Overview

Zanzibar is an archipelago of four islands situated off the coast of East Africa, a jewel and the ultimate Indian Ocean experience. The two large islands are Unguja which is often referred to as Zanzibar and Pemba Island, the capital is Zanzibar City, located on Unguja, and the historic heart of the city, Stone Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city features a strategic location along the spice and slave trade routes in the Indian Ocean and is often referred to as the “Spice Islands”. It was a stronghold for many countries throughout its history, the country of Oman declared Zanzibar its capital for 30 years. The archipelago joined Tanganyika in the 1960s to form the country Tanzania.

The stunning islands boast miles of beautiful white sand beaches rated among the finest in the world where sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and diving are all popular pastimes. The island is filled with incredible natural beauty seen in its beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant marine life. Visiting the islands means exploring the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the Spice Islands. Stone Town is the historic heart of the island where shoppers will be delighted to visit the many bustling markets for delicious food and unique souvenirs.

Learn about the island's history, culture, and people in the city where visitors can discover the vibrant, multi-cultural cuisine, shop for spices, textiles, and jewelry, and visit local corporations. The archipelago was a favorable base for traders voyaging between Africa, Arabia, and India, the three cultures shaped Zanzibar's history, traditions, food, and language. Traders needed to communicate with the natives, a new language emerged that combined Arabic, Persian, English, and Swahili. Zanzibar is called “Coast of Black” and the name Zanzibar comes from the Arabic Zanjibar, and Persian Zang-bar, combining Zang (Black) and bar (coast, land, country).

There are many must-see attractions on the island including the Jazani Forest Reserve which is home to the rare Kirk’s red colobus monkey and Aders’ duiker. Mnemba Island is an idyllic private island nestled off the northeastern coast and home to luxurious accommodations, breathtaking natural scenery, and rich marine diversity. The island produces cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, and raffia. The island's marine ecosystem is an important part of the economy for fishing and algaculture it contains important marine ecosystems that act as fish nurseries for Indian Ocean fish populations. The island is home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus, the Zanzibar servaline genet, and the extinct or rare Zanzibar leopard.

Zanzibar is simply a breathtaking tropical paradise to escape from the world. The crystal clear turquoise waters, shallow sandbars, and small deserted islands. The laid-back island vibe is infectious with endless sunshine and pleasant temperatures perfect for a tropical vacation. There are beachfront restaurants and bars to enjoy delectable local cuisine and tropical drinks with superb views of a stunning sunset.

Things to see and do

Visit the Jozani Forest and explore excellent nature trails and see some very exotic trees such as teak, mahogany, raffia palms, and wild date palms. The Red Colobus Monkeys, call the forest home they are nearly extinct and are very curious and playful animals and like to pose for pictures. There is an option to visit the beautiful mangrove forest which is also worth a visit. Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is also part of the forest, there are guided tours offered to the reserve where a local guide takes you through the mature forest.

Zanzibar has a vast and rich history dating back over 20,0000 years. Visit the historic Stone Town which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Stroll through the labyrinth of ancient winding streets and alleyways brimming with quaint cafes, unique shops, and bustling markets. The architecture here blends Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions. Visitors can shop for souvenirs, drink tea, and visit the city’s historic sites.

Visit Darajani Market, established in 1904 it is the centerpiece of Stone Town. Here you can find anything and everything such as home decor, cooking tools, spices, meat, produce, fresh baked goods and so much more. There are hundreds of market stalls to choose from and the surrounding streets feature food carts to feed your hunger. Visiting first thing in the morning to witness the boisterous fish auction is one of the best experiences.

The House of Wonders is located in Stone Town and was once the ceremonial palace of Sultan Bargash bin Said, the Omani sultan who ruled Zanzibar between 1870 and 1888. It carries its name as it was the first house in East Africa to have electricity, running water, and an elevator. The architecture is typical Zanzibari featuring massive wooden doors, a reminder of both Arab and Indian craftsmanship, as well as tall columns creating shady verandas around the building with rooms located on the outside of the building that create an airy and cool courtyard inside. The house is now an intriguing museum with an eclectic mix of artifacts from throughout Zanzibar’s history.

Take an authentic Spice Tour when in Spice Island, Zanzibar was an important stop in the Spice Trade centuries ago and it is one of the few places in the world where saffron is produced. There are other Middle Eastern, Asian spices including cardamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg that are also grown here. Several companies offer these tours that travel around the island and show you how cinnamon, jack fruit, kukurma, or anise are also grown. You can sample exotic fruit grown on the island and take tours of the beautiful plantations.

There is a museum on the site of the old Slave Market which was the last permanent slave market in East Africa (closed in 1873) that consisted of slave chambers, one for 50 men, and one for 75 women and children. There is also a memorial and an Anglican church that was built on the site of the tree that served as a whipping post. Visit the holding chambers in the cellar to see how this wretched piece of history played itself out in the small dark dungeon-type cells.

