Amazing things to do while on Zanzibar vacation: Zanzibar, an idyllic island off the coast of Tanzania, is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the historic stone town, indulge in world-class scuba diving, and savor the island’s unique spice heritage. Its beautiful atmosphere makes it a perfect tropical gateway. Here are some of the unique things to do while on Zanzibar vacation.
Exploring its pristine beaches
Zanzibar is renowned for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, boasting over 25 palm-lined shores. Popular spots like Paje, Matemwe, Bwejuu, and Nungwi attract visitors with their unique offerings.
Paje Beach, located on the southeast coast, is famous for its breathtaking sunrise and excellent conditions for kitesurfing and diving. While Bwejuu Beach offers a beautiful environment perfect for relaxation.
During your visit, you will also have the chance to visit Fumba Beach. This beach is located on the southwestern side of the islands and is a secluded retreat ideal for unwinding. While on this beach, you will have the chance to enjoy activities such dhow sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving amidst vibrant coral reefs.
Additionally, the Nungwi Beach in the north is one of the most popular Zanzibar beaches, featuring numerous restaurants, pubs, and resorts. The beach is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and diving along its beautiful shores.
Dolphin Watching Tours
The Dolphin watching tour in Tanzania is a popular attraction, featuring opportunities to spot and interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. These amazing safaris start from Fumba beach and take visitors to Kizimkazi beach on the south coast. This area is renowned for its populations of bottlenose and humpback dolphins. During the boat trip, you will also have the witness these fascinating creatures swimming and playing.
Exploring Stone Town
Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage, blending Arabic, African, European, Indian, and Persian influences. One of the most popular attractions in Stone Town is the House of Wonders, which was once a ceremonial palace of Sultan Barghash bin Said. The Darajani Market serves as the vibrant heart of the town, offering local arts and crafts and spices that Zanzibar’s renowned spices. Other notable attraction you might visit includes Cathedral, Aga Khan Mosque, Forodhani Gardens, Hammami Persian baths, Ijumaa Mosque, and the Old Fort, which overlooks the gardens.
Jozani Forest tour
Jozani Forest is located within the Chwaka Bay National Park in central Zanzibar. It is a significant area of indigenous forest known for its rich biodiversity. It is home to the endangered red colobus monkey, a primate species unique to this region, as well as several other countries in West Africa. The forest hosts over 40 bird species, including Fischer’s turaco, Madagascar cuckoo, Senegal lapwing, great crested tern, speckled mousebird, mangrove kingfisher, and Zanzibar boubou. Visitors can explore picturesque hiking trails that wind through this stunning natural landscape, offering an opportunity to appreciate its diverse flora and fauna.
Visit to spice farm
Spice farm tours in Zanzibar, often referred to as Spice Island, offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore various spice farms. During these tours, you might have the chance to pick spices directly from trees and shrubs. You will also have the opportunity to learn about these spices that are ready to use, and purchase spices such as cloves, chilies, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, and lemongrass. Interestingly, many of these spices have applications beyond cooking, serving as natural dyes for fabrics and key ingredients in cosmetics.
Embarking on Water-based activities
Zanzibar’s crystal-clear turquoise waters provide an ideal setting for various water-based activities including kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and swimming. The country is home to various popular beaches such as Jambiani Beach, Nungwi Beach, Pingwe Beach, and Paje Beach. These beautiful beaches offer the best safari adventures.
Visitors interested in scuba diving can enjoy it at Nankivell and Hunga Reef, while diving sites at Nunwi and Kendwa, are great for divers with no experience. Other notable diving locations include hakatuni, Coral Garden, Boribu Reef, Kendwa Reef, Renco Bommi, Shane’s Reef, and Turtle Gap. For snorkeling, visitors can enjoy vibrant underwater experiences at Prison Island, Tumbatu Island, Chumbe Island, and Stone Town Reef, as well as many beaches along the coast.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar for a vacation?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season from July to September when the weather is cooler and ideal for beach relaxation. This period coincides with peak safari season, attracting many visitors, which can lead to crowded beaches. January and February are also excellent months to visit as they are dry but hotter. While the dry months are most favorable, Zanzibar can be visited year-round. Zanzibar experiences two rainy seasons, the short rains from November to December and the long rains from March to May. While the short rains don’t interfere much with the safari activities, the long rains can be heavy downpours in the afternoon with high humidity.
