Things to do in Zanzibar
Things to do in Zanzibar : Zanzibari safaris has plenty of things to do while in your Tanzania safari tour. While in Zanzibar, there are a lot of safari destinations to see and things to do. Travellers looking for a peaceful and tranquil location to enjoy the Indian Ocean and all it has to offer will find the Islands to be a great hideout. There are several beautiful beaches in Zanzibar, a vibrant nightlife, dining options, and a tonne of other enjoyable things can be found in Zanzibar.
Visit Stone Town in Zanzibar
This is Zanzibar’s cultural hub, Stone Town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated on Unguja’s main island, the town derives its name from 19th-century buildings influenced by the architectural styles of European, Arabic, Indian, and Swahili inhabitants. A Guide to Zanzibar Tanzania. Stone Town’s history is well-documented due to its Arab and European ancestry. Gaining insight into the past of the island’s residents over many centuries can be achieved through touring the town. Nestled in the centre of Zanzibar, the town used to be a major hub for general commerce and slave trading between the mainland and other destinations.
Stone Town is known by its numerous mosques, bazaars, historic buildings, and extremely small streets. The Anglican church cathedral, the ceremonial palace, the Kidichi Persian Baths for Sultan Said, the Dunga ruins, the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Makusurani graveyard for former Arab rulers are the town’s main attractions. Situated north of the Town, the Mtoni Palace Ruins are another fantastic location that is well worth a visit. The Mtoni Palace was devastated by fire in the 1800s, but its remnants continue to draw large crowds of tourists. Together with these options, you may explore other historical places, take in the town’s stunning architecture, and tour the former slave market and the House of Wonders, one of the Sultan’s six palaces.
The Old Fort, sometimes called Ngome Kongwe, is a fascinating 17th-century structure that the Omani Arabs erected after driving out the Portuguese. Later, in the 1700s, it was employed to defend the town from adversaries like the Mazrui Arabs. The majority of Stone Town’s hotels and lodges offer day trips that are guided by knowledgeable guides.
Prison Island
Prison Island which is also known as Changuu Island before being occupied by Arabs in 1860s was uninhabited. For a while, slaves deemed to be rebellious or capable of leading uprisings were housed temporarily on the island. Before being sold overseas, the slaves were housed there. During yellow fever outbreaks, sick people were quarantined on the island. The Island was purchased from the Arabs and a prison was constructed when Zanzibar became a British protectorate. The prison was never used and it was later changed into a stunning resort. British governor in the Seychelles donated four enormous Aldabra tortoises and were brought to the island as gifts in 1919.The number of must-see places in Zanzibar had risen to hundreds by the 1950s. Their population was significantly decreased by trafficking in subsequent years, but it has since increased. There are tortoises that are thought to be over a century old. Once you’ve had some time to stroke and interact with the tortoises, you can swim on the beach and take in the breathtaking scenery and variety of birds, including the magnificent peacock. You will need to rent a boat and travel for thirty minutes to get to the island from Stone Town.
Relax in the beach in Zanzibar
Zanzibar boasts some of the world’s most exquisite beaches. Every island has a different beach with exciting things to do. The beaches in western region of Zanzibar offer breathtaking sunsets, while the beaches in the south are well-known for its large number of dolphins. Nungwi is the beach in Zanzibar, this beach has great stunning blue waters and white sand, wide range of lodging options, clubs, pubs, and restaurants. On the eastern side of Nungwi ,there is Kendwa which is known for its nightlife, and Paje with great white sand beaches. Every beach features stunning white sands and crystal-clear seas that are perfect for diving and swimming. All public beaches are free in Zanzibar.
Water sport activities, snorkelling, kayaking, scuba diving and parasailing
When visiting Zanzibar, there are a variety of water activities available for participation. Parasailing is one of the enjoyable sports experiences. You can go parasailing by yourself, with friends, as a family, or with your spouse. In addition to parasailing, snorkelling and scuba diving are highly recommended due to the crystal-clear waters and coral reefs. Kendwa Beach, Matemwe Beach, Nakupenda Beach, Nungwi Beach, and Paje Beach are the top beaches in Zanzibar for snorkelling. Perhaps the greatest area of the water for snorkelling is the Pange Sandbank, especially for novices. At the Sandbank, the waves are shallower and more tranquil.
