The Zanzibar Archipelago’s sat off the eastern coast of Africa, 20 miles into the Indian Ocean from mainland Tanzania. A lot of people think Zanzibar’s one big tropical island, but there are actually more than 40 spread throughout the entire archipelago. Here, island hopping’s not just a holiday pastime, it’s a way of life. You can get out and explore what each island has to offer, before returning to your hotel on the main island, Unguja, which is where all our holidays are based.
Zanzibar’s landscapes are like a colouring book. White-sand beaches, thick green forests, sapphire mangrove swamps and flat grasslands are all within an hour’s drive of each other. Whatever way you look, there’ll be something to catch your eye. So bringing a fully charged camera is a must.
Stone Town’s the old quarter of Zanzibar City, the island’s capital. It dates back to the 1st century, and over the years African, Arabian, Indian and European influences have blended to create the way of life here. It’s ripe with things to see and do, from big catholic cathedrals and colonial-style houses, to authentic Hamamni Persian baths. And thanks to all this, the entire district’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Before tourists got a sniff of what Zanzibar had to offer, the farming of spices was the largest industry on the islands. So many different types are grown here that the entire archipelago’s nicknamed ‘The Spice Islands’. Today, spices are still a big part of the culture, and there are tours where you can wander around vanilla, nutmeg and black pepper plantations and learn all about how they’re produced.
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