Once you could get to Zanzibar only by a biplane which took passengers there from the mainland. Now there is a modern airport that serves large aircrafts arriving from all over the world. The airport is called Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, a new well-equipped terminal which serves international flights was opened in September, 2021.
The following passenger airlines make flights to the island: Fly Dubai, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Oman Airways, Ethiopian Airways and KLM, charter flights are available during the tourist season.
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, a state located in the eastern part of the African continent. The official languages of Tanzania are English and Swahili.
Zanzibar enjoys a tropical climate, the weather remains warm almost year round. The high season is from December to March and from June to September. During these months the average temperature is 29°C. The wettest months on the island are April and May, days can also be rainy in October and November but the rainfalls are usually moderate.
In the east and south of the island, the tides are very noticeable. At low tide, the waters move far away from the shore but many tourists consider it as an advantage and like examining corals and ocean inhabitants that remain on the exposed bottom. In Zanzibar, tide times are daily represented at hotels’ receptions. The beaches with the least noticeable low tides are Kendwa and Nungwi.
In Zanzibar, tourists will be fascinated by walking through the mysterious labyrinths of Stone Town narrow streets. Stone Town is the main city of the islanders. According to the official sources, Stone Town was built in the XIX century, but mentions of settlements in this part of the island date back to much earlier times. It’s a gem of Zanzibar with a specific atmosphere, numerous historical buildings, crowded markets and other places for shopping.
Travelers will definitely be interested in visiting Freddie Mercury’s Birth House as the legendary vocalist of the world-famous rock band Queen was born in Zanzibar. This attraction is located in the heart of Stone Town, there is a museum and a mini-hotel there now. A former Sultan’s Palace or the House of Wonders is not less fascinating as it was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and a water supply system. Also it was the first building in East Africa to have an elevator. Because of all these modern things the house got its pretentious name.
In addition to historical sites, Zanzibar has many natural wonders. For example, Nakupenda island, which is an amazing sandbank, disappears in the ocean during a high tide. While taking a trip there, you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water and eating fresh grilled seafood. Another wonderful place is Prison Island where you will meet the first inhabitants of the archipelago, Aldabra giant tortoises. The tortoises are allowed to be fed and petted like cats as they don’t mind having so much tourists’ attention. By the way, to visit Prison Island will also be interesting for history lovers, since there is a prison for rebellious slaves there, which is now a museum.
Of course, it’s not a full list of the most beautiful places of Zanzibar. Take into account that from the island you can get to the most popular tourist attractions of Tanzania, located on the mainland, such as the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and many others. So, it’s obvious that tourists will definitely not get bored there.
Exotic holidays in Zanzibar attract more and more people, that’s why the tourist infrastructure here is constantly developing. There are hotels, shops with cute souvenirs, spice–scented markets with fresh delicious fruits and vegetables, restaurants and cafes - travelers will find everything they need in popular places to visit in order to feel comfortable during their trip to Africa.
The administrative and cultural center and the only port of the most famous island of Tanzania is the city of Stone Town. Kendwa and Nungwi are favourite resorts of tourists.
There are roads to almost every corner of Zanzibar, so It is not difficult to get to any destination on the island. You can travel by a rented car. The islanders also offer taxi services, so you can visit the most interesting places not individually but as a group in a minibus designed for six people and equipped with air conditioning. There are regular buses on the island but another means of public transport is the most popular among the locals: it’s Dala-Dala, which are either minibusses or converted trucks that transport passengers for a very modest fee. Furthermore, in Zanzibar you can rent a bicycle, scooter or a bike.
First of all, Zanzibar is a place for an ideal beach holiday. The turquoise ocean is amazingly clean, the tide gently touches the white sand and pulls the water back towards the ocean, and virgin rainforests dazzle you with its emerald greenery. Here you will find total calmness without traffic jams, deadlines and fuss.
However, those who like active leisure won’t get bored on the island either. For example, a Full Moon Party, which is one of the most remarkable cultural events of Zanzibar, is held every month on Kendwa beach. There you will be able to enjoy live music, dance and watch fire shows adding to the starry night sky.
Don’t forget about exotic surroundings: bright clothes of the Maasai people, original architecture, unusual animals, nevertheless, you won’t understand what Zanzibar is unless you see it with your own eyes.
The currency of Tanzania and Zanzibar is Tanzanian shilling (TZS) which is subdivided into 100 cents. Speaking about exchange rates, today 1$ costs 2300 TZS. However, take into account that US dollar bills must be issued no earlier than 2009, older banknotes are not accepted for currency exchange.
