Imagine relaxing on an exquisite tropical beach in Africa – a place where you can swim, snorkel, dive, and so much more. And then think of historical places like the Stone Town – an ancient town very active up to date, or the Changuu island and all other ancient buildings and ruins dating many centuries. If all these are appealing, a trip to Zanzibar is something you shouldn’t miss.
Whether it’s your time, or you’re revisiting this idyllic archipelago, there’s something unique waiting for you.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Zanzibar, how to get there, the best time to be there, and the top things to do while you’re there. Let’s get right into it!
Zanzibar experiences a dry season from June to October. It’s ideal for beach holidays as you’ll enjoy sunny days, clear skies, etc. Imagine lying on the white-sand beaches while watching the clear skies. That’s how a beach holiday feels in the dry season. No clouds, no rain, and no boring stuff that usually happens in the dry season.
However, visiting Zanzibar from June to October means you’ll likely encounter crowds on most beaches, streets, and hotels. To enjoy a private beach experience, consider high-end resorts and private islands, such as Mnemba Island.
December – February is also better. It’s a short dry season, and it’s more affordable than the long dry season, which sees competitive rates driving prices up. However, the days between Christmas and New Year celebrations have significantly higher prices as many tourists want to spend their festive season in Zanzibar.
If you’re on a budget, try March to May or November. However, be informed of downpours falling from mid-March through May. In November, short rains begin – as a result, a few people can visit Zanzibar.
By Air; The Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport receives flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and other Tanzanian cities. This airport also connects with international cities, including Nairobi, Doha, Istanbul, and Dubai.
By Ferry; Even so, there’s another convenient way to get to Zanzibar – yes, getting there by ferry. It’s a journey filled with scenes and an incredible experience of the Indian Ocean. You start experiencing this blue ocean from Dar es Salaam. By ferry, you experience Stone Town far from the ocean. The views are even more crystal clear as you get close to the shore.
Booking a ferry; You can book a ferry trip from various operators. But we highly recommend Azam Marine & Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries. They have numerous daily trips to and from Zanzibar. Here is a guide to booking a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar via Azam Marine.
Booking is made easy, as you can book online or in person. To avoid disturbances, we advise you to book your ticket online. It’s simple, just visit their website, select your class, and grab your ticket. You can also book in person at the ferry terminal in Kivukoni, Dar es Salaam.
There are four classes: economy, business, VIP, and royal. Azam Marine has a fleet of 4 vessels, each with the capacity to carry about 500 passengers. They’re named as Kilimanjaro IV, V, VI, and VII.
Facilities and services
- Wi-Fi connection
- Air conditioning
- VIP lounge for VIP and royal class
- TV shows
Top Things to Do
There’s much to do on this peaceful island – from exploring cultures to relaxing on its white-sand beaches. If you’re not sure what to do, don’t worry, 4×4 Adventures has ready-made itineraries at your fingertips. What you need to know are a few of the exciting things you might find in your plan, especially if you want a customised one to suit your style. Ready to discover the beauty of Zanzibar? Join us on our unforgettable safari adventures off the eastern coast of Tanzania. If you still have questions, please contact our customer service. Here are some of them:
Changuu Island is also called the Prison Island, and it’s just 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town. The history of this small island is terrible, as it was once used as a prison for rebellious slaves and then as a quarantine for slaves suspected of yellow fever. There’s much to see and learn on this island.
Currently, this island harbours over 100 giant tortoises. You can, of course, feed them and take pictures with them after you’ve paid the entrance fee. Originally, these tortoises didn’t belong here – they were sent to this island as a gift from the British governor of Seychelles. No one knows to whom this gift was sent.
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Diving at Mnemba Atoll; If you’re not afraid of the water, try diving at Mnemba Atoll. This is a top-notch diving site in Zanzibar. Fishing is not allowed here; therefore, it’s no surprise you come with undisturbed marine life. Imagine sinking beneath the turquoise, warm waters of the Indian Ocean while viewing coral reefs and a plethora of marine species. It’s an experience worth a try for any adventure lover, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver. Mnemba is a private island run by &Beyond, so you can expect more than just marine life exploration undersea, but a haven for self-discovery since you’ll meet a few other divers. Guiding both beginners and advanced divers are PADI-certified dive masters. They, of course, offer PADI Discover Scuba Diving courses for non-divers and other PADI-certified courses for divers. The minimum age for diving is 8 years.
