Overview
** ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA TOURS **
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I love my journey !
Zanzibar was fun and affordable outside of the excursions. Those can be pricey. I stayed at the Rui, which was nice. I’ll definitely return.
Went to Zanzibar did some snorkeling at Safari Blue. Amazing is an understatement, absolutely loved seeing the different wild life, the guides were fantastic and so friendly. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who goes to Zanzibar. BETA TEST
Zanzibar is a beautiful place. Stonetown is a great place to start. If you like nice restaurants with a good view and great food, I would suggest you go to ‘The Rock Restaurant’ which is a restaurant surrounded by water. The restaurant has great food and it’s so cool that you can walk on sand bags on the water to enter the restaurant and if the tides are too big you take a small boat back to the shore. I visited Kendwa Rocks, was suppose to go for their full moon party but that day was not a full moon so I went to Kendwa Rocks but didn’t attend their famous full moon party, instead we went somewhere else. Zanzibar has some nice restaurants and the hotels can be aesthetically pleasing. If you are in Zanzibar and enjoyed your stay there, try to then squeeze some time in for Dar es Salaam because it’s the more city part of Tanzania.
If you’re interested watch the Tanzania vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpS4To7jMw4
My husband and I went to Zanzibar in early October 2020. Our June honeymoon in Bali was cancelled due to Covid so this trip became our honeymoon. It’s a beautiful island that really has a bit of everything–history, adventure, food, etc. The turquoise water, scenic beaches, and relaxing vibes make it an ideal baecation destination! We witnessed some truly breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and often just sat, listening to the sounds of the ocean and birds. We stayed in Clove Island Villas, in the Makunduchi section of the island. Since we visited during the pandemic, we were the only guests there and were upgraded to a larger, 2-bedroom villa. The staff was very attentive and catered to our needs with specialized service. I would highly recommend these luxurious, eco-friendly villas for a honeymoon or romantic stay!
The food in Zanzibar is AMAZING. I promise you I did not eat a single thing my entire trip that wasn’t exceptional. We had booked a reservation at The Rock during sunset time and enjoyed beautiful views of the Indian Ocean while dining on fresh seafood. My favorite meals, however, were those prepared by the locals right on the beach–I will be dreaming about that lobster and shrimp until I return for more!
Of course, we needed our share of adventure, so we snorkeled off of Mnemba Island and Nakupenda sandbank, explored Prison Island, and swam with sea turtles at Baraka Aquarium. We also learned a lot about Zanzibar’s history during a Stone Town tour that included the Slave Market and adjacent church, and immersed ourselves more in the culture at the Fish Market. There are many local shops where you can purchase some great souvenirs. I came home with some beautiful, colorful clothing, unique artwork, and handmade musical instruments for the children.
Zanzibar is 90% Muslim so we felt right at home, but non-Muslims will feel more than welcomed, as well. I love that there is such harmony and mutual respect between the Muslims and Christians there. I loved being able to hear the adhan and was able to find a sister to do some beautiful henna for me. We typically do not indulge in nightlife, so we did not experience what the island has to offer in that respect, but I hear Zanzibar has a fun and vibrant nightlife scene. My husband and I truly had an amazing time in Zanzibar and can’t wait to go back!
I just came back from a trip to Zanzibar . I spent 10 days in Feb . I stayed a Amaan Bungalow is Nungwi for 3 nights , Ten to ten Hostel in Stone Town for 3 nights and 2 Nights at Lost and Found Hostel as well as a 4* hotel Spice palace Hotel . All this were good with different comforts for different needs . It is a MUST to stay a couple of nights in Nungwi because the beach in the North is just stunning . Nungwi is 2 hours from Stone Town, local bus callled Dala Dala takes 2/30 min at a cheapest cost of $1 and a private taxi will cost $45 at a ride of 40 min . Alternatively you can team up with other travellers and share cost to get to Nungwi from the city .
Same goest with leaving the airport . It cost $15 to Stone Town , Dala Dala cost $1 .
