7 things to do in Zanzibar
7 things to do in Zanzibar
Life can get pretty hectic and overwhelming every once in a while, its times like these when you should just take a breather and relax and unwind. There are tons of activities you can do that will accomplish those goals but if you want something like a tour to an exotic location, then Zanzibar is the place. Zanzibar is said to be known as an island paradise as it’s actually a whole group of islands, two large one by the names of Ungoja and Pemba and the rest are the small ones. It is one of the places you should absolutely visit, and here are 7 things to do in Zanzibar:
Stone Town in Zanzibar
The heart and soul of the place, you can temporarily lose yourself in the spectacular combination of winding alleys and old Arabic style buildings. Enjoy the local culture by sipping a cup of coffee from a local vendor, or alternatively just keep on wandering through the streets where you can discover unique little spots at every turn.
Jozani Forest in Zanzibar
Get in touch with nature in the Jozani Forest. It is a vast and scenic spread of green, and also the last indigenous forest left on Zanzibar. Its located inland from the Chwaka Bay where the area often floods, but it’s not that bad as it luckily nurtures a unique swamp forest of many amazing looking trees and ferns.
Nungwi Beach in Zanzibar
Next up we have this village, which can be found on Zanzibar’s North West tip. This place is very unique, as its popular but not yet overrun by tourists. It is also one of the beaches in Zanzibar where the tide doesn’t head out too far. This is a great beach, if you want to soak up some sun and dip your toes in the sea water.
Get a bite to eat at the Forodhani Market
Treat your tastebuds at the Forodhani Market, a spectacular night time food market that opens up in the late afternoon in Stone Town. You will find the buzz and energy of place are spectacular, and you can easily find fresh local produce along with freshly grilled fish, meat and vegetables. The seafood options are by far the most popular and the fish is served with fried potato balls, naan bread and samosas.
Palace Museum, Zanzibar
A museum is a great way to catch up on the place’s history, and you will have a double treat at this place. Commonly known as the Sultan’s Palace, The Palace Museum is perhaps the most historic building in Stone Town and is a must-see for any tourist. The Palace Museum is located on the waterfront, overlooking the ocean, and was built in the 19th century as a home for the Sultan and his family. After the 1964 revolution, the site was used as a Government building and was renamed as The People’s Palace. Today it serves as a museum that showcases relics of the past Sultan family.
Spice Tour:
Zanzibar is pretty famous for its spice trade, and now you can have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture than learning about its wealthiest and most profitable industry. Go on a Spice Tour and learn all about it in detail. Tourists can choose from a variety of tours and explore the winding streets with expert tour guides who will inform you of the origins of the industry, as well as teaching guests about the wide variety of spices that Zanzibar produces and trades in.
The Old Fort:
They say that old is gold, and what better way to end our trip with the oldest building in Zanzibar? The Old Fort is located on the seafront, right in front of the famous Forodhani Gardens. Originally built in the 17th century with the purpose of defending the island from attacks from the Portuguese, nowadays the Old Fort is one of Stone Town’s main sights. Visitors can admire the remains of the former fort and amble around the courtyard in the centre, where sellers have local produce for sale. An old amphitheatre still hosts events and functions in the fort.
Of course, there are lots of other things to do in Zanzibar and this hasn’t scratched the surface. What are your favourite things to do in Zanzibar? share with me in the comments.
Reasons To Visit Zanzibar
Reasons To Visit Zanzibar
Life can get pretty hectic and overwhelming every once in a while, its times like these when you should just take a breather and relax and unwind. There are tonnes of activities you can do that will accomplish those goals but if you want something like a tour to an exotic location, then Zanzibar is the place. Zanzibar is said to be known as an island paradise as it’s actually a whole group of islands, two large one by the names of Ungoja and Pemba and the rest are the small ones. Politically it is the semi-autonomous part of Tanzania and is located off the coast of East Africa. That’s all good and all, but why should you go there? Well, here are 11 reasons why.
1. Cultural Diversity
People from all sorts of ethnicities occupy Zanzibar which makes it one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth, which is the cause of eras of trade with different countries. You’ll find groups of African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European people living together harmoniously in a peaceful life. You’ll find that these people are friendly, fun, calm, philosophical and lively people who are so full of life and believe in living it to the fullest.
2. Fascinating History and Culture:
Since it has people belong to different countries and ethnicities living here, there is a rich vibrant culture present in this area and there are tonnes of things to learn. The archipelago has been inhabited for over 20,000 years and so its position has made it a major port, once you visit you’ll find loads of interesting things about its history and culture.
3. Scenic Beaches:
If you’re in the mood to just relax and unwind and perhaps soak up some sun or go for a swim then Zanzibar has the perfect thing solution for your needs as it is filled with pristine and scenic beaches, they are clean and exquisitely beautiful and you can’t help but feel like you’re one with nature in that predicament. There are tonnes of things you can do at these beaches for fun like swimming, or surfing or just exploring the surrounding areas with perfect temperature water that you will find refreshing and soothing.
