optional Add-Ons

(Not included in base price — additional cost applies)

  • One-day mainland safari with round-trip flights (inlcuded in Safari Package)

  • Choose-your-own-adventure day with options including:

    • Horseback riding on the beach

    • Kiteboarding lessons

    • Dune buggy rides

    • Seasonal whale swimming experience

💛 Community Engagement

  • Prepare and deliver thoughtful gifts to local children

  • Volunteer afternoon at a local orphanage

  • Opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange

🧘‍♀️ Wellness & Reflection

  • Group connection circles and intention-setting

  • Solo time to rest, journal, or explore at your own pace

  • Supportive environment for personal growth and reflection

  • Integration support throughout the journey

🧳 Also Included

  • Packing guide and pre-trip support

  • Welcome gift or locally made welcome item

  • Full support from retreat leaders before and during your stay

Please get in touch with us to request the full day-to-day itinerary.

20–30 January 2026


Join us on our exclusive 11-day women’s only journey to Zanzibar, a carefully designed experience that seamlessly integrates cultural immersion, adventure, and wellness. This unique program offers a comprehensive exploration of Zanzibar’s rich heritage and natural beauty, from guided visits to historic villages and UNESCO World Heritage sites, to encounters with marine life and optional safaris. Each day balances meaningful activity with opportunities for relaxation, reflection, and personal growth in inspiring surroundings.

Designed specifically for women seeking a holistic travel experience, this journey fosters connection, empowerment, and wellbeing within a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Through thoughtfully curated workshops, volunteer engagements, and shared cultural experiences, participants will cultivate lasting bonds and a deepened sense of sisterhood.

Whether you’re seeking meaningful travel that goes beyond the surface, looking to challenge yourself with new experiences, or hoping to nurture a sense of sisterhood and personal growth, this journey offers the opportunity to experience Zanzibar in an authentic, immersive, and unforgettable way.

📍 General Inclusions

  • 11 days / 10 nights accommodation

  • 2 nourishing meals per day (breakfast + lunch or dinner)

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure days

  • All ground transportation during the retreat

  • All entrance fees, local guide fees, and activity costs for included activities in the itinerary

  • Daily group support and retreat facilitation

  • On-site hosts and cultural facilitators

  • SIM card

🌍 Cultural Immersion & Guided Tours

  • Guided tour of Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

  • Spice farm visit and tasting experience

  • Visit to Kizimkazi village and one of East Africa’s oldest mosques

  • Walk through Jozani Forest to see red colobus monkeys

  • Time to explore local artisan shops and markets

  • Visit to a local orphanage for community engagement

🎨 Workshops & Creative Experiences

  • Traditional soap-making workshop

  • Ngoma drumming and rhythm session

  • Interaction to local cooking techniques

  • Eco-printing workshop (create your own kimono)

  • Traditional basket weaving with village artisans

🌊 Nature & Ocean Activities

  • Visit to Mtende Beach and The Rock Restaurant

  • Day trip to Paje Beach with free time to swim or explore

  • Boat excursion to a Sandbank Island with beach picnic

  • Snorkelling in protected marine areas

  • Swim with turtles in a conservation lagoon

  • Relaxation time at Jambiani Beach

🐾 Optional Add-Ons

(Not included in base price — additional cost applies)

  • One-day mainland safari with round-trip flights (inlcuded in Safari Package)

  • Choose-your-own-adventure day with options including:

    • Horseback riding on the beach

    • Kiteboarding lessons

    • Dune buggy rides

    • Seasonal whale swimming experience

💛 Community Engagement

  • Prepare and deliver thoughtful gifts to local children

  • Volunteer afternoon at a local orphanage

  • Opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange

🧘‍♀️ Wellness & Reflection

  • Group connection circles and intention-setting

  • Solo time to rest, journal, or explore at your own pace

  • Supportive environment for personal growth and reflection

  • Integration support throughout the journey

🧳 Also Included

  • Packing guide and pre-trip support

  • Welcome gift or locally made welcome item

  • Full support from retreat leaders before and during your stay

Please get in touch with us to request the full day-to-day itinerary.

Exclusions

Flights

Visa

Lunch and additional meals

Travel insurance

Any optional activities

We recommend budgeting an additional $800-$1500 for additional activities and expenses depending on what you wish to do


Flights

You will need to purchase your own flights for this trip. The flights that we recommend if you are departing from Melbourne are as follows:

Arrive in Zanzibar: Tuesday 20 January 2026

Qatar Airways Flight QR989 on Monday 19 January 2026, from MEL (16:10) to DOH (22:25), transfer in Doha, then Qatar Airways Flight QR1487 from DOH (01:40) to ZNZ Zanzibar (07:30)

OR

Emirates Flight EK409 on Monday 19 January 2026) from MEL (06:15) to DXB Dubai (13:10), transfer in Dubai, then Emirates Flight EK2187 from DXB (00:25) to ZNZ Zanzibar (04:55)


Depart from Zanzibar - Friday 30 January 2026

Qatar Airways Flight QR1488 on Friday 30 January 2026 from ZNZ (17:15) to DOH (23:05) QR989, transfer in Doha with Qatar Airways Flight QR8403 from DOH (01:50) to MEL (23:20)

OR

Emirates Flight EK409 on Friday 30 January 2026 from MEL (06:15) to DXB Dubai (13:10), transfer in Dubai, then Emirates Flight EK2187 from DXB (00:25) to ZNZ Zanzibar (04:55)

We recommend booking your flights as soon as possible to ensure the best price, and that there will be seats left as we are travelling during the school holiday season.