What to do in Zanzibar:
Stay in Nungwi – Visit Mnemba Island -$15
Swim with turtles $5
Book a Dhow sunset cruise with traditional music – $100
Combine spice farm tour with stone Town Tour and Prison Island = $55
Safari blue and swim with Dolphins $40
Jozani Forest and Paje and eat lunch at The Rock $50
I spent most of my nights in Stone town for the party nights , easy access to most tours and the vibe is just in another level . Paje and Nungwi are nice areas too if you just want to relax and unwind away from the busy stone town. Hostel ranges from $18 per night and hotels are $50 and above depending on the grades .
Food : ask your guide to take you to local restaurant , same fish and rice will cost $5 and tourist restaurant charges $10 . You should try Mama Mia and Baraka Restuarent in Nungwi . Kuushman and Taperia in Stone Town
. Thee most delicious food I had was at the tour in Spice farm and Safari Blue as the tours included lunch .
I have used the services of Mr Ali +255 777 656 928 who organize every adventure for me . He was good .
I just came back from a trip to Zanzibar . I spent 10 days in Feb . I stayed a Amaan Bungalow is Nungwi for 3 nights , Ten to ten Hostel in Stone Town for 3 nights and 2 Nights at Lost and Found Hostel as well as a 4* hotel Spice palace Hotel . All this were good with different comforts for different needs . It is a MUST to stay a couple of nights in Nungwi because the beach in the North is just stunning . Nungwi is 2 hours from Stone Town, local bus callled Dala Dala takes 2/30 min at a cheapest cost of $1 and a private taxi will cost $45 at a ride of 40 min . Alternatively you can team up with other travellers and share cost to get to Nungwi from the city .
Same goest with leaving the airport . It cost $15 to Stone Town , Dala Dala cost $1 .
What to do in Zanzibar:
Stay in Nungwi – Visit Mnemba Island -$15
Swim with turtles $5
Book a Dhow sunset cruise with traditional music – $100
Combine spice farm tour with stone Town Tour and Prison Island = $55
Safari blue and swim with Dolphins $40
Jozani Forest and Paje and eat lunch at The Rock $50
I spent most of my nights in Stone town for the party nights , easy access to most tours and the vibe is just in another level . Paje and Nungwi are nice areas too if you just want to relax and unwind away from the busy stone town. Hostel ranges from $18 per night and hotels are $50 and above depending on the grades .
Food : ask your guide to take you to local restaurant , same fish and rice will cost $5 and tourist restaurant charges $10 . You should try Mama Mia and Baraka Restuarent in Nungwi . Kushan and Taperia in Stone Town
. Thee most delicious food I had was at the tour in Spice farm and Safari Blue as the tours included lunch .
I have used the services of Mr Ali +255 777 656 928 who organize every adventure for me . He was good .
Zanzibar seriously has one of the best food scenes of any place I’ve been! Not only will you find some of the freshest sea food on the planet, but the diverse ethnic cultures on the island means that most Zanzibari restaurants offer an eclectic array of cuisines to suit just about anyone. On top of that, almost every meal I had was so well seasoned… even the fish and chips are amazing (unlike the bland fish and chips I had throughout the UK)!
visiting Zanzibar was really an amazing time. I spent 3 days on the small island and it was absolutely the best. It was the backend of an overland tour from Kenya to Tanzania and it was perfect. I stayed at this place called Sunset Bungalows and it was perfect because it was right by the beach. We had a bar and restaurant with great food. The first night we were treated to a booze cruise in which we sailed by the shore listening to traditional African drummers play music while sitting on the very top of a boat drinking and dancing. We were also treated to a a large traditional African bbq where food was plentiful, the bar was flowing, music was great and everyone was having a great time. There were Masai people there that danced and local women that danced as well. My last few days were just spent sitting on the beach catching some sun, taking pictures and drinking wine. I definitely recommend Zanzibar. An awesome awesome place
Literally just got off the plane from this trip. Zanzibar was EVERYTHING! This is definitely a place that I would visit again. I was here for 5days and was pretty much able to a lot of things but would’ve loved to do more. We landed in DAR (it’s cheaper) took a ferry from there to Stonetown in Zanzibar for $35 USD. The $35 ferry ticket is the cheapest one, it’s summer time there and you’ll be sitting outside of the boat with no air. Just pay for economy premium of business for $40+ and you’ll get air, champagne, charging ports etc. We walked around stone town, ate at the food markets outside, stopped by some shops and went to the Slave market. When we left stone town, we did the spice tour, went to mnemba island, the aquarium where we had a chance to swim with the turtles, went to prison island and we also went to a club and had lots of fun. In Tanzania hookah (shisha) is banned but not in Zanzibar. Zanzibar houses all of the islands and has different laws so hookah is allowed on the island and lots of hotels have it. Everyone was so nice! One of the guys at the aquarium took me to a lady inside the village and she made me a suit for $10 USD in 3hrs. All of the natives were extremely nice and their hospitality is through the roof. This place holds a special place in my heart and I will never forget my visit!