4. Ideal Location for Honeymoon:
Planning to get married, looking for a honeymoon escape or looking to renew your vows, Zanzibar is the perfect place to do it in. It’s perfect romantic setting, breathtaking scenery and tonnes of things to do make it the best place to spend quality time with that special someone.
5. Dhow Safari:
In Zanzibar, you’ll be able to enjoy a special type of Safari called a Dhow Safari. You cruise and sail in a Swahili boat where you will discover the best vantage points in Zanzibar. And the best part is that these boats are handmade, but you don’t need to worry because they are operated by trained professional crews.
6. Spice Tours:
One of the most interesting things about Zanzibar is its Spice Tours. Zanzibar’s cloves and spices are the sources of its agricultural wealth; here you will discover a rich blend of colours, smells, flavours and tastes as you find spices like nutmeg, cumin, ginger, turmeric, curry and pepper. You’ll also learn why these spices are important in Zanzibar.
7. Culture Music Club:
One of the best places to enjoy cultural music and here you will discover Zanzibar Taarab music. At the club, you will find one of the most creative orchestras played with Swahili style creating a fusion of music to soothe the ears and soul. This place is pretty active and you’ll always get to see several performances with other people comprising of locals and other tourists.
8. Stone Town:
One of the most important and significant places in Zanzibar, when you arrive here the first thing that comes to mind is ‘ancient’ and ‘old’ but despite that initial impression the place is quite lively and always bustling with activity. Lively bazaars, winding alleys, primaeval mosques and magnificent Arab houses are the main things that make this place so great. There are tonnes of other things to see as well from the Old Fort to the magnificent beaches, this place is an all-rounder when it comes to tourist attractions.
9. Food Markets:
These are a must visit for anyone who comes to Zanzibar. The Darajani market is the traditional food market located in Stone Town where you will find a wide variety of vegetables, seafood, spices and fruits. The most fun and enjoyable food market are however the Forodhani Night Food Market located at Forodhani Gardens. If you’re looking for a healthy dinner then this is the place where you will find tonnes of tasty foods like seafood, kebabs, grilled meats, fried potatoes, chapattis and a variety of salads and many other delicious meals. These places are always happening and it seems that there is a big celebration happening. You’ll also find numerous blends of coffees and teas over at Zanzibar, you’ll also find the best coffee in Africa that comes from Kilimanjaro.
10. Red Colobus Monkeys:
Zanzibar is famous for its indigenous wildlife as well. Over here you’ll find the Jozani Forest which is Zanzibar’s well known National Park and it happens to be famous for its indigenous red colobus monkeys. You’ll find a variety of other wildlife as well as the forest is teeming with it.
Bonus, Giant Tortoise:
Another widely known tourist attraction that you will find in Zanzibar is its Giant Tortoises. They are found on Prison Island which you can reach by taking a 20-minute boat ride. The tortoises are gigantic and you can get close to them, some are said to be as old as 300 years!
I can go on and on describing a multitude of things that makes Zanzibar the perfect place to visit for your next tour. But like I said I would be telling you reasons and I have done exactly that. So next time when life becomes a little unbearable, you’ll know where to go.
Do you know any other reasons why you should visit Zanzibar? Add some more in the comments box.
Zanzibar Guide
Zanzibar – The Island of Spectacular Beaches and Excellent Cuisine
Although there are millions of various destinations all over the world, it seems people usually pick the most popular ones such as France, Spain, Egypt, and so on. Such a move is rather unfortunate because you will never meet other exotic destinations such as, for example, Zanzibar. This beautiful island is a perfect place for spending a vacation, and many people have already started to recognise its attractions. Maybe if you knew a little bit more about Zanzibar, you would be ready to give it a try too. It is worth it, no doubts there.
How To Find It?
Zanzibar is the largest island in the archipelago located on the west coast of Africa, surrounded by the fabulous Indian Ocean. There are also more than 50 small islands spread around the shores of the main island. They are all a part of the United Republics of Tanzania located on the African mainland. The name Zanzibar comes from Arab words that mean “Land of the Blacks”, and the other smaller island on the west is called Pemba or “The Green Island”. This colourful archipelago has beautiful and picturesque surrounding covered with marvellous sandy beaches and amazing coral reefs. There are no large wild animals on the island so you can explore its nature freely. This may be an excellent idea because you may have a chance to see some exotic species such as monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. And maybe if you are super lucky, you might be the one to see the legendary and elusive Zanzibar leopard!
Reaching Zanzibar will not be a problem since you can choose whether to travel by plane or a boat. You won’t make a mistake choosing any of them so simply take what you enjoy more.
