Zanzibar has been part of Tanzania since 1964. The authorities of Tanganyika and Zanzibar signed an agreement to create a single state - Tanzania (the name is made up of the first three letters of the words “Tanganyika” and “Zanzibar”). At the same time, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous territory; since 2005 it has its own flag, parliament, and its own president. Zanzibar is a good place for a beach holiday, diving, and also has some natural, cultural and historical attractions. One of the islands of the archipelago, the private island of Mnemba, is chosen by world celebrities such as Bill Gates and Naomi Campbell for their holidays.
How to get to Zanzibar
There are no direct flights from Russia and the countries of the former USSR to Zanzibar. Most often, the flight has two transfers. To buy the best air ticket in terms of cost and flight time, you should use air ticket search systems, which include the largest number of airlines.
Visa
For Russian citizens, upon arrival in Tanzania, a visa is issued at the border. To obtain a visa at the border, you must provide the following documents.
a foreign passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry;
a migration card filled out in English (cards are issued at border crossing points);
a completed health questionnaire in English (questionnaires are issued at border crossing points);
return tickets or tickets to a third country;
confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip at the rate of 5000 TZS (~$3.0) per person per day.
In practice, border services rarely ask about the availability of funds and return tickets.
The cost of a tourist visa for up to 90 days is $50, a transit visa for up to 14 days is $30.
Important
Tanzania is part of the countries of the East African Union (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda). In fact, this means that if you have visited any of these countries and decide to return to Kenya, you do not need to pay the fee again.
Money of Tanzania
The national currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). One shilling is equal to 100 cents. You can exchange money at the airport, at banks, exchange offices and hotels. Many hotels and large stores accept credit cards. Withdrawing cash from the card is very problematic.
Climate in Zanzibar
You can go to Zanzibar all year round, but the best time to visit is considered to be from June to October, when it is not so hot and there is little rain. For those who like it hot, we recommend the period from December to April. October to November and April to May are the rainy season in Zanzibar.
Sights and things to do in Zanzibar
Diving and snorkeling
Zanzibar is a good place for diving and snorkeling lovers. Visibility here ranges from 10 to 30 meters. The island itself and nearby islets are surrounded by coral reefs, and the underwater world is rich in marine life, and in March you can see whale sharks.
Many call Boribi Reef the best place to dive. There are beautiful underwater mountains and various corals here, and you can also see large lobsters and white sharks. Maximum depth 30 meters. Between the islands of Pange and Bave there is the Great Northern ship, which sank in 1897.
Beach holiday
The beaches in Zanzibar are made of clean and white sand, and the water has a beautiful turquoise color. At the same time, some parts of the island are subject to high tides and sometimes you have to walk quite a distance to get to high water. For comfortable swimming at any time, I recommend the northern part of the island.
Turtle Island
“Turtle Island” is famous for its giant turtle specimens, which cannot be seen even in the best zoos in the world.
Spice tours
Zanzibar once supplied half the world with spices. Today, spy tours are organized on the island, during which you can see how spices and many exotic plants and fruits grow. You can taste some of them.
Hosani Forest
Not far from the city of Zanzibar, there is the Hosani Forest, which is rich in rare plants.
Historical and cultural attractions
Almost all the cultural and historical attractions of the island are concentrated in its capital, Zanzibar. Since the 5th century, Zanzibar has become a transit point for Indian, Persian and Arab traders. Since then, the city has preserved the architectural styles of Africa, Asia, the Arab East and Europe. The streets of the city resemble labyrinths dotted with shops and bazaars.
But the main attraction of the city is Stone Town (stone city) Here there are two cathedrals, two palaces of the sultans (one of them is the Palace of Miracles), a national museum, mosques, colonial mansions and ruins of palaces and a number of cultural and historical attractions. Of particular interest are the heavy carved doors with spikes that appeared in Zanzibar from India. The spikes served to protect against attacks from war elephants. Nobody attacks houses anymore, but the doors remain.
Freddie Mercury's house
Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. His home is in the city.
