Complete Guide to Zanzibar – East Africa's Tropical Paradise

Complete Guide to Zanzibar – East Africa’s Tropical Paradise  Zanzibar also known as The Spice Island is a tropical Island and one of the great tropical beach destinations in the world situated 35 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania, East Africa, Zanzibar is a hidden – gem beach destination famous for its rich culture which is a blend of European, British, Arabs and Portuguese cultures, cloves and other spices and diversity of marine life offering exhilarating underwater adventures. 

Zanzibar Archipelago is made up several small islands with Zanzibar – also known as Unguja and Pemba Islands as the biggest islands and the most famous as well. Zanzibar Islands attracts a huge number of tourists annually for scuba diving, snorkeling, exploring the Stone Town and the clear bright blue waters. The island is a safe destination all year round and it is easy to access from the mainland.  Here is a complete guide to Zanzibar with full information which is helpful when planning your holiday in Zanzibar. 

ZANZIBAR FAQs – Complete Guide to Zanzibar – East Africa’s Tropical Paradise

When is the Best Time to Visit Zanzibar  Zanzibar is a fantastic destination all year round, however the best time to visit this beautiful island is during the high season from July to September, this season coincides with the high season in Zanzibar Island. November and December are also a good time to visit Zanzibar when the rains are short and the days are sunny, most of the year the temperatures are between 28°C and 34°C. the long rains in Zanzibar Island arrive in April and May when the humidity peaks and temperatures soar. 

Do I need a Visa for Zanzibar?

Zanzibar Islands are part of the Republic of Tanzania and like other countries around the world, tourist Visas are required. Nationals from countries including South Africa, Singapore, Seychelles, Mozambique, Malta, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are excepted from Visas to enter Tanzania and Zanzibar as well.  Tourists can obtain a visa through Tanzania’s e-visa system –  https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ Note: The e-visa has to be booked in advance, also all travelers will need at least 6 months on their passport. 

How To Get to Zanzibar 

There are many flights landing on the main island of Zanzibar/Unguja or Pemba, most of the international flights land on the mainland in Dar es Salaam, then fly to Zanzibar on a domestic flight. These flights are offered by several airlines including Air Excel, Auric Air, Coast Aviation, Precision Air and Regional Air. Another option to get to Zanzibar is using a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, the cruise takes about 2 hours. 

Where to stay in Zanzibar?

There are a variety of accommodation options on Zanzibar Island categorized as budget, midrange and luxury, these accommodations include beach resorts and hotels. 

• Zuri Zanzibar Hotel
• The Residence Zanzibar
• Xanadu Villas & Retreat
• Park Hyatt Zanzibar
• Meliá Zanzibar
• Emerson Spice
• Matemwe Lodge
• Bluebay Beach Resort 
• Kisiwa House 
• Essque Zalu Zanzibar 
• Unguja Lodge among others 

Tropical diseases found in Zanzibar – Complete Guide to Zanzibar – East Africa’s Tropical Paradise

Zanzibar is a safe destination, but mosquitoes can be a problem most especially when temperatures become extreme. Zanzibar is a high – risk malaria area and visitors should take care by carrying insect repellent lotion / anti-malaria ointments and taking anti – malaria pills such as Doxycycline or Atovaquone/Proguanil, or Mefloquine. 

Languages Spoken in Zanzibar 

Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultures with a variety of languages being spoken on the island, the main language spoken is Swahili. The two official languages are English and Swahili on the Island. 

Famous Spices on Zanzibar Islands 

Zanzibar Islands is also referred to as The Spice Islands because of the different types of spices produced on the island and the past of trading in the spices, the main export of Zanzibar is spices including clove which is the most commonly produced spice on the island, chilli, black pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, turmeric and cinnamon. Other spices grown on island include Vanilla, saffron and lemongrass.  Visitors who wish to explore the spice plantations and get a taste of these spices, spice tours are arranged from the Stone Town to a smaller agricultural plantation where spices are grown. 

Zanzibar Food and Local Cuisine

Zanzibar Cuisine is a mix of cultures that have influenced the island, the cuisine is a mix of Arab, Indian, Portuguese, British, Chinese and Swahili and utilizes a range of local spices. Zanzibar dishes are often rich and exotic packed with flavor.  The Spice Cake is one of the most popular Zanzibar dishes on the Island and is available in almost every town and village, this iconic cake is made from cloves, nutmeg, chocolate and cinnamon. 

Zanzibar Beaches 

Zanzibar Beaches are the main attractions on the Zanzibar Archipelago, most of the famous and most beautiful beaches on the island are found in the northeast of the island. Most of the area of this region has pristine beaches and popular for diving and high – end accommodations.  The Pemba Island is renowned for its green hills, clove plantations, rich fishing grounds and dolphin safaris.  The Unguja Island – the main island of Zanzibar is the most visited island on the archipelago and easily accessed from the mainland by ferry.

Main Zanzibar Beaches 

Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches  Nungwi and Kendwa beaches are located on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island, these beautiful beaches are fringed by palms and they are the most sought-after destinations in the island. Because of their popularity, they can become crowded during the peak and festive season. These beaches attract a lot of swimmers as swimming can be done at both low and high tide, also there is a tidal lagoon.  There are rich coral reefs with plenty of marine life thus making Nungwi and Kendwa a popular destination for boat trips and diving tours.  The Nungwi and Kendwa Beach Villages are the center for building and producing of the traditional dhow, a vessel used for sailing and trading on the coast.  Kendwa is a popular beach and it hosts the famous Zanzibar Full Moon Party, Kendwa is once a favored destination by Bohemians and hippies and I is lined with affordable rustic resorts and beach bars. 

Jambiani Beach 

Jambiani Beach is a tiny fishing village located between towns of Paje and Makunduch on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, the Jambiani Village comprises of a few small villages. The village is a quieter destination with many restaurants, hotels and guest houses, and is well known for having the authentic Zanzibar feel. In this villages, dugout canoes are still used for transportation and is also known for its local seaweed farming activities. 

Michamvi Beach 

The Michamvi Peninsula is a remote area on the southeast coast making it an ideal destination for honeymooners, the beach offers a quiet and serene beach experience and is flocked by many visitors to witness some of the best sunsets in the country.  Michamvi hosts many premier resorts and luxury accommodations, one of the famous restaurants on the island is “The Rock” that is built on an outcrop which is accessed by a boat ride. 

Geography of Zanzibar 

Zanzibar Island is a flourishing island with coconut palm groves, mango trees, banana plantations, coastal ferns and tropical flowers, on the island there are over 4,500 species of plants.  Zanzibar is relatively flat and is only 90 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide, the island is surrounded by warm azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the island is ranked among the best snorkeling and diving destinations in the world and the best spot for diving and snorkeling is within the protected marine reserve on Chumbe Island, a 45-minute boat journey from Stone Town.  Zanzibar Island is dominated by mainly patches of evergreen rainforests, due to the island’s altitude. There are many streams and rivers on the island. The island’s varied coastal ecosystem provides a perfect habitat for wildlife including red colobus monkeys, lemurs, civet, antelope, mongoose and leopards which are very rare. Also, 30 species of snakes and 20 species of bats can be spotted on the island. The tropical waters of the island are home to colorful coral reefs teeming with various aquatic species including reef fish, nudibranch, sea horses, Mantis shrimp, crocodile fish, and octopus. Bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales. These marine species are frequently spotted in the Mnemba Atoll.