Zanzibar: The Spice Island

Location

Zanzibar is part of the East African republic of Tanzanaia. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as “Zanzibar”), and Pemba.

Getting there

Scheduled and charter flights from Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Nairobi. A few international carriers also land on the Zanzibar airport.

Scheduled ferry services to/fro Zanzibar, several times a day.

What to do
Tours of Zanzibar island are a rewarding experience with cultural sights and natural beauty on the itinerary. Some of the most popular activities include spice and city tours, Tours to Jozani Forest and Prison Island, Dolphin Safaris and day outs at one of the most exotic beaches in the world.

Wildlife
Zanzibar is famous for its water sports and white sandy beaches, however Situated on the southern point of the island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several schools of bottle-nosed dolphins which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village.

The Jozani Natural Forest Reserve is located in the central east region of Zanzibar island and is home to the rare Red Colobus Monkey (pictured opposite), which is endemic to Zanzibar.

Giant Tortoises, imported from Seychelles in the 19th Century, now reside on the white beaches of Prison Island.

Best time to Visit

Generally the main rainy season, or the ‘long rains’, last during March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which can be heavy on any of the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°s.

The long dry season, when rainfall is fairly unusual, lasts throughout June, July,August, September and October. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but it’s usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather – it’s a great time to visit Zanzibar. During November and December there’s another rainy season: the ’short rains’. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable.

If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months,January and February, which is Tanzania’s ’short dry season’, before starting to rain again in earnest in March.

Highlights
The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.

All pictures are provided by, and are copyrights of, Moiz Hussein