Accommodation

We will be staying at the Karibu Assalam Social Enterprise facility for part of our trip and at Tasneem Islamic Luxury Suites for part of our trip. Both accommodations are luxury accommodation 4 stars or equivalent.


Meals

Breakfast & Dinner are included. Please note that you are responsible for attending meal times and/or venue. Please note that whilst all effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements, this may not always be possible for reasons outside of our control. Please be prepared accordingly.


Group Specifications

This trip is open to women only from ages 18 above. Please read below for our policy regarding bringing a mahram.


Cost

$2750 for standard package

$3,650 for Safari Package (includes all inclusions in the standard package plus a one day Safari trip).


Booking Procedure

You may secure your booking via payment of $500 deposit.

After receiving your deposit, we will call you to confirm your identity and speak about the trip details and expectations. After this, we will email to confirm your booking. and you can go ahead and book your flights.

The deposit is refundable within 14 days to give you time to book your flights or change your mind.

You will then need to email your flight confirmation to info@aliviajourneys.org. We will then confirm your booking and send you the payment information for the remainder of the booking fee to be paid as per payment schedule.


Payment Schedule

Deposit: At time of Booking

$1000 before 1 December 2025

$1250 before 1 January 2026

Balance (if any) before 14 January 2026

You may also choose to pay all instalments upfront.


Gift & Sponsorship

You may wish to bring/sponsor items to gift to the children at the orhanage. Please confirm with us beforehand that the gifts you are bringing are suitable according to the sustainability and cultural awareness policies of the local charity we are working with.

Independent Travel & Participant Conduct Policy

Whilst there will be plenty of opportunity for personal exploration built into the itinerary, including free time at selected locations and optional activities, we have implemented the following policies to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and cohesion of all participants and the smooth running of the retreat.

The following policies must be followed throughout the trip.

1. Group Cohesion

Participants are required to stay with the group at all times unless specific, prior approval has been granted by the trip lead or the program allows for free or independent time. Unauthorised separation or solo travel is not permitted under any circumstances except for optional activities which are specifically provided for in the itinerary.

2. Communication & Contactability

  • All participants must carry a working mobile phone throughout the trip.

  • A local SIM card will be provided and must be used.

  • Phones must be charged and kept on at all times, particularly during excursions and optional activities, to ensure contact in case of emergency or updates.

3. Itinerary Transparency

During scheduled free time or optional excursions, participants must inform the trip lead of their intended plans and locations. This is especially important in case of family enquiries, emergencies, or logistical adjustments.

4. Wellness & Health

Even if feeling unwell or choosing to rest, participants are expected to:

  • Remain contactable by phone

  • Inform the trip lead of their condition and location

  • Visit hospital or obtain medical advice/assistance

  • Not leave the accommodation or change plans without approval

5. Itinerary Adherence

The group itinerary has been designed for safety, balance, and depth of experience. Any deviation from the planned itinerary must be approved in advance. Independent excursions, route changes, or unplanned absences are not allowed without express permission.

6. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-adherence to this policy—such as leaving the group without permission, failing to remain contactable, or participating in unsanctioned activities—may result in immediate removal from the program without refund. Participants who breach these terms may also be barred from attending future tours, events, or programs organised by us.

We kindly ask that all participants acknowledge and respect this policy in the spirit of collective responsibility, so we can offer a safe, enriching, and inspiring experience for everyone.

Mahram Policy

You may bring a mahram and we will arrange private accommodation for you. The activities in this trip are for women only so with the exception of the Safari and the optional activities, your marram will not be able to attend the activities on the retreat. We will charge a reduced fee for your marram of $1,950 for the standard package and $2,850 for the safari package. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary for mahrams before booking.

Special Needs Policy

Please list all special needs and adjustments at time of booking including any dietary restrictions, medications, physical or psychological disabilities. Whilst we will try to accommodate these needs, we may not always be able to given the nature of this trip and because we rely on third-parties. If we find that we cannot accommodate your needs, we may cancel your booking (after receiving your deposit) and refund your payment. Please ensure that your provide all relevant information for us to make an accurate assessment. If you do not provide accurate and complete information, we may cancel your booking at any time without refunding your deposit or other funds, or accept responsibility for any financial loss you may experience. If you are unsure about this policy, please contact us before making a booking.

Terms and Conditions of Service

Click here to read our full Terms and Conditions of Service.