An Eid Al Etihad holiday in Zanzibar is four nights on the beach for the UAE National Day long weekend, 2 to 6 December 2026, about five and a half hours from Dubai on a direct flight. Oloi Shorua offers four beach hotels, from USD 1,019 (AED 3,743) per person sharing, with return airport transfers included.
- Holiday: Eid Al Etihad, the UAE National Day, expected on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026
- Long weekend: take Friday 4 December as leave and you have five days, 2 to 6 December
- Length: 4 nights in Zanzibar
- Getting there: direct flights from Dubai to Zanzibar take about 5 hours 30 minutes
- Hotels: Bluebay, Royal Zanzibar, Gold Zanzibar or Baraza, half board or all inclusive
- From: USD 1,019 per person sharing, including return airport transfers
When is Eid Al Etihad 2026?
Eid Al Etihad marks the founding of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971 and is celebrated each year as UAE National Day. In 2026 the public holiday is expected on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. With one day of leave on Friday 4 December, the holiday becomes five days, enough for four unhurried nights by the Indian Ocean. The government confirms the dates closer to the time, and we adjust your booking if they change.
Why Zanzibar for the National Day weekend
Zanzibar is the easiest Indian Ocean island to reach from the UAE, with direct flights from Dubai and no change of plane. Early December falls after the short rains, when the island is warm, green and the sea is calm and clear. There are white beaches on every coast, the old Swahili quarter of Stone Town, spice farms, dhow sailing and some of the best snorkelling in East Africa.
For something wilder, the island pairs naturally with a safari. See our Eid Al Etihad Kenya safari, or the full range of Tanzania safaris from Dubai.
Choose your hotel
| Hotel | Where | Room and meals | From, per person sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluebay Beach Resort | Kiwengwa | Deluxe Garden View room, half board | USD 1,019 |
| Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort | Nungwi | Superior room, all inclusive | USD 1,319 |
| Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa | Kendwa | Deluxe Garden room, half board | USD 1,594 |
| Baraza Resort & Spa | Bwejuu | One-bedroom villa, all inclusive | USD 2,339 |
Bluebay Beach Resort, Kiwengwa
A large, easy-going resort on the long white beach at Kiwengwa, with gardens running down to the sea. A good choice for families and for a first visit to Zanzibar. Four nights in a deluxe garden view room, half board.
| Four nights | USD | AED |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing a double | USD 1,019 | AED 3,743 |
| Single traveller | USD 1,563 | AED 5,741 |
| Per person sharing a triple | USD 880 | AED 3,232 |
Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Nungwi
On the northern tip of the island at Nungwi, where the tide stays in for swimming through the day and the sunsets fall over the sea. All inclusive, so there is nothing to think about. Four nights in a superior room, all inclusive.
| Four nights | USD | AED |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing a double | USD 1,319 | AED 4,845 |
| Single traveller | USD 2,038 | AED 7,485 |
| Per person sharing a triple | USD 1,180 | AED 4,334 |
Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, Kendwa
A smaller, more polished hotel on Kendwa beach, known for its spa and its west-facing sunsets. For couples who want a quieter stay with good food. Four nights in a deluxe garden room, half board.
| Four nights | USD | AED |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing a double | USD 1,594 | AED 5,854 |
| Single traveller | USD 2,613 | AED 9,597 |
| Per person sharing a triple | USD 1,280 | AED 4,701 |
Baraza Resort & Spa, Bwejuu
An all-villa resort on the quieter south-east coast, styled on Swahili palaces, with private villas, a spa and an all-inclusive plan. The most private of the four. Four nights in a one-bedroom villa, all inclusive.
| Four nights | USD | AED |
|---|---|---|
| Per person sharing a double | USD 2,339 | AED 8,590 |
| Single traveller | USD 4,678 | AED 17,180 |
Prices are per person for four nights, including return private airport transfers, for stays until 15 December 2026, subject to availability. Flights from Dubai are not included; we can quote them with your stay.
For more beach and island stays, from Mnemba to the Residence, see our Zanzibar and islands collection.
What is included
- Four nights at your chosen hotel
- Meals as listed: half board or all inclusive
- Return private transfers between Zanzibar airport and your hotel
- Our assistance before and during your stay
Not included: flights from Dubai, Tanzania visa, Zanzibar’s mandatory visitor insurance, excursions, drinks where not included, tips and travel insurance.
Add-ons we can arrange: a Stone Town walking tour, a spice farm visit, a sunset dhow cruise, snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll, or a short flying safari to the mainland.
Entry and health from the UAE
- Visa: most nationalities need a Tanzania visa, available online before travel. See our Tanzania visa guide.
- Zanzibar insurance: every visitor to Zanzibar must buy the island’s own inbound travel insurance before arrival, currently USD 44 per adult. We send you the link with your booking.
- Yellow fever: a certificate is required only from travellers arriving from, or transiting more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever risk. Flying direct from Dubai, it is not required on entry. If you combine Zanzibar with a Kenya safari, you will need one, as Kenya is a risk country.
- Onward travel: India and several other countries require a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from Tanzania.
- Timing: the certificate is valid from 10 days after the first dose, so vaccinate early. See our guides to yellow fever entry requirements and yellow fever vaccination.
- Malaria: Zanzibar carries a low risk of malaria. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic, four to six weeks before you travel, whether anti-malarial tablets are right for you, and use repellent in the evenings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to Zanzibar for the UAE National Day long weekend?
Yes. Direct flights from Dubai take about five and a half hours, so the Eid Al Etihad long weekend, 2 to 6 December 2026, gives four full nights on the island. Packages start from USD 1,019 per person sharing.
When is Eid Al Etihad 2026?
The UAE National Day holiday is expected on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. Taking Friday 4 December as leave gives a five-day break from 2 to 6 December.
How much does a Zanzibar holiday from Dubai cost for National Day?
From USD 1,019 (AED 3,743) per person sharing at Bluebay Beach Resort, up to USD 2,339 per person in a villa at Baraza, for four nights with return airport transfers. Flights are extra.
Is December a good time to visit Zanzibar?
Yes. Early December follows the short rains: the island is warm and green, the sea is calm, and showers, if any, are brief.
Do I need insurance to visit Zanzibar?
Yes. Zanzibar requires every visitor to hold its own inbound travel insurance, bought before arrival, currently USD 44 per adult. We recommend your own comprehensive travel insurance as well.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Zanzibar from Dubai?
Not on entry if you fly direct from the UAE. You will need a certificate if you arrive from Kenya or another risk country, and India requires one from travellers arriving from Tanzania. The certificate is valid 10 days after the first dose.
Can I combine Zanzibar with a safari?
Yes. Zanzibar pairs well with a Kenya or Tanzania safari, either over a longer break or with an extra day of leave. Ask us and we will plan the combination.
Book your Eid Al Etihad Zanzibar holiday
Beach hotels fill early for the National Day weekend. Contact us or WhatsApp +971 54 799 1152 and we will confirm availability and quote your flights.
Prices in US dollars, with dirhams shown at 3.6725. Holiday dates are expected dates until confirmed by the UAE government. Last updated October 2026.