Zanzibar
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Unguja and Pemba are believed to have once formed part of Africa but broke away between 5 and 23 million years ago. Uniting with Tanzania in 1964, Zanzibar is now one of the best beach holiday destinations in East Africa, with beautiful white sands and clear blue waters stretching as far as the eye can see.
As a primary trading post on the spice, silk and slave trade routes for over a millennium, Zanzibar has been a unique cultural crossroads, blending African, Indian, Arabian and European cultures. This is most apparent in Old Stone Town, one of the few remaining ancient towns in Africa.
Stone Town is a labyrinth of chaotic alleyways, interposed between towering limestone houses, each with ornately carved hardwood doors with brass finishings and terracotta roofs. Alongside the architecture, Zanzibar is unique in its cuisine, religion, politics, and way of life. It's very different to mainland Tanzania and makes for a perfect start or ends to an East African safari.
Zanzibar offers a number of outdoor activities and water sports, including cycling, kitesurfing, diving, or just general island hopping. Most hotels are based on the mainland, but if you want to escape the bustle of the main island’s beaches, there are plenty of smaller islands to give you that marooned-on-a-desert-island experience.
There is a huge range of accommodation options on the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, from simple boutique hotels to all-inclusive resorts, honeymoon retreats, and backpacker hostels.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is from July to August and December to February. These are the dry seasons, so the weather is warm and there is less chance of rain ruining planned excursions. These seasons link perfectly with Tanzania if you are looking to combine your trip with a safari or trek.
There are some direct flights to Zanzibar offered by the flight companies or 20-minute flights from Dar es Salaam to the Zanzibar Airport, called Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Alternatively, a ferry operates from the harbour in the centre of Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar City.
98% of Zanzibar’s population is Muslim, and as such there are some cultural and religious norms in recognition of this. Keep to the following guidelines to remain respectful to the population:
The tourist visa can be bought on arrival, or online. In both instances, the visa costs $50 for a 3-month single entry visa, or $100 for US passport holders (at the time of writing). This can be paid in cash or by card.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Monday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Tuesday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Wednesday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Thursday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Friday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Saturday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday
6:00 am - 6:30 pm
September 25, 2023 8:45 pm local time
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