The Zanzibar Butterfly Center is a community development project and tourist destination located down the road from Jozani Forest. The revenue is used to pay farmers in the village to sustainably farm butterflies. This little project makes a real difference to the farmers’ income and provides a wonderful experience for visitors as they can see spectacular local species flying close at hand in a beautiful tropical garden.

The island is a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving aficionados with its crystal clear water and beautiful reefs that make Zanzibar a great place for underwater activities. Due to its position slightly South of the Equator, the waters here are warm, clear, and calm, it is paradise above and below the water.

Chumbe Island is just off the coast of the main island and is a protected marine park that is easy to reach, and funds from the park go towards protecting the fragile ecosystem. The Mnemba Island Atoll is a marine conservation area that surrounds the island. A barrier reef forms a ring around the island and provides a natural lagoon making it an exceptional place for snorkeling and scuba diving with vibrant marine life like tropical fish, seahorses, moray eels, and green turtles.

A popular watersport on the islands includes kitesurfing which is available on many of the beaches, the north coast is the most popular destination for kite surfers. Paje Beach is a kitesurfing haven, nestled on the southeast coast which is a little less crowded than other beaches. There is an outer reef providing a natural lagoon, allowing beginners to get up to speed in the water's calm conditions. There are many schools, and companies that offer lessons for beginners as well as rental shops that cater to all skill levels.

There are plenty of boat tours available in Zanzibar, whether you are looking for a day cruise out on the waters, a dolphin tour, a snorkeling or diving trip, or a sunset cruise on board a traditional dhow sailboat, the options are endless.

Head to Jambiani Beach and check out the Kuza Caves, your visit will include a local guide that will take you down to the cave and explain the history of this natural wonder. There is a short trail that snakes through a dense verdant jungle and brings you to the opening of the cave. The cave formed as a result of a major earthquake causing the rocks beneath the surface to fall, this opened a large space which is now filled with crystal clear water. Spend a few hours exploring and enjoying the refreshing and revitalizing turquoise waters and head up to the cultural center where you can take cooking classes, watch locals make handicrafts, and enjoy live music.

Shopping

There are many exciting shopping opportunities to be explored in Zanzibar with authentic local shops, bustling markets, souvenir shops, and shopping malls. Stone Town is situated in the heart of Zanzibar Islands, a legendary shopping sport where visitors can find many of the city’s markets and shops and purchase a variety of hand-crafted items that include textiles, fabrics, handmade jewelry, intricate wood or stone carvings, spices, knick-knacks, and local art.

Hit up the local markets such as; Darajani Market, Mwana Kwerekwe Market, and Shimoni Market. Darajani Market is located in Stone Town, a historical market, one of the oldest and main markets in the city. A bustling attraction where you can purchase anything from delicious food to local souvenirs and spices. The authentic market setting is filled with local life and flowing conversations between locals and tourists, the atmosphere here is eclectic with the colors, noises, and smells to feed all your senses. There are also some great shopping selections to be explored in Nungwi on the northern part of Unguja Island, Paje Beach which is brimming with souvenir shops.

The city is home to modern-day shopping malls like Michenzani Mall, and Mpendae Mall filled with hundreds of stores and plenty of food and entertainment options to choose from.

When it comes down to what to buy when shopping in the city there are quite a few things that Zanzibar is known for including spices! It is known as Spice Island due to the production of strong-quality spices for centuries. So shoppers will be able to seek out the smell of spices in Zanzibar’s markets. Souvenirs in the city are made by locals or from Tanzania mainland by the Masai tribe, if you buy souvenirs you are helping the local community, especially local women. Shoppers can find some of the best souvenir shops such as Memory of Zanzibar, Zanzibar Curio Shop, Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery, Deep Africa Boutique, and Masai Souvenir Shop.

Clothing stores are big here as well you can find different shops all over the city selling beachwear, swimwear, different types of fabric, as well as traditional clothing. In beach villages like Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, and Uroa Beach Seaweed farming is one of the main activities for the majority of local women who live here. These local women can be found along the shores and seaweed is used for food or to reproduce other products such as soap, scrubs, and cosmetics. There are plenty of jewelry shops to choose from, many found in Stone Town, Tanzanite is the stone of Tanzania and one of the main gems that people shop for. There are different types of Tanzanite jewelry to choose from including rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and necklaces.

Beaches

Zanzibar is home to a tantalizing array of breathtaking tropical beaches, beachgoers are spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent beaches to visit. Relax on powdery soft white sands while soaking up the sunshine and gazing at the palm trees swaying in the breeze. There are many beaches to choose from including Bwejuu Beach, Jambiani Beach, Paje Beach, Nungwi Beach, and Kendwa Beach. Here is a breakdown of a few of the most popular ones to visit for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and staying in luxurious beach resorts.

