Renowned for its white sand beaches, friendly locals, and turquoise water, Zanzibar is great for anyone seeking solitude or a party, or pounding surf, as well as shallow waters.
It is not a country, but rather a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. As such, it is politically part of Tanzania although it has its president.
Zanzibar is part of an Archipelago known as Unguja which is comprised of other tiny islands of which the only ones inhabited by people are Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island. However, when most people think of Zanzibar, their thoughts are limited to the biggest of the archipelago after which the destination is named.
There is no shortage of heavenly beaches here. For most outgoing clients we have brought here, the most beautiful beaches here are Pongwe and Nungwi, especially taking into account how spectacular their off-shore corals are. Here, you can go snorkeling or scuba diving, once done, you can unwind at open-air restaurants or a smattering of bars.
For those in need of a perfect sport for seclusion, Paje and Kizimkaze are endearing. They have clear water, icing sugar sand, and dramatic cliffs. While the former faces east, so is the ideal spot for beholding beautiful sunrise over the horizon, the latter faces west and is great for sundowners. Kite surfing is epic here.
No matter which of the beaches you settle for, you shouldn’t miss visiting Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar. This UNESCO world heritage site is a great historical destination with touches of Arabic, European, Indian, and Persian cultures. This influence cuts across the architectural design as well.
There is a good reason why Zanzibar is referred to as “The Spice Island”. It was used as a spice plantation in the 18th century, and yes, those roots still live. You can best experience this by visiting local spice farms to experience different flavors of the island, the most common of which are cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg. At the end of the day, you can treat your taste buds to their delightful flavors at the Tea House in Stone Town.
Accessibility
If you are traveling from the US or Europe, you won’t find any carriers that fly directly to Zanzibar. But there are lots of airlines that fly to Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salam, from where you can connect to the island by ferry or domestic flights that land at Zanzibar International Airport. The other easier alternative is to fly to the major hubs in the Middle East such as Qatar, Muscat, Dubai, and Doha. From here, you can catch a connecting flight to the island. Alternatively, you can get a connecting flight from Amsterdam, London, or Johannesburg.