Bleisure Travel in Zanzibar: How to Turn a Business Trip into a Dream Vacation

Business Trip with a holiday twist? Absolutely. Recently, I had the change to experience a very special bleisure travel trip – and it turned out to be the perfect balance of work and leisure.

My journey took me to Zanzibar for a trade fair (yes, really – that was the actual location of the event!). Work kept me busy Monday through Thursday, but because of the long journey with a layover in Muscat, Oman, I had to fly in over the weekend. Normally, I would have headed home on Friday, but instead I decided to extend my stay until Sunday for some much-needed downtime.

Why? For several reasons. First of all, I had always been curious about Zanzibar and since I was already going to be there, it just frelt naturarl to make the most of it. Second, I personally believe that such long-haul flights – both in terms of the environmental footprint and the physical strain – make much more sense if you actually stay and experience the destination, not just rush in and out.

So in October, I turend my Zanzibar business travel into something more: a full bleisure experience. And I have to say, making time to enjoy the island while also handling my business schedule was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Zanzibar Travel Route & Dates: Maximizing Work and Leasure

Here’s how my Zanzibar trip with departure from Germany and a stopover in Oman was planned:

Saturday	Depature in the evening from Frankfurt with a layover in Muscat, Oman
Sunday	Flight from Muscat to Zanzibar, Arrival on Zanzibar in the late afternoon, Check-in at the hotel
Monday	Work day preparing trade fair participation
Tuesday	Trade Fair
Wednesday	Trade Fair with customer dinner
Thursday	Trade Fair with customer dinner
Friday	Day Trip to explore the island, move to Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town
Saturday	Hotel day, exploring Stone Town and shopping
Sunday	Departure day: Return flight to Muscat with a short stop in Dar-es-Salaam, Arrival in Muscat with an overnight stay
Monday	Morning stay in Muscat, Oman, flight to Frankfurt in the afternoon, arrival in the evening

For me, this schedule made the most sense: I could see as much as possible without spending too much time stuck at airports, while also keeping active during the journey. At the same time, it minimized downtime for my employer, and I didn’t have to take extra vacation days. By carefully planning the route and timing, I managed to combine business travel in Zanzibar with a real holiday experience, making every moment count.

Business Trip to Zanzibar: My Oman Air Economy & Business Class Experience

I started my jouney from Frankfurt to Oman in Oman Air’s regular economy class. And honestly, I can only say good things: It was clean, had enough space (sometimes a surprise in economy), and the meals were perfectly fine.

For the onward flight from Oman to Zanzibar, I treated myself to a business class upgrade – an experience I didn’t want to miss! This also gave me access to the Oman Air Business Lounge in Muscat during my roughly five-hour layover. Just this lounge visit alone made the roughly $300 extra per flight completely worth it. I could relax on a lounge chair, get some sleep, and enjoy a nice breakfast in the morning – all included!

Soon it was time to board the flight to Zanzibar, and the business class experience on the plane did not disappoint. The service and food were excellent, and the seats were very comfortable, though not fully flat-bed. But for the last five hours of my long journey with a layover, flying Oman Air business class was absolutely the right decision. I arrived at my destination relaxed, even though I was feeling quite rough due to a yellow fever shot I had gotten just two days before departure (definitely not recommended to do it this short notice!).

I’ll put togeher a full Oman Air Business review in a separate post, so you can get all the details of this experience.

Prepping for Your Zanzibar Business Trip: Vaccines, Visas & Practical Tips

As I mentioned before, my trip to Zanzibar wasn’t just for fun. Most of it was actually business. The first step was taking care of a few organizational tasks.

I’m usually pretty well prepared for business trips, well in advance. I create detailed briefings for my co-workers including important addresses like hotels, the trade fair venue, restaurants, and more. Once on site, the focus shifts to finding reliable transportation, exploring the surroundings, checking out restaurants, and getting familiar with the trade fair grounds.

As with any trip, it’s crucial to research entry requirements, recommended vaccinations, and currency beforehand. In this case, that was the most time-consuming part. It’s also important to understand the rules if you have a stopover: each country may have different regulations.

From my experience, even the taxi ride from the airport to the hotel can be informative. Pay attention to how long it takes, traffic conditions, and whether there are places along the way to pick up essentials. You never know exactly what to expect on a business trip, so a little observation early on goes a long way.

