Zanzibar: An Exotic Island Getaway
Sink your bare feet into the sands soft as silk, bask in the crystal-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, stroll the colorful streets of Stone Town, or tour the cottage spice industries of the sunny seaside paradise that is Zanzibar.
Located just 15 miles off the coast of mainland Tanzania, the island is a fascinating blend of Arabic, Indian and African culture.
The word “Zanzibar” is derived from the old form “Zengbar” which initially meant the Eastern Coast of Africa. It is probably a Persian word “Zeng” means black and “Bar” means land or region. The Arab version was Zinjibar.
Zanzibar is a Semi-autonomous part of the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa. It is the Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which comprises town main islands of Unguja (Informally referred to as Zanzibar) and its sister island Pemba as well as about fifty smaller islets. The land area of the two main islands is approximately 2,332 square kilometers of which Unguja is 1,464 square kilometers. Zanzibar (Unguja) is mainly a low lying island, with its highest point at 120metres above sea level.
A white sandy beach encircles the island which is full of palm trees. Long beaches are found at the East and North Coast of Zanzibar island. Other nearby island Countries and territories include Comoros and Mayotte to the South, Mauritius and Reunion to the far South East, and Seychelles islands about 1,500 Kms to the East.
The Capital of Zanzibar , located on the island of Unguja is Zanzibar Town and it’s Historic Center, it is located about 35 kilometres off the Coast of Mainland Tanzania. Until 2002 Zanzibar had a population of about 981,754. In Zanzibar Island of Unguja the total population is about 620,957 and Pemba 360,797. The population growth is about 2.7% – 3.1% annually, the current population is estimated to be more that 1,200,000. The most commonly practiced religion is Islam. 80% of Zanzibar’s population follow the laws of Islam. Its history was influenced by the Arabs, Persians, Indians, Portuguese, British and The African mainland. The remainder are a mix of Hindus and Christians.
Zanzibar’s local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colourful history. Zanzibaris speak Kiswahili (But English is also widely spoken), a language which is spoken extensively in East Africa. Many believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birth place of the language. Zanzibar is a few degrees South of the Equator and enjoys a tropical climate that is largely dominated by the Indian Ocean monsoon.
Stone Town
Visitors to Zanzibar tend to arrive and leave via Stone Town, a historic hub for commerce and culture within Zanzibar City. This ancient center was the seat of the Sultans, whose crumbling palaces, bath houses and mosques are a legacy of this opulent and vibrant time at the heart of the gold trade. Stone Town remains a wonderful place to spend a night or two, getting lost among the ancient buildings, labyrinthine streets and its ancient spice markets. Eat fresh fish on the sea front, and breathe in the sights, sounds and smells of a true Swahili center.
Stone Town was declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 2000. It’s charming, but it can sometimes be a challenge to navigate. There are street names, more or less, but no one really uses them. However, on the bright side, Stone Town is small and safe, and not knowing where you’re going is part of the adventure and experience. The locals are helpful, so feel free to ask for directions as many times as you want, but sometimes it’s better to just go with it and let yourself get lost.
When to go to Zanzibar Island?
December - March is generally hot and dry
April - Mid of June is wet because of the long rains
July - August is dry and breezy with little rainfall
October - November is when the short rains appear.
BEACHES AND PLACES
Here are some of our favorite places in Zanzibar:
Jambiani Beach
Jambiani Village is a sleepy fishing village on the southeast coast of Zanzibar. As you walk the beach, kids say ‘Jambo!’, but no one tries to sell you anything. Jambiani Beach is untouristy, relaxed, and feels much more authentic than other beach towns in Zanzibar. It is also much cheaper than big beach towns like Nungwi or Kendwa, so is one of the best places to have a low cost Zanzibar vacation.
Have a local guide take you through their village (donations will be made to visited places) and discover how locals live their everyday lives and how they make their livelihoods. The tour finishes with a great Swahili local style lunch!