A tropical paradise in Africa! I recently travelled solo to Tanzania and had the best experience! I loved everything about Zanzibar the people are by far the friendliest! Not once did i feel unsafe there I would go back there every year if I could! The place is truly breath taking.
The best places to stay with the best ocean views Kendwa , In the north probably has the best and biggest beach in Zanzibar, the water is sooo blue and crystal clear there are hotels and resorts set on the beach, a more touristy location to stay.
Nungwi, also in the north of Zanzibar is where most people stay as well beautiful beach and the location is great there are great excursions to take from this area.
Paje which was my personal favorite is where I found most younger travelers , a lot of kite surfers on the beach , locals swimming in the waters at sunset, a few parties. I just loved the beauty of the ocean from there and how easy it was to find a place to eat the vibe was much more for me as well.
Jambiani is just 10 minutes from Paje is more towards the South of Zanzibar from there it will take roughly two hours to drive to the north which is towards the airport.
I found that its best to first experience stone town, so stay in stone town for a few days, do all excursions from there and then travel to areas like Paje and Jambiani which are best for relaxing and interacting with locals. Beautiful place, Zanzibar should be high on your list of travel destinations to experience in africa!!!
My best trip ever, paradise on earth!! I guess being in Africa was also a great feeling. The kind of tourism back home that makes it special too. Did a girls trip in Tanzania in 2015.
We arrived in Dar es Salam for two days and then went to a safari.
Selou is a great natural reserve. We have seen almost all the big five in the park (we saw the Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, leopard, and missed the Rhino) The guide said “they are welcoming you home, because usually it’s impossible to see all of them the same day” how incredible is that?
The guides of this lodge are very knowledgeable with the nature. Prosper was our contact, I really recommend him.
The safari is an experience to live once in a life time, animals in their natural habitat are even more majestic. we stayed 4 nights at the lodge, after that we went to Zanzibar.
I might write a book about Zanzibar, i neven seen that kind of blue water it was so beautiful. At the same time the story of Zanzibar ( meaning: island of black people) is very Sad.
Must see / do
– visit the Slave market (The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral)
– visit the old town market and waterfront
– visit the Spice market
-visit Prison island (where rebel slaves were imprisoned) it is also the turtle island
– the famous Rock restaurant ( in the world top 10 restaurants)
Travel while black was just great with the sense of proud to see Africa offering some quality tourism.
Very welcoming people in sunny and beautiful landscape is just what we need.
Selou lodge : https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Hotel_Review-g488127-d7178083-Reviews-Africa_Safari_Selous-Selous_Game_Reserve_Lindi_Region.html .
Hotel in Zanzibar : https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g8055401-d7734812-Reviews-The_Island_Beach_Getaway-Zanzibar_City_Zanzibar_Island_Zanzibar_Archipelago.html
Absolutely loved Zanzibar !! It was my very first time on the continent of Africa and didn’t really know what to expect. The airport is definitely dated, but the people are super friendly.
Definitely do the Stone Town tour ! Learned a couple of interesting facts like Stone Town was one of the first cities to have electricity before London and thrift shops are really popular there.
The food is absolutely delicious and super fresh ! Did a spice tour where I learned the powers of turmeric. Let’s just say I added it to my facial routine.
Went on an island escape tour where we spent the day at sea, snorkeling and diving. The beaches in Zanzibar are breath-taking ! Relaxing under a palm umbrella while watching the waves crash along the shore was part of my morning ritual. Overall, Zanzibar left me with overflowing sense of gratitude.
