Zanzibar Island | Tanzania Beach Holidays

Zanzibar experiences ideal holiday weather for most of the year, with the exception of April and May, which are seasonally subject to the long rains. Short rains can occur in November but are characterized by short showers, which do not last long.

The heat of summer is seasonally often calmed by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and East coast. Being near the equator, the islands are warm all year round but officially summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with an average of 7-8 hours of sunshine daily.

Zanzibar is home to individuals from over the world, and it is this assorted variety that makes it such a one of a kind travel goal. This social assembly can be found in the decent variety of the district’s sustenance, in the multilingual idea of the Swahili dialect that was brought into the world here, and in the unmistakable structural styles that exist next to each other in Stone Town.

Zanzibar’s particular appeal is a consequence of its long periods of culturally diverse trade, and it’s everything all the more beguiling for this muddle of societies, convictions, and dialects.

Zanzibar, the spice island, offers a blended culture cooking, with flavours obtained from everywhere throughout the world: anticipate samosa, Chinese noodles, coconut-drain curries, Arabian specialities. Mangoes, in season, are scrumptious bananas, papayas and pineapples are other fruits available in the Island. Appetizers include chapattis, mandazi (doughnuts) and maize cobs.

Fish is abundant and magnificent on Zanzibar – simply ensure it’s new. Attempt pweza (octopus) with rice.

Meat, frequently speared and flame broiled, is normal yet vegans ought to have the capacity to discover bounty to fill them, from cheddar pizzas to veg curries.

Zanzibar offers the ultimate beach and leisure experience. However, this picturesque island has a number of activities which you can do during your vacation. Listed below can be done:

Zanzibar offers a definitive beach and relaxation experience. However, this beautiful island has various activities which you can do amid your excursion. Recorded are some of the activities which you can indulge yourself are:

• Swimming
• Surfing
• Scuba Diving
• Deep Sea Fishing
• Snorkelling
• Windsurfing
• Other Water Sports

Zanzibar is notable for its head white sandy beaches and relaxation play areas. It is the ideal escape from the glamour of city life. You can unwind on its striking beaches as well as visit the verifiable town of Stone town and find the antiquated known for its inimitable architecture. You can likewise visit the Pemba and Mafia Island of the Zanzibar archipelago, which are unfamiliar and untamed. You can also visit the spice plantation on the Island.

Uniqueness:

• Zanzibar pristine beaches are without a doubt are one of its uniqueness.
• Stone town with its unique architecture and atmospheric alleys are not be missed.
• You can also spot dolphins at shores of Zanzibar.

Stone Town Tour

A tour of Stone Town takes you to a place where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum, the Old British Consulate(the place where the body of the late Dr Livingstone was kept and later sent to Britain), Sultan Palace, Custom House the Old Dipsensary and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, cathedrals and countless mosques! Stone Town has some excellent gift shops with plenty of souvenirs and handicrafts to choose from.

Duration: 3 hours

Spice Tour

In days past Zanzibar was known as a spice island, exporting cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom across the world. On the spice tour you will visit Kidichi Village to view the persian baths built in 1950 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan(First Sultan of Zanzibar) for his wife Princess Shehrzad(the grand daughter of Fateh All Shah of Persia). We will then continue on to Kizimbani Village to visit the spice farms. You will walk through a spice farm with your guide. Touch, smell and taste different spices and tropical fruits. Zanzibar offers many fresh varieties of spices and fruits including cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, ginger, vanilla sticks, lemon grass, nutmeg and many others. Tropical fruits that Zanzibar boasts are jack fruit, bread fruit, pineapples, bananas, coconut mangos, malady apples and many others. Rare plants such as henna bush, ylang yang(perfume tree), anator(lipstick tree) are also to be seen.

Duration: 3 hours

Princess Salme Spice Tour

The tour starts at the birthplace of Princess Salme, Mtoni Palace Ruins. Here, you will enjoy an informative tour of the Persian Baths, the main palace, and its botanical gardens. From Princess Salme’s birthplace you will take a 20 minute boat ride to Bububu, where you will be part of a traditional coffee ceremony enjoying Kashata, Halua and dates on the terrace of the beautiful Omani house which once belonged to the nephew of Sultan Said(Salme’s father). Here it is said that she rested on her way to Kidichi and Kizimbani plantations. We take a stroll around the lush gardens and the impressive ruins. After the coffee ceremony we travel to Kidichi by donkey cart as Princess Salme once did. We visit the spice plantations and tour Mzee Yussuf’s private spice farm. On this plantation stands the ruins of an old rest house which belonged to Sultan Majid(Salme’s brother), who later sold it to Mzee Yussuf’s grand father.

