10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Zanzibar

Last Updated: December 21, 2023

While searching for our next escapade, we had only three things in mind. Idyllic beaches, good weather and it had to be a country that we had never visited before. We did our homework on what to see and do in this tropical paradise and we found more than enough reasons to visit Zanzibar.  

Zanzibar it’s an archipelago located a short 20 minute flight from Dar es Salaam. Otherwise known as Spice Island, Zanzibar is famous for its unique exotic beaches. 

In this guide I will be sharing with you all you need to know before you visit Zanzibar. I will cover what you MUST SEE and DO during your visit. Last but not least, INSIDER TIPS on how to make this a trip one to remember for the years to come! 

REASONS TO VISIT ZANZIBAR 

Zanzibar is the perfect destination if you’re looking for pocket friendly exotic holidays. It comes at no surprise why many compare it to the likes of Maldives and Seychelles. Miles of powder-white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters are the number one reason why you should visit Zanzibar. Past the exotic beaches, this island is steeped in history and has wonderful cuisine. When you combine all that with the great people you meet everywhere in Zanzibar, then you have all you could ask from an ideal holiday destination. 

WHAT YOU MUST SEE IN ZANZIBAR

STONE TOWN

The only way to truly experience Stone Town is by allowing yourself to get lost. This UNESCO Heritage Site may feel somewhat overwhelming at first. Past that first impression, start exploring its winding narrow alleyways and you will quickly warm up to it. Expect to have all of your senses heightened as you begin to stroll through its streets. The smell of the street food including chapattis, samosas and roasting corn amongst many others, will be all too inviting. You will find stalls selling fruits and all kinds of aromatic spices. On each turn, you will come across locals playing Bao (a traditional board game) while watching passers by. 

Part of Stone Town’s charm is also the mixture of Arabic, Indian and African culture. That heritage is naturally reflected on the architecture. Ancient buildings are dotted across the town, distinguished by unique carved wooden doors. Each door in Zanzibar’s historic buildings has a unique story to tell. It is said that the doors reflect the social status and religion of the family who lives in the house. 

TIP: The historic part of Stone Town is busy but very intriguing. My suggestion is that you book a walking tour to explore Stone Town. An experienced guide will be able to share his knowledge about the history of the island. As well as, share his insight about the local’s lifestyle. 

ZANZIBAR NIGHT MARKET

Once you have explored the historical neighborhoods of Stone Town, head over to Forodhani Gardens to experience the night market. This place changes face completely once the sun starts setting. What during the day seems just like an ordinary promenade, in the evening it comes to life. Food stalls are being set up, ready to welcome the locals and tourists alike. It is the perfect place to socialize while savoring the local cuisine. This market will undoubtedly be a delight to your senses. Dishes vary from the traditional Zanzibari pizza to falafels, seafood skewers and coconut bread. Be sure to try urojo, a thick mango-and-tamarind soup which is a local dish. Do not leave the market before you try the delicious sugar cane juice. Amongst many reasons to visit Zanzibar, the local food is without a doubt on top of the list.

PRISON ISLAND 

Prison island is one of those places that you may find it somewhat too touristy, but I would recommend that you don’t skip a visit. The island got its name back in 1890 when a prison was built, where slaves would be imprisoned. However, upon the completion of the construction, the plan was never put into action. Instead, it was used as a place to quarantine people who were diagnosed with yellow fever. The island is also home to giant tortoises which were brought to Zanzibar years ago from the Seychelles. The oldest one is known to be 192 years old! 

JOZANI FOREST

Chances are, you will want to spend most of your time in Zanzibar at the beach (no one can blame you). Jozani Forest, however, is totally worth skipping the beach for a few hours. This is the only national park on the island and it is home to the unique and playful Zanzibar red colobus monkey. An endangered species which the Jozani forest conservationists have been trying for years to protect. Here you will also come across a few more beautiful creatures, such as galagos; tree hyrax, butterflies and birds. The tours can be organized by your hotel and they usually last an hour. 

