Zanzibar
Off the eastern coast of Tanzania’s mainland, in the Indian Ocean, sits the archipelago known as Zanzibar (which is 25-50 km off the coast of Tanzania’s mainland). Zanzibar is made up of many small islands and two major islands Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as Zanzibar) & Pemba.
The stunning island of Zanzibar, often known as the spice island, is located off the east coast of Africa and is teeming with culture and history, which seems at odds with its idyllic landscape of white sand beaches and palm trees swaying gently in the sea air. Beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean and beach hotels of different types can be found on the spice island of Zanzibar, which has a fascinating history influenced by early Arab traders. Pristine beaches, secret forests home to endangered monkeys, dolphin-favorite hideaways, and historic villages with winding stone streets are all features of this fantastical location. Numerous beaches with clear waters and coral reefs line the island’s north and west edges. Continuous waves are seen in the southeast which are popular with surfers and dolphin watchers.
Visitors can go on several activities, including deep-sea fishing, seeing spices plantations, wandering through the Jozani Forest, and meeting the amazing tortoises on Prison Island, some of which are more than 150 years old. Those looking for intense relaxation would enjoy this Breathtaking Island and the cool and calm scenery.
Reasons why you should visit Zanzibar;
- Stunning beaches, white sand, clear waters, and stunning sunset views offer a perfect mix for what you will want on your beach stay
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Unique and great culture, the Swahili culture which is highly influenced by traders from Europe and the Middle East from the 14th century
- Spices & Spice Tours, is famously known as Spice Island from its influence in the spice trade
- Fascinating history, the stone town was the capital of different colonial influencers and traders on the Swahili coast so it is a reach of history, the stone town is a world heritage.
- A great add-on for you to relax after finishing your Tanzanian safari, Mount Kilimanjaro hike, or east African safari
- Budget-friendly, Zanzibar accommodates all travelers from strict budget travelers to high-end travelers
- Great reef sites perfect for snorkeling & scuba diving
- Peaceful &Safe, depending mostly on income derived from tourism Zanzibar is pretty much safe for tourists with some areas like Stone Town equipped with surveillance cameras
- Great weather, Zanzibar has great weather throughout the year except for late March to May which is a rainy season
- A great romantic getaway, if you are looking for romantic getaway one not very crowded and you can have self-time, Zanzibar is a way to go
The best time to visit (high season).
June to October
First of all, the skies are clear and most days are sunny (perfect weather for your stay)
Secondly, you can do a safari, Mount Kilimanjaro hike & other extensions in mainland Tanzania as it is during this time that it is favorable to visit the mainland too
Easy mobility, moving around is easier when it is dry unlike the rainy season
Fewer mosquitoes unlike the rainy season which is a favorable condition for mosquitoes
Easier to meet people, do group tours, group activities, and greater parties
Lastly, there are plenty more options for activities to do in the dry season
Ideal season.
November to March
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It is expected to be dry, sunny so it is a great time for a visit
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Weather will be between sunny and short rain showers (to reduce the dust)
small peak season around festival season
Low season.
April to May
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This is probably the least favorable time to visit Tanzania as it is expected to be rainy season therefore very difficult to move around or enjoy the sun
How to get to Zanzibar.
The best way of getting to Zanzibar is to fly to Zanzibar. If you are coming from a foreign country, you can fly directly into Zanzibar International Airport or you can fly to Zanzibar from Kilimanjaro International Airport, from Arusha Airport (Arusha Airport is more recommended after Northern Circuit Safari), from Dar es Salaam International Airport, from Mwanza airport.
Some of the great Zanzibar beaches include Paje, Kendwa, Nungwi, Kizimkaze, Pongwe, and Stone Town, each is unique and mesmerizing in its way. So before you go looking for the best beach in Zanzibar, remember that there is no bad beach in Zanzibar.
Stone Town Tour
Stone Town has been the capital of this archipelago since the first colonial rulers to an independent Zanzibar, and it is currently the seat of Zanzibar’s semi-autonomous government. It is rich in history and culture. That is one not to miss on your stay in Zanzibar. Your tour guide will take you towards the top sights in Stone Town admiring the fascinating architecture of the old forts and their intricate doors, visiting the palace museum, old slave market/Anglican cathedral, local markets, the house of wonders, the birthplace of Freddie mercury, as well as keeping you informed of stone towns past to its present (this will include some dark time information on slavery) as the stone town was a key trading place for slaves’ centuries ago.
