Situated off the coast of Tanzania, the exotic island of Zanzibar boasts a rich Swahili culture combined with influences brought by Omani Sultans and Portuguese colonisers. It’s home to the captivating trade centre of Stone Town and blanketed with spice plantations, beautiful beaches and colourful coral reefs.
Things to do in Zanzibar
Wander through the atmospheric streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stone Town, which boasts architecture from Asia, Africa and Arabia. Explore the lavish Sultan’s Palace Museum and delve into Swahili and Zanzibari culture at the House of Wonders, then feast on freshly-caught seafood in the lively night market at Forodhani.
Discover Zanzibar’s exotic spice trade legacy on a guided tour of a spice plantation. See how all your favourite spices are cultivated and learn about their economic significance throughout Zanzibar’s history, then purchase freshly-ground spices to take home.
Relax on one of the idyllic beaches that ring Zanzibar, with blindingly white sands nestled against the surreal blue of the Indian Ocean. Soak up the Zanzibari village atmosphere on the shores of beautiful Matemwe or test your skills with a day of kitesurfing in the waters off Paje Beach.
Teeming with marine life, the coral reefs that surround Zanzibar are among Africa’s most impressive, particularly within the marine conservation area of Mnemba Atoll. Go scuba diving with whale sharks, green turtles and large pelagic species or enjoy a traditional dhow cruise to the Pange Sandbank to snorkel with tropical fish.
Getting around Zanzibar
Kisauni International Airport is around 15 minutes’ drive from Stone Town, one hour from Paje and 1.5 hour’s from Nungwi. Dala dala mini buses are the main means of getting around the island or you can hire a private taxi or rental car.