SPICE TOUR IN ZANZIBAR

Spices such as clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and many others, have played an important role in Zanzibar’s history. After all, it is called Spice Island for a reason! Be sure to book a tour and visit an organic spice farm. Meet with the local farmers and learn all about the spices and their history. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the local’s lifestyle. Most of the tours include tasting of Swahili dishes, seasonal fruits and the famous local spiced tea. At the end of the tour you can buy some spices to bring back home with you. There is no better way to remember a place than through its scents and flavors.

THE ROCK RESTAURANT

This is an experience you can’t miss! The Rock restaurant sits on a rock opposite Michanwi Pingwe beach. With that being said, the prime location offers a pretty spectacular panoramic view over the Indian Ocean. You can reach it on foot when the tide is low. Otherwise, when the tide does not allow, the staff can pick you up by boat. Enjoy fresh fish while sitting on the beautiful terrace surrounded by the ocean. The restaurant’s unique location allows for some of the freshest seafood and fish you can get. Also, the prices are not that bad too, considering its popularity. This may be one of the most photographed restaurants in the world! 

MNEMBA ISLAND & BLUE SAFARI

Exotic islands and watersports go hand in hand and Zanzibar is a wonderful destination to try water activities. Locals and expats who live in Zanzibar will be quick to tell you that Mnemba island is the ideal place to go for diving. On the island there is only one luxury hotel, meaning that access to non-guests is not allowed. Do not let that discourage you because the real fun is actually underwater, in the reef surrounding the island. It is a very popular destination not only for diving but also snorkeling. I had the best time ever, swimming in the most extraordinary turquoise water and watching the colourful reef and the myriad of fishes. I will savor this memory forever!   

BEST BEACHES IN ZANZIBAR

PAJE BEACH 

We spent our last three days in Zanzibar at White Sand Villas hotel, in Paje beach. This was without a doubt my favourite beach on the entire island. A pristine mile-long beach with fine white sand and wonderful crystal clear water. The occasional dhow fishing boats dotted on the ocean, only added even more charm to the scenery. It was paradise-like and I never wanted to leave. Paje beach was very quiet when we visited, which was one of the reasons why I loved it so much. We learned later that this was a rare occurrence (as a consequence of COVID-19). The norm used to be that during the peak months the beach’s popularity attracts waves of visitors. 

NUNGWI BEACH

Nungwi beach is located in the far north of the island. This is one of the very few beaches in Zanzibar which is not affected by undulations of high and low tides, perfect for all-day water activities and catching rays. It is known for being very lively no matter the time of the day. My suggestion is that you spend a couple of days here to allow yourself enjoy it to the fullest. 

KENDWA BEACH 

This exotic beach is situated on the west coast, a short 10-minute drive from Nungwi beach. You will find a lot of similarities between the two beaches but Kendwa somehow managed to impress me even more. I loved how idyllic the scenery looked. An expansive coastline, lined with palm trees and hammocks tight around their trunks. It is an organized beach, with restaurants and beach bars located right on the side of the beach. Lay your beach towel on one of the wooden sunbeds, order a refreshing cocktail and unwind while listening to the sound of waves. If you’re lucky and visiting during a full moon, then be sure to attend the famous Full Moon beach party at Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel for some fun under the stars.

THE LOCALS

I am always very curious about the culture and the people of a country that I’m visiting. This time was no different and naturally, I was very much looking forward to making new friends. As soon as we landed in Zanzibar “Jambo” (the Swahili word for “hello”) was the first word we heard. That same way we were greeted by the locals, wherever we would go in Zanzibar.

It was a natural impulse to be a bit cautious and distant at first. We were thinking that most probably that approach was simply an attempt to sell us something. Quite honestly, most of the time it was. However, being friendly comes naturally to Zanzibari people and it is an important part of the local culture. As soon as we let our guard down, we realised that even if we were not interested in buying something, they would still engage in conversation and just wanted to ask how our day was. That led to us meeting some of the nicest and friendliest people in Zanzibar.