Nungwi
Unlike the east and west coastlines, Zanzibar’s northern tip doesn’t have to deal with high and low tides as much. It is the perfect beach destination if you are looking to swim around the clock without having to walk far out to sea to chase the ocean. Nungwi is well known for its nightlife and party atmosphere, so if you are looking for a more relaxing and serene environment, this is not the ideal place to go.
Matemwe
White sandy beaches, palm trees and the Indian Ocean as far as you can see, that’s Matemwe in north-eastern Zanzibar. The small village is loved by locals and travellers for its seemingly never-ending wide and romantic beach. If you are looking to reconnect with nature and relax far away from it all, Matemwe is your spot to be. Here you will find pristine fishing communities, hosting few tourists and more fish markets. At the stalls, you can try local dishes. Go to Matemwe if you want to relax, but pick a different location if you want to go out and enjoy entertainment. If you long to hold a book in one hand and a drink in the other, you have found your dream destination.
Matemwe’s proximity to Mnemba Island allows for a great snorkelling day trip!
Paje Beach
Paje Beach is one of the most popular Southeastern beach towns in Zanzibar. A great place to visit if you enjoy interacting with others while you enjoy swimming, and it boasts a great selection of bungalows, small restaurants, and beach bars. Paje Beach is one of the most ideal places to visit if you are interested in learning how to scuba dive or practice other water sports like kitesurfing or windsurfing.
UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCES
Zanzibari cuisine offers delicious food influenced by its cultural and multi-ethnic Zanzibari and Swahili heritage. It boasts the best and most unique dining experiences ranging from amazing restaurants like The Rock and Emerson on Hurumzi restaurant.
For a truly local experience, explore the Forodhani night food market in Stone Town or visit a local home to learn how to cook your own Zanzibari food (ask us to arrange this for you!)
Where to Stay on Zanzibar Island?
Located less than 20 minutes’ flight from mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is a separate state within Tanzania, made up of Zanzibar Island itself and nearby Pemba Island.
Delve into its history and the island comes to life, revealing rich trade with Arabia, Persia and India over the last 2,000 years. The island offers a fascinating mix of cultures and a captivating history, but Zanzibar’s main attraction is its beaches.
There is a huge range of beach hotels on offer, from large all-inclusive resorts to small boutique lodges – there is something for everyone here but our favourites include, Pongwe Beach Hotel, Baraza Resort & Spa and Breezes.
The island’s activities are focused around the beach, with sunset cruises, snorkelling and diving trips offered from every lodge. You can swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, see the giant sea turtles of Nungwi, and even visit the colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest if you are able to drag yourself away from the beach!
The island’s capital, Zanzibar Town, is a hive of activity. This honeypot of local culture attracts tourists into its central ‘Stone Town’, a myriad of narrow streets where travelers explore the town’s compelling architecture, haggle at market stalls and learn about the island’s fascinating history. A trip to the island is not complete without a night in Stone Town to appreciate the importance of this little place.
What to do on Zanzibar Island?
Snorkelling – Off the east and north coast of Zanzibar there is excellent reefs with colourful marine life. Pemba Island is particularly good for those who are really keen
Diving – Diving trips can be organised from all the hotels we love to recommend. Again, Pemba Island offers some of the best diving in the world. Mafia Island diving is also exceptional with the mighty whale sharks in abundance here from October – March.
Jozani Forest Tour – Nestled within the central east region of Zanzibar Island, Jozani Forest is the only natural forest in Zanzibar. A 20-minute drive from Stone Town, Jozani Forest is a narrow neck of land between the Chakwa Bay in the north and Uzi Bay to the south. Spot the rare red colobus monkeys and other wildlife, explore the mangrove swamp and different species of trees while on tour.
Spice Tour – One of the most popular excursions in the Spice Island is the visit of a Spice Farm. Zanzibar is well known as one of the world’s leading producers of spices such as nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. The spice tour takes your senses on a journey to organic farms with a wide variety of plants, where you just don't see, you also touch, smell, and taste.
Prison Island Tour – Contrary to the name, no prisoners have lived on this island. It used to be an isolated area for the yellow fever epidemic sufferers, but now it is home to the Aldabra giant tortoises which is the main attraction of the island. A short 30 minute boat ride from Stone Town.
