What to do in Zanzibar, some tips and advice to experience this African country in the best possible way, respecting the local inhabitants, its nature and the wonderful beaches it offers.
Crystal clear sea, sand that looks like powdered sugar and a beautiful warm sun that tans. No, we are not in heaven, but a Zanzibar. Island not far from the African coast of Tanzania, where you can relax. Don't worry, you will not be bored: there are various excursions to do and long walks on the beach await you. Let's find out what this wonderful island offers.
Stone Town, the capital of the island
It is the capital of the island and the old part of the city. Visit the small market on the outskirts of the city to immerse yourself in the smells and scents of this country. Discover the magical spices sold everywhere that are an important part of the local economy. Lose yourself in the narrow streets to admire the various cultures that mix and live in complete harmony. Churches and mosques built side by side and doors carved to perfection. Everyone is different based on whether they are of European, Indian or Arab architecture.
Then reach the seafront where you will find theOld Fort. It was once a prison, today it is a meeting place for tourists and locals. Not far away is the House of Wonders, a sumptuous palace that houses a museum on local history and culture.
Are you a music lover? Do not miss the visit of the Freddie Mercury's birthplace. Here the leader of Queen was born and lived for his early years. A museum has been built inside, which to be honest is not worth it, but a photo outside is a nice memory to take home.
Relax, grilled fish and giant turtles
You know those postcard photos, where from the crystalline sea you can see these tongues of white sand? Did you think they were fake? I confirm that they exist and that there are no tweaks. Get yourself aexcursion to Nakupenda. Here you can relax, take a bath and obviously eat a good meal grilled lobsters just fished.
Another truly unmissable place is theMnemba Atoll. This can also be reached with an excursion. It is a private island and therefore it is forbidden to set foot on it. But I assure you that even its view is something incredible. If you are lucky, depending on the tide, you can also stop here on a strip of sand and relax in the middle of the ocean.
From Stone Town small local boats leave for the visit of Prison Island. From the name it is already clear what purposes it was once used for. It is now the kingdom of giant tortoises. The first were brought from the Seychelles islands. There are so many and you will not have any trouble seeing them. They can be caressed and even offered an excellent salad. To know the 5 best excursions in Zanzibar, we have prepared a special post.
Visit to a local school
It is well known that Africa is not a very rich country and Zanzibar is no exception. Spend a few hours visiting the villages that are around the hotels where you are staying. You will collect smiles and colors. And if you can go and spend a few hours between the smiles and hugs of children who are studying to have a better future, obviously also doing good.
Swim with dolphins in Zanzibar
Raise your hand if you have never dreamed of trying the experience of swimming with dolphins. There are two places in particular where the probability of having this experience is very high. One is there Kizimkazi bay, in the southern part of the island. The area is dotted with small fishing villages and a few small resorts. The other place where you can easily spot these mammals is on the opposite side, in the north of the island, towards Nungwi. In this part of the island you will find a high concentration of large hotels and a predominantly Italian clientele.
In both cases the excursions can be organized through the hotel or with the beach boys, that is of the local boys who walk on the beach and offer various excursions. With them you usually save some money.
We leave in the morning and go out in small groups to the sea with their boats. When they are spotted you get close and you can choose whether to dive into the sea and try to swim with them or simply admire them from the boat.
Walk at low tide
With the exception of the northern part, the rest of the island is subject to the tidal phenomenon. Even if you love swimming, I recommend you go and see how the beaches change at least once. At low tide you can take long walks before reaching the water and admire the seabed that offers starfish, sea urchins and some small fish. Tip: put your shoes on to avoid stings.
You can also witness the harvest of algae, which represent a cornerstone of the local economy. In fact these are sold abroad and are used for the composition of some cosmetics.
