Zanzibar Vacation

The 10km beach between Bwejuu and Jambiani Village starts relaxed and low key north of Bwejuu, swells with backpackers and kite surfers in Paje, then tapers off gradually into equally understated Jambiani. There’s plenty of excellent midrange and budget accommodation available, though only a handful of resorts that would qualify as exclusive. This stretch of coastline attracts families and a younger crowd, split between the quieter beaches to the north and south, and the relaxed beach bars, restaurants and water sports of Paje.

Highlights

Serious kitesurfing: Paje is Zanzibar’s hottest kitesurfing destination and there are a number of well-run kitesurfing schools offering lessons and rentals. Paje’s lagoon is ideal for kitesurfing, and some operators also offer organised excursions to scenic kiting spots up and down the coast.

Wonderful snorkelling: The coral lagoon in front of Paje and Jambiani is particularly wide and beautiful, even by Zanzibar’s extraordinary standards. Masks and fins can be hired for a few dollars from just about any hotel along the strip. Just keep an eye on the tide or you’ll have a long walk back to the beach.

Travel Tips

If you are into kitesurfing (or wish to avoid the crowds) note that the main seasons are between December and March and May to October. Some rental businesses close completely out of season, although there’s generally enough of a breeze to satisfy beginners year-round.

The sleepy village of Kiwengwa lies on Zanzibar Island’s north-eastern coast, roughly half way between Nungwi and Chwaka. Large, all-inclusive hotels and stylish upmarket lodges dot Kiwengwa’s long, immaculate beach, which runs nearly unbroken all the way north to Matemwe. A few breezy kilometres to the south, the even sleepier Pongwe supports around a dozen, mostly stylish, mid- to upmarket resorts with little else to do but kick back and enjoy.

Highlights

Learn kitesurfing in Kiwengwa: With its year-round, stable winds and beautiful wide lagoon, Kiwengwa is a great place to learn to kitesurf. A handful of friendly kite schools dot the beach – simply wander in, have a chat, and book an impromptu lesson if the place grabs you.

Peaceful Pongwe: There really is nothing to do in Pongwe but chill. If ultimate downtime is what you’re after, then Pongwe is the beach for you.

Travel Tips

Both Kiwengwa and Pongwe are easy to reach by road from Zanzibar Town. There’s a small ‘mall’ in Kiwengwa with a cash machine, supermarket and pharmacy – but nothing at all in Pongwe. Kiwengwa’s resorts attract a large number of visitors from Italy and you’ll find many shopfronts and menus written in Italian.

150 km south of Zanzibar Island lies the third largest isle in the archipelago, Mafia. In fact, Mafia Island is so far removed and has so many smaller satellites of its own, that it’s really a miniature archipelago in its own right. Rarely visited, and much quieter even than Pemba, Mafia and its surrounding islands are a diver’s paradise. Huge groupers, rays, turtles and whale sharks all frequent its warm, clear waters and Chole Bay is perhaps the best coral garden in East Africa. Accommodation around Mafia tends to be intimate and upmarket, and for the ultimate in exclusivity, stunning private island lodges are also available.

Highlights

A diver’s paradise: If you have any love for diving, then a pilgrimage to Mafia must be on your bucket list. From Chole Bay’s extraordinary coral and fabulously colourful schools of reef fish, to the deeper waters where rays and whale fish roam; Mafia’s archipelago has something for every experience level, but the real wonder is that you’ll probably have it all to yourself!

Witness hatching turtles: Juani Island, just off the coast of Mafia, is a truly special place to see tiny green and hawksbill turtles dash for the sea. Environmentally sensitive tours can be arranged between June and September, run by an enthusiastic NGO that’s playing a significant role in local turtle conservation.

Travel Tips

Although local dhows run to the mainland, the only practical way to get to Mafia is to fly. Scheduled and charter flights run regularly from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island and you should expect to pay around $250 to $350 return. If you’re going for diving, then pick your month carefully. Chole Bay can be dived year-round, but the deeper channels are only viable from August to November. October to February has the best visibility, although it’s rarely below 15m at any time of year. For the best beach conditions aim for late May to the start of the short rainy season in November. September to early March is prime whale shark season so it’s really only mid-March to mid-May that should be avoided completely, when the island receives most of its rain.

Matemwe, and neighbouring Kigomani, are the northern-most villages on Zanzibar’s east coast. A quiet fishing community under gently swaying palms, Matemwe village lies half concealed behind a modest line of beachfront resorts, which range from simple cottages to plush private villas. An excellent beach spills into a narrow, sheltered lagoon where dhows and outriggers rest on the tide. This is a corner of the island where the slow pace settles in – ideal for those wishing to escape the crowds.

Highlights

Peace and quiet: Matemwe is one of Zanzibar Island’s most relaxed destinations – classic palm-fringed beaches, white sand and an emerald sea. The beaches along this stretch are some of the best and quietest on the east coast and the fishing, snorkelling and diving is superb.