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Full day Stone town tour and Spice tour
http://www.bookingscentral.net/spice-stone-town
$75 per person.
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Full-day island escape tour to Mnemba Island.
https://www.adrenaline-hunter.com/en-GB/activity/tanzania/zanzibar/snorkeling/island-escape-snorkelling-trip-from-matemwe-zanzibar/4761
$75 per person.
Tanzania has the most beautiful beaches you can wake up and experience paradise and also watch the star glow I’ve ether water like it a movie.. I had an amazing time swimming with the turtles in the turtle habitat it was a amazing experience I didn’t want to leave. It only cost like $10 or $15 to get in there and you can stay as long as you like to feed and swim with the turtles. Here is a link to the place https://mnaraniaquarium.org/
Growing up as a African American they always tried to tell us that Africa was one of the worst continents on earth and that Africans don’t like us. Well needless to say they were WRONG! My experience in Zanzibar was nothing short of amazing. From the good to the history to the beaches everything was jus simply stunning. However, what made my trip the most unforgettable experience was the actual people of Zanzibar. I spent the first part up north in Nungwi beach where everyone we met was so drawn to us because they rarely see African Americans visit they part of the world. We was greeted like long lost relatives that they always heard about but never met. Everyone kept telling us “welcome home” . They literally took us under their wings an took time to tell us stories an show us places the foreigners will never see an they spent hours with us jus asking questions and gifting us with hospitality and food an anything they had to offer. The Maasai guys partied with us on the beach and they never asked for anything in return or tried to sell us anything like they were doing the other tourist. We then went to the city part of Zanzibar which was stone town an here u see more of how the locals live they daily life. There is so much history and its very touristy. We had so many locals come up to us an ask if we were from there cuz they don’t see African Americans often. They taught us the language which helped us interact with most of the locals every where we went. The kids we also very happy an lively they swarmed around us every day to hang out with us. They even waited outside our hotel for us at times jus to say hi an show us around. We met one in particular young man who touch our hearts so much by being so nice he took us around to all the historical places where usually the tourists had to pay to get to and he didnt want to take the money (‘tip) we tried to give him for his time everyday. We kept in contact with him a even started a business with him. Don Suad will be up an open for business by winter. Zanzibar is gonna be my second home
I took my first solo trip to the Spice Island last summer and I really enjoyed my stay over there.
In 6 days, I visited Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje and Jambiani. In each town, I’ve stayed in hostels and I recommend the following :
– Stone Town : Ten to Ten Stone Town Zanzibar
– Nungwi : Makofi Guest House
– Paje : New Teddy’s Place
Staff and Travelers met in thoses hostels were so friendly and receptive. I had the opportunity to exchange with people coming from so many countries. I went there by myself but I’ve spent little time alone as it was quite easy to socialize.
My favorite place was definetly Stone Town. It’s Zanzibar’s former capital and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. This city is authentic and full of history. Stone Town is a big maze full of little shops, markets, historical monuments. They also have a great permanent exhibition on East African Slave Trade where you can visit the slave old cells and the old slave market. It was so instructive.
The Food is AMAZING !! They don’t call it the Spice Island for nothing. In Stone Town I would recommend Lukmaan Restaurant and Ma Shaa Allah Cafe (one of the best Indian food that I’ve had in my life). At night in Forodhani Gardens you have a wonderful food market which is a heaven for seafood lovers. It is definetly a must-GO.
You can also do multiple excursions. In Stone Town I would recommend the Spice Tour and Prison Island. Zanzibar is also a nice place to do snorkelling and scuba diving.
Transportation on the island can be very expensive if you use the taxis (especially if you don’t have anyone to share the fare with) or really cheap (less than 2 dollars) if you take the local bus called « Dahla Dahla ». The lattest is way less confortable and longer but I recommend to try it if you aim to live the full zanzibarian experience.
I’ve had an issue with 1 bus driver who « robbed » me and refused to give me back my change and acted like he did’nt understand english anymore when I asked for it. If you travel alone, I would recommend you to be crystal clear about the amount due before entering the bus and hand out this exact amount due.
Note that it’s a muslim country, it’s okay to wear swimsuits on the beaches but in towns you should try to cover your legs and arms by respect for the locals.