Trade Fair in Zanzibar: How to Combine Work and Networking

The trade fair venue in Zanzibar is located a bit outside town, about 15-20 minutes south of the airport, in Fumba. Since we stayed in Stone Town, we planned around a 30-minute drive each morning to get to the fair.

The venue itslef is beautiful and modern. The internet is somewhat stable, though it can vary depending on how many people are attending. The exhibition halls are tents, equipped with fans and smaller air conditioners. Unfortunately, they can’t quite cool the larger tents, so it got pretty warm at times.

We had lunch together with all the other participants at the buffet. It was a great way to connect with people, and the food was delicious – though I personally found some dishes a little on the spicy side!

After many inspiring conversations at the fair, we headed back to Stone Town for dinner. There aren’t any restaurants or cafés near the venue, as it’s located in a more rural area.

During the fair days, there wasn’t much time to explore the island. We usually got back to Stone Town just in time for sunset, took a quick (more than neccessary) shower, and went straight to dinner to be ready and energized for the next day. My recommendations for restaurants in Stone Town for business travelers are detailed in another article I wrote.

Beyt al Salaam Hotel Review: A Practical Stay for Business Travelers in Stone Town

Before the trip, everyone recommended the Park Hyatt Zanzibar. Every bit of research I did pointed to it as THE best hotel in Stone Town. Unfortunately, during the trade fair, the prices were simply too high, so we chose a more budget-friendly option just across the street.

We staed at Beyt al Salaam, which doesn’t have direct beach access, but for a business trip that wasn’t an issue at all – during the trade fair days we barely had time to enjoy the surroundings or the hotel itself. What mattered more was the good breakfast and dinner offered at a reasonable price in their restaurant, which is also known for excellent seafood – or so I was told!

The rooms were air-conditioned, clean, and only about 150-200 meters away from the beach. The only real downside: there’s no elevator, and the hotel has multiple floors. So if walking stairs is an issue, this might not be the right choice. Otherwise, the Beyt al Salaam Hotel is a perfectly prractical option for business travelers who need a solid base in Stone Town.

Park Hyatt Zanzibar Review: Luxury, Beachfront Relaxation & the Best Breakfast in Stone Town

After the busy and exhausting trade fair, I decided to treat myself to some me-time and finally experience the Park Hyatt Zanzibar firsthand. On Friday evening, I moved over for a two-night-stay. Conveniently, it’s right across the street from Beyt al Salaam so I could simply walk over with my luggage.

From the outside, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar already looks stunning, and stepping into the lobby immediately gave me the feeling of being somewhere between the Orient and Africa. The style is clean and open, yet still warm and welcoming. Honestly, I felt a spark of job the moment I walked in, excited for the days ahead.

To put it simply: this hotel is a dream. The rooms are spacious, the beds are perfect, and the direct beach access plus infinity pool overlooking the ocean are just as amazing as every review I had read before.

But the real highlight for me was the phenomenal breakfast. Without exaggeration, it was the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever had, and I would return to the Park Hyatt Zanzibar for that alone.

I’ve shared a full Park Hyatt Zanzibar review in a separate article, so if you’re considering a stay, make sure to check it out.

By the way, I’ve done a similar stay at the Curio Collection Heritage Hotel in Dubai – you can check out my review there too if you’re curious! More info on other hotel stays you can find here.

Discover Zanzibar in a Day: Spice Farm Tour, Nungwi Beach & Turtle Sanctuary

Since the trade fair and client meetings kept us busy until late Thursday evening, a co-worker and I decided to take Friday off and pack as much of Zanzibar as possible into one full day.

Locals had shared plenty of great excursion tips with us, and in the end, we put together a private, customized tour. This was the best choice given the limited time we had – and honestly, it’s easy to arrange. Just ask a trusted taxi driver. We paid about 100 USD for roughly eight hours of private guiding, which felt absolutely worth it.

Zanzibar is famously known as the Spice Island, so of course, we had to visit at least one spice farm. Luckily, it was conveniently located on the way to our next stop. A visit here is highly recommended – after all, how often do you get to see coffee or turmeric plants in real life?

Next, we headed north, to experience Zanzibars breathtaking beaches. Kendwa and Nungwi Beach, at the very tip of the island, is absolutely stunning. It was also home to the third highlight of our day: a turtle sanctuary, where you can swim with these beautiful creatures and even help feed them.