Zanzibar Entertainment and Nightlife
Zanzibar is not the best place in terms of parties and nightlife. My friend and I were on the north coast at the Kendwa Rocks hotel, there were Full Moon Party discos there once a week and it was the most party place in the area.
Transport
There are shuttle buses running in Zanzibar. You can also use the services of taxi drivers, discussing the amount in advance. Upon arrival at the airport building, taxi drivers offer their transfer services to the hotel; after bargaining, they can reduce the price by 10-20%. There is a bus stop about 300 meters from the airport; you can find out the way to it at the tourist office, which is located at the exit from the airport. You can also catch a taxi at the bus stop, the price of which will most likely be less than at the airport.
Accommodation Hotels
Hotels in Zanzibar are presented in different price categories and different levels. These are mainly mid- and high-level hotels. In January 2013, I managed to find the most affordable option for accommodation in a modest bungalow on the first coastline for $50 for two. It was possible to stay in a guesthouse with half the price, but you would have to walk 15-20 minutes to the beach, and in 35 degree heat this is not an option. To search for hotels in Zanzibar, it is better to use search engines that include the largest number of travel sites engaged in hotel booking.
Safety
In Zanzibar, it is worth observing standard safety measures.
I was in Zanzibar with my friend Mikhail in January 2013. We flew in from Rwanda and stayed on the island for four days, and then flew to Mombasa. We had a beach holiday for three days and a day in Zanzibar Stone Town. Photos of the trip to Zanzibar can be viewed on this page.
Zanzibar travel photo
We fly over one of the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago.
Let's go down.
View from our bungalow.
Zanzibar has fine and really white sand.
View from the beach to the hotel.
The road to our bungalow
And here is a modest bungalow costing $50 per night for two.
Beach bar.
The bar has a large selection of alcohol ranging from beer and cocktails to whiskey and rum.
It can be difficult to buy alcohol outside of hotels. About 90% of the population is Muslim.
With local boys. One of the advantages of hotels in Zanzibar is that there is an invisible line on the beach that locals do not cross. And while sunbathing, you will be sure that souvenir sellers will not pester you.
Local women, even in the heat of 35 degrees, are wrapped in clothes from head to toe.
The local beauty salon is apparently not popular in the Islamic region.
The water in Zanzibar has a very beautiful color.
Kendwa beach in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Stone Town (Stone Town)
Exotic fruits
One hell of a cane juice making machine.
I decided to try myself a little as a juicer.
Local food - seafood, breadfruit, and I don’t remember what red.
Fish market in Stone Town.
Streets of Stone Town
Carved doors with spikes to protect against war elephants.
The fashion for such doors came from India. There are no elephants in Zanzibar, but the doors remain.
And these are super spikes.
A small square, a favorite meeting place for local men.
Shark jaws are an exotic souvenir, I regret not buying them.
National Museum of Zanzibar.
Freddie Mercury House Museum.
The embankment in Stone Town is a favorite place among locals. Some even come here to train.
One of the prides of Tanzania is the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro, and they even have such beer here.
In Stone Town there is a good restaurant with a balcony that offers an excellent view of the ocean. Many tourists, and locals too, come here to admire the sunset.
Sunset in Zanzibar
Farewell photo
The colorful island of Zanzibar (autonomy of Tanzania, with the capital Stone Town) attracts with its riot of natural colors, snow-white beaches and a rich world of animals. The island is quite small: only 2654 sq. km, but who doesn’t live here: just remember the words from the poem about the good doctor Aibolit - hippos, ostriches, tiger cubs, and camels.
How to get to the island
Today, the once fabulous island has become a very popular tourist destination. To get here, most often tourists have to make a transfer at Dubai Airport and from there fly to the capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam. Next, you need to transfer to a tiny airplane of the “corner” type to get to the amazing island of Zanzibar in just 15 minutes.
But, despite such a long and difficult journey, tours to Zanzibar are unforgettable trips that will forever change your consciousness and expand your horizons of perception. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean, snow-white pristine beaches, beautiful coral reefs, and local color quickly smooth out all the fatigue from the flight. Here time seems to stop.