Visit Stone Town; Stone Town was once an iconic, charming town in East Africa. It emerged as an important trading and administrative hub for different rulers, from the Portuguese to the Arabs. The small alleys, old baths, busy markets, doors, and so much more speak volumes about the cultures that once lived there. In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.
The doors, for example, display the influences of early dwellers, showcasing their culture and history. You may find spices on the doors or spikes. Spices on the door indicate that a merchant once lived.
If the door has spikes, an Indian once lived there, and what’s interesting is the reason they added those spikes. Listen. There were wars in India, and elephants were used to kick in the doors when raiding. The Indians used spikes to prevent elephants from kicking in the door. Amazing right? So, they brought this antique to Stone Town, and it’s still there in many hotels, like the Dhow Palace (which is more than 150 years old).
The childhood home of Freddie Mercury, a lead singer in the 1970s, is something not to miss when you’re in Stone Town. There are many things to discover there. Take a stop at the Mtoni Palace, which bears witness to Zanzibar’s ancient rulers. This place also hosts traditional performances every Tuesday and Friday.
You can also stop at the Forodhani Gardens to taste local cuisines, Food vendors in the cafes sell everything from seafood to Zanzibar pizza. However, we advise you to choose the best cafes, and we recommend Traveller’s Café and Ginger Beer. The place is also charming with various cultures.
While you can explore Stone Town alone, it’s recommended to hire a local guide. This local is where to take you within busy streets, markets, and ruins – whether it’s your first being there or not. You’ll have a good, adventurous day.
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Spice tour; The name “Spice Island” didn’t come out of the blue since Zanzibar is home to spices (of different kinds). Their origin can be traced back to early colonisers of this island, from the Portuguese to the Arabs.
A spice tour is absolutely an excursion around spice farms in Zanzibar, usually taking about 3 hours. There are a variety of spices to see, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, nutmegs, black peppers, and so much more. You can finish your tour with a spiced rice lunch to taste how locals use them to flavor their dishes.
Relax at Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches; Nungwi and Kendwa are among the top beaches in the Zanzibar North. They’re not tidal, hence, ideal for swimmers of all levels, beginners and advanced. The nights on these beaches are teeming with music performances, parties, and dances.
The breeze is perfect, not to mention the powdered sand where you can lie. Besides swimming, guests can snorkel, sail, and walk around the coast. Both have classic beachfront resorts waiting for you.
Relax at Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches; Nungwi and Kendwa are among the top beaches in the Zanzibar North. They’re not tidal, hence, ideal for swimmers of all levels, beginners and advanced. The nights on these beaches are teeming with music performances, parties, and dances.
The breeze is perfect, not to mention the powdered sand where you can lie. Besides swimming, guests can snorkel, sail, and walk around the coast. Both have classic beachfront resorts waiting for you.
Like in the mainland, the people of Zanzibar welcome visitors with charms and smiles. While on this island, you can get in touch with them. You can visit their homes or mosques and have a meaningful day. You can also meet them in the busy streets of Stone Town, where you can taste local cuisine, watch paintings, and buy souvenirs.
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Jozani Forest offers a safari-like adventure in Zanzibar – and of course, it’s the island’s only park. Here, you can watch playful red colobus monkeys. You can also walk along the mangrove forest and discover more about flora and fauna. A half day is enough to get yourself away from the crowd and walk in this tremendous, small, protected area.
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While smooth relaxation on its peaceful beaches is awesome, Zanzibar hosts various festivals from time to time throughout the year. You can time one of them on your next adventure. These include the Zanzibar Film International Festival and Mwaka Kogwa, which will be held in July, and Sauti za Busara, which will be held in February.
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