The journey begins with a stop at Stone Town’s central market, a bustling area where locals haggle over the freshest fish, and produce and choose their purchases. A wide array of exotic fruits as well as a wide variety of herbs and spices are available. Next, proceed to the Anglican Church, which was erected there in 1874 on the site of the former slave market. You will have the chance to go inside the church and see the altar that was constructed on the former site of the slave whipping post. Additionally, you will be given a tour of the former slave quarters, the Old Fort, the People’s Palace, and the House of Wonders are the next stops on the journey. The highest floors of the House of Wonders offer breathtaking views of the Forodhani Market and the harbor. You will have time to shop and explore Stone Town’s twisting, confined streets as our guide leads you through them to explore Stone Town on foot walking down centuries of history and immersing yourself in Zanzibar’s history. The Maruhubi Palace Ruins, where we’ll end the day, are well-known for having been constructed to house the third Sultan of Zanzibar, who had 99 wives.
Prison Island Tours.
Stone Town can be reached within 25 minutes by boat from Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. The Island served as a prison at first, then the British Army utilized it as a quarantine facility. Despite the intimidating name, there is a lot to learn about the island’s history, including how it was once used to house disobedient slaves. The island is now a popular tourist spot where visitors can see enormous tortoises, peacocks, sand beaches, and rich flora on the island making it the ideal habitat for seabirds and island birds. It’s a quiet sanctuary for this threatened species such as; giant tortoises which are the most well-known inhabitants of the islands. The tortoises on the island are thought to be more than 150 years old. These threatened species are indigenous to the Seychelles and Galapagos Islands rather than Africa. The Prison Island tortoises were initially sent to Prison Island from Aldabra in Seychelles to aid in conservation efforts by establishing a new breeding population. Since tortoises could go for weeks or months without eating, their populations began to decline many years ago when sailors began to capture them to bring on board as a source of fresh protein. Poaching and habitat damage are currently to blame for the tortoise population reduction. Beautiful coral formations and great snorkeling chances can be found in the nearby waters.
Jozani Forest.
Explore Zanzibar’s only well-known woodland, the Jozan Forest, the last remaining natural mangrove forest in Zanzibar which is found in Chwaka Bay Conservation Area established in the 1960s It is the island’s largest protected forest area covers an area of 50 square kilometers. There are three key sections to the tour. After seeing the tourist center, you’ll go on a guided walk through the coastal forest. A variety of fauna, including Blue Monkeys, Bush Babies, and Elephant Shrews, may be seen in this area, which is home to over 100 different species of trees. Your guide will introduce you to various trees and plant species and explain their characteristics and functions. After exploring the forest you will start your search for the famous and charismatic Red Colobus Monkeys, which are highly endangered and endemic in Zanzibar. Due to population growth, farming, charcoal and firewood collection, and cutting of trees for building materials; the number of these monkeys has been reduced to around 1500 individuals. After spending some time watching and photographing the Red Colobus Monkeys you will take time to explore the beautiful mangrove forests. Walking through the mangroves on the network of boardwalks, keep your eyes open for mangrove crabs, and monitor lizards a huge diversity of bird life. If you would like you can also make a short turn at the nearby butterfly farm set up to breed, reintroduce, and also export rare butterflies from Zanzibar. It is well worth a visit to see the butterfly cocoons and the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of these beautiful insects.
Spice Tour.
This archipelago is well-known for its spices and its influence on the spice trade, with roots in the industry dating back to before the 16th century. Zanzibar has farms producing a wide range of essential spices, including cloves, chilies, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, lemon grass, and vanilla. To this day, there are still many spice plantations, so taking a spice tour where you can visit a spice farm and learn about how they grow and process different spices will be a great thing to do. There is more to learn than only spices, you will be escorted directly into the island’s growing region. Visit one or more spice farms where a range of important spices are grown with the help of a certified spice tour guide. The best part is getting to taste them after learning about the various spices’ functions, histories on the island, and growing processes. You will also be able to purchase them directly from farms if you so choose. You will also come across a variety of tropical fruits along the tour; depending on the season, sample some of these, such as the delicious coconut with its icy milk and sweet meat or the unique rambutan. The spice tour guides will also inform you of the numerous additional applications of spices and herbs found on the farms, including the shampoo plant and iodine, for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. You will then be driven back to the hotel for the evening’s entertainment, dinner, and overnight.