Nungwi Beach is situated on the northwest coast of Zanzibar, it is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the city. It made the list of the Top 25 Beaches in the World in TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards 2018. It is a lively area brimming with numerous beach resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment. The Nungwi coast offers fantastic vibrant coral reefs which make it the ideal location for diving and snorkeling with an opportunity to see dolphins, green turtles, and whale sharks. Due to Nungwi’s west-facing coastline, this is one of the best locations to capture a breathtaking sunset, as well as sunset cruises on board traditional dhow sailing boats.

Kendwa Beach is sometimes referred to as Nungwi’s “little sister” but a much quieter version situated in the north. There are colorful starfish that call Kendwa home and can be spotted just offshore, the tide here really doesn’t change meaning the clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The sunsets here are legendary, and once the sun sinks below the horizon the beach comes alive with nightlife and relaxed beach parties.

Paje Beach is nestled along the southeast coast boasting a long stretch of white sand, palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, with sparkling turquoise waters lapping the sands. The quaint village of Paje is peaceful and quiet and a nice change to the more developed beaches in Zanzibar. Paje is known for watersports and excellent kitesurfing conditions which draw amateur and professional kitesurfers from all over the world. The crystal clear warm waters are great for scuba diving, with offshore reefs that are home to turtles, starfish, trumpet fish, moray eels, and other colorful marine creatures.

Bwejuu Beach is without a doubt one of the best beaches in Zanzibar, a nice, quiet area with palm-fringed white sand nestled on the southeast shore. A great beach for complete relaxation, tranquility, and seclusion. There is a verdant mangrove forest in the area as well as opportunities to take a dhow boat trip, a reef safari, snorkeling, and diving.

Jambiani Beach is located near Paje in the southeast part of Zanzibar, a great place to visit for the best kite surfing on the island with consistently good winds. If you visit during high tide you can swim in the clear blue waters, and during low tide, you can take a nice walk out and enjoy the horizon. There are coconut palms lining the soft white sand beach and just a short distance away there are many conveniences like restaurants serving excellent seafood. Jambiani is home to quaint fishing villages, fishing is done here to support the local community.

Dining

The cuisine in Zanzibar offers visitors a great variety with eating stalls, local authentic restaurants, and beachside bars serving up a mix of delicious food. Traditional local dishes include wali na maharage which is rice and beans served with fish, meat, or vegetables. Other ubiquitous eats include chapati, rice, chips, and Ugali dishes as well as crab claws, calamari steaks, shrimp on a stick, and Zanzibar beef pizza. There are some unique places to visit for a great meal and experience in the city for example Forodhani Gardens which opens in the late afternoon and gets busy after sunset. This is the place to sample local food in a large open space with many food stalls and local cuisine such as the famous Zanzibar pizza (a cross between an omelet and a pancake), and a savory crepe filled with beef, eggs, and salad. The superb setting and atmosphere blend perfectly with the food. Many of the hotels and resorts in the area include onsite restaurants that serve typical Western cuisine.

There are many markets in Zanzibar and all of them offer a great variety of food, especially the night market at Darajani Market. You can pick a table and the ‘chef’ will make a plate for you with the food that they have cooked at home and transported to the market. Be sure to visit the fruit market for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as freshly baked pastries such as pancakes, breads, and an assortment of donuts. And don't miss out on sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk available at most markets.

Nightlife

The spectacular beach destination of Zanzibar offers visitors and partygoers a vibrant variety of nightlife to choose from. There is so much to choose from and a great variety of places in the city for a good night, whether it be cocktails at a beach bar while watching a sunset, cruising on a traditional dhow sailboat on the Indian Ocean, cruising the night markets for food and beverages, or dancing the night away at a club. The nightlife can be enticing to say the least when locals and tourists come together to drink, dance, and gather on the beaches. Zanzibar is known for extraordinary things when it comes to nightlife, with fun and unique opportunities.

The historic Stone Town is one of the best places to go to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Zanzibar nightlife with the highest concentration of dining and drinking options. A wonderfully unique area for unwinding, sipping on drinks, and enjoying a nice scenic evening. Explore the buzzing ancient streets dotted with bars, pubs, and clubs with live music to entertain everyone.

Kendwa Beach is another go-to place offering a chilled with delicious food and drinks. This is the place to dance the night away on the beach under the moonlight, or simply relax by the sea and capture one of Zanzibar’s spectacular sunsets. The beach bars come alive at night and there are many of them to choose from along with loungers on the beach with music to soothe the soul.

Zanzibar is the perfect place to experience a stunning sunset on a Dhow cruise. On board enjoy cocktails accompanied by mesmerizing music and a romantic atmosphere. Cruise along the shores of the enchanting Indian Ocean and absorb this magical experience with a simply stunning sunset over the horizon to treasure forever.

Explore the night market at Forodhani Gardens for some great food selections. These gardens come alive at sunset and the market is the best in the city. The gardens sit right off the water and offer some beautiful sunset views. There are stalls selling all kinds of local cuisine with some popular dishes showcasing the island's range of culinary delights. Take your pick from samosas, kebabs, pizzas, a range of sweets, and delicious desserts, and wash it down with some fresh sugarcane juice.