15 Zanzibar Journey Ideas To Know BEFORE You Go

Planning to journey to Zanzibar and in search of some Zanzibar journey suggestions? Whether or not you’re on an African honeymoon, ending up your Kilimanjaro Trek, or exploring the plains of the Serengeti when ending all of it with an extended seashore vacation one factor is for sure  – Zanzibar Island is gorgeous.

We spent three weeks touring Zanzibar island taking a seashore break from our lengthy overland journey that began in Cape City. Listed here are a number of Zanzibar journey suggestions which are good to know earlier than you go to the island.

Our High Zanzibar Journey Ideas

The place is Zanzibar?

Questioning the place precisely Zanzibar is? You’re not alone, however it’s best to study due to your Zanzibar trip. Basically it’s an island within the Indian Ocean, a two hour (15 miles) ferry experience from Dar Es Salaam, a serious metropolis in Tanzania.

Get to Zanzibar

You gained’t discover any US air carriers that fly on to Zanzibar. Nevertheless there are flight connections from main hubs within the Center East akin to Muscat, Doha, Dubai, or Qatar.

You’ll additionally have the ability to discover flight connections by Amsterdam and London as principal European hubs, in addition to Johannesburg and naturally Dar Es Salaam.

Is Zanzibar a rustic?

Zanzibar isn’t a rustic however is taken into account a semi-autonomous area of Tanzania. Politically it’s a part of Tanzania.

Zanzibar can be isn’t only one island however is the most important of Zanzibar Archipelago. We’ll get into that beneath.

Zanzibar is Not Precisely Zanzibar

Earlier than to journey Zanzibar it’s best to know that “Zanzibar” isn’t the official title of the island. When individuals consult with Zanzibar it’s technically the entire Zanzibar Archipelago. Zanzibar Island is actual title is “Unguja.”

Unguja is surrounded by many different tiny islands however the one ones that most individuals have possible heard of are Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island – the one islands inhabited by individuals.

Not All Zanzibar Seashores Are Created Equal

All of the completely different seashores on Zanzibar provide one thing distinctive and particular. We spent three weeks on the island hopping across the island in the hunt for essentially the most stunning seashores on Zanzibar. Sure, some are extra stunning than others, however each single one is fantastic.

In any case, white sand seashores, turquoise water, and pleasant locals virtually assure all guests could have a good time. For us, essentially the most stunning seashores on Zanzibar are Pongwe and Nungwi, whereas Paje was nice for kite browsing, and Kizimkaze was good for seclusion.

Don’t Skip Stone City

One other Zanzibar journey tip to ensure of earlier than your journey to Zanzibar is that you simply shouldn’t miss Stone City. Zanzibar Metropolis is the capital of Zanzibar, and Stone City is the beating coronary heart of it. Whether or not flying in or taking the ferry virtually all guests will cross by Stone City whereas visiting Zanzibar, Africa.

Your first response could also be to excessive tail it out of the town and to the closest seashore resort, however I encourage you to probe for not less than a pair days. We entered the Kasbah anticipating Stone City to remind us of the medinas in Marrakech, however fortunately this was not the case. As a substitute, we had been immersed in East African historical past with touches of European, Arabic, Persian, and Indian cultures.

Considered one of our favourite days in Stone City would positively must be the day we individuals watched in a Zanzibar Cafe. 

Don’t Overlook Your Passport

When touring to Zanzibar, even from Dar Es Salaam you’ll be able to count on to undergo immigration once more. Even when you’ve got come from mainland Tanzania, and regardless that Zanzibar is now a part of Tanzania it’s nonetheless a requirement to get your passport checked earlier than getting into and leaving the island.

So don’t overlook that vital little ebook in your journey to Zanzibar! We had been additionally informed to deliver our Yellow Fever playing cards with us, however we by no means had been requested for them.

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E book Your Ferry Tickets in Advance

So how do you get to Zanzibar from Tanzania? The primary ferry firm to take from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar is Azam Marine. When buying your tickets there can be 300 males outdoors the terminal providing to promote you tickets – don’t belief them – their tickets are pretend or overpriced.

Solely buy your ferry ticket from the indoor sales space. There are not any bank card machines so be ready to pay in Tanzanian Shilling or USD.

We didn’t buy ferry tickets earlier than our journey and tried to purchase them one hour earlier than the ferry departed. No cube. Each seat was bought out and we needed to wait till the morning. On our return ferry, we bought tickets on-line, but it surely was solely upon departure that we realized you continue to needed to pay for them in individual (cardless system).

I’d suggest shopping for your ferry tickets prematurely when touring to Zanzibar, particularly in excessive season. Financial system tickets price $35, a technique, an individual.

Put together Your Tastebuds

Zanzibar is known as “The Spice Island” for its abundance of cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. The East African island was used as a spice plantation within the 18th century, and people roots nonetheless stay. To see this in motion vacationers can go to native spice farms and get a really feel for the completely different flavors of the island.

Don’t fear when you can’t get your self on one of many spice farms you’ll have the ability to actually style Zanzibar in most of the dishes served across the island. We could or could not have gained somewhat weight from some scrumptious prawn curry dishes.

I’d additionally extremely suggest making reservations at The Tea Home in Stone City for a spectacular evening and scrumptious meals.

Present Respect for the Tradition

Earlier than you go to Zanzibar be certain that to maintain your travels respectful. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous a part of Tanzania that is predominately Muslim, so it’s vital to point out your respect for the tradition when touring Zanzibar.

Strive to not put on quick shorts or bikinis outdoors of resorts and seashores and don’t plan on consuming a lot bacon. We may hear the every day name to prayers from Stone City solely (which I discover soothing), however some individuals could need to deliver earplugs for the early wake-up calls.