Safari Blue Excursion.
The most popular full-day excursion in Zanzibar is called Safari Blue; it is a sea voyage that begins in the fishing village of Fumba on the island’s southwestern coast. Safari Blue explores the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which is home to two different species of dolphins: the Indo-Pacific humpback and the Bottlenose. There is an 80% chance to see dolphins. Swimming, snorkeling, eating, and sailing in a traditional dhow are the main draws. On board a traditional dhow, guests may take in the allure of the sandbanks and wild island while spending the entire day sailing through mangroves and snorkeling among Zanzibar’s greatest coral reefs. Seafood in the Menai Bay Conservation Area is a must-have along with barbecue on the sand banks.
Nungwi Sunset Dhow Cruise.
A sunset dhow cruise is one of the most beautiful scenes to take in while in Zanzibar. On this enchanted sunset trip from Nungwi Beach, escape the hustle and bustle of the city while sailing on a traditional wooden dhow through the crystal-clear Indian Ocean. Just unwind and take in the pleasant breeze, relax, and enjoy the peace of the ocean as you hear the ripple of water on the sides of the dhow as it glides swiftly through the water. Hold your baby while enjoying a glass of wine and seeing the stunning Zanzibar coastline.
Kizimkazi dolphin tour.
Zanzibar’s southern beachfront waters are home to humpback and bottlenose dolphins, The Dolphins are authoritatively secured by the 420 km2 Menai Cove Protection Region, which was set up in 1997 to stop the fast exhaustion of fish stocks. The tour is conducted in the fishing village of Kizimkazi on the South coast of the island. Kizimkazi is an angling town looking for a dolphin zone, so join this outing to the Indian Ocean & have the experience of a lifetime, an opportunity to swim close to Dolphins and play with them for a while in their natural habitat. We guarantee that this is the best opportunity for everyone who enjoys snorkeling. Please wear swimsuits and be prepared to get wet. Flippers, masks, and swimming goggles will be provided. A few meters from the shore, the community is home to various schools of fish as well as bottle-nosed and humpback dolphins.
Baraka Aquarium (Nungwi Tour).
Use this opportunity to visit the sea tortoise aquarium in Nungwi. Baraka Natural Aquarium is one of Zanzibar’s best turtle aquariums and you can enjoy the chance to see, feed, swim with these beautiful native animals, and learn more about these interesting species. The turtles are brought there after they have been caught in a fisherman’s net and they have usually been injured once they regain their strength, reach a certain size, and can fend for themselves, they are released back into the Ocean to go on with the rest of their lives.
Mnemba Island.
This tour explores the conserved (protected oceanic area) coral reefs around Mnemba island (privately owned), famous for encounters with common dolphins, green turtles, and tropical, reef fish such as Angel Fish, Blue Spotted Rays, Black Snappers, Groupers, Red Tooth Triggers, Flounders, Octopuses, Leaf Fish, Scorpion Fish, Stone Fish, Frog Fish and lots of Trevallies that come to feed on the reef.
Best accessed from Muyuni Beach, which is located to the northeast and makes it simpler to rent a boat to view marine life, sunbathe on gorgeous sandbanks, and swim in the azure blue waters. Snorkeling is the activity of choice as it allows you to discover the marine life that is surrounded by coral reefs and colorful schools of fish and take in the flavors of tropical fruits and liquids.
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IncludedAll transportation (unless labeled as optional)A professional driver/guideAll accommodations as stated in the itineraryAll activities (unless labeled as optional)All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)All Taxes/VATPark fees
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Not IncludedInternational flights (from/to home)Services not mentioned in the programAdditional accommodation before and at the end of the tourAlcoholic drinksItems of a personal naturePersonal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)Rescue Fee.Round trip Airport Transfer.The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park feesTipsTravel insurance and medical repatriation