Ever been to Zanzibar?
For many people, Zanzibar is not a destination that immediately comes to mind when they’re dreaming of warm blue skies, white beaches and endless cyan-coloured waters that make you feel like you’ve died and arrived at a slice of paradise. The Maldives, yes. The Carribean, definitely. But Zanzibar? Not quite.
Yet this archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, is just as dreamy as its better-known counterparts in other parts of the world, and, because it is not quite as popular, might be more of a tourist haven for adventure seekers who desire warmer weather and an activity-filled vacation.
Not sold yet on a trip to Zanzibar for your next vacation? These top places to visit and activities to try just might convince you!
The beaches
What is an island without water? One of the top reasons anyone visits an island is because of the water, and Zanzibar has its fair share of beaches with pristine coral sands and crystal-clear cyan-coloured waters.
According to experts and locals, the best beaches are Nungwi and Kendwa in the North because they are not tidal. The others like Pongwe, Dongwe, Kiwengwa and Matemwe are not very suitable for swimming; so, if you are envisioning long swims under endlessly blue skies, you may want to stick to the first two.
However, if other water-related activities like windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkelling, coral reef diving or just plain-ole relaxing at the beach are more up in your alley, then you should add touring the beaches in the East and South to your to-do list.
The cuisine
Because of its strategic position on a sea that connects continents, Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultures as it was historically a stopping point for traders travelling between the African continent, Arabia and India. Its culture has thus been shaped by all these other influences, and they are also reflected in Zanzibari food.
Cuisine in Zanzibar is not just restricted to the foods you can eat; as a popular trading route between continents known for their spices, it quickly became the home of hundreds of spices so much so that it is nicknamed the spice islands.
There are about a dozen of these spice farms, and, even if cooking with spices isn’t really your thing, it is worth it to tour these farms and see how they are grown. Most of the farms will also include tropical fruits that you can sample and cooking classes that you can take, so expect more than a walk through aromatic fields and endless talk about the origins of the plants.
The island and its people
For a truly authentic experience, and, if you have more time to spare, getting to know Zanzibar beyond its beaches and spices can be a truly fulfilling activity.
Zanzibar is reputed to be very hospitable, and although the jury is still out for what the Black experience might be, exploring places like Stone Town — the Island’s capital — and its numerous attractions like the Freddie Mercury museum (the popular singer was born in Zanzibar) and the Slave Market, as well as other attractions like Prison Island, the oldest mosque in East Africa, the Dimbani Mosque in Kizimkazi, and the caves would give you a better perspective on the place and its people, and make for a richer vacation experience.
Now that you have been introduced to Zanzibar, what say ye? Yay, or nay?