Zanzibar Travel Guide - Best Things To See And Do
Zanzibar has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, so it was finally time to visit the magical island of Zanzibar, Tanzania, this past Christmas! I'm a sucker for a summer vacation in the middle of winter, as well as anything tropical and remote. Add to that the fact that Africa holds a special place in my heart, and you can understand my enthusiasm for this trip.
Zanzibar is not just a beautiful and authentic tropical island. The thing that I believe you will take with you back home more than the spectacular views is the incredible people of Zanzibar! The locals are so strong mentally, hard-working, warm and hospitable, and most of all real. There's no fakeness here, in spite of the hardships and poverty they face daily.
Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. Zanzibar is absolutely spectacular with its white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, palm trees, and wonderful sunshine! The one thing, though, that we have taken home with us and that we will never forget is the people of Zanzibar.
Funny enough, the island we call Zanzibar is actually called Unguja, with Stone Town being the capital. 95% of the population here is Muslim, and the language spoken here is Swahili. Two words you will hear constantly all day long while chatting to locals will be…can you guess? Hakuna Matata!
The island of Zanzibar is a tropical paradise! It is so colorful and green. It is home to traditional coastal villages and ways of life, stunning beaches, and some of the best dive sites in East Africa. When coming to the island, you can enjoy a combination of things: chilling on the beach, working on your tan, going on fishing trips, and enjoying watersports as well as snorkeling and diving. You can visit fishermen's villages and tour a spice farm to taste the amazing selection of fruit and spice that grows here. This archipelago is often referred to as the Spice Islands.
There is plenty of history and architecture to see in the capital of Stone Town, as well as museums to visit. Slavery was a dark time in the history of the island, you will see monuments and be able to visit a slave prison and the market where they were auctioned off.
Practical information for Zanzibar
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar? The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season, from June to October. Having said that, it is good to visit Zanzibar most of the year. We traveled during the Christmas break; on most days we had no rain, and when we did have a shower, it was very short, and then the sunshine and blue skies returned. The rainy season in Zanzibar is from March to May. Short rains can fall during the months of November and December.
Visa Requirements for Zanzibar: You do need a visa to enter Tanzania or Zanzibar. This can be done either online beforehand or upon entry. It will cost you $50 per person. Doing it online should spare you the valuable time of queuing up to do it at the airport.
Vaccinations in Zanzibar: I advise you to consult your local health center. We came from the Netherlands, and while no vaccinations were required, they did advise us to look into hepatitis A/B and malaria tablets.
You will need to show a corona vaccination or a negative PCR test.
Money exchange: You can use US dollars in Zanzibar; however, I would recommend you change your dollars into the local currency, which is shillings. This way, you can be certain of the exchange rate you are receiving and avoid being taken advantage of. It will also be cheaper in the grand scheme of things.
Do not drink the water! Make sure you take your drinks without ice! We learned the hard way about having ice cubes in our drinks...we didn’t think about it and had drinks with ice, and some of us did get very ill. Ice cream that isn't packaged, might contain water too. If you eat fruit, nothing with a peel. Salads with vegetables are a risk too as they are washed with tap water.
Plastic bags are forbidden to enter Tanzania.
95% of the people are Muslim. Please take that into consideration when dressing. Show respect for the culture here.
Where should you stay in Zanzibar?
The Sea Cliff Resort
On the northern-west coast of Zanzibar, just twenty-five minutes from the historical capital city of Stone Town, you'll find the amazing 5-star all-inclusive resort, the Sea Cliff. Here you can enjoy stunning views, fun activities like golfing and horseback riding, and amenities in pure luxury.
We stayed at the Sea Cliff for two weeks and had absolutely the time of our lives! Exploring the island was also relatively easy with private taxis and organized tours which is the best way to go here. I don’t recommend driving yourself! Only locals can get away with it here…
IMPORTANT ~ It is important to know, especially if you are visiting the island for the first time, that the tide in Zanzibar is like nothing you've seen before. Within 24 hours, the phenomenon continuously changes. High and low tide alternate every 6 hours. Swimming, for example, during the day will be mostly impossible.
You would have to be rather early or wait for the afternoon. Having said that, the northern part of the island is the only one unaffected by the tide phenomenon. Take the breathtaking Kendwa Beach, for example, it is for good reason one of the most popular beaches in Zanzibar. It is the ideal place if you are looking to swim all day without waiting or going elsewhere.
