A Zanzibar holiday is every prolific vacationer's dream. Zanzibar is the quintessential tourist destination. Located off the coast of Tanzania, it offers a unique sightseeing, historical, and cultural experience. It's one of the most amazing places in the world, filled with natural wonders and the merging of multiple cultures from Africa, Asia and Europe.
There are many things to do in Zanzibar and so much to see. From virgin beaches to lush vegetation to structures built centuries ago. You'll never struggle to find something to captivate you while vacationing in Zanzibar.
Below are some reasons why Zanzibar is one of the most popular beach destinations in the world.
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6 Top Reasons to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the home of idyllic beaches, balmy weather and warm tropical waters, making it a perfect underwater destination for snorkelling and diving.
Whether you want to enjoy lazy days along white sandy beaches or you want to enjoy the most tantalizing African cuisine—Zanzibar is hard to beat. Zanzibar is full of options for nature lovers, culture vultures, and adventurers. The best part is that you can easily incorporate a Zanzibar holiday into your luxury safari Tanzania tour. Furthermore, Zanzibar is also one of the best places to visit when solo travelling in Africa.
Let's take a look at why you must have a Zanzibar holiday at least once in your lifetime:
1. Pristine beaches
Zanzibar is world-famous for its beaches. The fine white sand is breathtakingly beautiful. The turquoise waters are clear and warm, with gentle waves breaking the silence. In the distance, you'll see Arabic dhows sailing with clear blue skies as the backdrop. Zanzibar's beaches are the definition of tropical paradise. The country has more than 25 beaches with unique selling points.
Paje beach is excellent for kite surfing thanks to its flat waters. If you're a beginner kitesurfer, the lagoon protects against waves, so you'll be safe surfing.
Nungwi beach is the centre point for shipbuilding. There you will see Zanzibari shipwrights use ancient techniques to build dhows. You'll also find dive centres, hotels and bars lining the shoreline, mixing tradition with modern life.
Jambiani Beach is excellent for those who want a more authentic experience. There are no casinos, no bars, and no electricity, just a fishing village whose economy relies on the seaweed that washes up on the beach.
If you're a fan of taking long walks at the beach, then Kiwengwa beach is the place for you. Also known as Little Italy, thanks to the Italian hotels lining the beachfront, Kiwengwa has a long stretch of beach made of soft, white sand. You can walk for hours during the low tide and enjoy the peace. Pingwe beach is not a tourist hotspot, but it is a beautiful slice of paradise for those who want a bit of peace and calm.
2. History and culture
While people have occupied Zanzibar for 20,000 years, its more recent history has been fascinating. It became a base for traders travelling to the African Great Lakes, Somalia, Iran, and the Indian subcontinent. Portugal took control of the island during the Age of Exploration and maintained that control for almost 200 years. The Sultanate of Oman gained power in 1698, giving Zanzibar an important place in the Indian Ocean slave trade. In 1890, Zanzibar became a British Protectorate.
This history is evident in the island's architecture, language, and culture. You can explore the historic Stone Town's old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll find diverse architectural styles in the houses and mosques.
There are old Turkish and Persian Baths, Anglican and Catholic churches, and bazaars that are alive with merchants and buyers. You'll find old mansions and palaces like the House of Wonders, constructed by the Second Sultan of Zanzibar, which boasts the most enormous carved doors in East Africa. The Omanis left their mark with the massive Old Fort and cannons. You can visit the Slave Memorial and the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibit to learn more about the island's history of slavery.
The locals speak Swahili, which, like their island, is an amalgamation of other languages. Zanzibari people see friendliness and hospitality as necessary. The majority are Muslims, which is evident in the attires, jewellery, crafts, furniture, and carved doors. Zanzibar's local music is known as Taarab, a blend of classical Swahili poetry, rhythm, and percussion mixed with heavy influences from Indian, Arabic, African, and even the West.
3. Spices
Zanzibar is also known as Spice Island due to the many spices farmed and processed on the island. Zanzibar was used as a spice plantation by the Omani Empire. A spice tour is a highlight for any Zanzibar holiday tour. Spice tours are a pleasant way to spend the day visiting spice plantations that dot the island.
During the tours, you'll learn about the history of the crops, how they were processed, and their culinary and medicinal uses. You'll see, taste, and smell spices, including cloves, lemongrass, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and turmeric. In addition, you will indulge in the local cuisine made with these spices.
4. World-class diving experience
Zanzibar has some of the most beautiful diving sites. The island is an archipelago made up of many islands. Some of the smaller 'islands' are ancient coral reefs which house many unique creatures. The warm waters are transparent, which means the marine life is illuminated by sunlight, giving you one of the most incredible sights you will ever see. You can do shore dives and reef dives to explore those sights. There are also underwater shipwrecks around Zanzibar that have been adapted into reefs.
While diving, you'll see fauna such as octopus, glassfish, parrotfish, nudibranchs, lionfish, turtles, sweetlips, and eels. During the migratory seasons, you might even catch glimpses of humpback whales and whale sharks. Mnemba Atoll and Chumbe Island have amazing preserved reefs undergoing conservation initiatives to continue protecting them. If scuba diving isn't for you, other outdoor options include deep-sea fishing, kayaking, sailing on traditional dhows, kitesurfing, water skiing, and swimming.
5. Unique wildlife
Zanzibar's rich diversity doesn't just exist inside the waters but on the island too. The island has a coastal forest and mangroves. While there are no large mammals such as lions and giraffes, you'll get to see unique and endangered wildlife. The Jozani-Chwaka National Park covers the largest indigenous forest on the island. It's home to the endangered red colobus monkeys found only in Zanzibar. You'll also find bushbabies, duikers, and over 40 bird species. You can easily add a tour of Jpzani as a day trip from Zanzibar Town or as a stop as you head to the beaches from town.
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is one of the largest butterfly sanctuaries in Africa. It offers an interactive tour of the facility. Mnarani Natural Aquarium houses Zanzibar's turtle conservation that aims to protect Hawksbill and Green turtles. Prison Island was built to house enslaved people, but now it's a sanctuary for the endangered Aldabra giant tortoise.
6. Indigenous African cuisine
Like its history and culture, Zanzibari cuisine combines other culinary practices from the Bantu, the Middle East, Portugal, India, Great Britain, and even China. The cuisine includes the Pweza wa nazi, a dish where octopus is boiled in coconut milk, curry, cinnamon, garlic, line juice, and cardamom. There's date-and-hazelnut bread used to celebrate the end of Ramadhan, pepper shark, spice cakes made with chocolate, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, and pilau meat.
Local markets and restaurants offer fresh seafood cooked in open fires with traditional twists and blends of spices. The night market in Stone Town is a perfect place to explore the local cuisine. You'll get Zanzibari pizzas, falafels, coconut bread, and sugar cane sugar, among others. Hotels typically offer delicious meals such as Lobster Thermidor if the local cuisine is not for you.
The timeless appeal of Zanzibar is thanks to its romantic beaches and incredible sunsets, but that's not all the island has to offer. Its unique architecture, robust marine ecosystem, vibrant culture, and fantastic cuisine make for an unforgettable Zanzibar holiday experience.
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