Zanzibar Island Tourism Guide, Hotels, Beaches & Tanzania Safaris
Zanzibar is where you can experience everything you have ever imagined about the ocean. Located on the Indian Ocean coastline, Zanzibar Island is a hidden jewel with tropical beaches.
No better in Africa beats Zanzibar when it comes to beach holidays or romantic holidays. Get a holiday guide to exploring Zanzibar with Premium Africa Safaris under Flawless Adventure Planners Limited.
The travel guide includes location, history, things to do/activities, attractions, beaches, boutique hotels/lodges, stone town, airport (flights), religion, tourism, and more!
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Key Highlights About Zanzibar
- Location.
- Tourism.
- Things to do.
- Is Zanzibar safe?
- Hotels.
- Is Zanzibar a country in Africa?
- What is Zanzibar famous for?
- Flights.
- Weather/Climate
- Best time to visit.
Location
Zanzibar is an archipelago located along the East African coast. It is semi-autonomous from Tanzania and is lying in the Indian Ocean. It comprises several small spectacular islands and 2 extensive ones including Unguja also known as Zanzibar and Pemba Island.
Zanzibar city is located on the Unguja Island. The historic Stone Town is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous area that united with Tanganyika in 1964 creating the present United Republic of Tanzania.
The main Zanzibar archipelago industries comprise tourism, raffia, and spices.
It is the main producer of the world’s preferred spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, black pepper, and coconut. The Archipelago combined with Mafia Island at times called the Spice Islands due to the existing extensive spice plantations.
History
Zanzibar’s unique history dates back to more than 2,000 years. The island features a fusion of different cultures due to the historic trade carried out by Persia, Arabia, and India.
Today, it boasts of unique culture and history worth exploring on a holiday/vacation. However, its exotic beaches still feature as the main attraction.
Tourism
Zanzibar’s tourism sector began recently. Since its introduction and with government promotion initiatives, there has been a sharp increase from 19,000 tourists in 1985 to 376,000 in 2016.
Zanzibar flights/airport
Access to the islands is possible via the available five ports and the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Abeid Amani Karume serves over 1.5 million travelers/passengers each year.
Languages
While on Zanzibar holiday, the commonly spoken languages include Swahili (Kiswahili). The residents also speak English, Arabic, French, and Italian. Kiunguja is the dialect of Swahili spoken.
Religion
The largest population in Zanzibar comprises of Islam. Muslims are the majority and a small portion consists of Christians. Additional religious groups here include Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus.
Places of worship in Zanzibar Island include the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Zanzibar, Muslim Mosques, Assemblies of God, the Baptist Convention of Tanzania, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
Geography of Zanzibar
Zanzibar is geographically set on the Swahili Coast adjacent to Tanganyika/mainland Tanzania. Its main northern tip of Unguja Island is 5.72 degrees south and 39.30 degrees east.
The Island is separated from mainland Tanzania by a channel that measures about 36.5 km across. The island is 85 km long and 39 km wide but covers a surface area of 1464 sq. km.
Unguja is low laying but has its highest point at 120 meters. Unguja features stunning sandy beaches and fringing coral reefs. The reefs on the island are endowed with marine biodiversity.
The Northern tip of Pemba Island lies 4.87 degrees south, 3968 degrees east, and the southernmost point is lying at 5.47 degrees south, 39.72 degrees east. Pemba Island is also separated by a channel measuring 56 km wide. It is 67 km long and 23 km wide with overall surface area coverage of 985 sq. km. Pemba Island primarily is low-lying but has the highest point at 95 meters.
Weather/climate
Zanzibar enjoys tropical monsoon climatic conditions. The heat of summer is usually cooled by strong sea breezes linked to the northeast monsoon, specifically on the north and east coasts. It is close to the Equator and the islands are generally warm all year round.
It experiences 2 major seasons with the primary maximum recorded in March, April, and May, and is associated with the southwest monsoon also referred to as Kusi in Kiswahili.
The second phase of the Zanzibar season occurs in November and December. July is when the island experiences minimum rain.
The best time to travel to Zanzibar
Zanzibar can be visited at any time of the year. However, the preferred months are December until mid-March then June up to October.
Attractions in Zanzibar
Wildlife –the main faunal species in Zanzibar include red colobus monkeys (Procolobus kirkii). The red colobus monkey is one of the unique primates in Africa, and about 1500 of them currently survive in the continent.