Stone Town Tour – Take a guided tour around the cobbled streets of charismatic Stone Town and learn about Zanzibar’s rich history & culture.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS - If you are interested in Swahili Cooking, Spice Blending, Traditional Dancing, Music Lessons, Henna Painting, Oud (Incense making), Batik or Tinga Tinga paintings, we are delighted to offer workshops at unique locations across the island. Just let us know and we will arrange these unique experiences for you!
Or just…Relaxing – The perfect place for it… And everything else… Dolphin tours, sunset dhow cruises, you name it & Zanzibar probably has it!
PLAN YOUR ULTIMATE ZANZIBAR GETAWAY WITH Urth Expedition TODAY!
Zanzibar is renowned for its fascinating atmosphere and intriguing beaches. Contact us today to start planning your trip to this iconic travel destination. Urth Expedition delivers personalized tours for an unforgettable vacation and a truly transformational experience!
Recommend length 5 days from $2,300/person (double occupancy)
Email us for more information.
5 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ZANZIBAR:
Zanzibar is not a single island; it’s a group of islands just off the coast of East Africa. The two large main islands are Pemba and Unguja. Unguja is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “Zanzibar”.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War between the Zanzibar Sultanate and the United Kingdom on August 27, 1896 lasted only 38 to 45 minutes before there was a ceasefire. This makes it the shortest war in history.
The lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury, was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His birth name was Farouk Bulsara.
In 1973, Zanzibar was the first country in Africa to have color television.
Zanzibar is called The Spice Islands because its main economic activity, after tourism, is spice exports – primarily nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and black pepper.
Book your trip today!
THE ROCK ……..AN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL YOUR SENSES
Inspired by natural resources, a strong twist of Zanzibar, and mountains of Italian love.
The south-east coastline of Zanzibar is recognized as amongst the most beautiful in East Africa and provides the stage for an extraordinary experience.
If there was anywhere to travel halfway around the world for, it just might be The Rock in Zanzibar, Tanzania. This restaurant, perched on a rock in the Indian Ocean, seems dropped from a fairy tale. It becomes a veritable island with a wooden boat taking you the short distance to shore during high tide. In low tide, you walk across the seaweed strewn beach to get to this magical place. Both methods will take you to a rickety wooden staircase and into the restaurant, built in the local Zanzibar architectural style with a Makuti palm tree roof. In the back, there's a beautiful patio where you can grab a cocktail surrounded on three sides by the turquoise seas. Inside, there are 12 cozy tables for lunch and dinner.
"The Rock" is uniquely located on the beach out into the ocean. It's essentially a sizeable stationary rock that people built a beautiful restaurant into.
During low tide, the water recedes entirely away from the restaurant exposing the sand, coral, rocks, and seaweed. During high tide, the water floods the sand giving off that beautiful blue and turquoise colors.
From an outpost for subsistence fishermen from the local village of Michamvi, The Rock is now a different, valuable part of their lives, directly benefiting their community.
Such a simple idea, but with incredible logistical challenges to overcome; electricity, gas, fresh water, sanitation, WIFI, communications, storage, refuse removal, and all while keeping to a minimal environmental impact commitment.
Lovingly planned and put together over many months and decorated in a simple, unfussy local island style, the restaurant specializes in seafood and local tastes. The biggest challenge was how to respect the beauty of the location and ensure the vision of an uncomplicated, unfussy, unpretentious dining environment complemented with a menu and food of international standard.
The Rock is not for everyone; it is too small to cater to fast food tastes and budgets.
Located in front of Michamvi Pingwe beach on the south-east coast of the island, it has sometimes been referred to as the floating restaurant. It is a dining experience with nature and passionately prepared food.
The Rock can accommodate couples and groups of up to 20 – given enough warning and, of course, a booking. The Rock is available for special occasions and can be reserved for private events.
An open-air terrace, offering that romantic evening under the African stars by night, skies by day, with panoramic seascapes is available for pre-and post-meal drinks.
