A Down-to-Earth Guide to Zanzibar

Zanzibar is one of those places that seems to have absolutely exploded in popularity over the last few years. You only need to spend five minutes on TikTok or Instagram to see why, but is Zanzibar really as beautiful as it looks online? And what is it actually like once you get there?

Well, our Marketing Manager, Carly, has first hand experience on this island.

And that's what this guide is all about. We're not going to tell you that Zanzibar is the "ultimate paradise" (although, it is pretty close…) or give you a list of 101 reasons why you absolutely must go. You've probably seen enough of those articles already.



Instead, this is our down-to-earth guide to Zanzibar – the practical things you need to know before you travel, the different areas of the island, what there is to see and do, and a few things we wish more people knew before they went.

A little bit about Zanzibar

OK, first things first, Zanzibar is actually an archipelago of islands just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, although most people think of it as one single island – Zanzibar. The main island is officially called Unguja, although it is very commonly referred to simply as Zanzibar Island.

You can reach it either by boat or by plane. Carly flew to Zanzibar after her Kenyan safari, travelling down from Nairobi by train to the seaside town of Mombasa before flying from Moi International Airport with Flightlink.

"I'll be honest, the little propeller plane made me nervous," says Carly. "It felt very strange climbing only a couple of stairs to get into the aircraft! But it was absolutely fine, and the views over the Indian Ocean were simply gorgeous."

Though Carly came from the Kenyan side, most people tend to combine Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari, either taking a boat across from Dar es Salaam or flying over to the island. You can add Zanzibar to either safari or as a stand alone holiday.

Zanzibar has a strong Swahili influence, which you can see throughout the island in the food, architecture, language, culture and history.

Important things to know before visitng Zanzibar

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements depend on your nationality, but many visitors will need a visa to enter Tanzania, including Zanzibar. British citizens can apply for a VOA (Visa on Arrival) as Carly did. At the time of writing, the fee is $50 USD, but always check the latest requirements for your nationality before travelling, as visa rules and fees can change.

You can also apply for your visa in advance if you'd rather have everything sorted before you travel. If you are opting for this route, we'd recommend using the official Tanzanian immigration website rather than a third-party visa company.

You need specific Zanzibar insurance

This is probably the one that catches people out the most. All visitors MUST have specific inbound travel insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), not just normal travel insurance.

You can buy it upon arrival, but expect lengthy queues, unresponsive internet connection and potential tech issues. So, we'd advise making sure you've purchased it beforehand. You simply pop in a few details, pay the fee and the paperwork is sent to your email address.

Now, technically… it is travel insurance. However, whether it would actually work if your belongings were lost or stolen, or if you were in need of medical assistance, is quite questionable, to be honest. It's why we'd recommend taking out travel insurance with your normal provider too, as you would before any trip abroad. At the time of writing, it costs $44 USD per adult and is valid for up to 92 consecutive days. Children and infants occur different costs

Don't bring plastic bags

There is a ban on single-use plastic bags in Zanzibar, including shopping bags, grocery bags and even the plastic bags you're given at airports or in duty-free. Tash, one of our long-term travel consultants, swears by taking clothes in the ziplock-style SHEIN bags and reusing them for dirty clothing.

If this is your style, just be aware that in Zanzibar you cannot do this. We'd recommend reusable packing cubes instead!

Sorry Tash!

Ziplock bags used for toiletries are allowed, but they need to stay with you for the duration of your trip and be taken home with you. Don't panic if you accidentally bring a prohibited bag, though. There are clearly marked areas at the airport where you can hand them in.

The ban is against things like plastic bags, other plastic such as your water bottle or sun location is fine, but please be respectful of their environment and do not litter.

Which area of Zanzibar should you stay in?

Zanzibar Island is approximately 55 miles long from tip to tail and about 25 miles wide, but the different areas have quite different personalities. If you have enough time, we'd recommend exploring more than one. If not, don't worry – many of the activities below can be arranged as day trips.

