Zanzibar Island is a fantastic tropical paradise and one of the best beach destinations in the world located off the coast of East Africa. The island features palm leaves which you will hear as they rustle, various species grown all over the island and the iconic dhows which you will see as they sail and an interesting and mouthwatering cuisine which is a mix of African and Arabian cultures which will add on your adventure and make you fall in love with the island more.
Strategically placed along the spice and slave trade routes in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar Island is an archipelago of four islands known as Unguja. Because of its location, the island has grown to be a stronghold for many nations over its history. Oman named Zanzibar its capital for thirty years in 1832; the island thereafter became a British protectorate till it joined Tanganyika in 1960s to become the current Tanzania.
Now one of the top beach and marine attractions worldwide, Zanzibar is below what you need know before visiting this dream island.
How To Travel To Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the mainland, is the main hub from which to get to Zanzibar; sadly, no direct US airline flies to Zanzibar from United States of America. Direct flights from Middle Eastern airports including airports n Doha, Qatar, Dubai and UAE, yet you can also get to Zanzibar from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Should you arrive into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, you can reach the island via a quick flight or by ferry.
The Reason You Should See Zanzibar
Comprising Indian Ocean Island with palm- fringed white sand beaches, Zanzibar Island is a sanctuary on Earth where abundance of indigenous woodland dwelling numerous species of adorable monkeys only found on the island. Amazing architecture combining Omani palaces, Arabian arches, Indian wooden balconies and studded doors floods the capital of the Island, Zanzibar.
Narrow streets bustling with life and providing visitors with a heady mix made up of local women offering henna tattoos, Maasai warriors playing games such as pool in a corner cafes, colourful markets, delicious foods/cuisines, plenty of varied history, fantastic shopping centres and amazing beach resorts Zanzibar city/town offers.
The best way for a travel consultant to see Zanzibar Island while on a Zanzibar safari is to arrange a two-stop vacation whereby one visits Stone Town to take advantage of all the town has to offer a few days then drives across the island to one of the several beach resorts for a few days of leisure. On Zanzibar Island, a week or two would not be long of a visit.
Best Time to Go to Zanzibar
With the advantage of a fresh sea breeze almost everywhere on the island, Zanzibar Island is extremely near to the equator and has consistent year-round temperatures ranging from mild to rather hot, or 77 degrees to slightly above 85 degrees.
The island gets lots of rain between March and the end of May, yet even in this period the days are usually dry with just sporadic heavy showers. November brings little rain on the island.
Since most of Zanzibar Island is Muslim, it is advisable to find out the dates of the two Eid celebrations and Ramadan falling on to help you to plan your trip to the island. Although most of the stores and eateries on the island shuttered during the Ramadan and Eid celebrations, the beach resorts operate as usual even in this season.
Note: Zanzibar Island has malaria, hence even with your beach vacation, you will have to arrange a proper mix of malaria prevention. For the period you intend to be on a Zanzibar vacation, also ask your doctor or the closest tropical illnesses institution for the advised brands.
Greatest Things To Do in Zanzibar
The House of Enchantment
Situated in Stone Town and previously the ceremonial palace of Sultan Bargash bin, the Omani sultan who governed over Zanzibar between 1870 and 1888, the House of Wonders is among the top attractions in the town.
Everything You Should Know Before Seeing Beautiful Zanzibar
The House of Wonders
House of Wonders combines most of the classic Zanzibar architecture including massive wooden doors – a reminder of boath Arab and Indian Craftsmanship, the tall columns creating shady verandas around the building and rooms located on the outside of the building, so creating an airy and cool courtyard inside.
Now a museum displaying fascinating and exciting combination of objects reflecting different aspects of Zanzibar history, the House of Wonders is
You can also visit the Old Arab Fort, next door to The House of Wonders, which dates back to the 17th century.
The Marketplace
Though Zanzibar Island is speckled with various marketplaces, Darajani Market is the major market where most of the islanders go for their food shopping and in so doing, they swap gossips, hangs around and meet with friends.
The Darajani Market is alive with electrifying and vibrant atmosphere, noise and scent of many cuisines and spices on show. Beside the Old Fort in the market is a little souvenir mart featuring locally made arts and crafts. To experience the mouth-watering foods, one must visit the food market in the Forodhani Gardens, right outside the House of Wonders late at night.
The Jozani Wood
Part of the Jozani Chwaka Bay national park, Jozani Forest is a lovely hinterland of Zanzibar Island where the uncommon red colobus monkeys find habitat. Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Beautiful Zanzibar will be shown to you during your tour to Jozani Forest among chameleons, elephant shrews and bush babies.
The Spice Fields
On a vacation, one should visit various Spice farms on Zanzibar Island. Several spices grown-including cinnamon, ginger, lemongrass, chile, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric, curry leaves, nutmeg, cloves, bay leaves-will wow you on the spice tour.
On the island you will also find growing cocnut, jack fruit, durian, guava, papaya, and ten spices of banana.
Grocery shopping in Stone Town
On Zanzibar Island, Stone Town is a must-see and shopping destination full of marketplaces and street vendors on holidays. The Gizenga stree is full with art galleries selling the typical native Tingatinga paintings, stores selling Africa cravings and colorful kangas with a typical saying engraved on them and Maasai beaded jewelry. The residents show their items by the side of the little roads of the old Town.
Everything You Need To Know Before Traveling to Beautiful Zanzibar Shopping in Stone Town
There are many more up market souvenir stores worth visiting along Shangani Street.
Top Restaurants To Sample In Zanzibar
The top eateries in Zanzibar include
The Emerson On Hurumzi Hotel’s Tea House Forodhani Gardens Mercury’s Top Places To Stay In Zanzibar
There are several lodging choices scattered around Zanzibar; these include
Serena Inn Emerson On Hurumzi Hotel Breezes Beach Club
Top Things to Do in Zanzibar
Zanzibar offers far more than white-sand beaches and turquoise waters – though those alone would be reason enough to visit. The island is a rich tapestry of Swahili culture, colonial history, spice plantations, and extraordinary marine life.
- Explore Stone Town: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town is a labyrinth of narrow streets, carved wooden doors, bustling markets, and centuries-old Arab, Indian, and European architecture. Don’t miss the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, and the Darajani Market.
- Visit a spice farm: Zanzibar earned its name as the “Spice Island” for good reason. A guided spice farm tour introduces you to cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and turmeric growing in their natural environment.
- Snorkel or dive: The waters around Zanzibar are home to colourful coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, and over 500 fish species. Mnemba Atoll is one of East Africa’s premier dive sites.
- Watch dolphins in Kizimkazi: The shallow, sheltered waters of Kizimkazi on the south coast are home to pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Early morning boat trips offer a good chance of seeing them.
- Relax on Nungwi or Kendwa Beach: The north coast beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa have calm, clear water (unaffected by tides) and a lively beach bar atmosphere. Perfect for swimming, sunset drinks, and beach volleyball.
- Visit Prison Island: A short boat ride from Stone Town, Prison Island (Changuu Island) was once used to quarantine yellow fever patients. Today it is home to a colony of giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old.
Recommended Tours: 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari | 5 Days Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
