Hôtel Jaz Aurora Beach 5* + Safari 2 nuitsAll Inclusive in Zanzibar

Giulia Ferretti

Indian Ocean & distant islands specialist · 5 min read

You arrive in Paje in the tropical night, after a flight that has transported you far from European latitudes. By dawn on day 2, you discover the reason for your presence here: a white sand beach stretching to infinity, protected by a coral reef where turquoise lagoon reflections play. The Jaz Aurora Beach welcomes you in this postcard-like setting, with its design spaces opening directly onto this sea of dreams. But this journey will not be merely a succession of paradisiacal beaches. Between two stays in Paje, you will dive into the Selous Reserve, one of Africa's most pristine wildlife sanctuaries, where elephants thrive in the world's highest concentration. That is true luxury: alternating beach immobility with the raw emotion of encountering the Big Five at dawn.

Arrival

You depart from France in the late afternoon with dinner and overnight on board. At Zanzibar international airport, a transfer awaits to take you directly to the 5-star Jaz Aurora Beach, located on Paje beach on the eastern side of the archipelago. Upon arrival (day 2), you access your superior garden view room and immediately immerse yourself in the property's all-inclusive formula. The hotel breathes modernity and discreet elegance: design spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the coral reef and that lagoon shimmering in shades of blue. Nothing gaudy, just natural beauty highlighted. The two days that follow (days 3 and 7-8) are entirely free. Paje beach itself is your first asset: shallow and translucent waters, ideal for snorkeling among the corals or simply for being lulled by the waves. Just a few kilometers away, Stone Town, the old city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, awaits those who wish to leave the beach to explore Zanzibar's history as a former trading post on the spice route and sultanate of Oman, with its lively streets and mix of African, Arab, Indian and European cultures.

Dining, all included

The all-inclusive formula at Jaz Aurora Beach encompasses three main meals served at the property's buffet restaurant, as well as a selection of local beverages with or without alcohol. You will not have to monitor your consumption of fresh water, fruit juices or Tanzanian beers between your swimming sessions. The buffet restaurant offers local specialties alongside more international cuisine, allowing everyone to find their preference after a day in the sun. Swahili flavors, based on fish, exotic fruits and fragrant rice, are the staples of the Zanzibari table. During the two nights spent in Selous Reserve (days 4, 5 and 6) at Selous Kinga Lodge 4* or similar, three daily meals are also included, excluding additional beverages. The lodge will serve you picnic lunches in the middle of nature during safaris, an incomparably immersive experience, then comfortable dinners upon return to base. Transfers between Zanzibar and Selous Reserve are made by ferry and 4x4 vehicle, a journey longer than by air but rich in discoveries and authentic Tanzanian life scenes. We invite you to verify the details of the all-inclusive offer directly with the establishment, as inclusions may vary depending on the season and type of room booked.

Days by the water

At Jaz Aurora Beach, the largest pool in Zanzibar is your constant companion. Between sea bathing in the heart of the lagoon protected by the coral reef and swimming laps as you desire, the day flows without hours. The beach itself, with its majestic coconut palms and laid-back atmosphere, invites you to relax. For the more active, snorkeling becomes the natural activity: Paje's crystal-clear waters, shallow and translucent, teem with coral life and tropical fish. The spot ranks among Zanzibar's most renowned for this practice. The two days of safari in Selous Reserve (days 4, 5 and 6) follow a very different rhythm. You leave your bed before dawn, thermos of coffee in hand, to set off in a jeep to explore the reserve's 54,600 km². The diversity of landscapes—savannas, lakes and rivers—offers an ever-changing spectacle. You will observe the world's largest concentration of elephants, the Big Five in their entirety (elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros), and perhaps the rare African wild dogs. On day 6, a morning safari along the Rufiji River about 2 hours of pure aquatic spectacle, before returning to Zanzibar. This alternation of beach and safari is the beating heart of this journey: relaxation then thrill, then relaxation again.

Evening vibes

In Paje, evening falls quickly after 6 PM, with that tropical twilight in orange hues illuminating the lagoon. Jaz Aurora Beach takes on its chic and laid-back atmosphere: cocktail in hand facing the ocean, dinner at the restaurant with sunset views, then a quiet evening by the pool or on the beach. The establishment breathes elegance without pretension, allowing everyone to find their own pace, from animated conversation to contemplative silence. In Selous Reserve, the atmosphere is quite different. Evenings at the lodge are marked by the sounds of the African bush, the cries of hyenas and the distant rumble of elephants. After dinner shared with your guide and fellow travelers, you retire to your room with the certainty that at dawn, a new adventure awaits.

Who is it for?

This Jaz Aurora Beach + Selous Safari combination is ideal for couples seeking genuine exoticism, for those who refuse to choose between a paradisiacal beach and wild adventure. Senior travelers will appreciate the comfort of the 5-star establishment and the controlled pace of beach relaxation. Wildlife photography enthusiasts will find plenty of material during the two nights of safari to fill their memory cards. Divers and snorkeling enthusiasts will be delighted by Paje's waters. However, this journey is not designed for very young children (transfers are long, safaris start before dawn) nor for those seeking extreme water activities or intense evening entertainment.