Zanzibar Island (Beach Holidays)
Zanzibar, also known as the Spice Island, is a tropical gem located 25–50 km off Tanzania’s coast in the Indian Ocean. The main island, Unguja, is approximately 85 km long and 30 km wide, making it perfect for exploration yet easy to navigate.
Its capital, Zanzibar City, hosts Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of history and culture. Outside the city, you’ll find spice farms where you can smell and taste cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon straight from the source.
Zanzibar’s beaches are a paradise for swimming, snorkeling, and diving among coral reefs and playful dolphins. By night, head to Forodhani Gardens for delicious street food by the sea.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is from June to October, during the cool, dry season — perfect for beach days and exploring.
Another great time is December to February, when it’s warm and sunny, ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Try to avoid March to May, as this is the long rainy season with heavy showers.
How to Get to Zanzibar.
Getting to Zanzibar is easy and exciting! You can fly directly to Zanzibar International Airport from major cities like Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, or even from Europe and the Middle East.
Alternatively, if you’re in mainland Tanzania, you can take a short domestic flight or enjoy a scenic ferry ride from Dar es Salaam — it takes about 2 hours by fast ferry.
Once you arrive, taxis and private transfers are available to take you anywhere on the island.
Facts About Zanzibar.
- In 1840, the Sultan of Oman moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, mainly to control the booming slave and spice trades.
- The painful legacy of slavery is part of why Zanzibari culture today is a unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, and Persian influences — visible in the people, language (Swahili), and architecture.
- Thanks to strong British pressure and the tireless efforts of anti-slavery campaigners like David Livingstone, the slave trade was officially abolished in Zanzibar in 1873.
- Zanzibar is famous for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs.
The Hub of the Slave Trade Era.
Zanzibar was once the heart of the East African slave trade. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Arab traders, especially from Oman, made Zanzibar a major hub for trading slaves, spices, and ivory.
Thousands of people were captured from mainland Tanzania and nearby regions, then brought to Zanzibar to be sold or shipped across the Indian Ocean to places like the Middle East, India, and Persia.
Because of this history, many of today’s Zanzibaris trace their roots back to the African mainland, mixed with Arab, Persian, and Indian influences, creating the island’s rich and diverse culture you see today.
You can still visit Stone Town’s Slave Market site and the haunting slave chambers, a reminder of this dark but important history.