The red colobus monkeys reside in the mangrove swamps, coastal thickets, and coral rag scrub. The largest population of them thrives in Jozani Forest/Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.
The island also features the rare Zanzibar leopard, a rare native mammal and also critically endangered. The forested areas like Jozani also shelter bushpigs, African palm civets, dolphins, marlin, sykes monkeys, duikers, elephants, and many others.
Birds to expect to spot in the Jozani Forest/Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park include green tinkerbird, black-bellied starling, east coast batis, little greenbul, crowned hornbill, eastern olive sunbird, and somber greenbul, etc.
Explore the tropical beaches. Top 15 beaches to visit in Zanzibar; Jambiani beach, Kendwa Beach, Kiwengwa Beach, Paje Beach, Uroa Bay, Matemwe Beach, Bwejuu, Nungwi, and Pwani Mchangani. Others include Dongwe, Chumbe Island, Mnemba, Nakupenda Beach, Kizimkazi Beach, and Pingwe.
Things to do in Zanzibar
- Spice tours- Explore the rich spice plantations in Zanzibar and its diverse spices including cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, and more.
- Birding tours.
- Kitesurfing along fine beaches like Nungwi, Paje, and Kiwengwa.
- Stone town tour- Explore the narrow streets as you experience the way locals live. Do not miss the to visit the former slave market and current local markets.
- Prison Island tours –Enjoy a 30-minute boat ride to Prison Island where slaves were once detained.
- Forest walks in Jozani Forest.
- Snorkeling, scuba diving, sunset dhow cruise, deep-sea fishing, and more.
- Beach holidays on tropical beaches including.
- Visit Stone Town. Places to visit in Stone Town include Christ Church Cathedral, Darajani Bazaar, Forodhani of Zanzibar, Old Fort, House of Wonders, People’s Palace Museum, former slave markets, and others.
Popular Boutique Hotels in Zanzibar
10 luxury hotels and resorts in Zanzibar include The Residence Zanzibar, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, LUX Marijani, Xanadu Villas & Retreat, Mnemba Island Lodge, White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa, Zawadi Hotel, Baraza Zanzibar, Tui Blue Bahari Zanzibar, and Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
10 Midrange hotels and resorts in Zanzibar; The Z Hotel, Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar, Nungwi Beach Resort, Tembo House Hotel, Pongwe Bay Resort, Baghani House, Clove Hotel, Konokono Beach Resort, Next Paradise Resort, Melia Zanzibar.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Zanzibar safe?
Generally, Zanzibar is a peaceful archipelago where visitors can freely walk around. But like any other place on earth, we don’t advise our guests to walk alone or walk in the night. Make the best use of your safari company car hire services with experts. While on the streets, be keen enough on what to eat. Avoid it unless served when hot.
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Is Zanzibar a country in Africa?
NO! Zanzibar isn’t a country but a semi-autonomous area of the Republic of Tanzania. It is part of Tanzania.
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Which currency is used in Zanzibar?
Tanzanian shilling is the official currency used even in Zanzibar. You need Tanzania Shillings to ease the local transaction.
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Which food do they eat in Zanzibar?
7 foods eaten in Zanzibar include Urojo soup, pizza, Octopus curry, chips Mayai, Birani, Pilau, Ugali, seafood, and others.
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What is Zanzibar famous for?
Zanzibar is most famous for its exotic islands, unique cultures, history, Stone Town, spices, and historic slave trade of the 19th century.
About Tanzania Safaris
Tanzania safaris amazingly offer unmatched African wildlife safaris experiences in the Africa’s finest wilderness areas. From the powerful wildebeest migration to big five game, Tanzania safaris guarantee you remarkable wildlife viewing experience combined with thrilling adventures in the Kilimanjaro Volcano.
Tanzania is a blessed country in East Africa with beautiful scenic beaches, unique diversity of wildlife species, incredible cultural experience. The safari offers a remarkable experience to travelers since it has diverse attractions which enable different activities to be done.
Explore top Big 5 game safari destinations including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area, Tarangire, Manyara National Park, and more.
The country is divided into four major holiday destinations given its vast size. The country has the northern safari circuit which comprise of the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. The Northern tourist circuit is the most popular safari destination/region in Tanzania.
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