The Best Things To See And Do In Zanzibar
When deciding where you want to go on the island, book a private tour of the island easily done through the hotels. They can always recommend someone reliable. To help out the locals, the tours are all private so more drivers and guides can work.
Avoid international tour operators such as TUI! They are also 30% more expensive.
Visit Stone Town ~ Stone Town is colorful and vibrant and bursting with history. There are walking tours available from the town center.
Some landmarks not to be missed are:
Visit the oldest Sultan Palace.
Wander the streets, engage with locals, and take in the local culture.
Go to the old slave market and museum. It will be difficult to see, but it is a must-see; it was gutwrenching seeing it and hearing about the slave history of the island.
Go into the Mkunazini Church nearby.
Visit the spice market.
Walk the famous alleys, including the one where the legendary Freddy Mercury grew up.
Have lunch on the water at a Cape Town Fish Market Restaurant offering gorgeous open views of the water, boats, and of course a wonderful tasty menu.
Have drinks while watching the sunset on the rooftop of the Africa House Hotel.
From Stone Island, you can take a traditional dhow boat across the water to Prison Island. It is not only breathtaking beyond belief; you can also see the tortoises that live on it and feed them, see the old slave prison, and have a swim in the clear turquoise waters before heading back. These amazing creatures were a gift to Zanzibar from the Seychelles.
TIP! While on Prison Island, you will be approached by locals who pretend to be working for a charity that cares for the turtles. They will ask you to pay a fee or donate for the well-being of the turtles. DON'T DO THAT! This island and its ancient creatures are protected and cared for by the government, so don't donate or fall for these tourist traps.
Visit a local spice farm! It is an amazing way to see how people and communities operate and come together for the well-being of everyone. It is also an opportunity for you to help them. On the farm, you can see and taste for free various spices and fruits that grow in Zanzibar.
There are 1.6M people living on this small island. Only 8% have regular jobs! Corruption here is, unfortunately, systematic. The locals survive through the power of communities coming together, creativity, and hard work every day. There is no luxury here of receiving benefits from the government for example.
Most people are left to survive on their own, together with the community around them. If you don't know the right people or have family money to secure a job for yourself, you are truly on your own. Everyone here is an entrepreneur. It is a way to survive.
The spice farms are a way for a local community to come together. They teach visitors about the fruits, spices, and flowers that grow on the island and make a living in the process.
The guide takes you around for free. People from the local village will accompany him or her and do different things for a tip, such as singing, climbing high trees for the show, and making items from palm leaves. I got a crown and a bag! The women of the village make soap bars and perfumes to sell; that way, they too contribute to the effort of having enough money to go around.
Visit the Jozani Forest: During this trip, you will explore the southern region of the island. See traditional villages, mangroves, the medicine forest, and see the Red Culumbs monkeys.
Do a good deed ~ Visit a local school. If you can, bring some pens and notebooks with you for them. You will find a school every three km, the level of education however and supplies are very low.
Water Fun To Have In Zanzibar
Take a boat tour to see dolphins.
Go on a fishing trip.
Go on a Blue Safari ~ These boats leave daily from Fumba Town. The first stop will be the white sand banks of Kwale fishing Island. During the day you can swim here, snorkel, and enjoy the spectacular water. Another option is Mnemba Island, which is the smallest island surrounded by coral reefs and white sand banks, perfect for snorkeling.
Spend a day on the iconic Kendwa Beach where Masai walk around in traditional wear and sell their art. Water sport is available here such as jet skis and surfing. You have beach bars along the beach where you can eat, drink and hang out.
While you’re in the area stop by Nungwi fishing village, the views will blow your mind! You can also see how traditional dhow boats are made.
Go on a sunset dhow cruise: Depending on your mood, you can choose a romantic cruise or a party cruise. Most include drinks, and some also include bites, but they always include live music on the boat by the crew.
Bonus tip: If you have time, head to the southeast of the island to see the island’s famous rock formation and have lunch at Roch restaurant which is literally built on the rock, in the Indian Ocean! Be advised, it's all about the unique location and the views and a lot less about the food.
Thinking about visiting other countries and islands around the African continent?
Read my travel guides and implement my recommendations for an amazing stay!
Gambia
Cape Town ~ South Africa Part 2
Cape Town ~ South Africa Part 1
Cabo Verde ~ Sal
Marocco
Mauritius
Have a wonderful trip! Ta ta for now…
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Yours,
Diti