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Zanzibar

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Travel in Zanzibar

With its blue-green waters, white sand beaches and tonnes of good vibes, Zanzibar looks like something straight out of a movie. When it comes to picturesque landscapes, nothing comes close to this African island. Throw in a unique culture, some great food and friendly locals and you’ve got yourself one hell of a vacation!

First things’ first: you’re going to want to hit the beach. And luckily for you, serving up some seriously-awesome beach views is what it does best. Throw on your swimmers, grab your sunnies and head down to the island’s hot-spots: the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa. This is the place to catch some sun and kick back with a cocktail-in-hand. The best part? Zanzibar is known for its sundowners. A place that knows that sunset is cocktail time? Sign us up!

If you’re keen for a few water-based activities, head over to the east side of the island for a spot of kite surfing. If this sounds like your jam, Paje and Jambiani are for you. You might even stumble upon a spot where you can go swimming with the giant sea turtles; one of the unique activities that made the Zanzibar beaches famous.

But there’s so much more to this island paradise than just the beach. Having been colonised by the Portuguese, the Arabs and the Germans, Zanzibar’s history is long and complex. As one of the major centers of the African slave trade, Zanzibar has a dark past. Learn about this dark part of history by visiting the slave market and some of the slave holding centers around the island.

To get a good grip on Zanzibar’s culture, head to the House of Wonders. This former palace has now become one of the most important history museums on the island. If you love a good love story, check out the Princess Salme Museum. Made in honor of the Arabic princess who eloped with a German merchant, discover the former home of the author of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar.

With so many amazing things to do in Zanzibar Tanzania, you’ll never want to leave this island paradise.

FAST FACTS
Language: Swahili, English
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
Electricity: 220V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Tanzania.
Dialling Code: +255
Time Zone: (GMT+03:00)

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Things to do in Zanzibar

Hit the beach

Pristine white sand, clear, blue-green waters and dazzling sunsets: Zanzibar’s beaches really deliver the goods. With so many beaches around the island, you’re spoilt for choice. When it comes to the hot-spots, you can’t miss the northern beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa. If your visit falls on the full moon, you’re in luck: this is where you should go to hit the full moon parties, where you’ll dance to African beats until the early hours of the morning. If you’re keen to go kite surfing, head to Paje and Jambiani on the east side of the island for some epic times on the water.

Stroll through the Darajani Market

Bursting with colors, flavors and amazing aromas, a visit to Darajani Market is a feast for the senses. Located just outside the narrow lanes of Stone Town, this lively market is the place to shop on the island. Vendors gather here from all over the island to sell and trade their goods. From giant stalks of plantains, stacks of cassava, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves, foodies will love exploring the vast variety of tropical foods. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the fish auction where you can spot the occasional sailfish and whole tuna.

Visit the Old Fort

One of the biggest and most impressive buildings on the island, the Old Fort was built by the Omanis in 1699. Located right across from the Forodhani Gardens in central Stone Town, these old ruins are an important part of the history of Zanzibar. After expelling the Portuguese from the island in the 17th century, this Arab fort served as a garrison and a prison. Nowadays, following the inclusion of an amphitheater on its grounds, the Old Fort used for events like the Zanzibar International Film Festival. Check out this interesting architectural site to soak up the history of Zanzibar.

Discover the House of Wonders

The largest and tallest building in Zanzibar, the House of Wonders dominates the central oceanfront of the island. One of the most recognizable structures in Stone Town, this former palace was built in 1883 by the second Sultan of Zanzibar, Barghash bin Said. What’s so wonderful about it, you ask? It was the first building on the island to get electricity. What was once intended to become a government building, the House of Wonders is now one of the most important museums on the island. With an impressive historical collection, including a huge mtepe boat – an icon of the Swahili culture – take some time to discover the magic of the House of Wonders.

Learn about the slave trade

Although today it's known as an island paradise, Zanzibar has a dark history. For many centuries, it was the center of the vast African slave trade. Zanzibar was one of the largest slave ports in the vast Indian Ocean slave trade, which was dominated by Arab slave traders. Slaves from all across the African continent where taken to Bagamoyo, on the Tanzanian coast, before they were shipped to the Slave Markets in Stone Town. There are many reminders of Zanzibar's dark history in the slave trade around Stone Town and across the island. The market where slaves were confined in dark, underground chambers before being sold still contains the chains used on the slaves. A moving memorial now stands where the market once was, reminding visitors and locals alike of the atrocities that were committed on that very spot, centuries ago.

Top 5 Festivals in Zanzibar

When trying to figure out the best time of year to visit Zanzibar, we suggest teeing up your trip with some of the island’s biggest festivals. From water sports and yoga to breaking fast on the holy day of Eid al-Fitr, here are five festivals in Zanzibar that are definitely worth the trip.

