Zanzibar: Discovering the Allure of Tanzania’s Spice Island

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Crystal clear blue waters, white sand beaches and tall palm trees swaying in the breeze might not be the first images that come to mind when you think of Africa. However, this is exactly what you will find on the gorgeous island of Zanzibar located off the coast of Tanzania. The island is still somewhat of a hidden gem, relatively undiscovered compared to some of its neighbors nearby such as the Seychelles. This means there are fewer people, smaller crowds and more authentic experiences to be had!

I was fortunate enough to make a friend back in 2016 who is half Tanzanian, half Austrian who told me all about the beautiful island. She and her family have helped create sustainable businesses and recently opened an Airbnb on the island! Of course I had to visit her and see this paradise for myself. We did happen to have a luxury resort hotel collaboration during this trip but mainly it was our first big trip of 2023! It also turned out to be the best trip ever for a personal reason…. we got engaged !! This reason alone means the island will forever hold a special place in my heart. However, there are so many reasons to fall in love with Zanzibar. I hope this guide will help move the beautiful paradise to a top spot on your bucket-list! Let’s look what you can find in this guide. Click any title to skip to that section:

• Quick Guide
• When to Visit
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Where to Eat
• Best Beach Clubs
• Top Activities
• Extras

QUICK GUIDE:

Languages:

English and Swahili, though most tour guides and operators speak a wider range of other languages. We heard Italian, French and even some Russian!

Currency:

Cash is king. As with most African cities, always carry cash (in local currency the shilling). However USD and Euro are also widely accepted. You can pay with credit card in some places but they tend to have a 3-5% tax when using card so we preferred to use cash. For a rough estimate $1 = 2,400 TZS, and 10,000 shilling (the largest bill) = $4.

Bartering:

Always haggle and negotiate when buying anything in the market. Never accept the first price given to you as they often charge a tourist price. Be fair but stand your ground.

Dress Code:

For women, keep your shoulders and legs covered when walking around town. Since this is a predominantly muslim country, cultural norms and practices should be observed so as not to not draw unwanted attention to yourself, so definitely be respectful in your outfit choices. There is of course more freedom as a tourist and when you are on the beach or in a tourist location you can wear your swimsuit and beach cover ups without any issues.

Henna:

Be careful where you get your henna applied. In the bustling markets, vendors may try to cut costs by switching up the mixture so always do a small test patch first to check for an allergic reaction. I believe the red henna is of higher quality here, but always assess your surroundings and the actual henna before you get painted.

Visas:

If you’re already traveling through Tanzania, you will have already acquired your travel visas upon entry into the country, but if you’re flying in from another country, you’ll need to get your travel visa when you arrive. Cost is about $100 USD, and it’s valid for 90 days, and it takes about an hour to go through the process.

If you are unable to get your visa online ahead of time like we were, you must fill out two forms, wait in line and go to one counter to check documents and take your picture. Then you go to another counter to pay and a third counter to get your passport stamped. They may have 3 more people checking your receipts and stamps before you put your bag through security and are finally able to walk out the door. 

Visa cost: Not all passports and visas are created equally ! It’s important to note that if you are traveling with peopler from different countries you might all have to pay different amounts.

• US = 100$ 
• EU = 50 €

Tide levels:

I have never seen a tide with such a drastic cycle. The tide goes extremely far out and then comes up to the very edge of the beach in most places. You can also be shocked by how quickly the tide comes in. Here is a useful website called Tide Forecast that helps to track the tides and gives you updates.

When to visit Zanzibar

Situated relatively close to the equator, Zanzibar enjoys a wonderful, tropical climate. In theory you could visit year round and find decent weather but of course they have a high season and an off season like most places. We visited mid-end of March / beginning of April and had a few days of rain, a few days of pure sunshine and a few days of a mix of overcast and sun. Overall it was a decent time to visit and considered part of the shoulder season.

June to October are considered the best times to go to Zanzibar as the heavy rains have cleared. These weather conditions are perfect for long days, relaxing in the sun and exploring the wonderful sights.

January to March offer some of the best diving conditions. A good underwater dive is all about wind, the tides and what you can view underwater – the lagoons and coral reefs can be explored in clear waters, particularly on the south coast. The weather in Zanzibar will start to turn from about mid-March as the ‘long rains’ become more imminent.

