ZanTours and Colors of Zanzibar are the island's two big destination management companies: they run transfers, excursions and Tanzania safaris, much of it for travel agents and foreign tour operators. You can contact either one directly for a quote, but neither has an online checkout, so for a fixed-price day trip with a free-cancellation window our trip pages are quicker.
What a DMC does in Zanzibar
A destination management company is the local ground handler behind many package holidays. A foreign tour operator or travel agent sells you the trip, and the DMC meets you at the airport, drives you to the hotel and runs the excursions. Zanzibar has many small agencies. ZanTours and Colors of Zanzibar are the two big names, and both also sell to travellers who contact them directly.
ZanTours
ZanTours is based in Stone Town and says it has more than 25 years in the business. Its website describes a large transport operation: vehicles from Toyota Alphards to 45-seat buses, its own workshop and its own fuel station. It calls itself one of the island's largest hotel wholesalers. Its excursions include the spice tour, Stone Town, "Made in Zanzibar" and Tumbatu Island, and it plans tailor-made safaris in Tanzania and Kenya. It also runs sub-brands for events (ZanTours MICE) and for higher-end and adventure trips.
ZanTours is linked to ZanAir, a local airline. ZanAir's own site says its founder, Carl Salisbury, came to Zanzibar in 1991, started ZanAir and later set up ZanTours.
You book ZanTours by contact form, email or phone. The website does not publish prices for excursions or any payment terms.
Colors of Zanzibar
Colors of Zanzibar is based in Zanzibar City and calls itself a DMC. Its day tours come in four groups: culture, nature, diving and fishing, and Pemba. It also sells safaris across Tanzania, transfers, and help with flight, bus and boat tickets. Its website runs in English, Swahili, German, Finnish and Russian. It says it is certified by Travelife and part of Responsible Tourism Tanzania.
There is a login area for agents and a separate page for group requests. Individual travellers enquire by phone, email or WhatsApp. The site has no online checkout and does not list payment methods.
Airport and hotel transfers, hotel wholesale, island excursions (spice tour, Stone Town, Made in Zanzibar, Tumbatu Island), tailor-made safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, MICE and VIP airport services
How you book
Contact form, email or phone; no online checkout on its site
How you pay
Not published on its website
ZATO
Listed on ZATO's member list as Zan Tours Ltd; also names ATTA, SITE and We Are Africa among its memberships
On booking platforms
Works with trade partners and hotel wholesalers as well as direct travellers
Colors of Zanzibar
Website
colorsofzanzibar.com
Based in
Zanzibar City (Stone Town)
Sells
Day tours (culture, nature, diving and fishing, Pemba), Tanzania safaris and holidays, transfers, help with flight, bus and boat tickets, MICE, gift vouchers
How you book
Phone, email, WhatsApp or contact form; separate login for agents and a group request page
How you pay
Not published on its website
ZATO
Listed on ZATO's member list as Colors of Zanzibar; says it is Travelife certified and part of Responsible Tourism Tanzania
On booking platforms
Describes itself as a DMC with an agent area, and also sells to individual travellers
From the company’s own website and public listings, 3 November 2026. Not a rating.
Bookable
Same trips, booked online
Bookable versions of the trips this company sells, with the platform’s cancellation terms and reviews.
They are linked. ZanAir's website says its founder, Carl Salisbury, later set up ZanTours, and ZanTours lists ZanAir among its services. Book flights with ZanAir itself.
Can I book a single day tour with ZanTours or Colors of Zanzibar?
Yes. Both websites sell to individual travellers as well as to the trade. You send an enquiry and get a quote, rather than paying online at a fixed price.
Are ZanTours and Colors of Zanzibar ZATO members?
Both names were on the member list on ZATO's own website when we checked.
Is a DMC cheaper than a booking platform?
Not necessarily. A DMC quotes each trip and is often set up for groups and the trade. Compare its quote with the price, inclusions and cancellation terms of the same trip on a platform.
Is Colors of Zanzibar Travelife certified?
Its website says so. Travelife certificates expire, so check the current status in Travelife's own directory if it matters to you.
