Zanzibar Travel Guide | Top Tips, Things to See and Do
Among all the African places I have been to, this one is the best, declared David Livingstone. Zanzibar is a tropical archipelago off Tanzania’s coast, and the Victorian explorer was referring to it. Numerous five-star and boutique hotels have sprung up to meet the needs of vacationers in the last 150 years, among other developments. Even so, a Zanzibar vacation isn’t complete until you see Arabian dhows floating around the Indian Ocean.
A small number of cruise lines now include visits to the archipelago in their itineraries, thanks to the region’s rising appeal. Zanzibar is a laid-back island with a lot to see and do, with its fragrant spice farms, white coral cottages, and wildlife-filled woods. Our top travel advice and recommendations for must-see attractions are here.
Zanzibar Travel Guide
1. History of Stone Town
The west coast port of Zanzibar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a part of the city of Zanzibar. Its meandering corridors are an integral element of the adventure. But if you’re having trouble finding your way through the bazaars, minarets, and carved doorways adorned with brass, the Emerson Spice Hotel is the place for you.
Enjoy the breathtaking seaside views from the rooftop teahouse while lounging on floor cushions with mosaic prints. Pay attention to the ancient Arab Fort, which dates back to the 17th century. On the other hand, not all of the local history is old: Freddie Mercury was born in Stone Town, so Queen fans can view the boyhood house of their hero—there’s even a restaurant and gift store dedicated to him. In addition to Emerson, Stone Town is home to several of Zanzibar’s finest hotels, such as the Zanzibar Serena Hotel and the Park Hyatt.
2. Spice of Life: Zanzibar Plantations
You must stop by a plantation on your journey to this spice island. On a bike tour of working spice farms (lovezanzibar.com), you’ll pass coconut and palm trees (yet another reason to wear your helmet!) while the scent of cloves, lemongrass, cardamom, and vanilla fills the air.
3. Visiting Pemba Island
Pemba is a patchwork of lagoons and ancient woods, 30 miles north of the main island. Its plantations include coconut, mango, and cloves. As they did hundreds of years ago, dhows continue to travel from this port to Mozambique and Kenya. Visit the Pemba Museum in Chake Chake, the capital, which is located in an Arab fort from the 18th century. Then, stop by the ZSTC Clove Oil Distillery to get some cinnamon and lemongrass essential oils.
The Pemba Channel, which drops to depths of about 2,000 meters, makes Pemba an excellent diving destination. Spot patrolling silvertip sharks (6 to 10 feet long, extremely curious, but not frightened by serious scuba divers), vibrantly coloured wrasse, sea fans, and manta rays in the west coast’s abundant coral gardens.
One of the longest white sand beaches in East Africa is Vumawimbi, which is located north of Pemba’s Ngezi Forest Reserve. And if you’re in need of a beach resort with a popular Underwater Room for sleepovers, go no further than the Manta Resort (themantaresort.com).
4. Best for Wildlife
Fascinated by nature? Discover the wonders of the wildlife kingdom on a trip to Zanzibar. If you’re want to observe bottle-nosed dolphins at Kizimkazi and hawksbill and green turtles at Menai Bay, a protected area, you should head south. Alternately, you can take a half-hour boat journey from Stone Town to Changuu, an island that was formerly a jail but is now home to enormous tortoises.
Return to Zanzibar, the main island, and while you’re there, stop at Jozani Forest Reserve. It’s technically Unguja, but everyone calls it Zanzibar. During the 45-minute walk down a boardwalk bordered by mangroves, keep an eye out for antelopes, bush babies, Fischer’s turaco birds, and, if you’re fortunate, the red colobus monkey, the rarest primate in Africa.
5. Zanzibar Cuisine
Because of Zanzibar’s extensive history as a trade center, the local cuisine is a delicious blend of African, Arab, and Indian flavours. Indulge in some lime-and-ginger samosas or chapati pizza, which is more akin to a quiche but packed with spices, meat, and cheese; typically accompanied by a glass of cool sugar cane juice.
6. Zanzibar Beaches
There is a beach in Zanzibar for everyone who enjoys the sensation of sand between their toes and the refreshing water of a crystal-clear pool. The laid-back east coast communities of Jambiani and Paje are popular destinations for kite surfers. When you arrive, the locals will greet you with a jambo! (Swahili for “hello”).
In Matemwe, ladies continue to wear baskets of seaweed as a headdress, and in Nungwi, expert shipwrights continue to construct dhows as they have for many years. Here you can discover a wide variety of beach hotels, from the most opulent to the most affordable.
7. Mafia Island: White Beaches, Fishing and Whale Shark Diving
The name should not deter you. Your best bet for a castaway experience—with the added benefits of food and shelter—is Mafia Island, located 120 miles south of Unguja. Attracted only by its succession of white beaches, this once bustling trading post today draws a trickle of tourists. Due to the lack of asphalt roads, the only means of transportation are 44 taxis, tuk-tuks or motorcycles with pillion riders.
The 317 square mile underwater sanctuary, home to 400 fish species and 48 coral kinds, is located in Mafia and is the biggest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean. Sea anemones, soft corals, humphead parrotfish, giant batfish, and nurse sharks and rays are also common inhabitants of these waters. October through March is the best time to snorkel with whale sharks just offshore from Kilindoni Harbour, and August is the best time to see humpback whales migrating through the area.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
The Zanzibar Cruise Port is conveniently located just a ten-minute stroll away from Stone Town, making it ideal for those who prefer to explore on foot. Even further away, the most affordable mode of transport to get around Pemba and Zanzibar is the dala dala, an open-air truck. A journey on this vehicle typically costs 1,500 Tanzanian shillings, or about 50p. About £78 will get you a private driver for the entire day. The smaller settlements of Pemba can be easily navigated by renting bicycles.
Safety and Entry Requirements
While visiting Zanzibar won’t put you in danger, you may still take use of the travel advice provided by the Tanzania Travel Office. British citizens planning a trip to Zanzibar should either get a tourist visa upon arrival in Tanzania or apply for an electronic visa in advance.
When to Go
April through May is when you may expect to see rain in Zanzibar. From June through October, you can enjoy the mild dry season (spring), when the weather is mostly bright and sunny. The ideal time for divers is between the middle of February and the middle of May, or from the middle of October to the middle of December. See humpback whales during their migration from July to November.
What to Wear
Be mindful of the local clothing code and carry long sleeves, trousers or skirts and beachwear to the Zanzibar archipelago, where Muslims make up the majority.