Mzee Yussuf’s wife will prepare traditional pilau, fush masala, roast beef, stewed bananas, kachumbari salad, several vegetarian dishes, an array of fruits, fresh fruit juice and their famous spice tea. This special lunch will be enjoyed in Mzee Yussuf’s house and his plantation which overlooks the Indian Ocean and Stone Town.

After lunch we visit the Persian baths in Kidichi, which were built for Sultan Said’s second wife Binti Irich Mirza(Sheherazade), who was the daughter of the Persian Shah. The tour departs Mtoni Marine and you can enjoy the sights of Kidichi as we return to your accommodation.

Dhow Cruise

A cruise on a traditional wooden dhow is unforgettable and an essential part of your Zanzibar holiday experience. Nothing epitomizes the Arabic influence on Zanzibar more than the presence of a graceful dhow on a blue sea. Glide silently across the Indian Ocean to the sound of clean white sails being beaten by the wind. Be on the lookout for dolphins, sailing fish and even humpback whales. You can lie back and enjoy the ride or may choose to learn some pointers on how to sail these traditional boats.

Sunset Cruise: You will embark the dhow at 4:30, relax and enjoy the views of Stone Town at sunset while sipping refreshing beverages(beer, lemonade, wine and bites) while listening to the water lapping the side of the dhow. Sail back to the shore where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel

Duration: 4:30pm till sunset

Sunset Cruise and Dinner: Imagine yourself enjoying dinner in a traditional dhow while taking in the spectacular views of Stone Town. You will You will enjoy the view of the Old fort (Ngome Kongwe), the house of wonder (Beit-l-Jaib), Palace museum (which housed daughter & wives of Sultan), the Malindi Zanzibar old port, passing near mangrove to Maruhubi Palace ruin where the Sultan kept his concubines, lastly you will arrive at Mtoni ruins where famous Princess Salme was born.

Duration: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Jozani Forest Tour

Jozani Forest us one of Zanzibar’s most special attractions. Its forest consists of very tall mahogany trees and a variety of shade growing plants. Your guide will be able to point out the medicinal use of some of these plants. The forest is home to the Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey, and it is endemic to Zanzibar only! They are agile and will delight you with their antics. They are not shy and they can usually be observed from a fairly close range. You will also visit the mangrove forest, where you will be shown the 3 different types of mangrove trees that grow here. The tour of Jozani Forest goes for approximately 1/2 day.

Dolphin Trip

This full day trip takes you to the south of the island Kizimkazi. You will enjoy boating over the Indian Ocean in a motorboat while on the lookout for dolphins. You will get a chance to swim and snorkel with these highly intelligent creatures. Lunch will be taken on the shores of Kizimkazi. Then it is time to relax and unwind before heading back to Stone Town.

Prison Island Tour

Changuu Island, also known as Prison Island is reachable by a short 30 minute boat ride from Forodhani in Stone Town. The island is home to the last remaining giant tortoises in the world. The giant tortoises are Changuu Islands most famous inhabitants, and are found nowhere else in East Africa. Not indigenous to continental Africa, the original tortoises were brought from Aldabra in the Seychelles in an effort to extend the Tortoise conservation efforts. There is a pleasant small beach on the island where you can relax and there are some good snorkelling spots nearby which you will visit by small boat. The duration of the tour is approximately 3 hours.

Regardless of the season of visit, Zanzibar is quite rewarding.

• SUMMER – November to May Hot, some humidity with some rains in November, May and June.
• WINTER – June to October Warm with rains in June, otherwise sunny.
• BEST  TIME TO VISIT – December to March and July to October.

Zanzibar Island can be easily reached by flights and ferries.

Airways:

Direct charter flights to Zanzibar are available from most of the airports in Tanzania. You can also take daily domestic flights from different airports at the mainland to Zanzibar.

Waterways:

You can take ferry from Dar Es Salaam to reach Zanzibar. There are various ships accessible from Dar which transports every day. It takes around two hours to reach Zanzibar. When contrasted with aviation routes, ships are less expensive.