Zanzibar has to be one of the most enticing destinations on the East African coast. The name alone is evocative of an era of trade, sailing, spices and epic journeys. As a modern day tourist destination, Zanzibar is steeped in its history and culture, has many authentic Zanzibar hotels, world class diving possibilities and hosts some of the finest beaches in the world.
Zanzibar is the perfect place to unwind after the rigours of a dusty but rewarding safari!
Zanzibar is actually the term given to an archipelago, with two main and a multitude of minor islands. There is a lot to see and do on the two main islands Unguja and Pemba. Unguja, with its historic Stone Town and fantastic beaches, is the most visited of the two. Pemba requires a little more perseverance but also makes for a rewarding destination, especially for its exhilarating diving and the adventure of being "off the beaten track". A great way to visit the less developed regions is on a tour in Zanzibar.
Both Unguja and Pemba feature a good range of budget, mid-range and luxury places to stay. A number of the small hotels in Zanzibar are "Heritage" properties; that is, restored old buildings and traditional décor, such as Zanzibar's famous samadari four poster beds, traditional sufi mattresses, and antique furniture or artefacts. You can also use our Zanzibar map to choose your Zanzibar hotel based on its location.
Prior to heading across to the beaches, it is highly recommended to spend a few days in Stone Town, to soak up the atmosphere of its winding streets and intricate architecture, sample Swahili cuisine and enjoy sundowners looking over minarets.
Zanzibar's beaches are known as some of the best in the world. Depending on which side of the island a visitor is, beach activities vary. The east coast beaches with their coral reefs and sand bars are affected quite a bit by the tides. Low tide reveals little pools of starfish. The north beaches are less affected by tides. This makes them more attractive for swimming. The smoother north beaches with their soft white sands make for dreamy beach holidays.
Taking the roads along the southeast coast will lead you to Jozani Forest. The rare and endangered red Colobus monkey resides in this forest along with other mammals and some small species of antelopes.
Zanzibar is a favoured tourist destination of thousands of visitors and in recent years its popularity as a European charter destination has grown tremendously. As a result of such an explosive growth of tourism, the country has suffered quite a bit. Several all-inclusive resorts have come up in recent times where guests are offered everything - sun, sand and sea - within the boundaries of the resort. Guests in such resorts seldom experience anything in the rest of the island.
In sharp contrast, tourism in Pemba is still in its infancy. As it is more difficult to move around from here, Pemba has very few visitors. Desert islands surround Pemba and the sea is one of the best locations for scuba diving in the Indian Ocean. An extraordinary range of marine life and coral can be seen on the west coast, where the Pemba Channel is steeply inclined.
To guard against getting cheated, it is best to use the services of authorised Zanzibar tour operators or government guides. Avoid services offered by beach boys and other such illegal agents who are usually not very reliable.
Zanzibaris are justifiably proud of their culture and their islands. Musical traditions flourish here and there are a number of cultural festivals that bring a wonderful, mystical atmosphere to the islands: at these times it's almost impossible not to feel intoxicated by the rich music,tasty food and spicy aromas all accompanied by a gentle Indian Ocean breeze. If you can make it, they are fantastic times to visit!
Whilst on your Zanzibar holiday you should visit other great Tanzanian holiday destinations such as Dar Es Salaam and Arusha or neighbouring Kenya.
It is important to remember that Zanzibar is a Muslim nation and as such, it is important to respect the accepted dress and behaviour codes. It is inappropriate to wear skimpy clothing or to drink alcohol. Women are advised to dress carefully, taking care to keep their shoulders covered and wear trousers and skirts that cover their knees. Walking around Stone Town or the villages wearing bikinis is considered an insult to the local culture. Men are advised not to move around shirtless. Provided that you are respectful of local traditions you will have the warmest welcomes from some of the friendliest (and football-mad!) people on earth!
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Meet Maturaf, Sajiddah and the team at Zenith Tours & Travel Ltd., your local connection in Zanzibar. As locals, we are keen to show you the best that Zanzibar has to offer, and we take great pride in the island's culture, history, natural environment and, of course, the famous spices that Zanzibar is renowned for. We've created a number of initiatives to ensure that the local people benefit from tourism, and that the rich tapestry of Zanzibari culture and history is kept alive.
