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Zanzibar, a stunning archipelago off the Tanzania coast, is a dream vacation and holiday destination for many travelers. Its pristine white sand beaches, amazing people, rich culture, and vibrant history make it an alluring choice for a vacation.
You can choose a Zanzibar holiday in a remote location where you can completely relax or a busier location where there is plenty to do and where you can also find entertainment in the evenings.
Are you looking for a middle ground? Then choose a cozy beach where you can dream away of the traditional Zanzibari life during a walk at sunset. The capital, Stone Town, is known for its narrow, winding streets with typical houses, shops, bazaars and mosques.
Zanzibar offers the widest range of wonderful accommodations, from cozy middle-class hotels to an exclusive boutique resort. Greenway Nature Tours packages to Zanzibar includes the best resorts, hotels and lodges for you based on quality, location, small scale and cuisine.
Zanzibar’s historical old Stone Town is a perfect place to get immersed in island rhythms. Explore Forodhani Gardens, a lively waterfront spot where Zanzibaris of all ages gather in the evening to watch the sun go down and enjoy the passing scene. Young men leap from the stone seawall into the harbour waters below, children play, and women in bui-bui (black shawls) gather to chat. Street vendors offer delicious dishes like grilled pweza (octopus), steaming bowls of urojo (a tasty coastal soup) and hot mkate wa kumimina (a filling rice-flour bread).
A dhow cruise in Zanzibar feels almost like a tradition you can’t miss, and it certainly lives up to the stunning images you’ve seen. While dhow trips are available throughout the day, the magic of a sunset cruise is truly unforgettable. After a day of exploring or simply relaxing on the beach—after all, that’s what Zanzibar life is all about—a dhow cruise is the perfect way to end your day. Relax and take in the breathtaking views, enjoy local snacks and drinks, and let the soothing sounds of the water and the warmth of the setting sun envelop you, all while the guides share fascinating stories.
In bygone days, spices dominated the economy of the Zanzibar Islands. While the trade has faded today, taking a spice tour to the plantations that dot the island makes for an enjoyable and educational half-day excursion. During these tours, you’ll have the chance to see, taste, and smell a variety of spices, herbs, and fruits grown on Zanzibar, such as cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, jackfruit, and lemongrass. These tours can be organized through hotels and tour operators, and often include lunch. Some tours also offer visits to local schools or village cooperatives.
Fine white sands edge clear turquoise waters, traditional Arabic dhows sail into the dawn, silhouetted against pastel-tinted skies. Coconut palms wave gently in the breeze. Whether as post-safari relaxation or as a stand-alone destination, the beaches on Zanzibar’s east coast and around its northern tip offer an archetypal tropical island paradise. Each beach has its own personality. Paje is known for its kitesurfing. Matemwe has a more chilled vibe. Nungwi, sees tradition mix with contemporary life. Quiet Pongwe is more isolated, and good for getting away from the crowds.
The waters off northeastern Zanzibar offer excellent diving and snorkeling, with rich coral reefs, wall and drift dives and a wonderful array of fish. There is also rewarding diving and snorkelling off-shore from Stone Town, with soft and hard corals and wreck dives. There are many companies that offer snorkelling from in all of the major beach destinations, inluding Kendwa, Nungwi, Matemwe and Paje, as well as in Stone Town. Expect good visibility and water temperatures averaging about 27°C.
You’re likely searching for the top tours and activities to enjoy in Zanzibar, and there’s a good reason to do so. Zanzibar is a distinctive tropical island in Africa, rapidly gaining recognition as a global tourist hotspot due to its incredible natural beauty and a wide range of exciting activities.
With stunning beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling locations, as well as thrilling experiences like horse riding, quad biking, skydiving, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), there is no shortage of reasons to explore the island through its various activities during your vacation.
Typically, the best time to visit Zanzibar and book your tours is from July to March. For more details, please refer to our guide on the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Budget Zanzibar tours cost approximately $1000 – $1,500 for a 7-day trip, mid-range Zanzibar packages costs around $1500 – $2,500 for a 7-day trip), and luxury holidays cost around $2,000 – $5,000 for a 7-day trip).
The best area to stay in Zanzibar depends on your preferences. But generally, the northern coast near Nungwi and Kendwa is perfect for a traditional beach holiday, offering stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Stone Town, on the other hand, is ideal for a cultural experience, with its historic architecture and lively local atmosphere. If you’re looking for a combination of both, the northeast coast features luxury resorts with convenient access to Stone Town.
Based on our travelers’ experiences, the best tours in Zanzibar include Mnemba Dolphins and Snorkeling, the Safari Blue trip, Spice Farm Tours, Jozani Forest, and a full-day Mnemba snorkeling tour. For ocean enthusiasts, we highly recommend the 1-night camping kayaking adventure on the island.
The best group tours in Zanzibar include;
The best private tours in Zanzibar are;
Yes, Zanzibar has a vibrant nightlife scene with many options, including bars, clubs, and beach parties:
Stone Town: The nightlife hub of Zanzibar, with narrow alleys filled with bars and nightclubs. You can also find live entertainment at cafes and restaurants, and sometimes impromptu street dancing.
Nungwi Beach: Known for its beach parties that can last until dawn. The sand becomes a dance floor, with local and international DJs playing a variety of music.
Kendwa: A more exclusive nightlife experience, with luxury resorts and beach clubs offering gourmet food and exotic cocktails.
Paje beach: Some say Paje is the best place on the island for nightlife, with beach parties.
Garage Club: A fully air-conditioned and soundproofed disco with a mix of house, hip-hop, reggae, and African and European pop.
Zanzibar can be expensive or cheap depending on how you travel and what you want to do. Resorts and day trips can be costly, but you can save money by choosing cheaper hotels and dining at affordable restaurants. Here are some tips for saving money while traveling in Zanzibar:
Yes, many people in Zanzibar speak English, especially in tourist areas:
Official languages: English and Kiswahili are the official languages of Zanzibar.
Spoken in tourist areas: English is spoken in Zanzibar Town and most tourist areas.
Spoken by locals: Many locals speak English fluently.
Other languages spoken: Many local residents also speak Arabic, Italian, and French.
Here are some tips for communicating in Zanzibar:
Since 2016 our tour company offers 4×4 car hire, safari itineraries with accommodation and guided tours for group and the independent traveler in East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
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