Although Zanzibar is an affordable destination, you should not hesitate to negotiate the price of the taxis, excursions, souvenirs and spices on the markets and little shops. I’m still astonished on how I’ve ben able to halve the price of some items. Those negotiations are nice in a way, as it allows you to discuss and exchange with the locals. Overall I found Zanzibaris very pleasants. They always greet you in the streets, ask questions about where you’re from, offer to help you when they see you lost, and often try to start a conversation (in order to sell you something at the end most of the time).
If someone ever think about romance, relaxation, best street food (best and at affordable price), a city full of history, lots of adventures in a cheaper price with a wild nightlife then Zanzibar is a place to be. Zanzibar is approximately 2hours ferry ride from Dar es salaam Port, you can also fly in domestically from Dar es salaam (Julius Nyerere International Airport)
Zanzibar is located along the coast of Indian Ocean(reason why you’ll have to fly to Dar es salaam), its an island when you think about the white sand beach and light blue turquoise water, then you would just book your next flight.
My visit was topped up by my visit to Baraka Aquarium In Nungwi, this place was magical imagine swimming with turtles for $12? Yes, right that was the best experience i ever had. Visiting Stone town to learn about the history (Zanzibar was a Portuguese colon before), is full of a lot of a lot of eye opening adventure. Evenings in stone town are filled with lots of food vans selling street foods which includes seafoods and mostly people love to hangout for good music along the beach around stone town.
Prices of hotels in Zanzibar depends on taste and location, i would recommend places around Nungwi which is a bit far from the city (stone town) and you can find hotels around stone town too.
Romance lies in Nungwi so as the adventures too. Travelling being black is a smooth ride no problem at all just be aware of pickpockets.
Going to Zanzibar was by far the best trip ever. I stayed in various locations such as Paje, Dar es salaam and Stone Town over the time spand of a month or so. I had a blast in each location. Stone town for me was the best location. I lodged at a hotel call the Abuso Inn for about 2 weeks and that place began to feel like home. It is a small, quaint hotel but the accomodations are great and they have good wifi connection lol (wifi is a struggle in Zanzibar). They have many street food vendors and the food was good. If tou are looking for great food in the city or a nice night on the town go to a restaurant named 6 Degrees. It was the best dining and nightlife experience I had while in Zanzibar! If you are looking for some things to do visit the local shops in town and do some shopping. You can find some ver interesting paintings, sculptures etc for a great price all hand made. I would also recommend visiting prison island. This is one of the most beautiful and secluded locations on the island but is for sure worth the trip via small boat. There are many activities to do at this island and you will learn alot of the history of Zanzibar there.
I think I left my heart in Zanzibar, or at least part of it. The island is soooo breathtaking and filled with so much love. The motto is Hakuna Matata and you really do have no worries when you visit. We stayed at the Bluebay Beach Resort as the final stop of our trip after a week on safari in Kenya. It was the perfect way to wind down and relax. The resort is located on the east side of the island so about an hour drive from the airport and stone town. The grounds were excellent and the views of Kiwengwa beach were amazing!
The food was great, mostly buffet style. It was typical luxury resort buffet food as most of the guest were European. We also enjoyed the different live performances each evening.
We booked an excursion from the tour company at the hotel. It was a half a day historic stone town tour. We also had lunch at The Rock restaurant, which was about an hour taxi ride each way. It’s definitely a must visit restaurant… dining in the middle of the ocean.
The only improvements I would make to the resort are to the rooms. We stayed in a garden room. The view was amazing but the room itself was a bit outdated. Overall, would definitely travel back to Zanzibar. I’d probably stay on the west or north part of the island next time.
Took a ferry from Tanzania (DAR) to the beautiful island of Zanzibar. From there we bargained with taxi drivers to bring us to Jambiani (about an hour away from Stonetown), a remote area along the beach. Zanzibar is absolutely beautiful and perfect for relaxation. I mean waking up to the sounds of waves is perfection for m and just what we needed after our long journey. We stayed at Pili Pili House, which is a small boutique hotel with limited rooms. While we were there they were completing their sister property (right next door) which has a pool and great for a small family. This property was perfect as you could walk right out onto the beach. As much as we didn’t get the chance to lounge out on the beach due to high and low tides it was nice to take in the view and listen to music. I felt like whatever my preference for the day was (sleep in or early mornings), I could stick with it and not miss a beat.