Beaches and climate of the island
The climate on the island, like throughout Africa, is very hot. All year round, the air temperature averages +32 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature in the Indian Ocean is +28. However, thanks to the ocean spray, the heat here is not as noticeable as compared to mainland Tanzania. You can relax in Zanzibar all year round, but the best period is from June to October, when there is little rain, it is not so hot, and a cool breeze blows from the ocean. The rainy season here is from October to November, and from April to May.
All beaches are white, sandy, very clean, and along them there are picturesque fishing villages. The best beaches in Zanzibar are located in the southeast of the island, and all kinds of entertainment and nightlife are in the north. The southeast coast is ideal for surfing and other water sports. For solitude with nature, you should go to the west coast, in particular to Bububu Beach. In the east of the island there are truly endless beaches with turquoise water. There are a huge number of cafes and hotels on the northern coast.
When going to the beach, be sure to take swimming slippers with you, as the coast of Zanzibar is strewn with sea urchins, and you can come across shells and coral debris.
Entertainment and excursions in Zanzibar
It is better to start your acquaintance with the island from the capital Stone Town, which was founded in the 9th century by Arab traders. The city resembles a labyrinth of streets that are arranged in a chaotic manner. The main attractions of the capital are: two former palaces of the Sultan, abandoned ancient Persian-style baths, two large cathedrals, and colonial mansions. Pay special attention to the doors of private houses: this is the main attribute of a living space, which is made to last for centuries, and can tell a lot about the owner. And against the backdrop of such historical buildings, you can see the quaint buildings of foreign consulates.
The main diving center is located in the capital.
But the main attractions of Zanzibar are worth noting:
House of Freddie Mercury, who was born and lived here. His apartment today is an expensive hotel room, but everyone can touch the walls of the legend;
Slave cave. During the slave trade, prisoners were brought here and kept in very terrible conditions. Traces of torture still remain. Another scary page in this story is the slave market in Stone Town. In the center of it stands a monument;
Jozani National Park in the central part of the island. Tourists are offered to see many animals here, including black mamba and leopard, but, as a rule, only monkeys will be waiting for you on the tourist trail, while other animals try to hide;
Prison Island (prison island), in the west of the island. Today there are: a prison hotel, a restaurant, and giant turtles act as prisoners.
The central market will be a real shock for tourists: you have never seen such terrible unsanitary conditions and such a huge variety in one place. You can walk around the market and just look at each exhibit as if in a museum, but you hardly want to buy, since fruits, vegetables, and fish are covered with flies.
Vacationers are also invited to visit the nearest islands, so on each of them the tourist will discover something new.
Possible entertainment options include boat trips between the islands of the archipelago on boats sailed by local fishermen. It's a good idea to take a drive along the coast of Zanzibar to see how each beach is very different from each other. “Spice tours” are also held daily, during which you can climb trees, taste breadfruit, and pick a coconut.
To get here, as well as to the territory of Tanzania, a tourist will need to apply for a visa. This can be done in advance, even before departure, or issued directly at the airport by paying a fee of $50. Do not deny yourself a treat here: fruits and food in Zanzibar are very, very cheap, and bargaining is always appropriate. Here are a few local words you'll need: "jambo" - hello, "asante sana" - thank you very much, "karibou sana" - you're welcome, "hakuna matata" - no problem.
Regarding hotels, ten years ago the island was a favorite place for people looking for vivid impressions, preferring a holiday with a tent, without any comfort, but today the coast of Zanzibar is simply dotted with hotels from medium to high level. Wild tourists mainly live in the northern part of the island.
: Rich and diverse cultural heritage, carefully preserved coastline, pristine coastal waters and many species of marine life. The best beaches are located in the southeast of the island, while entertainment and nightlife are in the north.
