Zanzibar, Africa

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Zanzibar guide

Tropical Zanzibar is a group of islands 35 km from the coast of mainland Tanzania. Stone Town otherwise known as Zanzibar town is at the heart of Zanzibar. Much of Stone town was built in the nineteenth century; at this time Zanzibar was considered an important commercial trading centre in the west Indian ocean for trading-ships heading for mainland Tanzania. Tanzania has a wealth of history to be discovered such as Persian-style baths, cathedrals, an omani fortress, and former palaces now museums. It is a very comfortable cosmopolitan town that compacts an amazing contrast of different cultures and races together.

The majestic waterfront is a picturesque strip of Zanzibar that holds grande buildings built for showing off wealth and power. Along from the waterfront you will arrive at Palace Museum. This was the Sultan's official residence until the revolution; afterwards from 1964 it was used as a collecting ground for furniture and fittings from the revolution.

Six kilometers from Chukwani south of Stone Town is Chumbe Island Coral Park. Here you will find an amazing abundance of coral gardens. There are around 200 species of coral and a vast array of marine life. Scuba diving is prohibited but snorkeling will allow you to get up close to this beautiful ecosystem.

The east coast of Zanzibar (Unguja) Island is the main tourist hub because of its picturesque sandy-white beaches and tropical climate. You will find the most popular beaches at Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu. If you want to be based at Stone Town the beaches are a few km's away; there is a transfer bus to the beaches from Creek Road. Otherwise if you intend to lounge around on the beaches all day at Bwejuu beach there is a good selection of accommodation to choose from. Snorkeling is permitted along the reef that hems the beaches and scuba diving is also allowed; there are many tours to choose from also from hotels.

  • Tourist Information is on Creek Road or at the port.
  • You will need a visa to visit Tanzania; you can arrange this prior to travelling (tanzania-online) or a white card will be given to you in-flight; a fee will need to be paid to the immigration officer.
  • You will need inoculations before traveling to Tanzania; check whether you need seperate inoculations from the mainland.
  • Bring insect repellent.
  • Currency - Shillings.

    • Flights to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)

    Zanzibar International Airport is 7 km south of Stone Town.

    To and from Zanzibar Airport

  • Taxi - Outside arrivals and should cost around TSh5000.

    • Transfer to east-side beach resorts

  • Minibus - there is a daily tourist bus from Creek Road which will transfer you to your hotel; costs around TSh3000 - 5000.
  • Taxi - maybe cheaper than the minibus but you need to purchase a permit from Bwawani Hotel on Creek Road for driving outside Stone Town.
  • You can reach Stone Town, Zanzibar by ferry from Dar es Salaam. There are at least 7 ferries a day.
  • Dar es Salaam ferry terminal, Sokoine Drive (centre of town) - Stone Town, Zanzibar. Tickets range from $20 - 40 and takes 1.5 to 2 hours; pre-booking is not really necessary. If you would like more information on ferry timetables email the Tanzania Info Hub.

    Activities and sightseeing in Zanzibar

    Stone Town - The waterfront, The Palace Museum, The Old Dispensary and Big Tree (beautiful 4 storey building), The House of wonders - Beit al-Ajaib (Zanzibar National Museum of History and Culture), Tippu Tip's House (along Suicide Alley, house of a slave trader and is said to be haunted), Anglican Cathedral and slave market (at Mkunazini), Hamamni Persian Baths, Catholic Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Creek Road (was an old saltwater creek).

    Islands around Stone Town - Changuu Island (snorkeling), Bawe Island (snorkeling and scuba-diving, ship wreck), Chumbe Island Coral Park (snorkeling), privately owned Chapwani Island, Mbweni Island (botanical gardens).

    South of Stone Town - Jozani forest (Kirk's red colobus monkeys), Menai bay conservation area (dolphin tours!).

    East-side beach resorts - Paje, Bwejuu (snorkeling spots), Dongwe, Kae, Jambiani (sand-banks, show waters and coral reefs. Most hotels will offer scuba-diving excursions.

    Eating and drinking in Zanzibar

    Zanzibar is an island therefore seafood is always on the menu such as Octopus, crab, prawns and lobster. There are however other cuisines available such as Italian, Chinese and Indian dishes. In stone Town you will find romantic places to eat on rooftops and along the waterfront to watch the sun go down. More bars and nightclubs are popping up however there usually isn’t much going on after midnight. If you are staying on the east-side beach resorts most of the bars and restaurants are in the hotels.

    Zanzibar ClimateJanFebMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
    Average Temperature (celsius)313131302928282829303031