A Zanzibar holiday:
Not an tiny and isolated island republic as many imagine but an historically powerful trading sultanate [kingdom] and now a state within the republic of Tanzania, in East Africa.
The name Zanzibar somehow evokes an ancient and faded dream vision of wide, sunny beaches and narrow, dark alleyways - which actually just about summarises Unguja island [commonly known as Zanzibar], though the cool alleys are frequently decrepit and the wide beaches liberally strewn with seaweed. That's not to put down Zanzibar as a fine and competitively priced beach destination, it's just better for a traveller to head out there with realistic expectations.
Paradise, it's not. If that's the requirement then the Seychelles, further out into the Indian Ocean, may be more suitable, though only if the wallet is fat and cultural needs thin.
Strictly speaking Zanzibar actually applies to the archipelago - island group - that includes Pemba island and Unguja island, while Zanzibar Town is usually known as Stone Town. Still, we will continue to call the island Zanzibar, which resonates better with us, since Unguja sound more like a traditional Tanzanian laxative.
Getting there:
Zanzibar beach vacations are often tagged onto the end of a wildlife safari through one or more of Tanzania's game parks or a climb up Mt Kilimanjaro even though these attractions are in the north of Tanzania, near the city of Arusha, while Zanzibar is off the centre-east coast, near the large and bustling city of Dar es Salaam.
From Dar a 90 minute ferry ride or a short plane trip is sufficient will get you to Zanzibar Island off the Tanzanian coast.
Tanzania's first stop for many travellers, a sweaty Serengeti wildlife safari, followed by wet Zanzibar beach ball.
Attractions:
Zanzibar is not in fact one island but an archipelago [island group] including another largish island, Pemba, and several smaller ones, though the island of Zanzibar is where most tourists choose to spend their time and money. The island's urban centre, Zanzibar Town contains an old section called Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the recipient of much of the tourist income.
Stone Town is host to a maze of cool, narrow alleys, many stately 19thC houses laden with verandas and bougainvillea, elaborately carved and studded doors and lintels, mosques, bazaars, bars and shabby-chic hotels.
An elaborate and traditional Stone Town door
© Louie Schoeman
Among the finest architectural examples are the 16thC Arab Fort, the restored four storey Old Dispensary, the Sultan's old palace, Dr Livingstone's last house before he disappeared and the House of Wonders, another palace that was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity - thus the 'Wonder'.
A cool and breezy Stone Town balcony
© Albo
Zanzibar is also known as Spice Isle due to its many spicy plantations while the Jozani Forest 35km [22 mls] SE of Stone Town, is a popular nature walking spot with clear trails and probable sightings of monkeys, bush-pigs, antelope, civet, mongoose, a wide variety of birdlife and butterflies.
A colobus monkey in the Jozani Forest.
The Mangapwani Caves 20 kms out of town have historical connections with the slave trade, one a cool pool the other a holding pen.
In the south, Kizimkazi fishing village is located near a bottle-nosed dolphins playground while across the water Pemba island is less frequented but popular with scuba divers.
For beach information see: Zanzibar
Beaches or click any of the pictures.
General
Zanzibar Information, see our Tanzania Travel Guide for more details:
Currency: this is not a costly destination. Local currency is the Tanzanian shilling; bring cash or traveller's cheques to buy the currency. US $ are favoured.
Major credit cards are accepted at large establishments.
There are NO ATMs in Zanzibar [only in Dar es Salaam].
Cuisine: Spicy [not surprising considering spices have been one of the island's main crops for centuries] Swahili seafood of all sorts, with rice and often flavoured with coconut and tamarind.
The superb, value-for-money open-air market every evening in Stone Town's waterside Forodhani Gardens is a great value way to experiment with Tanzania's best cuisine, meet people and get some cultural input too. It's a winner!
Electricity:
220-240v, 3 flat pin new British style or 3 round pin old British style plugs.
Languages:
Swahili and English.
A better class of Zanzibar hotel
© Gabigarcia
Visas:
currently required by all unless coming from inside Tanzania. Or check with local Tanzania High Commission.
UK: http://www.tanzania-online.gov.uk/visa.html
USA: http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/
Health:
this is a malarial area so take precautions; read our our Tanzania Travel Guide and/or our mosquito page.
Getting
there: at the moment only Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airlines and KLM fly directly to Zanzibar, but many other airlines fly to Dar es Salaam.
From Dar, a sizeable city, a 90 minute ferry or a short plane ride is sufficient to reach Zanzibar, 40kms [25 miles] off the coast.
Zanzibar is GMT + 3 hours, so no real jet-lag problem.
Getting
around: Mini buses [dalla-dalla] criss-cross the island while taxis are not expensive. Car, motorcycle hire is a possible but don't forget to bring an International Driver's Permit. Bicycles too can be rented. Pemba Island also runs buses and rentals.
Best
time to visit the Zanzibar and its beaches:
Best season: June-September.
OK: October-February [some short rains].
Temperatures normally range from low 20'sC [70's F] to mid 30'sC [100 F], which
is fine, though the humidity can get uncomfortable.
Religion: Mostly Islam.
Ramadan, Muslim fasting month with varied dates:
September 2 - Oct 2, 2008; August 22 - Sept 21, 2009; August 11 - Sept 10, 2010.
During this time most, if not all, Muslims will neither eat nor drink during the daytime and consequently many cafes, restaurants and even shops may open only after sunset; public eating, drinking and smoking by tourists will be frowned upon.
The last day of Ramadan, known as Idd al Fitr, can be a wild time with much celebrating, depending on location; Zanzibar is known for its penchant for excitability at this time.
Tanzania Travel Guide | Tanzania Map | Tanzania Hiking
Other
Indian Ocean islands:
Madagascar
Travel Guide and Pictures | Indian
Ocean Best Beaches Guide
Mauritius
Beaches, Pictures and Information | Seychelles Beaches Guide | Worlds
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