Travel Tips

Be aware that Matemwe is a working village – fishing and seaweed harvesting are the main industries here and villagers expect to get on with their daily life without camera-toting tourists clicking away. Although remotely situated, Matemwe is easy to reach. Private transfers take little more than an hour from Zanzibar Town.

On Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip, the once sleepy village of Nungwi is still the traditional centre of dhow building on Zanzibar. An old favourite among backpackers and hippies, the scene has transformed in recent years with hotels, bars, hostels and dive centres now lining the sandy shoreline in a near continuous strip southwest to Kendwa. The still relatively quiet village of Kendwa has also expanded, but its uniquely wide beach and understated resorts continue to offer a more laid back vibe.

Creidt: Credit: Yoni Lerner

Highlights of the Region

Full moon beach parties: Although relatively quiet for the rest of the month, Kendwa pumps up the volume each full moon with a lively beach party that draws visitors from around the island. Kendwa’s full moon parties are legendary, though overly extreme, and remain one of Zanzibar’s favourite attractions.

Dhow building and village tour: Nungwi beach remains a focal point for Zanzibari ship building where skilled shipwrights use age-old methods and tools to turn rough timber planks into ocean-going dhows. Village tours can also be arranged for those interested in discovering the cultural side of dhow building and how the tradition persists through the centuries.

Travel Tips

Although luxury hotels are now available, Nungwi and especially Kendwa remain two of the best destinations on Zanzibar Island for quality, affordable accommodation – head here if you’re looking for a party. Kendwa has the better beach, and the deeper water on the north-western strip means swimming is possible throughout the day; the island’s eastern beaches are almost all tide dependent.

Credit: alchetron.com

About 50km northeast of Zanzibar Island (more accurately, ‘Unguja’) lies the archipelago’s second largest landmass, Pemba. Pemba has forever been Zanzibar’s most green and fertile isle, and most of the cloves for which Zanzibar is famous are grown here. The annual harvest runs from July to January when the scent of drying cloves lingers on every passing breeze. Most visitors to Zanzibar never make it to Pemba, however, and the island remains far quieter than its big brother Unguja. Accommodation options are also far more limited, but by no means run-of-the-mill. Most fall somewhere between the mid-range and ultra-luxurious, including some of the most spectacular beach resorts Zanzibar has to offer.

Highlights

See Zanzibar’s endemic species: Ngezi Forest Reserve, on Pemba’s north-western tip, is perhaps the best place in the archipelago to see Zanzibar’s indigenous wildlife. A beautiful, unspoilt expanse of forest in its own right, it also hosts the Pemba flying fox (an enormous, but completely harmless fruit bat), various species of monkey and miniature antelope, and Zanzibar’s three endemic bird species, the Pemba scops owl, Pemba white-eye and Pemba violet-breasted sunbird.

Low visitor numbers: Pemba is ideal if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Beaches are quieter, snorkelling reefs barely visited and on the whole the island exudes exclusivity, while still retaining enough accommodation options to suit most budgets.

Excellent wall and drift diving: Pemba has excellent diving for all levels, but is perhaps best known for its more technical diving opportunities. Experienced divers can dip into the island’s stronger currents and glide along astonishing vertical walls as manta and eagle rays flap by.

Travel Tips

Most visitors arrive on Pemba by air, with scheduled daily flights and charters available from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island. A substantially cheaper ferry service is also available. Forex is only available in the capital, Chake Chake, but the exchange rates offered are generally quite poor. Don’t expect much connectivity on Pemba. Even the top-end resorts struggle to provide high speed wi-fi. The best months on Pemba are July to October. December to March tend to be more humid and windier as the north-eastern Kaskazi blows.

The Michamvi Peninsula just north from Chwaka Bay, a narrow, thumb-like headland that boasts some of Zanzibar Island’s most exclusive hotels and resorts. The north-western tip has the added advantage of being the only true sundowner spot along the east coast, with a kilometre and a half of pristine west-facing beachfront and magnificent views across Chwaka Bay. Most of the peninsula’s luxury resorts face east however, scattered along the beach between Dongwe and Pingwe Village. Some of these are Zanzibar’s most refined and stylish, complete with private dive centres, private plunge pools and spas.

Highlights

East-coast sunsets: The western corner of Michamvi Peninsula enjoys breathtaking ocean sunsets, a rare and special sight on the east coast of Africa. A handful of laid back bars and restaurants take full advantage of the views and it’s a lovely way to spend an evening even if you’re not staying on the western side.

The Rock: The Rock Restaurant deserves special mention for its unique setting if nothing else. Perched on a tiny coral outcrop about 30 metres off Pingwe beach, this simple, thatched cottage serves a lunch-time menu of fresh seafood daily and, depending on the tide, you’ll have to catch a boat there or back (or swim!).

Travel Tips

From December to March the north-eastern Kaskazi monsoon blows, washing seaweed onto the eastern beaches and in some places eroding the sand. This is especially true on the northeast of Michamvi Peninsula, which bears the brunt of the northeaster at this time of year.

