Zanzibar

ABOUT ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar, Africa’s top beach destination, is home to many pristine beaches. It is referred to as “The Spice Island” because of the abundance of exotic spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Located in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Tanzania, this tropical island paradise offers some of the most unique water sports in the world.

The palm-lined beaches, clear warm waters, rich history and coral reefs make Zanzibar’s vibrant beaches justifiably famous and perfect for tourists who want a mix of relaxation, history and natural discovery. The main city of Stone Town is another great place in Zanzibar, best known for its historic structures. While you can immerse yourself in local culture in the city, do not miss the chance to explore Zanzibar’s famous conservation areas and experience Zanzibar tours and safaris.

Pemba Island

This island forms part of the Zanzibar Archipelago and is a favorite getaway among tourists. Pemba Island’s lush landscapes, thrilling water adventures, beautiful unspoiled beaches and welcoming people make it the best destination for diving and forest tours and for those seeking unique adventures away from the crowds.

The island is like a hidden treasure that is in the race to become one of the must-visit destinations in East Africa. Since the island has its own charm, it has always been Zanzibar’s most green and fertile island. Unspoiled beauty and genuine cultural experiences make Pemba Island a standout destination.

Unguja Island

Unguja, more commonly known as Zanzibar Island, is undoubtedly the most beautiful island in the world and the heart of the Zanzibar archipelago. This rich and cultured island, located off the coast of Tanzania, is flooded with many historical sites and vibrant markets.

In addition to a wide range of activities for visitors, such as snorkeling, swimming, diving and fishing, the best tours in Zanzibar also give you the chance to enjoy local cuisine and refreshing cocktails in the fine dining restaurants and bars in Unguja. World-famous beaches, a tapestry of natural beauty and the most developed tourism industry beckons many visitors from around the world to this culturally rich island in Zanzibar.

Mafia Island

Mafia Island’s spectacular marine biodiversity and unharmed natural beauty have something for every visitor. The island’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its rich cultural heritage never fails to offer a rewarding travel experience in Zanzibar.

Although Mafia Island is a relatively undiscovered treasure in Tanzania, its crystal clear waters and year-round average temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius make it an ideal place to unwind your next romantic gateway. Swimming with giant whales and luxurious eco-lodges are more reasons why Mafia Island is the perfect destination for those seeking an escape to paradise.

TOP BEACHES

Just like the Zanzibar safari tour, Zanzibar’s beaches are also justifiably world-famous, and their allure is timeless. No matter if you want to enjoy walking barefoot on many renowned breathtaking beaches or want to explore vibrant marine life beneath the mesmerizing turquoise waters, Zanzibar’s pure and untouched beaches offer all types of beautiful beach experiences that are hard to find anywhere else in the world. If it’s your first time visiting Zanzibar, Tanzania’s most famous island, here are some more stunning beaches you should know about.

TOP ACTIVITIES

Stonetown

Jozani Forest

Spice Tour

Prison Island

Zanzibar Trips

Relax under the coconut palms as they wave gently in the breeze, explore the mixture of Arabic, Indian and African culture in Stone Town, experience the vibrant night markets of the city, try the island’s mouthwatering traditional local cuisines, enjoy water activities in shimmering azure waters, watch blissful sunsets and spectacular panoramic views, experience the unique and fascinating Zanzibari cultural expressions, history and architecture, swim in the edge clear turquoise beaches, visit organic spice farms and learn about local’s lifestyle.

Yes! Zanzibar Island Tours gives an exotic holiday experience that will calm your soul, relax your body, and evoke creativity within you. So, do not think twice before checking out some of our Zanzibar travel packages and booking the best tour of this tropical paradise for your next escapade.

WHEN TO VISIT

Thanks to the plenty of sunshine and consistently balmy Zanzibar temperatures, you can book holiday packages Zanzibar at any time of the year. However, there are some preferable times to travel. Much like other beautiful tropical destinations, Zanzibar also experiences downpours. Rainfall arrives any time of the year and turns into pleasant weather and glorious sunny days in no time.
The country has a tropical climate that varies by region and altitude. If you are visiting Tanzania for the first time, you must understand the difference between safari high season in Tanzania vs low season. Here is a snapshot to help you better understand the weather in Tanzania so you can look for a Tanzania safari package accordingly.

IDEAL WEATHER

The ideal time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season (which starts in June and ends in October). The tropical paradise experiences little to no rainfall during these months, and the weather is usually sunny and less humid. Since this time also coincides with the safari high season (Serengeti for the Wildebeest migration and calving) in Tanzania, Zanzibar tourism during this time is at its peak as tourists consider the Zanzibar Archipelago a popular post-safari relaxation destination.

WORST WEATHER

Most tourists do not prefer to book Zanzibar tours & travel packages during the long rainy season (from March to May and November to December). That is because the heavy rainfall on the island, influenced by the monsoons of the Indian Ocean, makes it difficult to enjoy outdoor and water activities on the beaches. However, if you want to enjoy a pocket-friendly trip to Zanzibar, visiting during these months is the best as these are the cheapest months to travel.

BEST TIME

June to October(All parks), June-July and January-February(Serengeti for the Wilderbeest migration and calving)

HIGH SEASON

July to March(northern circuit parks, they get crowded), July to October(southern and western circuit parks, they don’t really get crowded any time of the year)

LOW SEASON

April and May(northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, when many lodges close down)

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    FAQ's

    Zanzibar is an archipelago. It is in the Indian Ocean, 25 to 50 km off the coast of the African mainland. Zanzibar means the land of the Blacks. In the olden days, this archipelago was popularly known as the Spice Islands. Zanzibar, having a rich cultural heritage, has abundant spice farms where visitors can go for guided tours which are provided by us. Also, Zanzibar offers fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities and we have our tour packages which will ensure that you don’t miss out on this opportunity.

