Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Zanzibar Island
Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.
Portuguese invasion and control of the Swahili Coast in the late 16th century ended the golden age of the archipelago, although the Omani Arabs returned to power less than a century later. Today, many of the winding streets and high townhouses of
old Stone Town
Remain unchanged and visitors can walk between the sultan’s palace, the House of Wonders, the Portuguese fort and gardens, the merchants’ houses, and the Turkish baths of the old city. Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer visitors the chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous.
Zanzibar is an independent island (in theory, because the big sister Tanzania is pulling almost all the strings), we do not provide tourism service in the island apart from hotels. Local agencies are numerous, making the right choice…
Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun
The unavoidable
How to go to Zanzibar without staying at least one night in Stone Town? It is the memory of the island and the soul of his past. Let your steps guide you, lose yourself at the nightfall on the narrow alleys of the old town, eat seafood on the Forodhani square in the glow of oil lamps or haggle some trinkets in a tiny shop.
You think you know all about the spices? Get surprised in the company of a good guide who will fascinate you with the story of these little things that have almost changed the face of the world…
The discovery of spices allowed to cover up the gamey taste of the food, to better preserve meat and fish or open the door to emerging gastronomic food in the royal kitchens of the old world.
Have fun watching the most adorable little monkeys that are the “red Colobus” in the Jozani forest and capture the charming expressions of these little clowns with your camera. For too long, they were captured for the selfish pleasure of a few notables. It remains a few hundred of them, and only effective protection funded by friendly tourism can prevent their extinction.
If you are familiar with the manual work, go to the northern tip of the island, east of the city of Nungwi, to observe how the famous dhows of the Indian Ocean have been built for centuries . No blueprint, no measuring, no workshop, antediluvian tools… But a talent that borders on a gift!!!
Sea sports (such as kite surfing) lovers will choose the beaches of the east of the island, especially the long shores of Jambiani. For diving or snorkelling Nungwi area will offer a wide range of possibilities. One can also build a dhow, to spend the day in small islands, etc…
To avoid
Avoid the street touts that are sure to harass you when arriving by ferry or in the city. Serious agencies do not use these methods. Prefer to give your attention to those with storefront, or those recommended by your hotel.
Do not succumb to the temptation of swimming with dolphins in the south of the island… in Kizimkazi. This activity is not supervised (moreover it is very expensive…) And this is more of harassment than observation. Dolphins are relentlessly pursued by speedboats to fall back towards tourists who wait swimming. It is also dangerous for both…
Stone Town
The port city of Stone Town dominates the west coast, and although the beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low tide and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive away, a night or two spent on the east or north cost is well worth the extra hour it takes to drive there. That said, the Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town – and nearby Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands – make a refreshing day-trip and a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the old city.