Zanzibar’s Amazing Past
Zanzibar has been a home to many various civilisations in its history, from the Assyrians to Sumerians and Egyptians, then Phoenicians, Indians and Chinese. And the list is not over yet because then the Persians came here and after them Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and finally the English. All of these nations have put their mark on the Zanzibar’s identity, but Arabs and Persians did the most, so today the island is predominantly Islamic. Christians, Hindus and Sikhs also live here giving Zanzibar a multicultural taste that makes it even more attractive. All of these influences can be best noticed in the unique language called Swahili which is a combination of Arab, German, French, Portuguese, Hindustani and English.
Zanzibar has always been an important trade centre, and its main export goods were the spices and ivory. For this reason, many famous traders and explorers used to live here, and some of the most famous were Stanley and Livingstone. However, the most famous person who was actually born in Zanzibar was Freddie Mercury, the legendary British singer.
Zanzibar’s Main Attractions
Apart from beaches and incredible nature visiting Zanzibar’s historical centre called Stone Town is a must see destination. Its beginnings date back to the early 19th century, and it seems it was frozen in time because not much has changed since then. Stone Town is a mixture of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, beautiful mosques and splendid Arab houses which are particularly interesting. Namely, their original owners were competing for each other in making a more spectacular home so some of them are quite extravagant. You will surely notice the carvings in the massive wooden doors – they are all handmade and thus unique. Roaming through the labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys will be an amazing experience. But don’t forget your watch because time can really fly here and before you even notice the day will come to its end. And the best part of the story is that the Stone Town is still alive because people live here even today, so it is not a real museum.
You should not miss a chance to visit the local market where you can buy almost anything. Also, Livingstone’s House is a cool spot to check in, as well as The Arab Fort. The Peace Memorial Museum is a place where you will get all the information about Zanzibar’s rich and exciting history. You will also see and hear a bit more about the local customs and traditions, the way of living, and other small details that witness about the greatness of this exotic land.
The Price of Accommodation Depends On Tourist Season
Travelling to Zanzibar can be a bit demanding job, since getting a desired type of accommodation may depend on various reasons. First of all, you should think well about the exact location of your accommodation. Zanzibar offers excellent hotels as well as hostels in the Stone Town and on the beaches. In case you want to investigate history and culture of people living in Zanzibar, then it would be suitable for you to book a hotel in Stone Town. On the other side, if you are a beach lover, then don’t hesitate to contact one of the various beach hotels. But what is more, the price of your accommodation is very frequently a deciding factor. It may be quite hard to comprehend the prices for your stay in Zanzibar at first, but then you realise that the amount depends on the tourist season. It is well- known that you may pay a little money for an excellent accommodation if you visit Zanzibar in a particular period of time, or the so- called tourist season. There are three tourist seasons in Zanzibar: low, high, and peak. Logically, the peak season will take you double the amount of money for your stay, unlike low and high tourist seasons. Of course, low tourist season would be the best solution since you are even allowed to bargain for a certain room or apartment you are to book in Zanzibar.
Cuisine As Unbelievable Mixture of Different Countries
If you have ever thought of Zanzibar as a country worth visiting, then you must have heard that they have an excellent and delicious local cuisine. Since Zanzibar is itself a mixture of different countries, its cuisine is also a mix of Arabic, Portuguese and Indian cuisine styles. We all know how excellent these three can be, and if we combine them, we may get one of the best cuisines in the world. Hence, don’t you dare to visit Zanzibar and not taste the well- known Biryani dish. It contains rice and curry sauce, both of which are separately cooked and then put together. Visitors also adore the so- called Octopus Curry recipe. Since octopus is one of the most popular dishes on the island, its curry is eaten in streets as well as in fancy hotels. The whiff of Zanzibar will be brought by Mandazi dish. It is a version of a Swahili doughnut that is seasoned with a little cardamom. Street stalls are an inexhaustible source of the must- eat foods. One of the dishes found here is surely Mishkaki. It is a beef or chicken snack which is marinated in a magnificently well- made blend of spices and sauce. Cuisine in Zanzibar may surprise you with the world’s most amazing fruit, durian. However, you may find only during the season in Zanzibar. In addition, there are many, many more local cuisine dishes you can find in the streets or at the hotels. You just need to be adventurous enough, and you will be amazed by what Zanzibar has to offer.
Are There Any Activities in Zanzibar?
Apart from the already mentioned activities of finding out more about Zanzibar’s history, and culture, you may also find numerous additional activities you can do when on holiday. Since you are on an island, you may well go on diving or sailing. But, how about doing things you have never done before? We say yes. Hence, we recommend you to visit Nungwi. It is the largest village outside Stone Town, famous for its sailboat building. For that reason, it attracts many curious travellers who yearn to meet its local fish market, as well as the conditions and lifestyle. But what is more, perhaps the best adventure on your holiday trip would be the one on a dhow sailboat. It will not only show you remarkable sceneries of nature, sunset and the sun, but it will also allow you to spot some endangered species. The village also contains the famous Mnarani Turtles Conservation Park. Therefore, if you are a true lover of turtles, then you will not mind the entrance fee, which is a bit high. So, think well before deciding whether to enter or not.