A rarely visited corner of southwestern Zanzibar, Ras Kizimkazi offers a handful of quiet, laid-back lodges, plus a pinch of the ultra-exclusive. The region’s two small villages lie a few kilometres apart, Kizimkazi Dimbani is on the southernmost tip of the island and the busier Kizimkazi Mkunguni is up the coast to the northwest. Most of the region’s tourism revolves around dolphin excursions; the small and in places rocky beaches are undeniably beautiful, but lack the pull of the island’s east coast.

Highlights

The village of Kizimkazi Mkunguni is the centre of the region’s most popular tourist attraction – boat trips to see the resident bottlenose and humpback dolphins. Full day excursions can be arranged from Zanzibar Town or booked locally if you’re staying in the area.

Travel Tips

There’s no guarantee that you’ll see dolphins on a tour – they’re wild creatures and rarely allow boats close enough for visitors to swim with them. To maximise your chances, visit between October and February, stay in Ras Kizimkazi itself and hire a boat from a local who’s happy to cruise all day. Be cautious of anyone offering guaranteed sightings. They’re likely to employ unethical methods in their effort to make good on their promise.

Stone Town is Zanzibar’s historic heart, a bewildering maze of streets and alleyways that form the westernmost tip of Zanzibar Town. These days the island’s bustling capital is home to some quarter of a million people, but lost in the tangle of Stone Town’s narrow streets it’s easy to imagine yourself floating back in time. Twisting passages unfurl beneath delicate balconies as you dodge clattering coffee carts and slip by past ornately carved doors. At three and four stories the buildings tower overhead, leaving just a ribbon of sky between billowing laundry and shutters flung wide. Though first settled by the Portuguese in the 16th century, most of Stone Town’s construction dates to the 19th and (to a lesser extent) 18th centuries – a mesmerising mix of Arabic, Persian, Indian and British architecture – and Victorian era accounts of the quarter carry an authentic feeling to this today.

Highlights

Walk the streets: The best way to explore Stone Town is on foot, though renting a bicycle is an option if time is short. Hiring a local guide is a great way to discover the hidden histories and lesser known sights and end of Ramadan is especially festive with lanterns lining the alleys and a feast of street food on every corner.

Go shopping: From neat, sustainable fashion boutiques to the loud, chaotic market on Creek Street, Stone Town has plenty to offer the dedicated shopper. Look out for brightly coloured kanga and kikois (traditional wrap-around clothing), silver and tanzanite jewellery, handmade leather bags, sandals and shoes, a seemingly endless range of woven baskets, wooden carvings, throws, wall hangings, rugs, antiques and ornaments of all shapes and sizes, not to mention spice-infused beauty products and oils and, of course, the spices themselves.

Take a spice tour: Spice tours can be arranged from your hotel or from one of the many tour operators around town. A variety of tours are available, some including lunch and/or spice cooking classes, but all with the opportunity to head out into the still active plantations and see, touch and taste Zanzibar’s many spices in their natural environment.

Try the local food: Forodhani Gardens food market is the place to go to sample the best of Zanzibar’s eclectic street food. Crisp samosas, fresh fish and coconut curries, and the misleadingly-named ‘Zanzibar pizzas’ (more of a filled pancake) are just a few of the available options. Alternately, search out one of Stone Town’s more sophisticated new restaurants where quality seafood and delicious traditional recipes are the order of the day.

Visit the museums: Stone Town has a number of small but fascinating museums with exhibitions ranging from dhow construction to the evils of the slave trade. Seek out in particular the Palace Museum, Livingstone House Museum, Princess Salme Museum and the House of Wonders (the first building in Zanzibar to install electric lights).

Travel Tips

If you’re visiting during Ramadan be aware that many restaurants close, and the usual daytime buzz on the streets is somewhat subdued. Some hotels also close down during the March to May low season although still others offer discounted rates to encourage visitors.

Organise any tours or travel arrangements directly with your hotel or a reputable agent and treat the street touts (known locally as papaasi) with caution. Pickpockets are also an occasional hazard in Stone Town’s narrow alleys so take the appropriate precautions.

Remember that Zanzibar is a predominantly Islamic society and covering shoulders and legs below the knees is considered appropriate for both men and women. Bars serve alcohol, as do most (but not all) restaurants, and drinking on the street is frowned upon, although not actually illegal.

Credit: Zuri Zanzibar Hotel

There are friendly, well-run, mid-range resorts scattered all across Zanzibar. And as with the more budget-friendly accommodation, you’ll find the most choice in Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje/Jambiani. All three areas have a good selection of mid-range options, from larger resort-style hotels to laid-back, beach-chic bungalows. If you don’t fancy relying on your own hotel’s chef each night, these are also the areas with the most affordable restaurants and bars.

One new area also deserves a mention and that’s the quiet stretch of beach between Bewjuu and Dongwe. Here you’ll find a handful of small resorts and bungalows offering excellent service at an affordable price. Kiwengwa, Matemwe and Kendwa also have a few noteworthy mid-range lodges as does the otherwise more luxury-focused Michamvi Peninsula.