April and May mark the start of what’s known as the ‘long rains’ on these islands. The rainfall in April and May is far heavier than any other time of year, and results in mild and very wet weather on the beaches.

 Tip: be aware of Ramadan and other holidays that can also impact what is open and how many people are active during the day! 

Transportation in Zanzibar:

As expected, transportation on the island isn’t what you would find in a city infrastructure. while they do have “public transportation” I would not recommend this as an option when visiting. The “buses” are random vans of all shapes and sizes with the numbers mostly painted on. Many of the locals pack into the backs and it just doesn’t seem like the most organized or easy to use mode of transportation. This leaves you really with three alternative options.

Transportation options:

First, you can rent a car. If this is your choice I do suggest you are a brave driver who thrives in chaos because that s what you will be facing on the “roads” of Zanzibar. There is some order to the madness but we were confident in our decision that driving here wasn’t for us. Second, you can rent a motorbike. This was actually our preferred choice but sadly the weather conditions in the beginning of the trip prevented this. Keep in mind that if it rains you will get soaked to the bone as the roads can have massive puddles and you are virtually unprotected. This is by far the cheapest option of the three though so if you are on a budget and brave in traffic, go for it!

Lastly, you can hire a local driver. This is what we ended up doing as my friend has her connections and usual drivers. We think this is a great option no matter what the weather. You are protected if it rains and you have AC to combat the heat. It also helps when there are local authority checks to have a local handle the situation. We had a few guides who drove depending on where we wanted to go on the island and they would either wait for us or come back when we finished. Overall we highly recommend them all!

Accommodation in Zanzibar:

Everyone travels on a different budget and while Zanzibar is one of those splurge worthy places, it doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. Full transparency we did not pay for accommodation as we did hotel collaborations for both of the locations we stayed at. I also visited two other locations that are more budget friendly options in order to give a well-round list of options for every trailers budget. With that being said I want to start with luxury and move down the price range as well go. All of the accommodation listed are found in the Paje area on the south east end of the island. This is about an hours drive from Stone town and the airport.

The Nest

When I dream of a pool side villa on an island, the type of accommodation we had at The Nest is exactly what comes to mind! This place is truly a luxury experience. We woke up to fresh flowers and towel art on the bed each day. Breakfast is included and it is a terrific menu full of options. The pool side villas have my dream bathroom which is an indoor/outdoor experience with a stone tub and a bamboo rain shower. Our front door opened directly onto their beautiful pool which has a swing, floats, a paddle board and hanging nest loungers. There is a vegan restaurant on site as well as a spa.

They offer a ton of activities such as kite surfing, horseback riding, a volleyball court and outdoor “gym”. You can lay by the pool and sip cocktails while snacking on delicious treats or have it sent to your terrace and lounge by your room. One of the most special things we did was take part in their 7 course dinner in the sky experience which is literally a “nest” up in the tree tops connected by hanging bridges. This is actually where my fiancé proposed at sunset and it was pure magic!

Zali Aerie

If you still want the luxury experience but prefer to have more privacy then you absolutely need to book this airbnb! Zali Aerie gives you a private oasis all to yourself and the experience of living at home while still being able to enjoy the wonderful amenities. The house is split into 3 levels with the two main bedrooms on the first two floors. The third floor has a lounge area and will also have a third bedroom and bathroom soon! It is perfect for watching the sunrise or sunset. The rooms are spacious and first floor room has an outdoor bathroom with bamboo rain shower. First two floors also both have AC which is glorious to escape the humidity and heat. The beds are massive and equipped with mosquito nettings. we slept like babies!

You have a private garden with lots of fruits, veggies and local plant life. There is another outdoor shower, a larger table for working or eating at, an outdoor couch, two lounge chairs, a hammock and an outdoor kitchen equipped with your own ship for a counter! They also have a star gazing mat and a space you can do yoga! It is gated off for privacy but less than 30 second and you are on the beach front. The highlight for me is the small private pool which is perfect for relaxing, cooling off and sipping a cocktail in. Honestly, if you are a digital nomad who wants the luxury but quietness to work, there is not a place better than Zali Aerie.

