An Overview about Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa, known for its stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters. It boasts a rich history as a hub for the spice trade. The main islands are Unguja and Pemba, offering diverse marine life for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. It is a jewel surrounded by beaches that rate among the finest in the world, where you can swim, snorkel, or just lounge the hour’s away while shoals of luminous fish graze over nearby.
The best 10 things to do in Zanzibar
1. Visit the old fort.
The oldest building in Stone Coral Gardens and pods of dolphin frolic offshore The Old Fort is located on the seafront. Built in the 17th century to protect the island from the attacking Portuguese, the Old Fort is nowadays one of the main sights to see in Stone Town.
2. Wander the ancient alleyways.
Simply walking the streets of Stone Town has to be at the top of your list of Zanzibar attractions.
You can easily spend hours soaking up Swahili culture and admiring the historic Zanzibari architecture and craftsmanship. Wood carving is a unique part of Swahili culture, and the beautiful Zanzibari-carved wooden doors are truly a sight to behold!
With so much to see and so much history to take in a walking tour is a great idea. This will take you to many of the main sights in town while also explaining the history of the island.
3. Try kitesurfing in Zanzibar.
Kitesurfing is a sport where you ride standing up on a small surfboard or kiteboard and let the wind drag you along while you hold onto a kite. This is a full-body sport, and you’ll definitely be feeling a bit sore the next day!
The best time to go if you want to kitesurf is from January to February or from June to September. If you’re there during this time, you might also get to see some expert kite surfers doing tricks and jumps! There are plenty of different instructors and centers where you can learn to kitesurf, so shop around based on where you are and see what works for your timeframe and budget.
4. Take a Zanzibar spice tour.
Zanzibar is sometimes called ‘The Spice Island’ because of the abundance of spices grown there, including cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, turmeric, and cumin.
As a key stop on the trading route between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, spices, along with gold, ivory, and many other precious minerals, were just some of the valuable commodities traded here. As a result, trade of one kind or another has been an intrinsic part of this island’s culture and has shaped its history for thousands of years.
Taking a tour to find out more about the spice island’s history, trying different locally grown spices, and hearing how they are traditionally used is a great thing to do in Zanzibar.
5. Visit the House of Wonders
This is the tallest and largest building in town and was originally a palace facing the town’s central square. The building is now home to the National Museum of History and Culture.
6. See the former slave market.
Another thing traded on Zanzibar Island for many years was slaves, marking a much darker side to this island’s history. Stone Town was host to one of the world's last slave markets until it was shut down by the British in 1873.An Anglican church now stands on the site of the former market, with a memorial statue.
Outside the cathedral, there is an exhibition center that documents the history of slavery in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
7. Sun yourself on one of Zanzibar Island’s perfect beaches.
This island’s white sand beaches, fringed with palm trees and gently lapped by the crystal-clear Indian Ocean, make Zanzibar a true tropical paradise. Because of this, you’d be crazy not to prioritize some serious beach time as one of your top things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania!
8. Visit Jozani Forest
Visiting Jozani Forest is a unique thing to do when coming to Zanzibar. This is the biggest forest park in Zanzibar, and it is home to amazing species like Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys. These monkey species are unique and only found in the Zanzibar Islands. The park is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is an entrance fee of $8 USD that includes a brief tour. Then you can wander around the mangrove boardwalk on your own. You can tip your guide if you like, but it’s not mandatory.
9.Horse Riding
Are you dreaming of riding a horse along the beach? You can do this here in Zanzibar. Horse riding is not a famous activity in Zanzibar, but it is available here. You can go horseback riding on the northern part of Zanzibar, Nungwi Beach. There are four options: beach rides, swim rides, sunset rides, and country rides. Start your journey on horseback in Zanzibar.
10. Snorkeling at Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island is a private island located at Matemwe Beach (Zanzibar North). This is among the best places for snorkeling and swimming in Zanzibar. If you are lucky, you may also be able to swim with dolphins during snorkeling, but it is not guaranteed because they are seasonal in this place.
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