It may not be the first place in mind to head on holiday, in fact, you may not yet have heard of it, but Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous grouping of islands some 16 miles from Tanzania’s coastline, is something of an easy going treasure. Fairly easy to get to from the UK and Europe with regular Turkish Airways flights to the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam, it’s then just a matter of the catching the ferry across to Unguja (the bigger and more popular of Zanzibar’s islands) which is advisable to have booked in advance of arriving if possible, or just a 40 minute flight from the domestic terminal right next door to Julius Nyerere International. Visas for Europeans can be obtained when landing in Dar es Salaam for about USD$50 (USD is widely accepted on the islands – have your foreign exchange (USD, GBP or EUR) sorted beforehand arriving as cash points on the island can be expensive to use, rare, or empty during peak season.
Stone Town
You’re likely to spend your first day or two in Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital, a complex maze of intriguing colonial-era buildings left behind by the British, Portuguese and Arabic rulers that make for very interesting exploring. Note the ornate doors to houses and shops for which the town (or, more like a small city) is known for along with its bustling markets. The foreshore’s nightly food market is a must with its plethora of delicacies and local fare. There are plenty of museums to visit as well which are dedicated to the island’s colonial past and the local flora and fauna, although the slave church and museums are importantly worth a visit given that Zanzibar served as such a vocal point of the horrors of (Arab) slave trading.
Jambiani and Paje
Your never more than a two hour drive from anywhere on the main island, given its relatively small size. Head to the eastern coast for a more relaxed vibe. Jambiani and Paje are two particular hotspots, with Paje being the more popular of the two, especially with the kite surfing community. Beaches are long and white, with shallow waters that allow you to walk out for quite some way. Both areas have bars and restaurants along the beach side that serve both local and European cuisine, cocktails and Tanzanian beers. Jambiani, especially, is somewhere to really relax and unwind, and the choice of accommodation varies from high-end chalets with on-site swimming pools to basic bungalows and guest houses. There certainly is something to suit all budgets.
Nungwi
The northern part of the island is where you’ll find the more high-end developments and perhaps where the island loses some of its calm charm. Towering hotel fringe the shoreline and the area is especially popular with Italian package tours. If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay then the Nungwi strip will mostly likely be your thing. The clutter and high numbers of tourist wasn’t quite to my liking unfortuneately along with not really feeling in touch with the locals of the island.
Keeping safe
For the most part, Zanzibar is a safe and inviting place with locals who’re friendly and welcoming. When on the Tanzania mainland however it might be best to keep your wits about you. While also fairly safe, take care when catching cabs and taxis as a popular mugging method is when the taxi you’re in stops not far from where you’ve been collected, men get in to the taxi as well whereupon they’ll then demand your money and valuables.
As with travelling anywhere in the world, respect the local people and their ways (Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim), don’t flash around expensive cameras and gear, and most importantly, have a good time.
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