10 Top Things to Do in Zanzibar

Today we want to share with you something special:

Explore The Most Amazing Things to Do in Zanzibar

Zanzibar ... is a word full of exoticism, a promise of paradisiacal beaches, and aromatic spices. Both are located on the island of Zanzibar, more properly known as Unguja.

Shaped by its location on the trade route between Persia, Arabia, and East Africa, Zanzibar was enriched during medieval times by exporting ivory, gold, and spices from the continent.

Later, he profited from the slave trade. Once part of the Sultanate of Oman and occupied for separate periods by Portuguese and British colonialists, Zanzibar is now a semi-autonomous region in Tanzania.

Exploring the extraordinary architecture left behind by its former inhabitants is one way to spend time there. Other ideas include spice tours, water sports, and tracking rare indigenous wildlife.

1. Wander Through the Streets of Stone Town

Stone Town dates back to medieval times, although the Portuguese built the first stone building in the late 17th century.

It became the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar Oman and was the center of the spice and slave trade.

When the British took power in 1890, Stone Town maintained its position as the most important settlement in Zanzibar. As a result, its coral stone architecture combines Swahili, Islamic and European influences.

The main attractions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Old Portuguese Fort, the former residence of the Sultan known as the House of Wonders, and the Anglican Cathedral. Explore on your own or join a walking tour like the one offered by Colors of Zanzibar.

2. Learn About the Island’s Spice Trade History

The history of the Zanzibar spice trade began in the late 15th century, when the first Portuguese traders brought nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices from their colonies in India and South America.

The plantations flourished in the ideal conditions of the Swahili coast. Later, the Sultan of Oman established the iconic Zanzibar harpsichord industry.

To understand more about how and why spices are grown, take a tour of the spice farm. Here, you'll have the opportunity to learn about everything from cloves and cinnamon to vanilla, pepper, saffron, and a host of exotic fruits and herbs.

Your guide will explain its culinary, medicinal and even cosmetic uses; Then you will experience them during a traditional Swahili lunch. Prices start at $ 25 per person.

3. Discover Local Culture on a Nungwi Village Tour

To get an idea of how modern-day Zanzibarians live, join the Nungwi Village Tour offered by Coral Sites & Tours.

The town is located on the northern tip of the island and is known for its beautiful beach; and its shipyard where artisanal shipbuilders create traditional dhows.

On the tour, you will have the opportunity to speak with the shipyard owner, who will explain how wood is sourced and shaped, and how these iconic East African vessels are launched into the ocean.

You will also visit the Nungwi Fish Market, where local fishermen sell the fish from the night before. The highlight for many guests is swimming in the Mnarani Natural Aquarium, a tidal lagoon filled with protected sea turtles.

4. Soak Up the Sun on Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches

Most of Zanzibar's beaches have a wide tidal range, which means you'll have to walk a considerable distance (sometimes through algae-covered rocks) to get to the water at low tide.

The exception is the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, which offer perfect strips of fine white sand lapped in crystal clear turquoise waters at any time of the day or night.

Nungwi is the busier of the two, with enthusiastic beach vendors and plenty of sun-loving tourists. The lively bars and restaurants by the sea mean that you should choose the beach if you like to be in the center of the action.

For a calmer setting, head south to Kendwa Beach, one of the best sunset spots on the island.

5. Test Your Kitesurfing Skills on the East Coast

If you prefer your time on the beach to be a bit more active, you will be pleased to know that Zanzibar is also a rewarding destination for kitesurfing.

The best places are the east coast beaches of Paje, Jambiani, Dongwe, Kiwengwa, and Pwani Mchangani. Of these, Paje (with its long stretch of white sand and choice of indoor and outdoor lagoons) is the most famous and therefore the most crowded.

Paje and Jambiani offer the largest selection of kitesurfing shops, whether it is to rent equipment or to sign up for some classes.

There are two main wind stations in Zanzibar: June to October (for the strongest winds) and mid-December to March. Be prepared for extreme tidal variations throughout the year.

6. Explore Beautiful Coral Reefs on Snorkel or Scuba

Zanzibar's serene turquoise waters hide colorful reefs teeming with marine life, making the island a paradise for snorkelers and snorkelers.

There are over 30 dive sites to choose from, from British shipwrecks off Stone Town to the pristine coral walls of Mnemba Island.

Head to Nungwi for a chance to snorkel at Leven Bank, where nutrient-rich currents attract big game fish such as tuna, horse mackerel, and schools of barracuda. From August to September, humpback whales are regularly seen from the boat and can often be heard underwater.

One Ocean is the oldest dive operation in Tanzania, offering PADI scuba courses and fun divemaster dives at three different locations in Zanzibar: Stone Town, Matemwe, and Kiwengwa.

7. Embark on a Dhow Cruise to Prison Island

Set sail on a traditional dhow for a half-day tour of Prison Island. Located about 3.5 miles west of Stone Town, the island was once used to isolate rebellious slaves and later as a quarantine station for yellow fever victims.

However, the prison that gave it its name has never housed a convict, and today the island is most famous for its collection of vulnerable giant Aldabra tortoises.

The latter was a gift from the Governor of Seychelles. On the tour, you will pass the historic prison, meet the turtles, and have the opportunity to swim or snorkel on the white sand beach.

The Original Dhow Safaris offers departures at 9:30 am or 1:30 pm.

8. Look for Wildlife in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park

Zanzibar's only national park is a low sanctuary filled with rainforest and saltwater mangroves.

You can explore the latter on an elevated boardwalk, but the forest nature trail is the main attraction, allowing visitors to see endangered endemic wildlife, including the Zanzibar red colobus and the Zanzibar serval genus.

The Zanzibar leopard also lives here, although sightings are unlikely; the cat was listed as extinct until it was spotted in a camera trap in 2018.

The most common are monkeys, bushbabies, and the duiker antelope, while bird watchers can keep an eye on more than 40 different species of birds. The entrance to the park is 20 miles south of Stone Town and admission is $10 per adult.

9. Stroll Through the Ruins of Maruhubi Palace

Discover the opulent life of the Sultans of Oman with a visit to the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace. Located 4 km north of Stone Town, the palace was built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar in 1880.

Completed in 1882, he housed his wife and his concubines while living separately in his own palace. in Stone Town.

Although the fire destroyed Maruhubi in 1899, its palm-fringed ruins remain wonderfully picturesque.

The graceful stone columns suggest the former existence of an upper balcony, while the remains of a Persian-style bathhouse include separate chambers for the sultan and his harem.

Admission is around $ 2 and you come with a local guide, who can show you pictures of the palace in its heyday.

10. Experience Barefoot Luxury With a Stay on Mnemba Island

For an unforgettable luxury experience, indulge in the luxury of a night or two at the 5-star Beyond Mnemba Island hotel, the only accommodation on this idyllic private atoll on the northeast coast of Zanzibar.

Here, indulgence is served Robinson Crusoe style. You will sleep in one of 12 rustic beach bands by the sea and dine on exquisitely prepared seafood at tables located a few feet from the water's edge. How you spend your time between meals is up to you.

Unwind with a yoga class or in-room massage, or cruise the crystal clear waters of Geneva on a traditional dhow cruise.

Rates include two dives a day at world-class dive sites, as well as snorkeling, kayaking, fly-fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about the Top 10 Things to Do & Places to Visit in Zanzibar

Source: Aristotle

Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Save THIS PIN to your Travel Board on Pinterest! 😊

Once again, thank you for visiting our website!

We hope you've enjoyed exploring the content we've created for you.

Give yourself the chance to learn, get inspired, and have even more fun, keep browsing...