    There are several airlines that operate flights between India and Zanzibar. Flights can be availed from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat and Pune. It takes about 14+ hours to travel from India to Zanzibar via connecting flights. It is advised to take the common vaccines such as for Hepatitis-A, Typhoid, Measles-Mumps-Rubella(MMR) and consult your health specialist if you have specific health conditions.

    June to October is the best time of the year to visit Zanzibar. By this time the heavy rains have already cleared and the weather is perfect. The long rains in Zanzibar commence from March and clear off by June. There are, however, some spurts of rain in November and December.
     

    The climate in Zanzibar is tropical monsoon climate. As Zanzibar is close to the Equator, hence it has a climate that has long, dry seasons alternating with short periods of rainfall. The weather is sunny and warm. The weather is influenced by the monsoons of the Indian Ocean.

    You can visit the following places in Zanzibar:

    ●This first one is Stone Town, which is the heart of the city of Zanzibar and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    ●Prison Island which contains a historical prison, known to keep disobedient slaves and later on became a quarantine station for people suffering from yellow fever.

    ●Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, which is Zanzibar’s only national park, is known for housing the endangered Zanzibar species of red colobus monkeys.

    Zanzibar is popular for its beautiful beaches. Even though the exact number of the beaches may not be specific due to the coastline’s intricacies, the most popular beaches on the main islands of Unguja and Pemba are Nungwi Beach, Kendwa Beach, Paje Beach, and Bwejuu Beach on the islands of Unguja and the Vumawimbi Beach and Misali Island on the Pemba Island. Each of these beaches should be visited by travellers to admire the beauty and serenity. They have visitors from all over the world who come to adore the wonderful sights of these beaches.
     

    Zanzibar has a variety in its list of popular dishes. Starting from:

    ●Seafood: As Zanzibar has a coastal location, seafood is an important food variety to be included in its list of cuisines. Fish, crab, lobster, prawn, and octopus are prepared in different ways like, grilling, frying or in coconut-based curries.

    ●Urojo: It is a local soup available in Zanzibar which is a popular street food dish and is also called the Zanzibar Mix. It is spicy and tangy and is made by combining lentils, and potatoes and has various toppings like fried potato balls, boiled eggs and chutneys.

    ●Pilau: This is a dish inspired by Arabian cuisine and is a rice dish cooked with spices, meat which is often chicken or beef and sometimes boiled vegetables.

    ●Biryani: An Indian rice dish cooked by mixing meat of chicken, beef or goat, boiled eggs and potatoes which is spicy and mouth-watering.

    ●Zanzibar Pizza: It is a savoury snack made by filling a thin pizza dough with different ingredients like minced meat, cheese, vegetables and eggs and frying it till it’s crispy.

    Swahili which is also known as Kiswahili, is spoken widely throughout Tanzania, being its national language, and is also used in Zanzibar. It is used by locals for everyday communication and is also used in societal settings like schools, markets and Government offices.

    English is also spoken and understood by people in Zanzibar, especially by those who are working in tourism, hospitality and educational sectors. It’s used in official documents, business transactions and the tourism industry.

    A few must-haves from Zanzibar are :

    ●Spices

    ●Handicrafts

    ●Kangas and Kitenges

    ●Tanzanite Jewellery

    ●Local artwork

    ●Swahili musical instruments

    The Tanzanian Shilling is used in Zanzibar and it is advised that tourists keep in hand some Tanzanian Shillings for making small purchases in local markets even though big hotels and restaurants accept foreign currency and credit card transactions.

    Well, Zanzibar can be relatively affordable when compared to some other beaches but it is also essential that you plan your trip according to your budget and preferences. If planned well then a budget traveller might spend somewhat around $ 50-70 per day while mid-range travellers spend $100-150 and luxury class travellers can spend $200 or more. When you book your Zanzibar tour with Reality Tours & Safaris, you can save a lot of extra expenses.

    If you are looking for the best beach to visit in Zanzibar then we would suggest that you go for Nungwi Beach which has powdery, white sand and offers a calm atmosphere which is best for relaxation. Also, the beach provides breathtaking sunsets and is also home to cultural attractions like the Nungwi village and Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium where you can learn about local traditions and customs. Kendwa Beach is also a beautiful beach that can be explored when you go on a tour of Zanzibar. It boasts clear, pristine waters and also has beachside bars and restaurants where you can get a taste of the local flavours.

    Yes, Zanzibar is considered safe for tourists as it has a low crime rate. But, it is also necessary that we stay prepared when we travel as prevention is always better than cure. Here are a few safety precautions that you should keep in mind :

    ●Stay aware of your surroundings

    ●Use transportation that is trustworthy

    ●Always follow and respect the local customs and traditions

    ●Be cautious about what you eat and drink

    ●Stay protected against mosquito bites

    ●Swim with safety

    ●Secure your accommodation

    ●Always stay informed about local weather reports and news.

    Yes, provided that the female solo traveller opts for lodges or hotels with proper security and has basic knowledge about solo travelling and its do’s and don’ts. In case, if you are a solo traveller and looking for a trusted tour operator to guide you through your trip then choose Reality Tours and Safaris. Being the best tour operator, we are here and we have your back.

    When you go for a tour, you don’t want to spend your time planning where to go, where not to go, which roads to take, which to avoid, etc. That’s where our role comes in. Sit back and enjoy your vacation while we find out the best tour package just for you. Based on your preferences we will be taking you to places where you will have the best memories created. At the end of the tour, you will, for sure, have a bunch of unforgettable stories filled with adventure and thrill to cherish throughout your lifetime. That’s our promise to you.