ZANZIBARI CUISINE

The Zanzibari cuisine is a mixture of many different foreign influences, including Indian; African, Arabian and Portuguese. A perfect blend of flavorsome chapatis and curries, pilau, fresh fish and seafood to name a few. Don’t hesitate to try new flavors, as long as you are cautious where you eat. The safest places to try the local cuisine is at your hotel, the Stone Town Night Market (it is best if you avoid fish and seafood here) or at a recommended restaurant. A dishe that you simply must try before you leave the island, is the urojo soup. A coconut curry broth filled with toppings. In terms of toppings expect anything from egg to meat skewers and from falafels to peppers.

IS ZANZIBAR SAFE FOR TOURISTS?

I know what you’re thinking and why you may or may not be looking for more reasons to visit Zanzibar. Is Zanzibar a safe country to visit? The answer is yes, Zanzibar is one of the safest African destinations. Tourism plays an important role in the country’s income. That means that the locals welcome anyone visiting and take their safety seriously. With that being said, it is always advised that you use common sense. Avoid things such as walking alone at night in isolated areas and leaving your valuables unattended at the beach. 

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO ZANZIBAR

Malaria is common in Zanzibar, be sure to plan ahead and take anti-malaria medication. We used Malarone as this particular brand was recommended by most pharmacists we asked. We were advised to start taking one pill 2 days before landing in Tanzania, during our stay and continue the medication for 7 days after we left the country. Also, bug spray is a MUST, preferably a strong one with 50% DEET.  

One thing that was unclear for us when we were planning our trip was whether we needed a yellow fever vaccination or not. We flew out from Malta via Istanbul and we were not required to have the Yellow Fever vaccination. Also, we were not asked for proof of vaccination by the airport control upon entering Tanzania. The vaccination is however mandatory if you are coming from countries with a very high percentage of Yellow Fever cases, such as Kenya.

WHERE TO STAY IN ZANZIBAR

We thought it would be best to split our stay into two locations, 6 days in Matemwe area and 3 day in Paje. Matemwe was great for relaxing and being away from the crowds. The location also turned out to be an excellent base for exploring the north part of Zanzibar; Nungwi, Kendwa and Mnemba island. Paje on the other hand was a bit more lively and close to the remaining places we wanted to explore such as Jozani Forest and The Rock restaurant. 

SEVI BOUTIQUE HOTEL 

Home for the first 6 days on the island was SeVi Boutique Hotel. This gorgeous rustic boutique hotel is located on the beach by the village of Kigomani. We loved the fact that each bungalow was built in a traditional way with thatched roofs and had its own veranda with a hammock. The restaurant offered a combination of local and European dishes. The best part was the location, right by the beach with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. The lunch and dinner menu were different each day. That gave us the opportunity to try some of the best traditional recipes of Zanzibar. The beach was only a few steps away distracting me from everything and making me lose track of time while working on my tan. Both the location and the hotel grounds were idyllic!

Reserve a room at SeVi Boutique Hotel

WHITE SAND LUXURY VILLAS & SPA – RELAIS & CHATEAUX 

For the remainder of our holiday, we stayed at White Sand Villas in Paje. We had seen pictures of Paje beach and the hotel whilst planning our trip. Our guide had also spoken very highly of it, but seeing it in reality, it made my heart skip a beat. The hotel is set in a tropical garden facing the miles-long white sand (hence the name of the hotel) beach and emerald waters. Our beachfront villa was exquisite. Made up of two buildings with the living room being on one and the bedroom along with the bathroom on the other one. The moment I saw our private pool with the extraordinary views, I was sold right there and then! We spend our days lazing about and enjoying the facilities and the beach. You can read more about my experience at White Sand Villas here.

Reserve a room at White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa