Zanzibar and the tropical blue waters of the Indian Ocean 35km off the coast of Tanzania are the perfect place to end a safari. There is history, the Swahili culture, romance and adventure all wrapped up in Tanzania’s island archipelago gem of Zanzibar.
In the Indian Ocean, just 20 miles off the coast of the mainland of Tanzania, lies the archipelago of Zanzibar. The archipelago consists of the larger islands of Pemba and Unguja, with a number of smaller islands and coral atolls completing the collection of land masses, together known as Zanzibar.
These islands offer the absolutely perfect place to unwind after a good few days of safari. More than just expansive sandy white beaches and gloriously temperate waters, Zanzibar’s islands also offer some unique and fascinating tourist destinations. Stone Town, the old quarter of Zanzibar City on the Western Coast of Unguja is a wonderful place to spend a day or two immersing oneself in the culture and old worldliness of an island time forgot. The buildings and architecture weave the story of colonial rule and eventual independence beautifully and there are some superbly well appointed hotels to make your stay here very comfortable indeed.
The other attractions are the stunning and very spoiling and relaxing beach get aways that dot the islands beaches and coves. We have included a selection of our favorites for you to chose from. The climate is typically tropical, with hot and humid weather largely the order of the day year round. The Tanzanian “Green Season” extends to Zanzibar as well and rains tend to fall here from March to May and can be quite heavy in April. It is also worth keeping an eye out for the festival of Ramadan, during which much of the islands slow down and this can be quite limiting to holidaymakers.