Why go à ZANZIBAR?
The good reasons to go à ZANZIBAR
Heavenly beaches
The lagoon of crystal clear water in a thousand shades of blue borders wild white beaches.
A relaxing destination
The mild equatorial climate of the Zanzibar archipelago promises sunshine almost all year round.
A historic capital
Stone Town fascinates with its carved doors, its labyrinth of alleys teeming with life.
Eco-hotels
The bungalows are almost all made of natural materials, wood and palm leaves.
A thousand-year-old culture
The Swahili culture, with its language and traditions, offers a unique change of scenery.
Kitesurfing in Pajé
The south-east of the island, quite windy, is ideal to learn or practice kitesurfing
Wonderful seabed
People come to Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar to admire spectacular reefs and fish.
A preserved nature
Zanzibar has not suffered the onslaught of intense concrete development, the beaches are intact.
A friendly people
Karibu! We will tell you all day long with a big smile, you are welcome!
A spicy gastronomy
The spice island has developed a Swahili gastronomy full of flavours to discover
Good to know when visiting ZANZIBAR
Timetable
There are very few museums, all in Stone Town, and they are generally open from 8am to 6pm every day. On the other hand, we do offer tours outside the city. The Dolphin Tour usually takes place very early in the morning, while the Prison Island Tour, the Spice Tour and the Jozani Forest Tour can be done during the day. Sea excursions depend on the tides, which shift every day by 30 to 45 minutes, so it's best to find out the exact time the day before.
To be booked
The highlight on the north coast of Unguja (the boat trip to Mnemba Atoll for snorkeling) must be booked with local agencies or fishermen. Cheetah's Rock is also always heavily booked, so make sure you book well in advance.
Budget & Tips
Museums don't cost much, but sea trips are quite expensive. Try to form a group to negotiate a price for the whole boat with the fishermen directly.
Day safari charters from Zanzibar to the mainland (charters exist for Saadani, Mikumi, Ruaha, Serengeti and Selous national parks) can be booked locally. Last-minute promotions are always available. It's best to arrange this at the start of your trip, so you have some leeway on dates and can negotiate prices.
Main events
Stone Town organizes a number of first-rate cultural festivals, which in themselves make a trip to the island worthwhile for their very special atmosphere. These include the Sati Za Busara festival, a four-day dance, music and theater festival in February, and ZIFF, Festival of Dhow Countries, during which a whole host of cultural events take place over a two-week period.
Guided tours
A guide is highly recommended when visiting Stone Town, as the old stones don't speak for themselves and real museums are limited. And even when you do visit them, there are very few explanations inside. A guide can also help you find your way through the maze of alleyways and explain the history of the buildings, ward off the numerous and tiring touts, and negotiate souvenirs for you at a reasonable price. It's also a great way to talk to a local and ask questions about their daily life. Souleymane (+255 777 839 371), a French-speaking guide, will show you around Stone Town and organize your excursions and safaris at reasonable prices.
Smokers
Smokers are tolerated everywhere, and can smoke outside. There is no special legislation except when driving, when smoking is prohibited.
Tourist traps
Beach boys - or "touts" - are always on the beach trying to sell you tours. Prices range from the fanciful to the reasonable, but the quality of the services varies according to the equipment (snorkeling in particular), the length of the excursion, the size of the boats, etc. It's best to go direct with a local agency to ensure you get the best service, or make sure you negotiate the price and key points of the tour before making a deal.
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Discover ZANZIBAR
In the final analysis, little is known about Zanzibar. Except that it's a dream island on the Indian Ocean, part of Tanzania. Its history is rich in influences from the four corners of this ocean and the Red Sea, especially the Persians, Arabs and Indians, who together with the Bantu peoples forged the Swahili identity. Its geography and biodiversity are incredible, and its coral reefs and marine mammals (which you can observe by scuba diving) are fascinating. Its Swahili population is imbued with a very strong, distinctive culture, reflected in religion (Islam, since 98% of the archipelago's inhabitants are Muslims), lifestyle and clothing (with colorful kangas). But also the cuisine, brimming with spices that grow on the island and made its fortune in the last century. Discover all the facets of Zanzibar's identity!