I’ve put together a more detailed guide with all my tips from this unforgettable day in Zanzibar in a separate post. So if you’re planning your own adventure, make sure to check it out.

Stone Town Shopping Guide: Where to Buy Souvenirs in Zanzibar

Saturday was my last full day in Zanzibar, and since it was raining a little, I decided to spend it shopping in Stown Town for typical Tanzanian and Zanzibari souvenirs. I’ve always loved browsing through shops, and this time was no different. Honestly, I had been looking forward to it the whole trip – the jewelry shops with their sparkling Tanzanite stones had been calling my name from day one.

Stone Town has plenty of jewelry stores, each offering different styles with Tanzanite. But here’s my tip: take a close look before buying. Some pieces look almmost identical from shop to shop, but the prices can vary a lot. My advice? Compare prices carefully, visit a few different shops, and don’t be shy about negotiating.

Also, watch for hidden “extra costs”. For example, someone on the street approached me and then accompanied me into several shops. What I didn’t realize at first: they earn a comission if you buy something – which is, of course, reflected in the price you pay. On top of that, many shops charge around 4% if you pay by credit card (or withdraw cash at the ATM). Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to be aware of, especially with the prices of jewelry.

Besides jewelry, Stone Town also has the typical souvenir shops where you’ll find everything from carved wooden figures to colorful signs. Personally, I preferred the smaller, more specialized local stores. I picked up fragrant oils, lip balm, and even a thermal mug with the words “Hakuna Matata” (“no worries”). My favorite find, though, was a painting by a streed artist. It now has a special place in my living room.

As a woman exploring alone, I generally felt safe shopping in Stone Town. The streets are lively and I stuck mostly to the main streets or side streets filled with tourists. There’s plenty of variety to make any shopping tour successful.

And a small tip for when you need a refreshment: try a Fanta Pineapple – just one dollar and absolutely SO worth it!

Oh, and if you’re curious about shopping and exploring solo as a woman, I’ve also shared my tips for Oman – definitely worth a read!

Muscat Stopover with Oman Air: Hotel, Lounge & Brunch Tips

After just over a week in Zanzibar, it was time to head back – with another Oman Air business class flight. This leg included a short stop in Dar es Salaam, wehre some passengers got off and others joined, before continuing to Muscat for my layover.

I arrived in Muscat fairly late in the evening, with my onward flight scheduled for around 2 p.m. the next day. For me, it was just a short stopover, but Oman Air actually allows you to extend up to three nights at no extra charge – definitely worht considering. Even with just one morning in Muscat, I managed a quick dip in the hotel pool and enjoyed the best Omani breakfast at my favorite restaurant in town (I’ve shared all the details in a separate post).

Around midday, I headed to the airport again and tried out the Muscat Airport Premier Lounge. With great food, drinks, reliable Wi-Fi and an excellent view of the runway, the value (at approx. 60 dollars) felt just right.

My tip? If you’re flying to Zanzibar, Oman Air is hands down one of the best options – and taking a short stopover in Muscat makes the journey even more enjoyable

Bleisure Travel Tips: How to Turn a Business Trip into an Unforgettable Experience

My Zanzibar trip showed me one thing: combiing work and leasure really works – as long as you plan it well. For me, the balance between intense trade fair days and the quiet downtime afterward was ideal. I was able to achieve my business goals while also discovering the island without stress or time pressure. And the best part? Back at the office, I felt recharged and ready to dive right back into work, even after such a long journey.

My advice: if you want to turn a business trip into a memorable expeirence, plan carefully and leave room for flexibility. Adding just a couple of extra days (even just a weekend), booking a flight upgrade or choosing the right hotel can make all the difference. Small highlights like visiting a local market or having lunch by the beach can transform a regular work trip into something truly special.

If you’d like more of my insights and practical tips for bleisure travel, check out my other articles. You’ll find detailed hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and plenty of inspiration on how to perfectly balance business and relaxation while traveling.

So let yourself be inspired – and next time you travel for work, make sure to plan a little leisure into the schedule. Trust me it’s worth it.

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Disclosure: This post contains unpaid advertising due to brand mentions and links. I was not paid by any of the companies mentioned; the trip was largely self-funded. All opinions and experiences are entirely my own.