A Relaxing Travel Guide to Zanzibar, Tanzania
Curated By
Kim Walters
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Tanzania
Zanzibar
International Travel
Nature Escapes
Safari
Bucket List-Worthy
Hidden Gems
Relaxation
Curator’s statement
Tanzania is a beautiful country composed of many diversities ranging from safari and game drives to picture-perfect, white-sand beaches. Zanzibar, an island just off mainland Africa, pertains to the latter. It is the perfect place to relax, engage in aquatic activities, explore the local life and culture and indulge. Embraced by the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar also gives way to holidays by the beach, catering to seaside vacationers looking for utmost repose away from everyone and everything. Visit Zanzibar for a true getaway onto the African island.
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Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay
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Day 1: Stone Town
Spend a few nights in Stone Town. Stone Town is situated on the beautiful island of Zanzibar. It is the old city that is the island's cultural heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is famous for its winding alleys fringed by grand architecture, bustling bazaars, sultan's palace, mosques, the House of Wonders and merchants' houses with ornate doors. Take a walking tour of the town as you cross its many markets in the bustling and winding streets.
Stop by The House of Wonder, the local museum, the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, and the Slave Trade exhibit too.
Day 2: Visit Changuu Island (Prison Island)
This island was originally constructed as a prison in 1893. However, no prisoners were ever housed on the island, and it instead became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. The island has become a government-owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises, which were originally a gift from the British governor of Seychelles. Walk through the area with the giant tortoises and even feed them some lettuce. The oldest tortoise here is aged at around 115 years old.
Day 3: Town hopping and relaxing
Escape to the northern end of the island to a town called Nungwi, which used to be a fishing village. It has transformed into one of the busiest beach destinations on the island. Check into the Essque Zalu Zanzibar and enjoy the beach at leisure.
You can also go scuba diving with the Spanish Dancer Divers. We had a fantastic diving experience and saw small sea horses on our dive, quite a rare sight!
Day 4: Learning about local spices
Visit a local spice farm. Hint: there are many! Your guide will walk you through a wooded area and cut some of the bark to let you smell it to see if you would recognize the scent. They have everything from bay leaves to cinnamon, coriander and so on. Consider taking some spices as a souvenir to take home.
Day 5: Low tide and long calm
Walk down the beach at low tide and watch the locals fish with nets or the children running on the beach. So tranquil. Book a massage at the spa to complement the environment and let your mind, body and soul unwind.
Travel Advisor
Kim Walters
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