There are many attractions in Zanzibar. These include Stone Town, Prison Island, and the Forodhani Food Market. You’ll also want to check out the East Africa Slave Trade Exhibition. The museum has exhibit boards that tell the history of slavery in Africa, with descriptions in English and Swahili.
#10 Stone Town
If you’re planning a trip to Zanzibar, you should know that Stone Town is one of the island’s most charming cities. It is filled with ancient architecture and grand alleys and features a wide variety of local cuisine. While you’re in Stone Town, you can’t miss the Old Fort, which sits along the seafront. This former trading center was a key hub for the slave trade and is now a great place to enjoy a coffee and a snack.
There’s a lot to see and do in Stone Town, and you can enjoy a wide variety of cultural events. For example, the local music festival Sauti za Busara is held each February, and features dozens of musicians from the island. There’s also the Zanzibar International Film Festival, the largest cultural event in East Africa, which takes place over two weeks in July. This festival recognizes the best talents in film, art and music.
While you’re in the town, you can also check out the Stone Town Museum, which is UNESCO-funded and jam-packed with interesting information. It contains a slave chamber, and is well worth a visit.
Stone Town also features a vibrant night market where you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, spices and other local wares. Whether you’re looking for freshly baked bread, local spices, or a handcrafted basket, the markets in Stone Town are the perfect places to buy souvenirs and local artwork.
#9 Unguja
Unguja is a perfect place for a relaxing vacation. It has perfect weather, a diverse landscape, and friendly locals. Unguja is a popular tourist destination between June and October. During this time, you can experience scuba diving, parasailing, skydiving, and seafood barbeques. You can also check out the island’s full moon parties. Unguja is located just off the east coast of Zanzibar. For something a little more adventurous, you can try diving at Mnemba Island. It’s a 30-minute boat ride from Matemwe, on the east coast of Unguja. Another highlight of Unguja is Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historical epicentre. This is the only ancient town in East Africa still in use today. The city offers enough to do for two days – from wandering through the labyrinthine alleys to taking a tour of the old slave market. If you have more time, you can take a tour of the old Sultanate ruins and Prison island.
Another must-see in Zanzibar is the fish market. Here, you can purchase fresh seafood. The market is open six PM to 11 PM daily. Another great activity to do in Zanzibar is to take a half-day boat trip to Prison Island. The island is home to a large population of tortoises. You can also learn about the history behind the name Prison Island. Spice tours are another exciting feature of Zanzibar tourism. Spices were brought to the island by Portuguese traders 500 years ago. Today, spices are produced on the island in small organic set-ups. A spice tour can give you an authentic experience of the spices. Spice tours also include local village visits, learning about the spice trade, and enjoying the local vegetation.
#8 Prison Island
Prison Island, a low-lying island in Zanzibar, is the perfect location for snorkeling. Its beautiful scenery and wildlife make it a great day trip from Zanzibar. The trip takes about 25 minutes and costs $30 to $40, if you go with a tour company. If you want to visit the island on your own, bring sunscreen and a picnic lunch.
The islands in Zanzibar are a strategic location with a warm tropical climate and breathtaking coastline. These factors have attracted visitors to the island for centuries. The island’s UNESCO-listed Stone Town is a fascinating place to explore, with its narrow alleyways and turbulent history. The white sands and light blue waters make Zanzibar a beautiful destination for a holiday, whether you plan on soaking up the sun or absorbing the culture of locals.
Prison Island is situated about three miles northwest of Stone Town. The journey to the island is about 30 minutes by boat. To reach the island, you’ll need to take a motorized dhow from Stone Town harbour. This boat is a traditional sailing vessel with a long narrow hull. The cost of the dhow ride is negotiable, but larger tours will likely include snorkel gear and entrance fees. You can spend two to three hours touring Prison Island and then enjoy swimming on the beach. The beach, while nice, is often crowded. But it’s not the highlight of the island. A more scenic spot is Nungwi Beach, located on the northern end of the island.
