ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Zanzibar Island is undoubtedly the number one beach location in East Africa. The island is located around 35km off the coast of mainland Tanzania, just north of the capital and main port of entry Dar es Salaam. It is a low lying coral atoll measuring around 80km north to south with paradise beaches and a totally clear blue water.
Zanzibar Beach Holidays Tours
Zanzibar holidays romantic, exotic archipelago, redolent of Arabian nights and Indian Ocean indolence. Only 15 minutes flight from the mainland, the wonderfully sleepy island of Zanzibar is one of East Africa’s finest beach destinations, surrounded by coral reefs with idyllic beaches lined by huge sweeping palm trees. Zanzibar beach holidays packages.
More About Zanzibar
Who hasn’t heard of the island of Zanzibar, although few would know where to place it on a world map?
Zanzibar is a small misunderstood island, the island where reality is not the one we expected. It has built its reputation on tourist beaches, but it is for its history it deserves your visit. We have already forgotten that this island has seen bloodshed, sweat and tears of those who had been uprooted from their land and forced to embark in Bagamoyo (nearest mainland port of the island) to work on plantations . Who knows that the spice trade was flourishing in the seventeenth century and spices were as coveted as oil today!
Wars, invasions, intrigues of the clans and slavery have created a unique and rich history on such a small territory.
Today, it is regrettable that there are only some near-abandoned ruins, beautiful doors poorly preserved and the tourist pressure suppresses its past every day a little more.
Zanzibar is an independent island (in theory, because the big sister Tanzania is pulling almost all the strings), we do not provide tourism service in the island apart from hotels. Local agencies are numerous, making the right choice…
The unavoidable
How to go to Zanzibar without staying at least one night in Stone Town? It is the memory of the island and the soul of his past. Let your steps guide you, lose yourself at the nightfall on the narrow alleys of the old town, eat seafood on the Forodhani square in the glow of oil lamps or haggle some trinkets in a tiny shop.
Attractions
Stone Town
Stone Town is the old part and the main city of Zanzibar, the former capital of Zanzibar Sultanate, a flourishing centre of spice trade. Stonetown is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arb, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. You will marvel with the Stone Town doors, historical artifacts documenting turbulent past of the island nation, tiny yet a key player in the old world trade route.
Nungwi Beach
Nungwi marks the northernmost tip of Zanzibar and is the second- or third-largest settlement on the island. Surrounded on three sides by turquoise-blue ocean, Nungwi has long been a magnet for visitors seeking paradise. Nungwi was traditionally a fishing village and traditional boats dhow-building center, now a popular tourist destination, recognized in CNN's list of "100 best beaches of the world".
Matemwe Beach
Matemwe is a village on the north-eastern coast of the island, beholding the longest beach in Zanzibar. Its economy is mostly based on seaweed farming and fishing. The village is the seat of an education project aimed at providing computer literacy to the population of the area, as well as the Dada (in Swahili: "sister") cooperative that is intended to create job opportunities for Zanzibari women involving them in the processing and preparation of handmade cosmetics and food products that are sold in Stone Town.
Jambiani Beach
Jambiani is a group of villages on a idyllic beach surrounded by a strong culture of seaweed with many farms scattered along the coast and employing 15,000 inhabitants, mainly women. The island of Zanzibar produces around 11,000 tonnes of seaweed a year, much of it from Jambiani sources. When walking on the beach, you will see many women working, collecting seaweed! A perfect backdrop for many photos.
Pemba Island
Pemba is comparable to Zanzibar in size, but far more traditional in outlook, and visitor numbers here are tiny. Pemba is at a 30-minute flight north-east of Zanzibar Island.
Mnemba Island
Mnemba is offshore, the ultimate island lodge for those who can afford it. Dubbed the "Millionaire's Island" Mnemba is wrapped by an oval reef (often referred to as the Mnemba Atoll), which has been declared a Marine Conservation Area.
Fumba Peninsula
Fumba in south-west Zanzibar, is a very laid-back and friendly corner of the island, with two good lodges, while offshore is the award-winning eco-resort on Chumbe Island.