Zanzibar holidays

Who are Zanzibar holidays best for?

When your days are spent cocooned in a hammock on the edge of one of Zanzibar’s soft sand beaches, it’s hard to imagine that anyone wouldn’t fall in love with this island paradise. Spend plenty of time relaxing and cool off with an underwater diving adventure into the Indian Ocean to see wrecks, reefs and sharks. Inject some culture into your trip with a walking tour of the Old Town. Admire the Swahili palaces that once belonged to princes, princesses and wealthy merchants and browse fragrant spice markets of Stone Town where you can try your hand at haggling for the best price.

Which experiences is Zanzibar best for?

Cradle of Swahili culture, the Zanzibar Archipelago offers a perfect blend of African and Eastern influences. Browse the fragrant markets to see the variety of colourful spices available and make sure to sample some of the culinary specialities to see how these flavours are used from spice cake flavoured with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and chocolate, to boko-boko (spiced skewered meat). Acquaint yourself with some of the island’s exotic wildlife with a trip to Jozani forest to see red colobus monkeys and aders' duikers, and an underwater adventure swimming with dolphins at high tide off the southern coast of Zanzibar. In fact, the waters around the Zanzibar Archipelago host a wealth of marine life, from colourful reef fish to turtles and whale sharks, and offer some fantastic snorkelling and diving.

The best ways to discover Zanzibar

On a trip to Zanzibar, make sure to combine the old city with the east coast. Don’t miss a chance to explore the ancient Stone Town on a guided tour and take the time to delve into the narrow back streets and dine in hidden out-of-the-way local spots. For a different view of the island, avoid the large hotels and opt for a more authentic and intimate place to stay in the north or south of the island.

Unique experiences on a trip to Zanzibar

After watching a stunning watercolour sunset, head to the old town and experience the wonderful bustle of a night market which is set up each evening. Wander along the stalls that stretch out in all directions and dine on grilled fish flavoured with a few key aromatic spices. Simple and affordable, the experience is a favourite among the local people who live on the island and it will give you the chance to experience Zanzibar like the residents do.