Zanzibar Holidays

The UNESCO-listed historic quarter of Zanzibar City, the Zanzibar archipelago’s capital, was once a key post for spice traders making their way to Africa to Arabia. The result of this centuries-old resting point is a mazy web of lanes and alleys throbbing with a fusion of cultures, with Arab, Indian, European and African styles influencing everything from the architecture to the cuisine. Around each corner lies something different: a crumbling ruin, an ornate palace or a Persian bathhouse. It’s changed little since the 19th century and you’ll realise that just by wandering this labyrinth of a town, it’s arguably one of Africa’s most fascinating.

Often described as the ‘little sister’ to the main island of Unguja, Pemba is anything but. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer beauty – and then some. A lush gem floating like a jade pebble in a bath of blue, Pemba is carpeted in vegetation. The coast is a dreamy mix of mangroves, lagoons and islets and what’s more, it’s well off the tourist trail, meaning you’ll likely have this quiet slice of wilderness all to yourself. Off its coast, snorkelling among coral reefs might reward you with sightings of spotted eagle rays and moray eels, among others.

The Zanzibar archipelago’s main island of Unguja has far more to offer than only Stone Town. The powder-white beaches and swaying palms of Kendwa in the north look like they’ve leapt off the pages of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, such is their pristine beauty. Its laid-back feel makes it an ideal place to chill out, while coral reefs teem with tropical marine life that can be snorkelled among straight off the beach.

What the northern corner of Unguja can do, the island’s eastern coast near Bwejuu can match it. Sun-drenched beaches are shaded by palms waving in the wind, an ideal companion to a safari holiday on mainland Tanzania. One thing which sets this slice on Unguja apart is The Rock restaurant, an innovative dining option perched on a stone monolith off the coast of Unguja. Here, you’re granted oceanwide panoramas as you’re served the best in local food.

Unguja’s fringes aren’t just buttery sands and coral reefs. Head to the south-west for sleepy fishing villages, with one in particular – Kizimkazi – said to be an original settlement of the Shirazi people from Persia, with its 12th-century mosque evidence of that. What makes this area really special, however, is the pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins that can be spotted offshore in Menai Bay all year round.

Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended. You’ll need a Yellow Fever certificate if you’re travelling from an endemic country, such as Kenya. Consult your GP at least four to six weeks before travelling for vaccination advice and information regarding anti-malarial medication.

The time difference is GMT +3 hours.

The flight time from London to Zanzibar, including a stopover along the way, is from around 13 hours.

The currency is the Tanzanian shilling.

British passport holders need to visa to enter Zanzibar, Tanzania. This is typically issued on arrival but you can apply for a visa beforehand via post or through an appointment at the Tanzania High Commission in London. The price of a standard visa is £40.