Top Amenities

The staff are all wonderful and keep the place running smoothly. Beds are freshly made and new towels, glasses and things are provided each morning. Breakfast is included and they plan to extend their meal options going forward including some bbq dinners and and more! They also have guides for excursions and tours you can do. If you want to hire a driver or have recommendations, they will gladly help with all of this as well! You cannot get a better deal for the money than this.

Watch our YouTube Video here for a better look !

Aluna

While we were in Paje, we stumbled upon Aluna. We spoke with the owners and they invited us in for a drink by their beautiful rooftop bar and pool area. This is a cute boutique hotel located in the main area of town next to all the market “shops”. If you want to go to the local market or stay in a place near more tourist areas then this might be a good choice for you. They also have a free drink available if you tag them on social media!

Drifters

This is the final accommodation we checked out as it is right next door to The Nest. This is a hot spot for backpackers and hostel goers. It is very inexpensive for a beach front spot. We saw a ton of expats and young tourist hanging out here day and night.

Hotels:

Of course you can also search online for all types of accommodation to fit your needs:

Hostels:

If you are more interested in parties, nightlife and having automatic meet ups then maybe a hostel is for you! Check out the options here.

Where to Eat in Zanzibar

As you can imagine, being an island there is tons of fresh seafood available. If you are not a seafood persons however, have no fear as my partner is not either and he had plenty of options available for him. We must warn you that in Zanzibar it so not safe to drink the tap water and you should be weary of drinks with ice unless you specifically ask about how the ice is made. Some meats can also not be the safest choice as well as fruits or veggies washed with unclean water.

We ended up getting extremely sick on our last day and night which made for a horrible experience on the 18 hour travel journey home. we are still not sure what did it for us but we assume it must have been something washed with unclean water. It is truly no joke so be cautious and always ask! With that being said, there wasn’t a single meal we didn’t thoroughly enjoy! Everything on the island was incredibly delicious and here are some of the tops spots we recommend.

Bento

This is the hot spot for if you have picky eaters who might want more “international” food options. They have a Mexican stall, an asian stall, a pizza spot, a burger joint, a crepes shop, an ice cream spot and a bar. Basically if everyone wants something different this is going to be the perfect place to go. You grab a table and then go and order whatever you want from each place. They will give you a buzzer and when the food is ready you pick it up and enjoy.

Yeo Yum

This was a spot right next to the Nest and we saw they had crazy good reviews for their boxes and their chicken burgers. I must preface by saying the food was absolutely incredible, we loved every bite. However this was the last meal we had before we started to feel ill the next day. We can’t be sure it happened here and my friend has eaten here many times without any issues. There are also no bad reviews of the spot so maybe we just had a bit of bad luck and timing as we were the only people there and they seemed to be closing.

So we still add it to the list because we truly enjoyed the food and there’s really no proof that it was anything here that eventually had us sick- but you know I value transparency so I have a clear conscious. I ordered the bang bang shrimp box with avocado, sticky rice, lime yogurt dressing and spicy mayo. My partner had the chicken burger and he said it’s the best he’s ever had.

The Nest

Okay, so even if you aren’t staying at this magnificent place you should at very least stop by for a meal! Keep in mind it’s a vegetarian/ vegan place so there is no meat on the menu. You can come for breakfast or their lunch and dinner menu. They also have the 7 course special dinner in the sky! Here are some of the wonderful things we had during our stay.

Best Beach Clubs:

Naturally with island life you are going to be able to find lots of beach bars and restaurants to hangout at. As we stayed mostly on the southeast side these top beach bars will all be located in or near the Paje area. We had drinks, found and hung around or worked at all of these locations. Here are some of our tops choices.

OCEAN

Ocean is a great beach front bar and restaurant that actually is connected to a hotel. They offer a scuba diving course and have boat excursions that leave right from the beach front. This is where we encountered our first monkeys! It is a very chill atmosphere, great for hanging out or working as a digital nomad. The pool I believe is only for guest but you are right on the ocean. We stopped by for some snacks and a drink. We ordered the veggie samosas, fries and some drinks. They also have this adorable archway right onto the ocean which made for some really cute pictures.

