Highlights: Sailing the turquoise waters of Zanzibar is absolute magic, as well as walking through the World Heritage listed Stone Town and exploring the architecture and culture. 

Lowlights: To reach some of the coastal resorts from the airport or Stone Town, you do have to travel right across the island and through several checkpoints. Some beaches have merchants who are keen to get your attention, and money.

Wardrobe: The weather is usually warm and balmy in Zanzibar, so beach resort chic works well in the resorts and more practical clothing when visiting Stone Town.

Wares: Zanzibar is The Spice Island of Africa, given it was part of the spice trading route hundreds of years ago, so get lost in the spices on the island.

Zanzibar Archipelago

Arabic dhows with large sails floating away from white sandy beaches into aqua blue waters is one of the images that sums up this whimsical location, which has been influenced by many empires, cultures and traders. 

Zanzibar is a group of islands with many stories to tell – having been influenced by Iran, India, Portugal and Britain before merging with Tanzania and becoming independent in the 60s. Its name means ‘land of the blacks’ harking back to the influence the slave trade had over the region.

Stone Town

Flying from Dar es Salaam into Zanzibar, you’ll land on the west coast of Unguja, close to Stone Town, a World Heritage Site. The small town’s history is fascinating – from slave traders, spice markets, to fishing boats – it tells the story of the many cultures and influences that reached it’s shores. 

Wander the town’s streets on foot and you’ll see a blend of stunning architecture, markets, gardens and bazaars. There’s the former slave market, Anglican Cathedral, Sultan Palace Museum, Old Arab Fort, House of Wonders, the Forodhani Gardens and City Market to explore. 

The highlight of Stone Town could very well be it’s coastline, with groups of young people congregate to play soccer and show off their skills, fishermen and sailors with their boats, and the locals going about their day to day lives. 

Find a friendly sailor with an Arabic dhow and sail out, away from Stone Town at sunset and watch the sky turn from blue to golden pink. The noise of the crowds will slowly fade away until all you can hear is the lapping of the waves against the side of the traditional boat’s hull. Upon your return, you’ll see the glittering lights of Stone Town against the midnight blue sky.

unguja’s east coast

Each coast of the main island of Zanzibar has so much to explore. The North Coast is more private with diving in the reefs one of the key attractions, and down south, you’ll find a lot more activity and culture. 

Travel across the island along dusty, bumpy roads to the East Coast of Zanzibar and you’ll find beautiful beaches with resorts that resemble absolute paradise. These resorts are hidden to passers-by, who wouldn’t even know what was beyond the fence and gates. But as soon as you turn off the long road, and pass through the main gate, you’ll be greeted not only by the lovely locals, but by beautiful brass furnishings, flowing sheer curtains, soft cushions, wood furniture and a view of stunning aqua waters in the distance.

The beaches along this coastline are perfect for swimming, sailing and snorkelling, with the tide breaking further out toward the Indian Ocean, leaving calm, aqua waters on the white shoreline. Lying on the beach, all you’ll hear is the whisper of the wind through the palms and the tide breaking in the distance, and you’d be forgiven for mistaking the exotic paradise of Zanzibar for heaven.