#7 Forodhani Food Market
If you are interested in the food of Zanzibar, you should visit the Forodhani Food Market. You can find a variety of dishes here, including local pizza. Once the sun sets, the market turns into an open-air food court. You can also enjoy a chicken and mango pizza at Mr Mango’s. The food market is a unique experience. There are stalls and stands where locals prepare a variety of Swahili cuisine. You can enjoy grilled chicken, shrimp, and fish. If you’re on a budget, this is a great place to find cheap street food. Another popular food market is the Cape Town Fish Market.
The market is also the perfect place to watch the sun set in Stone Town. It is also a great place to try some Swahili and Zanzibar delicacies. Try urojo, a local spice, and chutney. If you’re hungry, you can also stop by one of the many stalls selling fresh crab.
While exploring the food market in Zanzibar, you should remember to dress appropriately for the occasion. The island’s climate is prone to tropical rains and flooding, so you may want to consider packing a raincoat and a poncho.
#6 Kae Sunset Beach
The best way to enjoy Zanzibar sunsets is from the beach. There are many beautiful beaches to choose from. Kae Sunset Beach is one of the best places to see them. You can even ride a dhow to see them from a different perspective. Sunset cruises leave from Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, and Stone Town. You can also visit the Dhow Music Academy and try your hand at diving in Stone Town. Another great beach is Matemwe. This beautiful beach faces west towards Chwaka Bay. Here, you can find the famous Rock Restaurant, which sits on a rock on the beach. This is an ideal place to watch the sunset over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Another excellent place to visit in Kae Sunset Beach is the Manta Resort, which is home to the only underwater room in the world. It is a popular place on every “10 Amazing Places to Stay in Zanzibar” list. While Kae Sunset Beach is not the most beautiful beach in the island, it is one of the most beautiful. It’s easily accessible from Stone Town or Zanzibar by ferry. Another great way to experience Kae Sunset Beach is to take Safari Blue, which is known as Zanzibar’s best boat trip. The northwest of Zanzibar is renowned for its stunning beaches. Kae Sunset Beach is a great place for swimming and is also home to several beach resorts, hotels, and restaurants. You can also enjoy snorkelling, jet skiing, and paragliding here. The beach is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. This area of Zanzibar is one of the liveliest on the island. It is also home to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and hotels.
#5 Skydiving
If you’re a thrill-seeker, skydiving is one of the most exciting activities you can do in Zanzibar. The experience is an adrenaline rush that will leave you with a lifetime memory. You’ll see the most beautiful views of the island from above during your free-fall adventure. The scenery is breathtaking, and the adrenaline rush is unlike any other. This thrilling activity will take you to the height of 10,000 feet, and you’ll be harnessed up to a professional instructor. From there, you’ll experience 40 seconds of free fall before landing on the Indian Ocean. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can take a Tandem skydive at the Zanzibar Skydiving Center. The centre offers Tandem Skydives year-round. There are also AFF Student Courses and Fun Jumps. You can find out more details about this activity on the site. During your stay in Zanzibar, you can visit the Stone Town Slave Market, which is a museum that has fascinating exhibits about Zanzibar’s history. While there, you’ll also get to see one of the island’s most beautiful buildings, which includes the Arab Fort. The palace’s former residence was used by the Sultan and his family until 1964. The museum still contains many thrones and artifacts from the era. Zanzibar has many other exciting activities and attractions. During your stay, you can visit the island’s historic centre and explore its old town, which is reminiscent of a thriving port city. You’ll see the beautiful architecture and cobblestone corridors that make this city a wonderful destination.
#4 Jozani Forest in Tanzania
The national park is a 50-square-kilometre gem that is located on Zanzibar’s Zanzibar Island. It is the only national park on the island. The park was founded in 1957 and is now one of Tanzania’s premier wildlife destinations. It has many interesting things to do, including bird watching, and offers a unique experience for all ages. The forest is home to many different types of birds and animals, including the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. This monkey has survived isolation from its mainland counterpart for ten to fifteen thousand years and is one of the most unique species in the world. Unlike other monkeys, it has no opposable thumbs and is completely reliant on the fruits of trees and bushes for its diet.