Things to note:
Have your Yellow Fever Shot and Immunization card handy
Seasons of high and low tide. Low tide you can literally walk about a km or more out onto the water. High tide forget swimming as it’s not possible.
Cover-up when roaming around the community.
Zanzibar is something to do once in a time life.
Stone town was nice. The food was very good.
To be honest I’m a street food lover and you can find food everywhere in stone town.
From stone town you can do a day trip visiting Nakupenda and prison island. Nakupenda is just so beautiful. The water is so clear and blue. Wow I wasn’t ready for it.
Nungwi is a city in the north of Zanzibar. Just amazing! The beach is so beautiful. The water is clear, blue, warm. It was perfect. I was just disappointed with the beach boy.
I hope you will enjoy Zanzibar just like I did.
I visited Zanzibar June this year, it was nothing sort of amazing! It is absolutely stunning and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to go
The first accomodation I stayed in was called the Kisiwa House which is in the heart of Stone Town. The Kisiwa house is a small hotel but definitely has cultural and rustic vibes. Hotel staff were friendly and the hotel was within walking distance of shops and restaurants. There’s quite a few activities you can do like walking tours, spice tours, prison island, the safari blue and there is also night markets.
My second accomodation was in Kendwa which was north of the island. It’s very different to Stone Town, it’s more quiet and relaxed. I stayed at Natural Kendwa Villa, the hotel was absolutely beautiful and the hotel staff were amazing! Is was just a short walk away from the beach. They throw parties on the beach and the nightlife there were full of tourists. Staying north of the island allowed me to visit a place in Nungwi where you can swim with turtles! It was 10usd and you can feed the turtles and swim for as long as you like! I don’t know the name but if you ask the locals they will know what you’re talking about.
My Zanzibar experience is very unique and something I will always remember. The only bad thing about it was there were chickens everywhere
My best experience in relaxation and making new friendships. In addition to that it was my first time to be in a budget hostel and i loved it ???
Zanzibar Island
They don’t call it a paradise for nothing. Boasting a wide arrange of tropical fruit (as most islands do), Zanzibar is home to some of the most stunning beaches and an even more stunning array of marine life.
The first thing to take note of once you touch down in ‘paradise’ is the humidity. It’s literally a wave of absolute heat that hits you as you disembark the plane. However, I suppose the excitement of being in paradise over shadows the slight discomfort and this is all soon forgotten. Being a relatively small island off mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is populated by the native “Zanzibari” people, tourists as well as the Masai, who come to Zanzibar to push their budding business ventures and give you a taste of Swahili/Tanzanian culture.
*Accommodation*
Neptune Piwani Resort is located on the west coast of Zanzibar and as with most coastal resorts , has the most spectacular ocean views from the rooms and is located right on the waters’ edge. I would greatly suggest taking the all-inclusive package when planning a trip as the spread is just far too overwhelming for you to be counting your pennies whilst there. Given the high humidity levels you are likely to buy lots of water, which ultimately amounts to a small fortune over time. The all-inclusive package at our resort, Neptune, covered all 3 meals as well as daily cocktails and soft drinks. Hard liquor was available, however, at a cost. Trading on the island is done mostly in U.S. dollars and you can expect to pay about $3 dollars for certain alcoholic drinks. Which isn’t too bad, but isn’t all that cheap either.
*Beach Activities*
For me, the most spectacular thing about Zanzibar was the receding water levels. I have never seen anything that unique. The tide retracts about a kilometre out at midnight and remains out until about 9/10am. Thanks to the sand bars that exist in abundance one is able to walk far out to sea and encounter the wide array of marine life. The crystal clear waters create a perfect setting for snorkeling or scuba diving. There is even the opportunity for one to swim with giant turtles. One such place to do this activity is at Nungwi Natural Aquarium. Although I personally didn’t do any of these activities, family friends have done so and they were quite thrilled with the experience, so it is worth the money.