Watch Out for the Dhows

A dhow is a sailboat used within the Indian Ocean. We noticed them on a regular basis on the Mozambican coast and will spend hours watching them usher in items and fish to shore.

With their skinny hulls and huge sails, they’re fairly a sight to see. Fortunately when you’re close to the seashore on Zanzibar you’re virtually assured to see a dhow.

Or you’ll be able to make a journey out with the locals and sail the nice and cozy Indian Ocean first hand. Be sure they’ve flippers and eye masks to be able to snorkel!

A Night time on the Opera

Do you know that the lead singer of Queen was born in Zanzibar? That’s proper – Freddy Mercury himself was born proper in Stone City within the Nineteen Forties. Again then Zanzibar was a British Protectorate and Mercury’s household had moved to Zanzibar for his fathers’ job.

Sure, you’ll be able to even see proper the place Freddy Mercury lived within the middle of Stone City. Examine Out Queen’s Reside Help Efficiency!

Zanzibar Has a Darkish Previous

Zanzibar was vital to the Indian Ocean slave commerce. It served because the gateway for slaves getting into and exiting East Africa and was one of many largest slave ports within the area.

Many teams had a hand on the horrible commerce too. Arabs had been the principle slave merchants, whereas African kings and households would typically promote prisoners, and Europeans used the slaves of their plantation. You may witness the horrific circumstances slaves had been subjected to on the outdated slave market in Stone City or take a tour out to Jail Island.

When is the Finest Time to Go to Zanzibar?

The very best time to go to Zanzibar is between June and October, which is their cool and dry season. Zanzibar has two wet seasons from mid March to late Could, and once more in November.

We personally visited in February and had nothing however sunny days, though it was scorching and humid.

Get Round Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an enormous island, and also you’re possible going to need to get out of Stone City and discover! The most cost effective strategy to get round Zanzibar is with a Dala Dala. A dala dala is an outdated minibus or transformed truck with an open again.

You face different passengers whereas driving, and in case you’re questioning, there are not any seatbelts. It’s a complicated, uncomfortable, and nerve-racking experience, however for lower than a $1 what are you able to count on?

You too can get round Zanzibar with a shared taxi from the Zanzibus, shared with others you will get throughout the island for beneath $10.

A personal taxi from Nungwi to Stone City will not less than run you $50, when you ebook it by your lodge or resort you’ll be able to count on them so as to add a further $10-$20.

Lastly, you’ll be able to at all times lease a automotive in Zanzibar to get round, nonetheless I don’t suppose you will want your individual automotive except you actually plan on exploring every single day with out a lot downtime. You’ll find low cost charges at Uncover Automotive Rent. Remember that driving in Africa isn’t any joke. The roads are by no means ideally suited, and police checkpoints are frequent.

Is Zanzibar Secure?

So is Zanzibar protected? Typically sure, Zanzibar could be very protected. We traveled there for 3 weeks and by no means as soon as felt out of our consolation zone. Even Stone City is protected, and we loved strolling round even within the night.

As at all times frequent sense is vital, like anyplace on the earth. It’s vital to maintain your wits about you, don’t get drunk and act sloppy, and don’t flash valuables.

Hakuna Matata

That is my final Zanzibar journey tip! I do know you’ve seen Lion King, so I don’t have to elucidate what Hakuna Matata means. Nevertheless, when you get to Tanzania “No worries” turns into the lifestyle on the island and the Zanzibaris will certainly let you realize.

the place to remain in Zanzibar

In search of the perfect lodges in Zanzibar? The beautiful island has an extended colourful previous and has been drawing in vacationers for many years now. They arrive to take in the gorgeous white seashores heat climate and the right cease whereas on safari in Tanzania.

After we arrived on the island of Zanzibar after driving throughout Africa for 4 months we got down to discover the perfect lodges in Zanzibar. In any case, the lodges and resorts of Zanzibar are designed for decompression after an extended safari in Tanzania. It’s the right place to commerce in your safari apparel and binoculars for a showering swimsuit and coconut water.

Kilindi Zanzibar

Probably the most unique of all of the resorts on Zanzibar is no doubt Kilindi Zanzibar. The resort is close to Kendwa on the Northwestern a part of the island and is without doubt one of the prime Zanzibar lodges on the seashore. Its massive grounds give loads of privateness to its 15 villas that pop up from a lush hillside.

The white-washed domed villas really feel like a sultan’s palace that ought to solely be match for a king or a pop superstar. In reality, the resort was previously the personal residence of ABBA band member, Benny Andersson. It’s positively the perfect lodge in Zanzibar for honeymoon holidays.

Park Hyatt Zanzibar

The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is an beautiful lodge delivered in a method solely able to a Park Hyatt and is definitely one of many prime 10 lodges in Zanzibar. The lodge finds an ideal stability between the manufacturers signature look and the previous palace that the principle constructing now occupies.

Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Essque Zalu is without doubt one of the finest seashore resorts in Zanzibar. This Zanzibar lodge isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, at Essque Zalu larger is healthier. It is without doubt one of the largest resorts on Zanzibar, however the intimacy of Zanzibar has not been misplaced. Essque Zalu Zanzibar sits on the Northern finish of Zanzibar, shut by to Nungwi Seaside.

E book A Safari in Tanzania

Historically when you needed to ebook a safari, you’d must go to a journey agent and have them ebook your safari for you. They recommend camps and lodges then current you with a big invoice. A lot of the trade nonetheless operates on this trend.

Timbuktu is a brand new platform that means that you can choose the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day so you’ll be able to choose the perfect itinerary for your self. They are going to then contact the lodges and enable you by reserving your safari. Specialists on employees may present options and prepare the little particulars like a journey agent.

One other nice possibility is Safari Bookings. Safari Bookings provide safaris throughout Africa in each worth vary!

Journey Zanzibar