If you’re a beach holiday type of person, then there’s nothing more relaxing than making it an island holiday. When it comes to booking, there are many different options to choose from. So, when you choose, you need to take a number of different factors into account, such as what type of vibe you want and what you can afford.

If you’re looking to experience all that Africa has to offer, and what that tropical experience, then you should head to Zanzibar. Here’s what you can experience on the island.

A Bit Of Geography

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. It consists of the Zanzibar Archipelago and can be found between 25 and 50 km off the coast of Tanzania. The Zanzibar Archipelago consists of two big islands as well as many small islands:

• The main island is called Unguja (which many people associate as being ‘Zanzibar’).
• The other large island is called Pemba.

The capital is Zanzibar City, the centre of which is Stone Town. This is a World Heritage site. Together with Tanzania’s Mafia Island, the Zanzibar Archipelago is known as the Spice Islands as one of its main industries is spice. Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper are just some of the spices that the islands produce.

Where To Stay On Zanzibar

By far, the best region to stay in Zanzibar is the north-east coast. Most of the top-end resorts are here and the diving is excellent and there’s not much tidal variation. This means that you won’t have to walk for days if you want to have a dip in the ocean.

On the east coast, you’ll find some of the most gorgeous beaches and it also has many lodges. However, the tidal aspect of this part of the island means that if you want to swim in the ocean or snorkel, you’ll have to walk quite a far distance.

The west coast has fewer places to stay and is a bit more remote. However, the bonus of staying here is that you’re close to Zanzibar’s cultural hub – Stone Town – where you can take in the culture and interact with the locals.

Things To Do

With its rich culture and natural wonders, there’s something for everyone on Zanzibar.

First up, you need to visit Stone Town, which – as we’ve said before – is the heart and soul of the island. Its maze of winding alleys, gorgeous shops and Arabic influences will keep you fascinated for hours on end.

While you’re there, make a point to stop past the house where Freddy Mercury grew up and don’t go home without a pair of their bespoke beaded sandals. Also, make sure that you also visit when they hold their night market. This consists of a collection of food vendors who serve up delicious fare for you to sample.

Something that you can’t afford to miss is the Spice Tours. Several tours are available and some will take you through the spice plantations where you can see where it all begins.

Zanzibar has a variety of wildlife and you can see this in the Jozani Forest, which is the last indigenous forest that is left on Zanzibar.