*Other Activites*
Stone town which is the old part of Zanzibar city is the largest city in Zanzibar and the city can be toured in about 4 hours. Some of the main attractions in Stone Town include the old Slave Memorial, the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph. Having (Zanzibar) been part of the former spice route, spice farms are popular attractions in Zanzibar. At present, Zanzibar is still known for its production and exportation of cloves, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg.
If you are one who is intrigued by history and artifacts then I would suggest visiting the Slave Memorial and the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Visiting the slave memorial may be quite an emotional experience, but it is fairly educational.
Stone Town does have a fair amount of markets where you are able to buy lots of crafts and souvenirs. The prices are affordable, however, in some cases, a bit of bargaining may be necessary. For example, one could get a set of 3 magnets for $2 dollars – they make great little gifts.
*Night life*
As I went to Zanzibar on a family holiday I did’t quite explore much of the night life. However, there are beach parties which are frequently hosted on all ends of the island, you just need to look out for fliers and ask some of the locals. I did actually attend one of the beach parties which was an amazing experience. Nothing quite like the feel of sand between your toes as you dance to your favorite music. However, we found that the real party (with all the locals) was just around the corner. The “club” is basically a concrete dance floor with all the sides open to allow for that great sea breeze. Definitely something worth experiencing.
*Travel*
We traveled from South Africa to Zanzibar. The only direct flights offered are using Mango airlines which is a fairly good airline. There is the option of flying to main land Tanzania and then taking the ferry. I would suggest this option only if you are interested in actually seeing the mainland, otherwise, it’s a bit of a waste of your travel time.
As I mentioned in one of my Instagram posts … “I’m not sure if it was all the tropical fruit, the friendly people for the stellar ocean views but I’m pretty sure the island has stolen my heart!”
Asante Sana Zanzibar, you truly are a paradise!
Spend the day in Stone Town- We stayed in Stone Town and it is the heart and soul of the island. An incredible mash-up of winding alleys and old Arabic-style buildings, you can temporarily lose yourself (both physically and mentally) in the town’s magic. It was amazing and it felt safe. We were two women and Soak up the local culture by sipping a cup of coffee from a local vendor or just keep on wandering through the streets, discovering unique little spots at every turn. Everything was close enough to walk.
Visit Prison Island
This is was a whole day trip because you can visit multiple islands. Generally speaking it is a half-hour boat trip from Zanzibar, Prison Island provides a fascinating glimpse into the island’s slightly dark past – this land was once used as a place where slaves were detained and, when slavery was abolished, it functioned as a camp where people with deadly diseases were sent. Today the island is a nature reserve for giant tortoises and a place to see the ruins that once functioned as the prison. It was amazing place with heartbreaking history.
Eat at Forodhani market
A spectacular night-time food market, Forodhani opens in the late afternoon in Stone Town. The buzz and energy of this market are outstanding, and here you can find fresh local produce as well as freshly grilled fish, meat and vegetables. The seafood options are by far the most popular and the fish is served with fried potato balls, naan bread and samosas. You can easily meet people and socialize or sit by beach alone and watch the stars as you enjoy the delicious food.
Palace Museum
Commonly known as the Sultan’s Palace, The Palace Museum is perhaps the most historic building in Stone Town and is a must-see for any tourist. The Palace Museum is located in the waterfront, overlooking the ocean, and was built in the 19th century as a home for the Sultan and his family. After the 1964 revolution the site was used as a Government building and was renamed as The People’s Palace. Today it serves as a museum that showcases relics of the past Sultan family.
The Old Fort
The oldest building in Stone Town, the Old Fort is located on the seafront, right in front of the famous Forodhani Gardens. Originally built in the 17th century with the purpose of defending the island from attacks from the Portuguese, nowadays the Old Fort is one of Stone Town’s main sights. Visitors can admire the remains of the former fort and amble around the courtyard in the center, where sellers have local produce for sale. An old amphitheater still hosts events and functions in the fort.
Slavery in Zanzibar
The Slave Market of Zanzibar is near the center of Stone Town, about a 10-minute walk south of Zanzibar Port. Pay a fee to enter the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral to see the museum displays. Stone Town of Zanzibar has been identified as a UNESCO heritage site.
