Zanzibar - the Spice Island

Zanzibar is a short hop away from the Tanzanian mainland with easy flight connections to all the major tourist centres.

With picture postcard beaches, superb diving and deep sea fishing, a traditional Swahili culture steeped in history and the atmospheric alleyways of Stone Town, this Spice Island has something for everyone and makes the perfect beach destination to relax after your safari on the mainland or as a destination in its own right.
There is accommodation to suit all budgets, a variety of excursions easily arranged from Stone Town and in general a good infrastructure.

House of Wonders

Stone Town itself can be a hive of activity with traders demonstrating timeless negotiating skills along the narrow shopping streets or can be the sleepiest town imaginable depending on the time of day.
Worthwhile excursions include a city tour which brings home the true horrors of the days of slavery, visits to spice farms, outlying islands such as Changuu island with its giant tortoises, the endangered red colobus monkeys at Jozani forest and swimming with dolphins at Kizimkazi in the south (although in peak seasons there is a disturbing lack of control over the number of boats and snorkellers in the area).

Nungwi village

There are several festivals throughout the year in Zanzibar, notably Eid el Fitur at the end of Ramadhan (usually end of November but depends on the full moon), the Sauti Za Busara Swahili Music Festival in February and the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July.

The beaches and surrounding waters of Zanzibar are superb, however it must be noted that on the South East Coast in particular the tides do recede a long way making swimming difficult at low tide. Personal favourites include Kendwa and Nungwi beaches, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, Bweju and the private islands of Chumbe and Mnemba.

Please ask for recommendations for beach hotels and resorts and the very best diving options. A good idea to gain a greater insight into the island is to split your time between different beaches and Stone Town. Full suggested itineraries available on request for all budgets.

• Chumbe Island
• Mnemba Island

Suggested Zanzibar Itineraries

Suggested Zanzibar Accommodation

Zanzibar Photo Gallery
Please ask for a full fact sheet on attractions and excursions in Zanzibar.