Zanzibar Island

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Zanzibar, also known as the Spice Island, is a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean with a real Swahili culture that combines long-standing customs with novel and fascinating experiences. The top island destination in East Africa is Zanzibar.

How Do You Travel To Zanzibar?

Visitors to this magnificent island paradise might arrive in Zanzibar via a seaport or an international airport.

Domestic Flights

Domestic flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha arrive at Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for visitors. Small aircraft are used for these quick domestic flights, which are run by regional Tanzanian airlines.

Even direct flights to Zanzibar are available from several of Tanzania’s best national parks. The Serengeti, Tarangire, and Manyara National Parks all have operational airstrips for charter aircraft.

It is advised to arrange flights to Zanzibar through your tour operator if you are considering adding a vacation in Zanzibar to your safari in mainland Tanzania because certain local airlines may not accept credit cards or online reservations.

Your local tour operator will also be informed and able to help if there are any changes to your flight schedule or problems with your tickets. Through their native Tanzanian phone numbers, local airlines may easily get in touch with tour companies. These advantages are not available if you separately book.

To arrange your trip to Zanzibar, including your flight, get in touch with Rough & Dusty. Depending on your interest in windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, or seeing historical places, Rough & Dusty’s representatives can also advise you on which parts of Zanzibar to visit.

International Flights

The airport in Zanzibar is a fully operational international airport that provides immigration and visa services to visitors from all over the world as soon as they arrive. The following airlines often provide frequent international service:

  • Kenya Airways
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Turkish Airlines
  • KLM

Please take note that the list can alter slightly due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on travel restrictions.

Ferry

From Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, passengers who enjoy the sea can board a ferry. An fascinating, native means of getting to Zanzibar, this ferry runs three times every day.

Plan on spending a total of 4 hours, including the time it will take to wait at the ferry port to board the ship and go through Zanzibar customs after arriving in Zanzibar, even though the ferry voyage itself typically lasts 2 hours.

Visitors to Dar es Salaam have the choice of taking an airplane or a ferry. However, due to the longer journey time, visitors traveling from Arusha or the Northern Parks are urged to fly to Zanzibar.

Why Is Zanzibar Unique?

Travelers may explore the essence of Swahili culture in Zanzibar. There is enchantment, beauty, and history in every nook and cranny of Zanzibar, from the language, the food, and music to the customs.

Zanzibar is the top island destination in East Africa because of its exceptional experiences, fascinating history, delectable cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and stunning beaches.

Activities in Zanzibar

Many visitors wish they had given themselves more than a few days to experience this island because there is so much to do and see in Zanzibar.

Travelers who are worn out might unwind on the beach or read a lovely book on a hammock by the water. For those looking for a relaxing getaway on the island, Zanzibar’s hotels and resorts provide wonderful hospitality and island charm.

Travelers can choose from a variety of activities if they desire a blend of entertainment and leisure or if they are looking for unusual island adventures.

Stonetown doesn’t feel like a museum because there are locals running businesses, kids going to school, and families residing there; rather, it feels more like a special location where the past and present harmoniously coexist.

Food And Spice

The Swahili cuisine of Zanzibar is frequently replicated in other parts of East Africa, but the tastiest and most traditional dishes can only be found there, prepared with the finest local ingredients and spices. After all, Zanzibar is the world’s largest exporter of cloves and is referred to as the “Spice Island.” Here, tropical spices and island flavors are added to coffee, tea, rice, meat dishes, and other foods to improve them. A tour of a spice plantation can be combined with a traditional Swahili meal to highlight the distinctive spices grown on the island.

To experience an authentic Swahili meal served on the rooftop in the traditional Zanzibari style, make reservations weeks in advance at the highly regarded Emerson Spice Hotel.

Many visitors love relaxing with a “sundowner” in the evening as they watch the sun set with a spectacular display of nature’s hues mirrored in the tranquil Indian Ocean. Take in this vista while dining on a floating restaurant or from a gorgeous rooftop with a perspective of Stonetown’s ancient past.

Festivals

Annual music events are held in Zanzibar, including the Zanzibar Jazz Festival, which also features poetry and literary performances, and Sauti za Busara, which highlights up-and-coming African musicians. ZIFF is an annual international film festival that takes place in Stonetown. It’s a wonderful chance to see independent and prize-winning movies while taking in the splendor of a tropical paradise.

Ocean Activities

Both experienced and beginner divers can enjoy the fantastic diving in Zanzibar.

Divers and snorkelers travel from all over to the well-known reef area of Mnemba Atoll to see the amazing tropical fish and coral reefs there.

Jambiani, a small settlement on Zanzibar’s southernmost point, is well-known for the wild dolphins that regularly swam through the nearby waters. Visitors get the opportunity to go swimming with these incredible animals, who swam freely and in the wild in this region.

Zanzibar offers opportunities for both boats and wind surfing.

Which Zanzibar Coast Should You Choose?

Depending on your preferences, you can choose which region of Zanzibar to visit. Everybody can find something to do in Zanzibar:

The best spot to learn about Swahili culture, engage in historical pursuits, or take part in any of the island’s yearly festivals is Stonetown. Spending at least one day in Stonetown, Zanzibar is advisable since this is also where services like banks, the post office, and gift shops are located.

For swimming, snorkeling, and diving, northern Zanzibar is the greatest place. Family-friendly resorts and hotels can be found in plenty in the Nungwi region, all of which are ready to provide visitors with the best beach and ocean activities while they’re there.

Zanzibar’s northeast is home to the well-known and stunning Mnemba Atoll, which provides fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities. The lodging options here also tend to be more upscale and upscale.

Wonderful lodgings with a sense of humor can be found in Western Zanzibar. The western shore in Kendwa is noted for its all-night beach parties on the weekends and for its peaceful environments for visitors to unwind and enjoy the tranquil beach on weekdays.

Zanzibar’s southern and eastern regions encounter more extreme tides, making for peaceful beaches excellent for relaxing but not for swimming. However, windsurfing is best at low tide, and the Paje region regularly hosts competitions and other windsurfing events. Tourists visit nearby Jambiani in the southern region of Zanzibar to see the wild dolphins, and some even jump in and swim with the remarkable marine mammals for an unforgettable experience.

When To Visit Zanzibar

The majority of the year in Zanzibar is warm and sunny, with year-round island weather. However, the months of April through the end of May are typically particularly rainy and less enjoyable for beach activities.

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Zanzibar Beach Holiday

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