Zanzibar is a spectacular destination for anyone looking for serious island vibes. You’re only difficulty to be honest, will be transportation. You could take local transportation, which might take a lot of time, or taxi, which may cost a lot (unless you can hustle for a good price). Stonetown is the historic old town of Zanzibar. It’s is primarily Muslim, so dress accordingly. There you will find wonderful little shops, restaurants, and local artists. Be sure to check out Emerson Hurumzi (for a four course meal for $30) and Christ Church (where the old slave market was). Then head east to Paje. A major hotspot with chill vibes. You could check out the beach and then go to any of the little cafes along the beach. My favorite: Mr. Kahawa. On Friday evenings, they throw a huge beach party, called The Jambo Beach Party. Then, head north and check out Nungwi for unreal strips of white sand beaches and those beautiful starfish.
Went to Zanzibar in September of 2017 and had an amazing time! Went with a travel group of about 13 other people and visited Kendwa Village, Mr.Spicys farm and Turtle Farm! The food is amazing and also are the people! Would definitely go again!
I travelled to Zanzibar in 2015 and I loved it.
We stayed at the Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort which is located towards the north of the country. The hotel views were stunning and the staff were very welcoming. Our hotel was all inclusive and the perfect surroundings for relaxing. They had a lot of nearby water sports also but we didn’t take part in those. The only downside to the hotel was that we were quite far away from Stone Town where we spent most of our days. It took us about an hour each way! If you do stay here though I would recommend that you haggle with the hotel regarding the cost of the taxis into Stone town. We learned our lesson after the first trip when we were charged about $40 one way!
I would say Stone town is the cultural hub of Zanzibar. There is so much history there and you can’t miss the Old Slave Market. The experience was truly sobering. There’s also the Forodhani gardens which comes alive at night with a Night Market and so many delicious foods to sample.
If you visit Zanzibar you also have to stop by Prison Island, which isn’t too far from Stone Town, maybe half an hour or so by boat. It’s where you’ll find the tortoise sanctuary. We paid $40 and spent about half a day there.
Zanzibar is great for relaxing and beach views but there’s so much more to the country as well and I’m glad we got the chance to explore.
Zanzibar was on my 2015 bucket list and we finally made it happen in September of 2016! It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth and unlike anywhere else in the world! We stayed in Jambiani which is a bit more secluded than some of the other, more popular areas of the island, but it was well worth it!
If beach time is on your “things to do” list, there’s no limit to the amount of beach and sun you can experience here! From Jambiani, we were able to walk far out into the Indian Ocean during low tide (one of the coolest things EVER) and participate in beach activities all day, visit the local nightlife, and ventured out into the city for shopping, food, and more!
The highlight (if you’re a lover of water), is without a doubt all of the wonderful ocean activities! We went on a day-long snorkeling trip to a secluded island which was remarkable! It included fresh fruit on the boat and a filling (and freshly caught) lunch on a private island. There’s also fishing, surfing, kayaking, and just about anything else that you’d want to do in the water readily available and easy to come by (for a fee, of course).
The locals are extremely polite, and will share tips on things to do and places to visit if you’re willing to ask! And as another reviewer mentioned, this is primarily a Muslim city, so keep that in mind when selecting travel dates or even when asking locals for advice on things to do.
Last thing – there are a lot of Americans and Europeans in Zanzibar. Some who have even moved there to enjoy all the ocean has to offer. Find them!! And ask them where they hang out. It sounds odd to go to a foreign country and find the non-locals, but it was because of this advice that we were able to go to a really cool outdoor nightclub with live music and people from all over the world hanging out together. It was probably our favorite night in the city and we met some great people! (And I think we only paid the price of 2 drinks to get in… which I believe was $6.)
Zanzibar is heaven on earth. Period. The sceneray is truly unreal! Be mindful it is of course a Muslim country and that your experience will therefore vary depending on when they are observing Ramadan. I recommend starting off with a two or three night stay in stone town where you can explore the complex history of the region, enjoy local food (so so so goood!) and some nightlift! Any receptionist at any hotel can help direct you to a taxi service that can take you to any of the many islands! paje, Nungwi, Kizimkaze..so many options! If you are a beach/beach activity lover, Zanzibar is a place to definitely explore. It’s truly breathtakingly beautiful!