Visitors are prohibited from feeding the colobus monkeys, but are welcome to take pictures with them. They are not prone to stealing your mobile or the contents of your hand and are generally harmless. The black monkeys, on the other hand, are aggressive and may attack you. To prevent attacks from these monkeys, it is advisable not to approach them. You can also take a guided nature walk through the Jozani Forest. These walks will take you to the most scenic spots in the park. These walks take about an hour or two. Along the way, you can observe medicinal plants, flowers, butterflies, and an assortment of bird species.
#3 Chumbe Island
A few kilometres off the main island of Zanzibar lies the small privately owned Chumbe Island. This island is renowned for its eco innovation and its exceptional coral reefs. If you’re a lover of marine life, this is the place to visit! Chumbe Island is a great spot to spend the day snorkeling, swimming, or simply relaxing. It has been a popular destination for visitors from around the world for many years. The island’s pristine coral reefs attract an amazing variety of marine life. You may also spot sharks and turtles. Dolphins and roseate terns are also commonly seen on the island. Local guides are available to help you explore the hidden fauna and the intertidal shores.
The best time of year to visit Chumbe Island is between June and March. During this time, the temperature will be between 25C and 28C. Traveling during the rainy season may lead to increased prices and fewer availability of accommodations. Also, it is important to remember that the risk of malaria may increase during some parts of the island. Before booking your trip, be sure to get medical advice and consider taking antimalarial medication. There are two main types of accommodation on Chumbe Island: a single-storey bungalow and six double-story bungalows. Both bungalows are solar powered. The double-story bungalows have a bedroom on the top floor, a bathroom downstairs, and a living/lounge area with a hammock. The bathrooms are equipped with solar-heated showers and toilets. The building designs also catch rainwater, making them water-efficient.
#2 Changu Island in Tanzania
The island is about 800 metres long and 230 metres wide at its widest point. In the 1860s, the island served as a prison for rebellious slaves. Later, it was used for coral mining. Today, it is a popular place for locals and tourists to unwind. A private guided tour will give you the inside scoop on the island’s history and culture. In addition to seeing the famous landmarks, you will learn about the local lifestyle. You’ll also get to sample traditional Tanzanian seafood and other local fare. You’ll have a memorable experience when you visit Changu Island!
Changu Island is a 20-minute boat ride from Stone Town. It is home to two iconic landmarks – an old prison and the famous Aldabra tortoises. The tortoises, which look like giant robots, were sent to the island in 1919 by the British governor of Seychelles. Today, they are protected species and visitors can observe them and even feed them. A tour will take you to the island, where there is no entrance fee.
Visitors can spend their days sunbathing on the beaches and in the clear, blue waters. You can also go snorkeling. However, you will have to bring your own snorkeling equipment. If you have the time, you can also take a walk around the island. you will be able to see many animals, including gazelles, goats, and birds. The island is a perfect place for swimming and snorkeling.
#1 Mangapwani Slave Chamber
For a truly harrowing experience, you should visit the infamous Mangapwani Slave Chamber. Located about 20 kilometers north of Stone Town, the Slave Chambers were built around 1880. They were a major transit point for captured slaves who were later sold to the outside world. Before they were disposed of, the slaves were transported in ships to other parts of Africa.
The town of Mangapwani is situated on the north-west coast of the island of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. It is a historical place of the slave trade and can be visited to explore the history of slavery in the region.
The town is accessible from Stone Town and it is also close to the famous coral cave. The cave, which is made of dark coral rock, was once used as a hideout for slaves. After the illegal slave trade was outlawed in the late nineteenth century, the cave continued to be used as a place to hide slaves. The cave now serves as a modern memorial to the survivors of the slave trade. A visit to the Slave Chamber is a great way to learn more about the lives of slaves. During the slave trade, the slaves lived in special underground cells where they were sheltered from the harsh conditions of the slave trade. Hundreds of slaves were held in these chambers while awaiting the arrival of a merchant ship.