Accommodation in hotels is available in various price categories, such as budget, luxury and premium. Restaurants and cafes are also different in terms of prices. Lunch in a popular place specializing in Italian cuisine costs about $15-30, while the prices in a famous local restaurant The Rock are higher, for example, grilled fish costs $27 and seafood tempura is $19. Eating in local cafes will cost about 20000-40000 TZS per day.
Prices for tours range from very modest to more than $1000 if you are going to take a luxury trip to the national parks of Tanzania for a few days. Fishing on Zanzibar costs about $100 for a two person boat or from $350 for a yacht if you are going to catch barracudas, marlin and tuna with a company of five to seven people.
On Zanzibar there are guided tours for nature and history lovers, there are lots of places to visit so everyone will find something to see. You can also have a gastro tour, for instance, go to spice–scented markets or try dishes of African cuisine in local restaurants: Zanzibar pizza, grilled beef skewers Mishkaki or Urojo soup made of lentils, mango and lemon.
Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities for extreme tourism. Those who love such kinds of activities will definitely be satisfied with diving and kitesurfing in Zanzibar. As for those, who prefer less active holidays, they can have a boat tour in the ocean and mangrove lagoons and enjoy the view of coral reefs.
There are not so many nightclubs and discos here, but every month a lively Full Moon Party is held on Kendwa Beach. Guests have cocktails and enjoy the ambience of an African beach: bright stars shine above their heads, soft sand caresses their bare feet, and the full moon is reflected in the ocean.
Holidays in Tanzania and Zanzibar are not just a great opportunity to spend unforgettable time on the beach and swim in the crystal-clear turquoise ocean waters but they are also a chance to feel overwhelming emotions and get impressed forever by experiencing truly amazing immersion in the wilderness. In order to see and appreciate the gorgeous wildlife the best way, we recommend all our guests to go on safari tours which are exciting journeys through National Parks and Nature Reserves.
There are various types of safari tours in Tanzania, so everyone can find the most interesting one for themselves. A perfect match for beginners will be a game drive which is a guided tour that entails viewing the wildlife of the Dark Continent in the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle designed for a safer trip.
Travelers who don’t mind physical exertion, can try walking and cycling safaris which usually include hiking in such National Parks as Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Udzungwa Mountains, Kitulo, and Mahale Mountains. Lovers of water activities will definitely be fascinated by a boat safari that often allows you to come closer to crocks, hippos, elephants and see various birds in their natural habitat. Night game drives or the so-called “after dark safaris” are getting more and more popular. They offer a completely different experience of spotting African nocturnal animals and some of the most popular animals who dial up their activity level after the sunset. And finally, the cherries on top of the cake are hot air balloon, paragliding and light aircraft flying safaris that open to travelers the literally breathtaking beauty of Africa.
The largest state in East Africa, whose name was created as a compound of the names of the two states that unified to create the country: Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The exotic wilderness with virgin forests, rocky mountains and blue lakes, which attract thousands of tourists every year. The highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, and the largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria, all that is Tanzania.
Zanzibar which is an archipelago consisting of 75 islands can be called a real gem of the country. The largest island is Unguja. White sand beaches contrast with turquoise ocean and lush tropical greenery. Travelers from all corners of the world are eager to visit Zanzibar to swim with dolphins and sea turtles, go diving and snorkeling, surf foam waves or go on an exciting fishing trip for marlin and tuna.
A trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar will certainly be an unforgettable experience.
It’s the capital of Tanzania. The town is located on a plateau which rises 1290 meters above sea level, and it’s 320 km away from the coast of the Indian Ocean. There are laurels and coniferous trees on the streets of Dodoma, and a variety of African animals live in the area. To admire the panoramic view of the town, tourists often go to Simba Hill.
If you want to walk around Dodoma, you should visit the central mosque of the city, the Anglican, Lutheran and Catholic cathedrals, as well as the sacred Sikh temple, whose hospitable hosts are happy to treat their guests with tea and sweets. Other interesting things include the complex of parliament buildings, the Geological Museum and the railway station, built at the beginning of the XX century.
In Dodoma tourists will find bars, discos, nightclubs and restaurants, offering European, Asian, Indian, Chinese and, of course, Tanzanian dishes to suit all tastes.
It’s the former capital of Tanzania and one of the most interesting cities in Africa. Walking around this city, you can admire Islamic mosques, Buddhist pagodas and Catholic cathedrals, Chinatowns and English buildings.
The narrow streets with two-story Swahili-style houses in the old part of Dar es Salaam look very authentic. There are government buildings, offices, banks and classic boulevards in the modern city.
It’s definitely worth visiting the National Museum of Tanzania, famous for its collection of archaeological, ethnographic and historical exhibits. The museum houses a human footprint made more than three million years ago, impressive ancient tools and these are not all of its treasures. Also, travelers will certainly be interested in visiting the palace of Sultan Majid, a local spice market, a botanical garden and other attractions of Dar es Salaam.