Pemba and Mafia are for the most part more exclusive, but you’ll still find one or two affordable lodges, albeit at the upper end. On Mafia, in particular, there are a few good options in Utende, largely aimed at divers whose primary focus is the sea.

Highlights

If you have any interest at all in scuba diving, then don’t pass up this world-class opportunity. Most visitors to Mafia Island go specifically to dive, with Chole Bay perhaps the finest coral garden in East Africa. Mafia also offers excellent open water diving (October to February has the most reliable weather) and there are magnificent dive sites all across the archipelago. Single dives start at around $40 on Zanzibar Island, but can be over $50 elsewhere if significant boat time is required. If you’ve never dived before then now would be a great time to learn. There are top-notch PADI training centres all over Zanzibar, with courses starting at around $500, and up to $600 on Mafia and Pemba where you pay for more exclusive conditions.

Credit: Chuini Zanzibar Lodge

If delving beneath the waves really isn’t for you, then be sure to treat yourself to a dhow trip instead. Group excursions start at around $25 a head, but for a bit more you can hire the entire vessel for the day. Enjoy a lazy picnic on a far-off sandbar, or a private snorkelling trip to an off-shore reef, or simply grab some beers and take a sunset cruise – there’s nothing quite like experiencing the spice isles from the sea.

Travel Tips

• You can pay by card in most of the larger resorts, but expect to be charged a rather hefty commission. Some establishments may not accept card payments at all and, in any case, it’s always better value with cash. Officially, all accommodation must be paid in US dollars and most activities are quoted in same. The only cash machines you’ll find are in Stone Town, Chake Chake and Kiwengwa so it’s important to bring enough dollars with you. You’ll be able to change money at the airports, as well as in the major towns and at some of the larger hotels. Avoid the hotels unless you’re really in need as they rarely offer very favourable rates.

• March to May is the low (rainy) season on Zanzibar and while some resorts close, others offer good deals. It’s always worth asking, even if not advertised – you never know what you might get. Good mid-range accommodation can come in at anything from $50 to $150 a double room, depending mostly on beach access and views. Prime beachfront will always incur a premium and there are some excellent reasonably-priced bungalows and villas if you’re prepared to walk a bit to the beach. All good mid-range resorts include breakfast in the bill, with guests free to get their other meals at restaurants elsewhere. A good seafood dinner will be $15 to $20 with drinks, while street vendors and the more low-key spots serve snacks and meals for between $5 and $10.

Zanzibar can certainly be done on a budget, but you’ll need to pick your regions with care. Starting in Stone Town you’ll find a range of affordable guesthouses, offering basic double rooms and B&B. Further afield there are two main budget areas – around the northern village of Nungwi and along the south-eastern coast between Paje and Jambiani. Matemwe, northern Kiwengwa, Bewjuu and Kizimkazi Mkunguni all have one or two good budget guesthouses, but the choices are more limited and you may have to settle for something a bit back from the beach.

Pemba and Mafia are not great budget destinations, although you will find some more affordable guesthouses in Chake Chake, Kilindoni and Utende. That said, to make the most of these and the other smaller islands in the archipelago you’ll most likely need to spend a bit more.

Highlights

Happily, lying on the beach is always free and snorkelling gear can be hired for a few dollars almost anywhere. Local dive trips start at $40 a person and dhow excursions can be from $30 to $80 a trip depending on where you go and how many are in the boat. If you’ve never dived before, then Zanzibar is a superb place to start. Full PADI certification starts at around $500 a person, but for $100 you can try an introductory ‘Discover Scuba’ course which includes a pool dive, some theory and a shallow sea dive to around 12 metres. Whatever you do, don’t leave Zanzibar without doing a spice tour. These can be arranged in Stone Town, with prices starting at around $30 a person.

Travel Tips

• If you’re planning to stay in Stone Town for a while, then book accommodation in advance for a few nights. This will give you somewhere to aim for when you arrive, but won’t tie you down if it turns out to be less desirable. Once there you can explore the old town on foot and move to a nicer spot if you need to. Don’t try this if you’re visiting in July, however, when Stone Town is packed for the Festival of the Dhow Countries.

• You can employ this same strategy in Nungwi, Paje and Jambiani where there are plenty of good budget options within walking distance along the beach. You’ll find huts and bungalows that don’t even take advance bookings and survive exclusively on walk in guests. As with Stone Town in July, there’s always some risk, and along the northern and eastern coasts it’s busiest from July to October. Jambiani is currently one of the quieter stretches of beach and a good place to start if you’re worried about availability.

• Be aware that the smaller, cheaper guesthouses almost always require cash and there’s nowhere to draw money outside of Stone Town, Kiwengwa and Chake Chake. Officially all accommodation must be paid for in US dollars, though euros are increasingly accepted and some budget hostels may take Tanzania shillings. The best option is to arrive with all your dollars in cash as you’ll get better rates than if you exchange on the islands. If you do need to change money (a few shillings can be useful for smaller purchases such as street food), then use a private bureau de change in Stone Town. The larger hotels often provide a FOREX service, but usually at much poorer rates.