Cuisine and restaurants of Zanzibar
The national cuisine of Zanzibar contains few vegetables and traditional meat. But rice and coconut milk, dishes made from the meat of antelope, crocodiles, elephants, and ducks are popular. When it comes to seafood, the island is a true paradise. Octopus, squid, shrimp, lobster, as well as all kinds of fish - from sea bass to barracuda - are served fried, stewed, baked with an intricate accompaniment of spices. Place them in dishes and drinks carefully, without turning eating into an ordeal. The selection of fruits is the same as in all southern countries: papaya, pineapple, coconuts, mangoes, bananas. The latter are boiled, baked and fried.
The most popular food on the island is spicy pilau rice, onion salad with lime juice, pepper and sugar, ugali porridge made from corn flour, and mchicha salad made from several types of spinach.
There is no fast food as a class, but French fries are respected here and offered as a side dish for almost everything. They also cook something like pies with eggs and meat right on the street, and wash them down with a drink made from sugar cane.
Zanzibar is a Muslim territory, so alcohol is sold in rare shops, and not all cafes have it, you need to check.
It is better to leave establishments “for locals” to locals: in restaurants there is a larger choice of dishes, compliance with sanitary standards is at the same level. An iconic place is the picturesque restaurant The Rock in the east of the island. The average bill in a good establishment for dinner with alcohol is 100,000 TZS, a daytime snack in a village eatery is 15,000 TZS for two.
Guides in Zanzibar
Entertainment and attractions
The capital of Zanzibar is Stone Town, founded by Arab traders back in the 9th century, one of the most impressive places on the coast. It is a chaotic collection of labyrinthine streets with many shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards and fortresses. The city is decorated with two former sultan's palaces, two huge cathedrals, colonial mansions, abandoned ancient Persian-style baths and a whole collection of quaint foreign consulate buildings. Not far from the city are the ruins of several palaces, the “slave cave” of Mangapwani and the unique Khosani forest.
One of the hallmarks of Zanzibar is Turtle Island or Prizon Island (an abandoned prison is attached). Here tourists can look at magnificent specimens of giant tortoises, which cannot be found even in the best zoos in the world, take a walk in a forest rich in exotic plants, and look into the building of a former colony. Trips to the island are organized by agencies and numerous barkers, but some tourists go on their own: at the Small boat ferry to prison station in Stone Town, they rent motor boats with a captain who takes them to the place, waits for them and delivers them back.
It is not for nothing that Zanzibar was nicknamed the island of spices - it once supplied half the world with spices, and to this day plantations of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and other spicy herbs and plants are its property. To explore the spice map of Zanzibar, special “spice tours” depart daily from Stone Town. Agencies and hotels offer them for an average of 112,00 TZS, but it is almost 10 times cheaper to go to the spice farms on a regular “dala-dala” minibus without intermediaries - the entrance price starts from 12,000 TZS.
The most famous farms are Kidichi Spice Farms (office site in English) and Tangawizi Spice Farm (office site in English). During your trip, you can climb trees to your heart's content in an attempt to pick a coconut, learn to cut cinnamon and distinguish breadfruit from jackfruit, and at the same time taste it all.
november
December
Since Zanzibar is located in the Southern Hemisphere, here winter is in summer, and summer is in winter. In temperature they differ from each other by an average of 10-15 degrees, so you can go to the archipelago all year round, but the best time is at the end of February and from June to October: at this time there is almost no rain, it is not very hot, the wind is cool breeze from the ocean.
From October to November and from the end of March to May, Zanzibar is not welcoming to guests - the islands are so flooded that some hotels close. In addition, it is during the rainy months that malaria mosquitoes become more active.
An unforgettable experience will be given by a vacation in one of the brightest and most intense tourist regions of East Africa -. This wonderful country is rich in amazing fauna and flora, and known from children's poems about Aibolit, it is an unspoken symbol of the state. And, of course, speaking about, it is simply impossible not to mention the island, which, although it belongs to the territory of the country, retains some autonomy in some matters. For example, it has its own president and parliament, and the population of Zanzibar considers themselves primarily Zanzibaris. The culture here, although similar to Tanzanian, has its own unique features.
general informationIn general, Zanzibar is an archipelago near Africa, headed by an island of the same name. Tellingly, the main city bears the same name, although it is popularly called . By opening a geographic atlas, you can easily find out where Zanzibar is located - it is located in the Indian Ocean, just 40 km from the mainland. Somewhat earlier, the island was named Unguja, and it was inhabited by immigrants from the East - Arabs, Persians, Indians. This mixture of cultures has given rise to its own, exclusively Zanzibar spirit and flavor.