Stone Town

Stone Town is the historic Old Town of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's full of history, culture and some seriously impressive architecture. One of the most famous people to come out of Stone Town is Freddie Mercury. You can visit the Freddie Mercury Museum, which is built inside his childhood home and tells the story of his beginnings and roots in Zanzibar.

It's also home to hundreds of ornate, brass-studded wooden doorways. Now, don't get us wrong, we know, we know – doors as a tourist attraction? Really? But seriously, these doors are actually magnificent to see.

Aside from Freddie Mercury and doors, there's plenty to do in Stone Town. Just walk around and look up – there's some seriously stunning architecture, and spices lining the streets.

Prison Island

One of the best day trips we'd recommend is taking a boat over to Prison Island from Stone Town. The island is home to a tortoise sanctuary, where you can wander amongst these gentle giants. Some are said to be over 150 years old and can weigh around 200kg!

You can get up close and personal with the tortoises, but you'll need to stay on the clearly marked path. If they're in the path – great! If not, please leave them be in their sanctuary. The island is pretty small, so it's easy to explore as part of a half or full-day trip.

Nungwi & Kendwa

If your idea of Zanzibar is white sand, turquoise water and beautiful sunsets, you're probably going to love the north of the island. Nungwi and Kendwa are two of the most popular beach areas. Nungwi is a little livelier, with plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels, while Kendwa is a little more relaxed.

Go Swimming with Horses

If you fancy doing something that isn't just sitting on the beach, you can go horseback riding along the coast. Carly did it with the Zanzibar Horse Club, choosing them specifically because of their reviews and their obvious love for their horses. You can choose from a range of rides and even go swimming with the horses.

It is certainly not something you get to do every day!

Baraka Natural Aquarium

Nungwi is also home to the Baraka Natural Aquarium, where you can get up close to sea turtles and feed them. The centre is a conservation initiative focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting wildlife, and the aquarium has rescued more than 150 turtles according to its current information.

It's a lovely experience if you're interested in marine life and want to get a little closer than you would just by snorkelling in the sea.

Paje

Paje is particularly popular for kitesurfing and has a younger, more laid-back atmosphere, with plenty of beach bars, restaurants and cocktails (you're welcome)…

But there's one thing you need to know about Paje.

The tide goes out. A LOT. At low tide, the sea can retreat hundreds of metres, leaving huge stretches of sand behind. So, don't wake up one morning thinking the apocalypse has happened – the sea hasn't disappeared, it's just the tide!

Dhow Sailing

If you're staying in Paje, we'd definitely look at taking a traditional dhow boat out onto the water. There's something about sailing around that just has you feeling like Moana. Depending on the trip, you can combine it with swimming, snorkelling or watching the sunset.

Mnemba Island

If you've searched for Zanzibar on Instagram, you've probably already seen Mnemba Island. We'll be honest, it is that beautiful.

Mnemba is a private island off the northeast coast of Zanzibar, surrounded by incredible turquoise water and fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. You don't need to stay on the private island to experience the area (your purse strings can thank you now), as there are plenty of excursions from the northeast coast.

If you're booking a snorkelling trip, we'd recommend choosing a responsible operator that respects the marine environment. The beauty of this part of Zanzibar is exactly what we want to preserve.

Michamvi & the Blue Lagoon

Another area worth knowing about is Michamvi, on the southeast coast. This is where you'll find the famous Blue Lagoon, with its beautiful turquoise waters and opportunities for snorkelling and swimming.

You don't need to be staying in Michamvi to visit the Blue Lagoon. In fact, you'll see signs for Blue Lagoon trips all over the island. Carly did a full-day trip, which included snorkelling with starfish in a shallow coral garden, followed by a stop at Kwale Island for lunch. There was plenty of fresh seafood BBQ and time for a walk around the island, before finishing at The Rock Restaurant.

The Rock sits on the Michamvi Pingwe peninsula and is literally built on a rock in the ocean. At low tide you can walk across, while at high tide you can get there by boat. It's around a 20-minute drive from Paje, making it particularly easy to visit if you're staying nearby.

Let's be honest, you've probably already seen a photo of it.