Mnemba Island Lodge is the ideal accommodation to reserve for water sports. Ten opulent bandas make up the lodge, which is situated on a private island. Kayaking, windsurfing, snorkelling, and two scuba dives are all organised by Mnemba Island Lodge. You must be qualified and experienced for you to go for scuba diving. If not, before they let you near the deep waters, you will need to go through training. The best dive sites can require speedboats to travel farther out into the water.
Dhow cruises in Zanzibar
The town/island of Zanzibar will slowly vanish from the horizon as you hire one of the dhows, which are wooden boats, and head to the ocean. There are plenty of Top Things to do in Zanzibar There are enough food and beverages to keep everyone energised and content for the entire day, along with some delectable appetisers and seafood (grilled fish, lobster, octopus, and calamari).The Indian Ocean’s breathtaking splendour can be fully appreciated on a dhow trip, which typically departs from the main island and travels to Kwale Island and fishing settlements like Fumba. You can go ashore and explore the area after you get at these islands or fishing settlements, or you can ascend old baobab trees. In addition to fishing and snorkelling among the mangroves and coral reefs, you might see dolphins while on the cruise and swim through stunning green lagoons.
Visit Cheetahs Rock in Zanzibar
This is a location that visitors to Zanzibar who enjoy animals in general and wildlife in particular should not miss. The facility is home to several of Africa’s well-known species, including zebras, lions, and cheetahs. The facility gives tourists an idea of what to expect when they travel to Tanzania’s spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. As you engage and feed the animals at the Centre, the Guide will tell you about them. The facility is situated in a location known as Kama and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Go for Biking
A mountain bike is one of the greatest ways to see Stone Town and the several islands that make up Zanzibar. You may explore the nearby villages, beaches, and fishing spots on a bike. You are able to hop between islands or stop to swim at one of the beaches. If you become weary of riding, you can just get off at any dalla dalla and ride your bike back to your accommodation. Pemba is the place to go if you plan to go island hopping on your bike. Pemba Island is among the enchanted islands comprising the Zanzibar archipelago.
The Ngezi Forest is one of its main draws. Red ververt monkeys, flying foxes, and an incredible array of wildlife can all be found in the forest.
Go to Nungwi Maasai market
Nungwi village’s Masai Market is a great place to purchase clothing, paintings, and souvenirs made locally. You can gain learn more about their cultures and ways of life by visiting the village and market, where you will see different clothing styles, traditional houses, bazaars, schools, and playgrounds. You could also visit the night food market to sample some of the regional cuisine after touring Nungwi Village. Every nightfall, as local chefs start preparing roasted meat, pizza, samosas, sugar cane juice, and sea cuisine from the sides of the road, these night markets appear.
Spice tour
In the 19th century Zanzibar was referred to as the spice island because of the tropical environment and rich soils, clove growing in particular thrived on the island. Further additions for large-scale growth included nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and vanilla. It’s still fairly common and profitable to grow spices on the island of Zanzibar. To understand more about the cultivation of spices and its significance to Zanzibar’s economy, tourists can visit these estates. Of all the spice plantations in Zanzibar, the Kizimbani Spice Farm is one of the most visited. Located on the island of Unguja lies this plantation.
You may anticipate to taste and smell items from the farm, including bananas, jack fruits, mangoes, coconut, cloves, cinnamon, breadfruit, lime, and black pepper. Additionally, you can learn how to prepare regional cuisine utilising plantation-grown ingredients. A two- to three-hour Spice tour in Zanzibar is a highly informative experience, regardless of the plantation you choose to visit.
Attend Festivals in Zanzibar
Since Zanzibar is a multicultural island, you could find some of its interesting cultural festivals to be of interest if they take place when you during your Zanzibar safaris. Stone Town hosts the well-known music event Sauti za Busara in February each year. During the course of many days, hundreds of African musicians are welcomed to Zanzibar, Tanzania, to perform for festivalgoers. Conversely, one of the biggest cultural events in East Africa is the Zanzibar International Film Festival. It lasts for two weeks in July and was first held in 1997. Some of the top artists, musicians, and filmmakers are honoured and handed awards during the course of the two weeks. Every September, the Zanzibar Beach and Water Sports Festival is held in the village of Jambiani. Every member of the community attracted by various water sports event. The best Swahili orchestras and traditional Taarab music are organised by the Culture Musical Club in Zanzibar, which is open all year round.