It’s the air and sea gateway of Zanzibar. A colorful city with labyrinths of narrow streets which trolleybuses and buses cannot pass through. There you can admire the elegant doors in the Arabic style, as each of them is a unique work of art. Stone Town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In Stone Town, tourists should see the slave trade square, a former slave market where thousands of people were sold every year, and be glad that these dark times are in the distant past. An old fort, which the Arabs built on the site of the Portuguese colonizers settlement, is another interesting place to visit. Inside the fort, slaves were also once traded, now there is a nice souvenir market there.
There is Freddie Mercury’s Birth House, a former Sultan’s Palace, an Anglican Church of unusual architecture – after admiring the sights of Stone Town, be sure to go to local restaurants and cafes, where they cook delicious fresh seafood and other dishes, which are certainly worth tasting.
Zanzibar is a fabulously beautiful archipelago which consists of many small islands located along the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. Unguja is the main one of them that’s why it’s often referred to as "Zanzibar Island" or simply "Zanzibar".
The number of tourists coming to Zanzibar is increasing annually. Nowadays you can find a place to stay to suit all tastes and budgets, from fashionable five-star hotels to cheap hostels with a very limited range of services. Most of the hotels are located on the coast.
In Zanzibar hotels you can spend a family holiday, romantic honeymoon or an unforgettable vacation with your friends. There are also many hotels which welcome those who travel for work as there are great opportunities for MICE tourism which is so popular now.
It’s one of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Here there are almost no tides and the water is a lovely turquoise colour. The most expensive hotels of the island are located on Kendwa Beach.
It’s the best beach in Zanzibar in terms of price-quality ratio. There are no tides on most parts of it and it’s suitable for surfing. There are many restaurants, but the place is calm and quiet.
This beach enjoys snow-white sand which looks like flour. It’s a perfect place for meditation.
It’s a white sand beach without any infrastructure around. If you just want to lie on the beach sipping local beer far away from civilization, you should go there.
It’s a fairly clean beach in the very south of the island. The tides are strong there and they make the place look fantastic.
Constant favourable winds and almost no waves make the beach a world-class kitesurfing spot. Life is in full swing there from dawn to dusk.
An original and colorful beach in the east of the island with fine white sand and strong tides. It’s suitable for quiet beach holidays.
It’s a good place to have fun. There they play volleyball and other active kinds of sport, enjoy the strolls along the beach.
It’s located in the very south of the island. There is almost no infrastructure but it’s still worth visiting the beach to see dolphins.
It’s a gem of Zanzibar with a specific atmosphere, numerous historical buildings, crowded markets and other places for shopping.
It appears at low tide, and disappears in the ocean at high tide. While taking a trip there, you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water and eating fresh grilled seafood.
It was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity, a water supply system and an elevator. Because of all these modern things the house got its pretentious name.
There is unique flora and fauna here, ancient and mangrove forests. The area is inhabited by a rare species of monkeys that are no longer found anywhere else on the planet – red colobuses.
It’s the pride of Zanzibar and its citizens. The house, where the famous rock-star lived, is located in the heart of Stone Town. There is a museum and a mini-hotel there now.
There you can learn how many types of spices, coffee, cocoa beans and vanilla are grown. Moreover, you can see the harvesting of coconuts.
There is a prison for rebellious slaves, built during the Sultanate period. Also there you can see Aldabra giant tortoises.
It’s an ancient cave with crystal clear water. Locals consider this cave to be sacred and believe that having bathed there, you can get rid of all ailments and illnesses.
The Maasai people are an African ethnic group that has preserved the traditional way of life. Visiting their village is an opportunity to sense the true atmosphere of Africa.
It’s one of the largest parks in the world and the largest nature reserve in Africa. Elephants, hippos, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, crocodiles, wildebeest and more than 400 species of birds live here.
It’s a lagoon in the garden among rocks. Swimming with real sea turtles there will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
The migration routes of zebras, warthogs and buffaloes pass through the territory of this park. Here you can see giraffes, elephants and hippos, greater kudus and black antelopes.
It’s one of the best places for snorkeling by the coral reef with the opportunity to see dolphins. It’s a perfect location to have amazing photo shoots.
It’s one of the largest nature reserves in the world. Here you can see almost all animals of the African fauna: elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos and other amazing species.
It’s an isolated island with snow white sand, where divers from all over the world come to. It’s a unique place where you can watch whale sharks up close.
It’s one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. The main attraction is the fantastic Ngorongoro crater, which was formed on the site of an extinct volcano.
It’s a dormant volcano, the highest mountain in Africa. Routes have been developed for climbing it both for nature lovers and for professional climbers.