• Expect to pay $10 to $15 for a dorm bed in Stone Town and $40 to $60 for a clean double room anywhere. Single rooms are rare in Zanzibar and you’ll often be charged the full rate for a double. Local food and basic drinks will set you back about $25 a day, so all-in-all you’re looking at around $50 a person a day sharing, for a decent guesthouse on a fairly tight budget.

Zanzibar does luxury supremely well. From treetop suites to private islands, and all manner of barefoot bliss in between. There are world-class hotels and resorts across the archipelago including some welcome new additions in Stone Town. But although a few days in Stone Town are essential to any holiday in Zanzibar, it’s the stunning beach-side boutiques and intimate island escapes that set these East African spice isles apart.

The most exclusive beach resorts are on Michamvi Peninsula, Ras Kizimkazi, Mafia and Pemba Islands. You’ll find superb luxury hotels along all the major beaches, but these four regions have many of the best. That is to say, these four plus a few spectacular tiny islets. For the ultimate tropical island experience, why not a luxury atoll for a week?

Highlights

There’s wonder and beauty all across Zanzibar, but at the best luxury lodges you’ll feel you have it all to yourself. Most are tucked away on secluded, if not private, beaches, or on small, pristine islands where there really is no one else. Enjoy exclusive snorkelling reefs, private dhow cruises and candlelit dinners with your toes in the sand; or spend the night in a houseboat with an underwater bedroom, a baobab treehouse or a glorious Robinson-Crusoe-styled beach villa. Exceptional levels of personal service are very much the norm on Zanzibar. That’s especially true of the smaller luxury boutiques which only host a few guests at a time.

Travel Tips

• One of the downsides of being small and exclusive is that bookings must be made quite far in advance. The high season runs from July to October, with a spike again from January to March. During these times, it can be hard to find availability, especially if you’re looking for a longer stay. Longer stays, however, often mean substantial discounts (up to a third off for bookings of a week or more).

• Combo beach and safari holidays are also very popular and a number of resorts have sister lodges on mainland Tanzania. These often offer excellent all-inclusive deals, covering the full Big Five African safari experience, flight transfers and kicking back on the beach.

• Cards are usually accepted for extra activities or excursions, but it’s a good idea to carry some US dollars in cash to cover any sundries and tips. Visas can be acquired at the airport on arrival, but get them in advance and you’ll avoid the queues. Flight transfers may or may not be included in your package – something to keep in mind as returns to Mafia or Pemba can add $300 to the bill. The flights, however, are a highlight in themselves and a wonderful opportunity to see the azure archipelago from the air.

Few world destinations conjure such exotic visions as the spice islands of Zanzibar. Look beyond its postcard-perfect beaches, turquoise seas and stunning luxury lodges and this archetypal island paradise is so much more than it first appears.

Beneath the tranquil surface a fascinating and turbulent past lies veiled; whispers of a time when giraffes were sent as gifts by sultans and spices were worth much more than gold.

The frenetic focal point of African, Arabian, Indian and Persian trade for over a millennium, this East African archipelago has harboured Portuguese carracks bound for India and been the staging post for some of the Victorian era’s greatest explorers – David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley to name just two. But it’s not only sultans and sailors and dhows stuffed with spice, Zanzibar’s enchanting history has a dark side too. For hundreds of years her crowded slave market was the grim epicentre of a vast network that stretched inland to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, south around the Cape Peninsula and northwards to Oman and the date palms of Arabia

Today, evidence of this rich, troubled history can be readily found in Stone Town’s unique mix of Swahili, Arabic and Indian architecture, the thought-provoking museums, the fusion of fragrant cooking styles and, of course, the ever-present scent of spices caught on the passing breeze. Visitors can enjoy locally-guided spice tours, cooking classes, stylish boutiques and colourful markets awash with hand-crafted silver jewellery, leather goods and clothes. Away from the bustle of Zanzibar Town, the islands’ beaches are some of the best in the world and off shore there’s scuba diving with turtles or whale sharks, and sunset dhow cruises to deserted, tidal sandbars.

On the archipelago’s three larger islands you’ll find a range of lodges and activities for every dream and budget. The main Zanzibar Island (proper name ‘Unguja’) is the largest and busiest, then Pemba to the north with its excellent diving and laid back vibe, and finally the more exclusive Mafia Island in the far south – the best place to see hatching turtles (between June and September). Between these main landmasses, a scattering of smaller isles shelter protected reefs and some of the most stunning barefoot luxury resorts in the world.

A holiday to Zanzibar isn’t just a holiday to any tropical island, but a unique blend of cultures and experiences, a chance to bask in an ancient archipelago with a still-tangible history like no other in the world.

Zanzibar’s islands have been inhabited for many hundreds of years and although ancient records refer to imported elephants and other iconic species, you won’t find any of Africa’s major land mammals here today.

