Zanzibar Holiday

Zanzibar Island is a magical destination on the Tanzanian Coast, renowned for it’s incredible white sands and crystal blue waters, lined with lush greenery and inhabited by friendly and welcoming locals.

You are planning a Zanzibar holiday and want to know what experiences are lying in wait for you ? We have our top 5 Tips to help you plan ahead.

Exotic, luxurious and a once in a lifetime opportunity, Zanzibar Beaches feature incredible diving locations, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town and exquisite seafood all practically within walking distance of one another, not to mention the rejuvenating and relaxing atmosphere that is inherent in such a beautiful place. Sound appealing?

Whether you’re a searching for a Zanzibar Honeymoon or simply looking for an escape, the beaches of Zanzibar are sure to have what you’re looking for. The hospitality of the Swahili people is evident from the moment you arrive, and you can feel the welcoming atmosphere and rejuvenating energy as soon as you check in, regardless of which hotel you choose. You can choose to spend your time here simply relaxing by the multiple pools, getting your feet wet in the warm ocean or dining at opulent restaurants overlooking the incredible forests, or choose to explore.

1. Diving holidays in Zanzibar

Zanzibar Island is a beautiful palm-clad coral atoll surrounded by a coral reef structure that ensures magnificent diving experiences with abundant marine life. The diving centres at all resorts have highly trained and experienced professionals catering to all experience levels. The diving destinations off Zanzibar beaches are some of the best in the world, and any marine life enthusiast’s dream – spend a day watching the colourful fish play together with whale sharks, rays, dolphins and admire the incredible natural beauty of the coral reefs.

Water temperatures range from 25 to 28 degress C with clear visibility of the abundant marine game including turtles, whales, rays and giant frogfish.

The Islands of Mafia and Pemba offer wonderful snorkelling and diving facilities with top of the range exclusive resorts on offer.

2. Zanzibar Wildlife | Swimming with Dolphins | Culture

The Jozani Forest of Zanzibar is a wonderful wildlife spotting destination, housing hundreds of the native red colobus moneys, amongst other incredible animals such as antelopes, chameleons and lots of bird life.

If it is swimming with Dolphins that is your passion, this is best experienced in the early hours of the morning at the officially protected Menai Bay Conservation Area. Dolphin Tours combine snorkelling and high chances of seeing and swimming with the dolphins. The trip can be one of its kind with the beautiful coast line and the waters of the Indian Ocean on the Kizimkazi coral reef.

In addition to this, Zanzibar has many historically and culturally significant locations that are rich in stories of heritage and settlement, many of which can be easily explored and learnt about with guided tours with local experts.

This extends also to the food of the Island, with tours operating focusing on the spices of the area – a historically wonderful tour too – and the incredible seafood and local cuisine that the Island holds. On this note, the food of Zanzibar is unlike any other in the world. Years of different settlements have made Zanzibar a hotbed for spices and unusual flavour combinations, and of course the availability of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood makes the Island an incredible destination for food-lovers of all kinds.

 3. Zanzibar Beach Accommodation

The Island’s luxury extends to the accommodation featured on Zanzibar Island, with a plethora of choices of opulent 4 and 5 star resorts scattered throughout the Island. The design of the hotels is quite similar in their adherence to African tradition, however each resort has it’s own unique flavour and atmosphere through it’s design, features and location.

The hotels range from incredible beach-front locations to set amongst the Island’s wonderful tropical greenery and waterfalls, most of them featuring in-house spas, diving centres, tennis courts and multiple restaurants and bars. The hotels are all equally welcoming and beautifully charming in their own way, and the only thing that will really separate them is the individual room design and location, as they are scattered across the Island’s many wonderful beaches.

All hotels feature differing room levels, from incredible villas with private pools, spas, jacuzzis and beach-front views to standard, but equally wonderful rooms with 24-hour room services, concierge facilities and multiple large pools and facilities access.

View a Selection of: Zanzibar Beach Resorts

How about an under-water room on Pemba Island for a fantastic Pemba Island Honeymoon experience for those romantic couples?

4. When is the Best time for a  Zanzibar Holiday | Which part of Zanzibar should you book your Resort?

Zanzibar is a year round destination however the ideal time to be in Zanzibar is during the dry months from December onwards to February and again from June to October.  When planning a trip we will recommend the best areas during your time of travel, for example, on the SW Coast during November to March and on the NE Coast of Zanzibar during June to October, so as to avoid the occasional monsoon weather.

5. Zanzibar Visa Requirements:

Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and if you are visiting on a Safari Holiday before going to Zanzibar, there is no need to obtain a separate visa for Zanzibar and the Islands. The normal procedures should be followed by ensuring you have valid passports for at least 6 months after your departure from Zanzibar.Visas can be purchased on arrival in Zanzibar at a cost of US$ 50 per person.

Please remember that you are required to have a Yellow Fever Certificate when entering Tanzania or a certificate of exemption from your doctor.

Contact Safaris Online for best Zanzibar Holiday itineraries including Pemba Island.