The island has a tropical climate, it is almost always sunny, very humid and a little stuffy. The average temperature is +26...+27 °C, but in the hot season it can reach 36 °C. From October to November and from April to May there is a rainy season here, so it is better not to plan during this period.
Nature in Zanzibar abounds with various species of animals and plants. A considerable part of the territory is devoted to plantations of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and other spices. In addition, the wealth and beauty of Zanzibar does not end with terrestrial life - the local underwater world is like a separate planet, overgrown with corals and inhabited by a wide variety of inhabitants.
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Hotels in Zanzibar
There is no shortage of choice. There is a haven here for every taste and budget: you can live right on the coast or in the very center of Stone Town. Dhow Palace Hotel is located in a historical building built in 1559, near the center of Stone Town. For guests on the roof of the building there is a terrace with excellent panoramic views of the city and the ocean, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. Tembo House Hotel is located on the water's edge, very close to the Old Fort and the House of Wonders. The rooms are furnished in Swahili style and are equipped with air conditioning. An outdoor swimming pool is available to guests. Budget tourists on the island of Zanzibar will be warmly welcomed by the Summer Dream Lodge and Savanna and Ocean hostels.
Restaurants and cuisine in Zanzibar
Since spices are held in high esteem on the island, the dishes are mostly spicy and aromatic. The diet in Zanzibar is dominated by a large amount of seafood, fish and exotic fruits. In addition, here you can try very original types of meat - antelope fillet or elephant meat. If you want to test your courage and determination, Zanzibar also serves fried locusts and termites. As a side dish, locals prefer rice, ugali porridge or unsweetened bananas, similar to potatoes.
Among the restaurants in Zanzibar there are establishments that also serve familiar dishes of European cuisine. However, you should approach your choice carefully, preferably after consulting with a guide. The majority of restaurants are located in the Stone Town area. Among the establishments on the island are Tea House Restaurant, Emerson Spice, House of Spices. Here you will find the best combination of price and quality with good service.
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- Do not forget that Islam is widespread in Zanzibar. Although they call the island “a Muslim country with English rules,” one should not neglect the rules of decency. If you are invited to visit by local residents, remember that you should not pay much attention to the hostess of the house, and also not touch the children. It is better to eat food with your right hand; when entering the house, you must take off your shoes. And in general, you should behave modestly and with restraint, and it is better not to visit without a guide.
- Tap water in Zanzibar is unsuitable for drinking, making ice or brushing teeth. It needs to be boiled first, but it is best to buy bottled, carefully checking the reliability of the packaging.
- When planning a holiday in Zanzibar, you must take into account the fact that before arriving on the island you need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and you should definitely take anti-malaria medication throughout your stay.
- Snakes also pose a serious danger to tourists on the island. Although they react and quickly crawl away when a person approaches, you should still be extremely careful so as not to spoil your vacation.
- You should definitely carry swim slippers with you to the beach. On the coast of Zanzibar there are a large number of sea urchins, some of which can be poisonous. In addition, the water also carries coral fragments ashore, which, if stepped on, can injure your foot.
As for safety in the city, caution is also a good idea here. Although the locals seem friendly and smiling, it is better not to carry large sums of money or jewelry with you. Also leave the original documents in your hotel room - you can carry copies with you. You should not take walks at night on deserted streets.
Experienced travelers recommend taking note of a few small notes that will significantly improve your comfort on vacation. Firstly, you should look for rooms with air conditioning - this is the only way to escape the local heat. Secondly, it is strongly recommended to take with you various types of mosquito sprays and coils - even if your home is equipped with mosquito nets, these things will protect you from annoying insects on the street. And one more point that is worth considering is the adapters for the socket.