Ndame

Of all the beach clubs we visited, I think Ndame stole my heart. This place had all the vibes. You have loungers, bean bag chairs, an infinity pool and a beach bard. Honestly what more could you ask for? The staff was so friendly, they will bring you towels and probably had the best cocktails of the whole trip. My favorite was their blue Hawaiians. Apparently they are famous for their pool parties but sadly we didn’t experience one because it was Ramadan. Even without the party I would be happy to spend all day and multiple days here!

Upendo

After Ndame, I think Upendo has the potential to be the second best hangout spot. We originally had planned to come here for their amazing Sunday Boho Brunch. Sadly we arrived much later than expected and missed the incredible brunch menu. If you visit make sure you come specially for their boho brunch! While their regular menu is a little big more limited as well as pricey, the atmosphere is great. They have a lounge area, a pool, a boutique shop and some of the softest sand I felt on the whole island. They also have a great view of the famous Rock Restaurant.

Kae Funk

Kae Funk is located along the west east but still on the easy side of the island and therefor one of the few places you can see a proper sunset over the water. This place is a hot spot for the night life and have tons of swinging beds, hammocks and massive loungers. Their drink menu was probably one of my favorites and it has a really chill atmosphere. They have bon fires and put on full shows once the sun goes down. They also offer jet ski rides.

The Rock

The Rock is the most famous restaurant on the island by far. It is one of the most sought after things to do when visiting the island. But in order to dine at The Rock, first, you have to get to the restaurant.

If the tide’s out, you can simply walk to it. But when the tide’s in, you have to take a rowboat. Honestly it kind of just added to the ‘lunch-on-a-rock-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean’ experience. Once you disembark from the dingy and climb up the steps, you realize the true appeal of The Rock Restaurant – the panoramic views of the astonishingly blue Zanzibar water. Many people say simply go for the experience or a drink as the menu is quite pricey.

Top Activities:

There is honestly so much to do in Zanzibar. I highly recommend no less than 10 days to visit and even that won’t let you get to all parts of the island. Two weeks and you might have a chance to venture around and spend a few days on each end. We sadly never made it to the top north part of the island so all of our recommendations can be found on the southern half and on both coastlines.

Maalum Cave

There are quite a few natural pairing caves / Cenotes / swimming holes around Paje. Our friend told us that her favorite was Maalum so this is where we decided to visit. We show up without a reservation, fortunately it wasn’t busy so they allowed us to enter but told us they now require reservations! You need to shower before entering the cenote as they do not want any oils or sunscreens to damage the natural reserve. If you step in from the ladder, the rocks are very slippery so be careful. An alternative is you can jump or dive in from the other deck spot instead. Drones are NOT allowed without special permission BEFORE you book! On site the also have a restaurant and some places you can lounge around. They offer food and fresh juices.

Price: 40k for tourist ~ €16 euros, this is the most expensive of the caves near Paje but it is the least crowded, most beautiful and well run option. However if you are on a budget perhaps one of the others would be better (Swahili cave, Kuza cave, or Kuumbi cave).

Changuu / Prison Island

Changuu island, aka prison island, is another famous spot in Zanzibar that you will find on almost all of your “must see” list. You can often combine this with an island hopping tour in which case the price of Addmission should be included. If not it will cost roughly $16 which I think is quite expensive. Make sure they say the snorkeling gear is included int the price if you wish to snorkel. Most tours leave the main island around 9 am and head right to Changuu making the morning super busy. We opted to go in the afternoon and it was less crowded.

After a 30-minute boat ride, you’ll be led through a park where you can get up close to a colony of rare Aldabra giant tortoises (thought to have been brought to Zanzibar from the Seychelles), the grounds of what used to be a place of punishment for unruly slaves and quarantine for yellow fever patients, the island definitely has some mixed vibes. Other than the tortoises we weren’t overly thrilled with the island. It was cool to feed them though and hear about all the different stages of their lives. The oldest resident was 137 years old!

