[vc_row centered=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar is a beautiful island located off the coast of Tanzania. It has long been a popular
tourist destination, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and exotic wildlife.
Beauty of this special place and ensuring it remains an attractive destination for tourists.
There are plenty of activities available to enjoy on vacation – from snorkelling in crystal clear waters to exploring lush forests teeming with life.
And it’s one of Africa’s most desirable holiday destinations!
Zanzibar Island is the semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa. This composes Zanzibar, Unguja, and Pemba. Also, a historic center is Stone Town, which is a World Heritage Site. Zanzibar is also known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast
Unguja, also known as Zanzibar Island, is the main island in the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar. Stone Town, part of Zanzibar City, is an old trade center, with mosques and winding lanes. However, The 1883 House of Wonders is a former sultan’s palace with a clock tower. Moreover, The Old Fort now houses a cultural center and a stone amphitheater. Underground aqueducts fed hot water to the late-19th-century Hamamni Persian Baths.
Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer visitors the chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, cinnamon.
Together this makes Zanzibar Island a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind. Zanzibar Beach island itself is approximately 90km long and 40km wide. The beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low tide.
Zanzibar Beach, The inner city declares a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Blending Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions and architectures. Estimates 85% of the historic building fabric (coral stone) of Stone Town is irredeemably lost. Only very few of the old magnificent buildings shine brightly.
Top Best Things To Do in Zanzibar
Wander the Maze of Stone Town
One of my favourite things to do in Zanzibar is just to wander around Stone Town, which is the old town of Zanzibar City, the capital of the Zanzibar archipelago.
Watch Acrobatics and Capoeira on the Beach
Some evenings, just before sunset some of the local boys perform acrobatics and capoeira on the beach outside the Livingstone Beach Restaurant in Stone Town.
Buy Spices and Fabrics at Darajani Market
For a truly awesome, immersive, and sensorial shopping experience, head down to Darajani Market, the heartbeat of Stone Town. It’s a great, local experience as well as one of the free things to do in Stone Town (well, that is if you don’t buy anything).
Eat at a Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Gardens
Each evening, at Forodhani Gardens on the seafront of Stone Town, street vendors set up their stalls, selling seafood and meat kebabs, samosas, urojo soup (Zanzibar Mix), fruit, grilled maize, Zanzibar pizzas, and sugar cane juice to tourists and locals alike.
Dine at a Rooftop Restaurant
Eating at a rooftop restaurant is one of the most romantic things to do in Stone Town and they are the perfect place to relax for the evening, enjoy the call to prayer and watch the sun as it sets over copper-coloured rooftops.
Learn About the Slave Trade
Zanzibar is described as a melting pot, with a blend of Arabic, African, Indian, European heritages, creating a unique cultural mix on the island, rarely seen elsewhere. One of the reasons for this is Zanzibar’s dark past and I think it’s important that people are aware of the atrocities that happened.
Visit the Maalum Cave
This is a new edition for 2024, but I recently visited the Maalum Cave near Paje and it was SO GOOD!
Take a Village Tour
Whilst it’s fine to visit a lot of villages on the island, going on an organised village tour with a guide is a good way to get an insight into daily life whilst contributing to the local economy. Jambiani on the east coast is a great village to visit and the people very welcoming.
Try the Local Foods
Being an important trading hub on the old spice route between the east and west, the Zanzibari cuisine, is as you’d imagine, pretty amazing. Taking influences from all over the world, I’d go as far as to say, that the food in Zanzibar is my favourite in all of Africa!
Learn to Cook Zanzibari Style
Food plays such a big part in daily life wherever you go in the world, so what better way to get an insight into the local culture? There are a few different classes on the island and some will even take you to the markets to buy the ingredients first.
Go on Safari Blue
Safari Blue is known to be Zanzibar’s best boat trip!
Go on a Sunset Dhow Cruise
What better way to see the sunset from out on the water? There are various different ones, from romantic cruises to crazy party boats most include drinks and some also include food.
Scuba or Snorkel at the Mnemba Atoll
Take a trip out to the Mnemba Atoll and go snorkelling or scuba diving in one of the most beautiful spots around. You’ll find an abundance of marine life and may even see some dolphins![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]