For the best chance of seeing Zanzibar’s smaller, rarer and in some cases, endemic species, head to Jozani Forest Reserve just south of Zanzibar Town or Ngezi Forest Reserve on Pemba Island. Jozani is home to the fabulous Kirk’s red colobus monkey, which with its distinctive grey tufts and ochre-red back is one of the rarest sights in Africa. Even rarer, and much harder to spot, are the diminutive Zanzibar suni, Ader’s duiker and Pemba blue duiker, all species of antelope found only in the archipelago. The Pemba flying fox (really a huge fruit bat with a wingspan over 1.5m) is another native to the northernmost island, while Chumbe and Chapwani Islands are known for their giant coconut crabs, and nearby Changu (Prison Island) for its resident (though introduced) giant tortoises. Over 200 species of bird have also been recorded across the islands, including the Pemba sunbird and Pemba scops owl, both endemic to Pemba Island.

Beyond the mangrove and coconut forests, shallow tidal lagoons give way to stunning coral reefs and beneath the waves a whole new world unfolds. Zanzibar is a breath-taking destination for diving and snorkelling, though overfishing and careless management have damaged some areas. Chumbe Island, south of Zanzibar Town, has a protected reef which is reserved for snorkelling only. For diving, the best sites are off Pemba and Mafia – the former known for its spectacular wall dives and open-ocean pelagic fish and the latter for Chole Bay, arguably the best coral garden in East Africa. Visit Mafia between September and March and you’ll also have the chance to swim with whale sharks, while from June to September nearby Juani Island hosts one of the world’s most special sights – the mad seaward dash of hatching turtles.

It’s impossible to soak in everything Zanzibar has to offer without maxing out your visa and staying the full three months.

The main Zanzibar Island itself is already more than can be explored on the average summer holiday, and Pemba and Mafia are wonderful destinations in their own right. With its superb diving, myriad islands and inlets, rich cultural history, delicious seafood and broad mix of laid back, luxurious (and often very affordable) lodges and hotels, Zanzibar pulls visitors back time and again.

Happily, a trend towards sustainable tourism is also increasingly evident in recent years, allowing visitors to support the excellent work many operators are doing to promote local development and wildlife conservation. But whether you’re combining the islands with a mainland safari or treating yourself to the spice isles alone, Zanzibar is a paradise not to be missed, a dream that only gets stronger once you first touch its shores.

If you’re looking for a romantic island vacation, then look no further – a romantic holiday in Zanzibar is a thrilling destination for couples. With a fascinating history and stunning natural beauty, its exotic blend of experiences makes a Zanzibar Honeymoon unique.

Here you’ll find not only secluded beaches and elegant modern villas, but also sundowner dhow cruises and Arabian-styled boutique hotels on your Zanzibar luxury honeymoon. And whereas in the past many couples would head straight to the beach, there’s now a growing number of intimate luxury hotels and restaurants in Stone Town that are establishing the enigmatic old quarter as a romantic honeymoon destination in its own right.

Although the gorgeous coastline is a must, any romantic Zanzibar Island honeymoon should include some time in Stone Town. The old town’s maze of narrow streets and alleys have attracted adventurous couples for years, and new cosy restaurants and intimate hotels have only added to the quarter’s charm.

The twisting passageways are also home to an increasing number of speciality shops and boutiques, stocking high-quality, made-in-Zanzibar jewellery, clothing and accessories. High above the streets, rooftop restaurants serve intriguing cocktails and delicious seafood, with glorious sunset views across the palm trees and over the bay.

Outside of Stone Town the Michamvi Peninsula has arguably the best selection of smaller, quieter hotels, with plenty of choices for an unforgettable romantic Kenya Zanzibar honeymoon break. Kendwa and Matemwe

However, for the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity, head to Pemba or Mafia, or one of the smaller private islands scattered throughout the archipelago. There are some truly magical experiences to be had on your Zanzibar Island honeymoon, from spectacular private tree houses to a houseboat’s underwater bedroom.

Highlights of a Zanzibar Honeymoon

• The experiences you have on your Zanzibar honeymoon will stay in your heart forever. Swim with dolphins off Ras Kizimkazi, or enrol in a scuba diving course together. Enjoy a sumptuous candlelit meal in the dreamlike ruins of Mtoni Palace, or board a sunset dhow cruise and sip G&Ts with your toes in the sea.

• A boat trip of some sort is essential in Zanzibar and there are few things more romantic than your own dhow for the day. Visit remote tidal sandbars and snorkel pristine coral bays on your Zanzibar luxury honeymoon. The more upmarket lodges will often have their own dhows for guests to use.

• Enjoy a quiet beach, sunset deck, moonlit dinner on the white sands of this island getaway. Zanzibar offers classic romance in spades. The hardest part will be to choose which experiences you would like to do on your romantic Zanzibar honeymoon.

Travel Tips for your Zanzibar Honeymoon

• Across the islands, the smaller, upmarket boutiques tend to fill up quickest and should always be secured well ahead of time. These are usually the best hotels for couples, and some have a couples-only policy or don’t allow young kids.