The Zanzibar Beach and Water Sports Festival

Sports

The Zanzibar Beach & Water Sports Festival is a celebration of beach life, culture & music, held over three massive days in Jambiani, Zanzibar. Featuring live music, yoga and dance workshops, a cocktail-making competition and lots of Tanzanian food, this October festival is one of the best on the island.

Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival

Music

Held over one big weekend in early September, the Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival is one of the biggest events on Zanzibar’s calendar. With open-air jazz concerts, poetry readings and cultural walks and talks, this seriously-cool cultural event is not to be missed!

Eid al-Fitr

Culture

One of the most important religious festivals in Tanzania, Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Following a month-long fast, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr by feasting with family and friends and performing acts of charity for the poor. The Eid festival occurs every year according to the lunar calendar, usually around June.

Diwali

Culture

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Celebrated by Tanzania’s Indian community, Diwali falls between the months of September and November each year. The five-day festival sees many locals decorate their homes with lights, exchange gifts and sweets with loved ones. Be blown away seeing Zanzibar lit up for Diwali!

Unification Day

Culture

On 26 April 1964, the Zanzibar islands joined Tanganyika – the former name of the Tanzanian mainland – to become the Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Later renamed to become the Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar celebrates Unification Day with food, street parades and parties.

Top 5 Museums and Galleries in Zanzibar

Even though its sandy beaches and turquoise sea are pretty phenomenal, this island has so much more to offer than swimming and sunbathing. Our suggestion for what to do in Zanzibar? Check out some of its awesome galleries. Here are five of our favorites.

Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel)

Also known as the Sultan’s Palace, this Stone Town museum is the three-story mansion built for the Omani Sultan Seyyid Said in the 19th century. Get a taste of the royal life by walking through their former home and admiring artworks, original furniture and decor, as well as other historical artifacts.

Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery

Inspired by the Indian and Middle Eastern tradition of adorning women’s hands and feet in henna for weddings and festivals, the women of Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery transform traditional henna tattooing into paintings and prints. Admire their beautiful work and get henna done on your hands at the same time.

Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi

Carefully curated by the renowned historian Said al Gheithy, the Princess Salme Museum tells the story of Princess Salme, a sultan's daughter who eloped with a German merchant. Famous for her book Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar, walk through photograph and textile displays that tell the story of her life.

Hellen Art Gallery

Located in the heart of Stone Town, the Hellen Art Gallery is a commercial art gallery that focuses on original African artworks and products. With a variety of colorful paintings displaying the natural beauty of Zanzibar, the Tanzanian Maasai culture and the architecture of Stone Town, art lovers will love checking out this quaint gallery.

Peace Memorial Museum (Beit el-Amani)

Housed in a white domed building, the Peace Memorial Museum is a Tanzanian history museum. Built to commemorate the end of the First World War, the museum’s collection tells the story of early trade, slavery and migration, the Royal Family and religion in Tanzania.

Food in Zanzibar

Seafood, spices and lots of frying – the Zanzibar food scene is a unique blend of African, Indian and island flavors. From octopus curries to barbecued skewers and lots of sunset cocktails, here are five foods you’ve got to try in Zanzibar Tanzania.

Zanzibar Pizza

While it has little resemblance to Italian pizza, Zanzibar pizza has become famous throughout the island. A thin piece of dough is covered in onions, capsicum, meat, processed cheese, an egg and mayonnaise, before being folded into a rectangle and fried. You can try this bizarre fusion food at the Forodhani Gardens Night Market in Stone Town.

_{Best eaten at
Forodhani Gardens Night Market, Stone Town}

Mishkaki

One of the most popular street foods of Zanzibar, mishkaki is a local favorite. These skewers of meat are marinated in a blend of Indian and African spices and sauces, before being barbequed over a charcoal fire. Usually made with chicken or beef, try some mishkaki at the Forodhani Gardens Night Market in Stone Town.

_{Best eaten at
Forodhani Gardens Night Market, Stone Town}

Mchuzi Wa Pweza

One of the best things about eating in Zanzibar is its abundance of fresh octopus. Cooked a number of ways, one of the island’s staple octopus dishes is mchuzi wa pweza, an octopus curry. Slices of octopus are cooked in turmeric and coriander, and then simmered in a thick coconut cream sauce.

_{Best eaten at
Sunset Bar, Africa House Hotel, Stone Town}

Pilaf

A rice dish with Indian origins, pilaf takes its own special form in Zanzibar. Rice, vegetables, spices and stock are cooked together to form a delicious, fragrant dish. While mainland pilau normally contains meat, on the island of Zanzibar, it’s topped with fried fish. Pick up a plate at the Sunset Bar at the Africa House Hotel.

_{Best eaten at
Sunset Bar, Africa House Hotel, Stone Town}

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