How to get to Zanzibar?
There are no direct flights to the island. You need to get to the mainland, and from there fly to the local one on small corn planes. Tickets can be booked separately, but it is much cheaper to book seats immediately on the “air route” to the island. The flight time will be about half an hour.
Zanzibar is not one island, but an archipelago consisting of the main island of Zanzibar (formerly called Unguja - 1460 sq. km), the island of Pemba, and about 50 small islands.
Zanzibar is one of the best diving destinations in the Indian Ocean, and throughout the world.
Zanzibar is the main island of the archipelago of the same name, which from 1890 to 1964 was a sultanate part of the British protectorate, and since 1964 has become a republic part of Tanzania. The size of Zanzibar is quite large: it reaches 85 km in length, up to 35 km in width, and an area of 1658 sq. km. The population of this island, surrounded by a romantic aura, is over 200 thousand people, the bulk of whom (99%) are Muslims.
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Trade in slaves (until 1893) and spices (especially cloves) played a huge role in the history and development of Zanzibar. Due to its location, in the 19th century the island was the world's largest supplier of cloves and one of the famous trading centers in East Africa. It was visited by Assyrians, Arabs, Egyptians, Indians, Persians, Dutch and Chinese. At the end of the 15th century, during a trip around the world, Vasco da Gama visited the island. Subsequently, famous African explorers visited here with their expeditions: Burton, Speke and Livingston. A severe hurricane in 1872 destroyed most of the clove and coconut plantations, after which the islanders were forced to cede their positions to spice suppliers from the Far East.
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The cultural and commercial center, main city and port of the island part of Tanzania is the city of Zanzibar, located on the western coast of the island of the same name. The city's population numbers over 70 thousand inhabitants.
The central part of the city, its historical center, is called Stone Town (Stone City). Locals often call it Shangaani, after the Bantu tribe of Mozambique whose fishermen first settled in the area. Most of the houses in Stone Town are over 100 – 150 years old. They are distinguished by carved gates, openwork loggias and verandas. Arab, Indian and European cultures had a noticeable influence on the architecture of the city.
Now Zanzibar is home to the best tropical resorts of the Indian Ocean. Dense vegetation and white coral sand beaches along the entire coast make the island very attractive for tourism. The resort industry has not disrupted the daily life of the indigenous people, nature has remained untouched, and hotels and clubs fit organically into the local landscape without disturbing the harmony of the environment. Nature here is generous with the sun, gives beautiful views and surprises with the uniqueness of flora and fauna. This is the ocean, which never ceases to amaze with the underwater world, and the long snow-white beach of fine sand, on which it is pleasant to walk and ride bicycles, and the jungle with exotic baobab trees, flexible vines and flocks of monkeys, and the night sky with millions of stars, which can be reached It seems you can reach it with your hand. Zanzibar is one of the best diving destinations in the Indian Ocean and around the world.
Geography
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Indian Ocean, 35 km from Tanzania, 1.5 hours by sea ferry from Dar es Salaam.
How to get there
10-15 minute flight from Dar es Salaam International Airport – Salaam – to Zanzibar Airport.
Restaurants
Bahari Restaurant, located in the heart of Stone Town, overlooking the ocean, is one of the most famous restaurants in Zanzibar.
Sport
Diving, yachting, snorkeling, windsurfing, beach volleyball, tennis, aerobics, water gymnastics, cycling. Games and swimming with dolphins, as well as sea safari on native boats.
Shopping
Exotic masks of various tribes, wooden figurines, items made of semi-precious stones and shells.
Zanzibar Island, one of the most famous resorts in the world, is very popular among tourists. A variety of recreational activities and excursion programs are one of the main components of modern recreation. Like most resorts in the world, Zanzibar Island can provide different levels of relaxation at a variety of prices. This resort has both luxury hotels and budget hotels.
If you are tormented by the question “Where to relax?”, “Where to spend your vacation?” Then perhaps Zanzibar Island will be the ideal holiday destination.
