Join the Afropop Team as they lead you on an unforgettable journey through Tanzania and Zanzibar, where culture, adventure, and relaxation intertwine!
Begin with a deep immersion into the vibrant music scene in Dar es Salaam. Enjoy the magical island of Zanzibar and its unique Arabic-African culture. Revel in the 3-day, pan-African music festival Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar. The festival features the unique music of East Africa and the Indian Ocean: taarab, maloya, singeli and much more. Relax on Zanzibar's pristine Indian Ocean beaches, where turquoise waters invite you to swim with tropical fish. Enjoy the warm hospitality of Tanzanians you’ll meet throughout your visit. Stay in carefully curated hotels offering world-class accommodations and locally inspired luxury. Walk the streets of historic Stone Town, Zanzibar, and savor the rich, flavorful cuisine, from aromatic Tanzanian stews to fresh seafood feasts. Finally, venture into the wild on a thrilling optional safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro national parks, and get close and personal with elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats.
This is a trip of a lifetime!
For more information, please email info@afropop.org, with “Afropop Tanzania Tour” as the subject.
Join us for a tour info zoom session, Tuesday June 17th at 8:00 PM (ET). Please email info@afropop.org to let us know you’re attending.
CLICK HERE to see VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 2024 TANZANIA TOUR FEATURING THE SAME PROGRAM AS 2026 TOUR.
“The Afropop team took us on a mind-blowing, unparalleled journey into music, culture, history and adventure!”
- Sam, 2024 Afropop Tanzania Tour Participant
Following our highly praised, culturally immersive visits to Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2024 and 2025, we’re planning another for 2026. A common comment from past participants was “experience of a lifetime!” You’ll be joining our Peabody Award-winning public radio team of Afropop Worldwide to experience African music and culture as you never have before.
The twin pillars of our tour in 2026 will once again be an insider’s experience of the lively musical city of Dar es Salaam and enjoying the music, culture and nature of the beautiful island of Zanzibar.
Most of our participants opt to add on our magnificent safari to Tanzania’s world-famous game parks; Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, another once-in-a-lifetime destination.
To start, our local music veteran will guide us through the sites and sounds of beautiful Dar es Salaam, including nights of dancing to the top Swahili rumba bands, modern taarab, singeli youth music, and gospel at church on Sunday morning. We will travel north to the historic city of Bagamoyo for a visit with the Zawose family. The late patriarch Hukwe Zawose brought international fame to mesmerizing Wagogo traditional music. And his children carry on the tradition. The Zawoses will give us a private concert and invite us to dance. The Wagogo represent just one of some 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania, thus revealing the fantastic richness of traditional culture in the country.
After five days of fast-paced nightlife and daytime exploration in Dar es Salaam, we’ll catch two relaxing days on the beach in northern Zanzibar, swimming in turquoise waters and snorkeling.
Then it’s on to Stone Town, Zanzibar’s largest town, site of the famed Sauti Za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) music festival. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Stone Town’s cosmopolitan charm is reflected in its Arabian and North African-inspired palaces, maze-like neighborhoods, markets, mosques, and famous carved doors. Stone Town Is also the heart of the cherished traditional Arabic-African taarab music. Before the festival, we’ll visit the world-renowned Culture Music Club at their clubhouse for a private concert.
The festival is a world-class, three-day extravaganza featuring pan-African artists, but with a focus on the unique sounds of East Africa and the Indian Ocean. The 2025 edition of the festival featured artists from some 20 countries with an emphasis on women-led bands. This is truly a discovery platform since most of the featured artists had never toured North America.
Hospitality is a Tanzanian national ethic, so expect great pleasure in hanging out and meeting locals in all destinations. Leaders of the creative industries will join us for dinners. As we move as a group with our local friends, you will always feel safe and welcomed. Many of our Afropop travelers become lifelong friends – the bond is strong!
In terms of comfort, we’ve got you covered. Almost all of our Tanzania Afropop travelers gave us top ratings - 5 out of 5 - for hotels, meals, transport, local guides and tour leaders.
We can't wait to welcome you along on this exciting adventure!
Sean Barlow
Afropop Worldwide Co Exec. Producer and Tour Leader