10 Fun Things to In Zanzibar

The Majestic Spice Island “Zanzibar”

fun things that can make your visit memorable10

Zanzibar is a vibrant East African island that includes lots of excitement and plenty of nature, culture, beaches, shopping and food –Zanzibar has a little slice of adventure for you to enjoy

Asemi - autonomous archipelago off the Tanzanian coast, Zanzibar consists of Unguja, Pemba, and a series of smaller islands all surrounded by the sparkling teal waters of the Indian Ocean. Here we provide you with a diverse list of activities to do, sights to see, and food and drink to sample across the archipelago, focusing on Unguja, the largest (90km long, 30km wide) and mostvisited of the islands. Take a solo trip, tag along with friends, bring the family, or go with your honey – no matter what, you’re bound to have a great time in Zanzibar!

1.Attend a Festival – Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), usually held in late June or early July, provides a variety produced by up-and-coming the talents of actors and actresses just entering the check out Sauti za Busara, a huge annual gathering of over 400 musicians specializing in countless genres and thousands of music lovers from around the world. The Carnival Street Parade, featuring beni brass band, ngoma drummers, mwanandege umbrella women, stiltwalkers, capoeira dancers, and acrobats, is reason enough to attend. And don’t miss Zanzibar’s Jahazi Festival, held in late August or early September. This three-day celebration of writing, reading, workshops, authors, musicians and openair concerts attracts artists from across East Africa, and visitors from all over the African continent and beyond.

2. Dance on The Beach - The northern beach towns of Kendwa and Nungwi offer the biggest party scenes, with plenty of bars along the beach so you

can dance the night away under the stars. Keep an eye out for the Full Moon Party, held in Kendwa on Saturdays just before or after a full moon, which attracts a large gathering of tourists and locals looking to have a good time.

3. Pamper Yourself - Indulge yourself in a luxurious treatment at one of Zanzibar’s many spas. Lemon Spa is popular with tourists and has several locations across the island offering facials, manicures & pedicures, and massages. Mrembo Spa in Stone Town also has a good reputation and is known for incorporating local plants and herbs into treatments.

4. Dine at Forodhani Gardens - Ranging from crab claws, lobster, and calamari steaks to various types of pizza, sambusas, and chips, the food at the outdoor stalls in Forodhani is both delicious and cheap. Wash down your second or third helpings with sugar cane juice, which vendors make by hand as you watch. For dessert, try the incredible banana and chocolate pancakes. Then sip some coconut milk, tangawizi soda or spiced chai as you sit on the harbor’s edge and look out over the water.

5. Swim, Snorkel, Scubadive & Surf… or Sleep -Take advantage of the Indian Ocean waters to cool off and experience Zanzibar’s marine life. The northern and eastern beaches are popular among travelers for all types of water-related activities, and both locations offer affordable overnight accommodation. Pristine coral reefs, home to dolphins and dense masses of various corals, are to be found at Mnemba Island on the northeast coast. For shorter day trips out of Stone Town, you can rent equipment and hire a dhow to take you to Safari Blue or Prison Island. The Breezes Beach Resort on the southern trip of the island also offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins through the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour. popularity along Zanzibar’s east coast, where towns such as Paje, Jambiani, and Nungwi schools such as Haraka Kite be done year-

round, but the return of the winds after the rainy season (December to April) can provide a particularly thrilling experience. Or, simply lie back on the brilliantly white sand and let the rhythm of the steady ocean waves lull you to sleep.

6. Cook Your Own Swahili Food - An extensive history of fruit and spice cultivation and centuries of cultural diffusion through trade and tourism have resulted in a unique Zanzibari cuisine. Ask around town for opportunities to take a Swahili cooking course. Then go buy ingredients in the massive, bustling openair market, which offers a wealth of culinary treasures at extremely reasonable prices. bananas, “elephant garlic”, giant mangos, coconuts, and

avocados, and many other fruits, vegetables, and spices you’ve probably never seen anywhere else. (Hint: Also check out the market for rich textiles, handmade jewelry, and intricate wood and stone carvings to bring home to family and friends.)

7. Switch Up the View - While breath-taking when seen on the ground level, Zanzibar is perhaps even more aweinspiring when seen from above. Take a ride in the hot air while – you might spot dhows sailing into the harbor or pods of dolphins arcing through the waves.

8. Explore Zanzibar’s Wildlife - Visit JozaniChwaka Bay National Park, which is home to the nearly extinct, endemicRed Colobus Monkey. The monkeys keep visitors entertained for hours with their striking resemblance to humans – they laugh, show off, and sometimes even pose for pictures. Forest tours are available in Jozani Park with knowledgeable guides who can describe the array of plants and animals that inhabit the various types of vegetation, including mahogany and mangrove trees among others. Next door to Jozani, you can check out the Zanzibar development project that hosts tourists to help raise revenue for local farmers who harvest numerous species lovely tropical garden. Also, of interest to some crowds is ZALA Park, which showcases the island’s reptiles, including crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. The Kiwengwa Pongwe Forest Reserve is a great place to explore original indigenous forests and deep caves.

9. Take a Spice Tour. - A key point along the Arab-Indian trading route for centuries, Zanzibar is synonymous with spice production to this day. Most famously, saffron, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg are harvested in abundance on the island. Plenty of agents and companies offer spice tours, during which you will spend about two hours on a plantation learning how various spices and fruits are grown. Bonuses: a) You get to sample everything. b) Your guide will amaze you by scampering all the way up to the top of a coconut tree and back. c) You will leave with a crown or a ring or a purse made out of leaves by which to remember the experience.

10. Travel Through History in Stone Town - The former Capital of the Omani Empire, Stone Town was the base from which the earliest trading caravans weaved their way to the Congo in search of ivory and slaves. It was also the place where explorers like Livingstone and Stanley planned their journeys, which later led to the colonization of East Africa. Recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town has a wealth of historical and beautiful buildings that visitors can spend days exploring. The city’s sites exhibit a blend of Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions and architectures. Arrange a walking tour with a local guide who can lead you through the winding alleyways to the House of Wonders, the Arab Fort, the Slave Market, and Africa House.