This well-known island destination has a history and culture as rich as the spices it’s famous for. Locally known as Unguja, Zanzibar was once a base for traders ferrying cloves and ivory, and also holds a place in the dark history of the slave trade.
Today, the island is a colorful fusion of cultures. Blessed with ornate Omani imperial architecture and lined with sandy shores along the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s easy to see why Zanzibar is a favorite of travelers to East Africa. Read on to explore a few favorite things to see and do during your stay on the island.
Explore Stone Town
Stone Town is the historic part of Zanzibar City, the primary city on Zanzibar island. Locally known is Mji Mkongwe, Stone Town gets its name from the ornate houses built with local stone by Arab traders and slavers in the 19th century.
The Muslim call to prayer echoes through the city each day, and visitors can explore the narrow maze-like streets while locals play bao, elaborately carved Zanzibari doors beckon from the buildings, and vendors offer local handcrafts.
Depending on your interests, you might stop by the Forodhani Market at night to enjoy the lively atmosphere, browse curios and art at the Old Fort, or explore Zanzibari culture. A guided tour is an ideal way to learn about the city’s history and do a little shopping along the way.
Dine with a View
While in Stone Town, begin the evening with a sunset cocktail hour overlooking the harbor at Emerson on Hurumzi’s Rooftop Tea House. A set menu celebrates Zanzibari cuisine (fused with Persian and Omani influences), while scattered cushions and candlelight create a delightful ambience above the streets of the historic city. Advance bookings are required, and can be arranged by Hornbill Treks & Safaris as part of your Zanzibar stay. A host of other restaurants on the island offer Zanzibari cuisine, Indian fare, and fresh seafood options, and tea lovers can opt to enjoy a local tea ceremony, as well.
Visit a Spice Farm
As part of the archipelago nicknamed the Spice Islands, Zanzibar was once a top producer of cloves worldwide—and its reputation lives on. Today, a guided spice farm tour is a chance to see where culinary delights such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, ginger root, and more are grown, while a lunch prepared by the women at the farm lets you sample local cuisine.
Visit Prison Island
Known more commonly as Prison Island, Changuu Island is a small island just 30 minutes off the coast of Stone Town. Despite its size, the island has a weighty history. In the 19th century, the island was given to two Arabs who used it as a base to hold rebellious slaves before they were sent abroad or sold in Stone Town’s slave market. Later, the island came under the ownership of the British, who built a prison complex on the island. While the complex was intended to serve as a prison for the African mainland, it was never used as such; instead, it was used to quarantine yellow fever cases.
In addition to learning about the history of Prison Island, visitors can enjoy the beach, swim, snorkel in the deeper waters, or witness the colony of Aldabra giant tortoises living in the island’s refuge.
Snorkel & Dive
Zanzibar is home to some of the world’s most abundant coral reefs, with over 500 marine species recorded. Warm ocean temperatures throughout the year make diving and snorkeling a possibility year-round.
Mnemba Atoll is one of the most frequented sites and the island’s only protected marine reserve, offering both diving and snorkeling.
For those looking for a less-visited site, boat trips to snorkel at the nearby reefs off the coast near your hotel can often be arranged as part of your beach stay. And with over two dozen different dive sites and multiple PADI 5* dive centers on the island, there is an array of options for divers, from beginner to advanced.
Watersports Galore
Swimming, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, reef walks…there’s no shortage of activities to do off the coast on the Indian Ocean. Many lodges offer in-house watersports centers; for those few that don’t, watersports centers on the island can accommodate a range of interests.
Set Sail on a Dhow Cruise
Glance at photos of Zanzibar’s waters and you’ve no doubt seen its iconic dhows. These traditional, handcrafted wooden boats put the romance back in sailing. While the exact excursion may vary, a typical full-day dhow safari departs early in the morning, setting sail on the Menai Bay before stopping at a nearby sandbank for snorkeling. From there, head on to Kwale Island for a delightful barbecue lunch (with local seafood, grilled chicken, and fresh fruits as a highlight, rounded off with coffee and Amarula). Explore the island’s beaches before embarking on the leisurely return journey to mainland Zanzibar.
What’s on your must-do list for Zanzibar? Consider starting with a mainland safari and add on a Zanzibar extension to explore Stone Town and the island’s coast. It’s the perfect expedition to Tanzania, from open savanna to sandy shores.
Every Hornbill safari is customized to meet your travel needs, so contact us to create your own personalized experience.