• There’s no need to hire a car in Zanzibar unless you want to explore every corner of the island on your honeymoon Zanzibar. All the larger hotels and resorts will be happy to arrange transfers and in any case, the most travel you’ll likely do is a long evening walk along the beach.

• Be aware that homosexuality is illegal in Zanzibar, but most hotels and resorts have no problem with same-sex couples. Outside of the resorts, public affection is frowned upon and it’s considered polite for even same-sex couples to be discreet. Bikinis and shorts are absolutely fine on the beach, but both sexes should cover shoulders and legs when walking around town.

A Zanzibar vacation is simply fantastic for families. It’s safe, laid back and there’s plenty for kids to do. Once you arrive the transfers are quick and easy – just a few minutes to your hotel in Stone Town or at most an hour and a half to the furthest beach resort.

There are hotels and resorts all over the archipelago that cater specifically for families with kids on their Zanzibar vacation. You’ll find understanding staff, large suites or family rooms, private bungalows and villas, and even specially supervised children’s activities so you can lie undisturbed on the beach.

With most of the islands’ beaches protected by wide coral lagoons, there’s safe splashing and swimming all along the coast. Some resorts have large private dhows and offer thrilling snorkelling trips to offshore sandbars. These may need to be specially booked in advance, but they’ll have your kids playing at ‘pirates of Zanzibar’ long after you’ve returned home.

Though the food can be exotic too, the more familiar fare is readily available. If the octopus curry doesn’t (for some reason) grab them, there’ll be burgers or pasta on the menu as well on your Zanzibar vacation. All in all, Zanzibar is an incredibly easy place to travel, somewhere to create unique memories that will be treasured for years to come.

There are excellent family resorts all over Zanzibar, but you’ll find the most choice on the main Zanzibar Island, Unguja. In the north, Nungwi and Kendwa both have good options, though here you’ll find more of a party crowd as well. Along the Michamvi Peninsula, the beaches tend to be quieter, with a number of upmarket resorts that also welcome families. In the southeast of the island, Jambiani is also worth exploring. It’s a laid-back stretch of beach with a range of family accommodation.

Although Pemba has one or two first-rate family resorts, the choices are fewer and the range of kid-friendly activities more limited. Mafia also has fewer options than Unguja, but some resorts cater specifically to families and there’s a chance to see hatching turtles on your Zanzibar vacation.

Highlights

• The spectacle of hundreds of tiny turtles tottering towards the sea is a wonderful opportunity for conservation education and an experience the whole family won’t soon forget. Visit Mafia between June and September and you can take a day trip to see the hatchlings on nearby Juani Island. The entire excursion is a highlight, including the short boat ride and the enthusiastic local guides. If you can’t make it to Mafia, then there’s also the Mnarani Natural Aquarium in Nungwi, a community-run project that does a huge amount for local turtle conservation, and where you can see rescued turtles up close.
• Other nature excursions include boat trips from Zanzibar Town to see the resident giant tortoises on Changuu (also known as ‘Prison’) Island, and further south, day trips or overnight stays on Chumbe Island where the focus is on conservation and education – not to mention the enormous coconut crabs!
• Back on land, the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is a 45-minute drive from Zanzibar Town, on the southern outskirts of Jozani Forest. With over 30 species and thousands of individual butterflies, the centre is a must for children of all ages. Finally, don’t leave the islands’ without doing a spice tour. They’re a great way to see the plantations outside of Zanzibar Town, interact with local farmers and discover where spices come from. Fresh coconut and seasonal fruit can also be sampled and all-in-all it’s a great day out, though more suited to slightly older kids.

Travel tips for your Zanzibar Vacation

• There are a number of excellent resorts and hotels with plenty of experience in family travel. They’re not hard to find and are the best way to ensure a hassle-free holiday. They’ll usually be able to arrange taxis or transfers, not only to and from the airport but also to fun family activities in the area. If you’re looking for some time to yourself then aim for a resort with a children’s club and/or nursery. Some of these clubs are remarkably well-run and offer a wide variety of kids’ activities, from supervised water sports to arts and crafts and village tours.
• There is one important concern with any trip to Zanzibar and that’s the relatively low, but ever-present risk of malaria. Preventative prophylaxis drugs are available, including safe options for children. Consult your doctor before you travel and be aware that the cooler, drier period between May and September tends to have fewer mosquitoes, but there is some risk in all seasons, across all of the islands.

Travelling on your own presents some special challenges. Will you be safe? Will you get lonely? Will you be able to make the most of the activities on offer? Then there are all those varying priorities – a comfortable hammock and a good book for a week, or immersion in the local culture, great food, perhaps the chance to meet like minded people? Zanzibar caters to all kinds of solo travel. It’s safe, affordable and easy to get around. There are places to go if you’re looking for a party and plenty of more low key areas if you’re not. For a tropical island paradise, there’s an extraordinary variety of experiences available, and a rich cultural history that’s never far away. Though at times loud and chaotic, it’s a wonderfully easy place to travel – in fact there may not be anywhere else quite as relaxed in all of Africa.