Island Hopping

One of the must do’s in Zanzibar is obviously to visit the smaller islands and sandbanks around the coast. You can book with a tour company like Blue Safari but we had a local guide who got us the tour for MUCH cheaper. I would always recommend going to local route! The easiest place to start these tours is near Stone Town and early morning around or before 9 am. This one is near Changu island and is called Isla Di Nakupenda. We knew that for this we wanted a private tour and to go on the old but semi modernized Dhow boats. A modern dhow with a motor (like ours in the photo) or one of the traditional ones with the old Arabian sails are both great options. 

Honestly, if you are going to ‘splurge’ on one activity make it this one. The freedom of having your own boat is incredible and when you see other boats heading out jam packed, you’ll be so glad you chose to do a private one. Plus when booking with the locals the price for the whole boat is less than the price for a single person with a tour group! Our guide also set up a tent for us on the island to have some shade. This was our favorite activity of the whole trip.

Price: 140k shilling ~ €56 for ALL DAY, 2 people and PRIVATE boat , trust me only book with locals 

Jozani Forrest

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park or shorter – Jozani Forest is the only national park on Zanzibar. Very small, only 50 km2 (19 sq mi) but a beautiful and tranquil place to visit! If you have never been to Zanzibar, Jozani Forest tour is one of must see tours. Jozani is also famous for rare red Colobus monkeys and even harder to spot – Zanzibar Sykes’ monkey, a very rare monkey species unique to Zanzibar. Along with Red Colubus Monkeys you can expect to see Bushbaby, 50 different species of butterflies and 40 species of birds.

To protect the wildlife it is not permitted to walk off the paths without an official guide. A network of various nature trails leads visitors through the forest. The main trail begins at the park entrance and takes about an hour at a leisurely stroll.

Stone Town

Stone town is the main historic hub of Zanzibar. Iy is full of twisted alleyways, crumblings limestone palaces, mosque and faded mansions. Stone Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a rich and storied past. Many people will choose to stay in Stone town when visiting simply for its proximity to the airport and the convenience of the shops and tours. There is so much you can do when in Stone town that it honestly deserves a post of its own. I will simply list off some of the highlights so you can add them to your list.

• Darajani Market
• Palace Museums
• Visit the old Slave market
• See the Old Fort
• Forodhani Gardens and night market
• Hamamni Persian Baths
• Emerson Spice Tea House
• Freddie Mercury House
• St Josephs Cathderal

Secret Beach

Another hidden gem which will stay a hidden gem even on this blog is the “secret beach”. I honestly do not know the name of this beach and only know of it because my friend brought us here. There is a ladder that will take you down during low tide but once high tide comes in the whole beach is hidden and the ladder becomes submerged. We found out how quickly the tides can come in at this spot and were glad for the warning or else all of our tech would have been ruined !

Extras:

As if all of that wasn’t enough, I wanted to highlight a few more spots and activities that we would recommend which didn’t fit into the above categories. Zanzibar is truly the island that just keeps on giving and here are our final tips for your visit!

High Tower

Hi bar, hight tower or Tower villa is a rooftop place that is slightly off the beach front area but offers one of the best places to watch the sunset from the east coast. They have a small ‘infinity”front glass pool and lounge areas where you can hangout, have a drink and watch the sky set fire.

Beach Cows

Some people may think this is strange but I was super excited to find the famous, or infamous Paje beach cows! One morning at Zali Aerie I woke up and saw from our balcony a cow right down in front of us so naturally I raced down to make a friend !

Paje Market

If you like handmade items. beautiful local artwork and a place to find unique souvenirs then the Paje market is a good place for you. A lot of the stalls sell similar items but some of them have unique and individual styles. This is where I found my tiny hand carved and painted elephant for my world collection. They also have a joke about identifying the shops as the “X” of Paje.

Sunrise and Sunsets

Our final recommendation is to wake up early or find a spot to catch a sunrise on the east coast or a sunset on the west coast. The colors are spectacular and just will stick with you for a lifetime.

The End

Phew, we made it through! I know that was a TON of information to take in but the good news is you can save this article for later and come back to it when you are ready to visit the beautiful paradise island of Zanzibar. Honestly after so many years of having Zanzibar on my bucket list, I can say that it exceed my expectations. I cannot wait to return and explore more of the Island! Until next time I hope you have enjoyed this article and would love to hear your favorite parts!

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Trip March 2023

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