Zanzibar

Sights

• Stone Town – An old town of coral stone with carved wooden doors, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Former slave market – A memorial and cathedral on the site of East Africa's last slave market.
• Nungwi and Kendwa – Beaches in the north, little affected by the tides.
• Paje – A wide lagoon on the east coast, popular with kitesurfers.
• Jozani Forest – Home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
• Old Fort – An Omani fort with an amphitheatre and shops.

Food & nightlife

• Forodhani Gardens – Evening grill stalls with seafood and «Zanzibar pizza» by the water.
• Urojo – A tangy mixed soup with bhajias and meat skewers.
• Pilau and biryani – Spiced rice with cloves and cinnamon – the island is famous for its spices.
• Fish in coconut – The day's catch in coconut curry in the coastal villages.

Day trips

• Spice tour – Smell and taste cloves, vanilla and nutmeg on a plantation.
• Prison Island – A short boat ride to giant tortoises.
• Mnemba Atoll – Snorkelling with dolphins, shoals of fish and corals.

Good to know

When to go

January–February, June–October

Getting around

Fly or take the ferry from Dar es Salaam; on the island, taxis, minibuses (dala-dala) and transfers. Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages.

Tipping

Around 10% is customary in restaurants.

Power

Plug type D/G, 230 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.

Currency

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

Plan your trip to Zanzibar together

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

Plan with Pickeed

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