Where you head will depend on what you’re looking for, and also on the time of year. Nungwi is perhaps the islands’ most happening beach, especially in September/October and again from December to March. Nearby Kendwa, though quieter, hosts Zanzibar’s best full moon beach parties, and both Kendwa and Nungwi are a good place to meet fellow travellers. Paje, on the southeast, can also get quite lively, particularly from June to August when the kite surfers arrive in force.

If, however, you’re after peace and quiet then there are plenty of great options at any time of year. Matemwe, Pongwe and Pingwe all have quieter, more exclusive lodges and hotels and there are some good budget hangouts in Bwejuu and, especially, Jambiani. Pemba and Mafia Island, are idyllic and near empty year-round, and everywhere on Zanzibar is easily accessible via a short (and beautiful) flight, boat ride or taxi transfer.

Highlights

Wandering Stone Town’s maze of streets is an essential part of any holiday to Zanzibar. Solo travellers can feel perfectly safe – just take basic precautions. Excellent, organised tours can also be arranged if you don’t feel comfortable exploring alone. Guided tours, especially those run by local residents, are also a great way to learn about the town’s past and uncover secrets that you’d never glean on your own.

Though steeped in history, Stone Town is a bubbling, living community too. There are local restaurants and cosy cafes to try, or the vibrant exotic street food market at Forodhani Gardens each evening. The fresh seafood on Zanzibar is particularly delicious – from octopus and coconut curries to astonishing piles of battered squid and spicy prawns. In the evenings, there are roof top bars for sundowners or head to a local taarab music performance where visitors are always welcome.

Outside the capital, both Nungwi and Jambiani offer community-led cultural tours which provide insight into the age-old dhow building tradition and the subsistence fishing lifestyle of native Zanzibaris. And under the waves there’s phenomenal diving all over the archipelago, or join a group tour to swim with the whale sharks off Mafia.

Travel Tips

All travellers, but especially solos, should spend some time in Stone Town. A few days will get you acclimated to the islands and shouldn’t be avoided in the rush to hit the beaches. Arrival in Zanzibar Town is by far the most chaotic experience you’ll have all trip. Most hotels offer dedicated taxi transfers so save yourself some hassle and book one in advance. If you do prefer to play it by ear, then you’ll find a host of touts happy to do business. Be aware that they may get better commission for taking you to specific hotels so bear that in mind if you’re told your first choice is full. On the whole, however, Zanzibar is safe and relaxed – an easy-going, laid-back slice of paradise and a wonderful place for a solo traveller to explore.

Zanzibar’s islands have been inhabited for many hundreds of years and although ancient records refer to imported elephants and other iconic species, you won’t find any of Africa’s major land mammals here today.

For the best chance of seeing Zanzibar’s smaller, rarer and in some cases, endemic species, head to Jozani Forest Reserve just south of Zanzibar Town or Ngezi Forest Reserve on Pemba Island. Jozani is home to the fabulous Kirk’s red colobus monkey, which with its distinctive grey tufts and ochre-red back is one of the rarest sights in Africa. Even rarer, and much harder to spot, are the diminutive Zanzibar suni, Ader’s duiker and Pemba blue duiker, all species of antelope found only in the archipelago. The Pemba flying fox (really a huge fruit bat with a wingspan over 1.5m) is another native to the northernmost island, while Chumbe and Chapwani Islands are known for their giant coconut crabs, and nearby Changu (Prison Island) for its resident (though introduced) giant tortoises. Over 200 species of bird have also been recorded across the islands, including the Pemba sunbird and Pemba scops owl, both endemic to Pemba Island.

Beyond the mangrove and coconut forests, shallow tidal lagoons give way to stunning coral reefs and beneath the waves a whole new world unfolds. Zanzibar is a breath-taking destination for diving and snorkelling, though overfishing and careless management have damaged some areas. Chumbe Island, south of Zanzibar Town, has a protected reef which is reserved for snorkelling only. For diving, the best sites are off Pemba and Mafia – the former known for its spectacular wall dives and open-ocean pelagic fish and the latter for Chole Bay, arguably the best coral garden in East Africa. Visit Mafia between September and March and you’ll also have the chance to swim with whale sharks, while from June to September nearby Juani Island hosts one of the world’s most special sights – the mad seaward dash of hatching turtles.

It’s impossible to soak in everything Zanzibar has to offer without maxing out your visa and staying the full three months.

The main Zanzibar Island itself is already more than can be explored on the average summer holiday, and Pemba and Mafia are wonderful destinations in their own right. With its superb diving, myriad islands and inlets, rich cultural history, delicious seafood and broad mix of laid back, luxurious (and often very affordable) lodges and hotels, Zanzibar pulls visitors back time and again.

Happily, a trend towards sustainable tourism is also increasingly evident in recent years, allowing visitors to support the excellent work many operators are doing to promote local development and wildlife conservation. But whether you’re combining the islands with a mainland safari or treating yourself to the spice isles alone, Zanzibar is a paradise not to be missed, a dream that only gets stronger once you first touch its shores.