OVERVIEW
Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania, lapped by the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean. There are two bigger islands and several smaller ones; the largest island, Zanzibar, is roughly 90km in length and 30km wide. Zanzibar is known for its traditional way of life, its stunning beauty, its beaches and its spice farms. While the islands are predominantly Muslim and thus require you to dress more conservatively around locals, and behave with appropriate decorum, Zanzibar is still an idyllic honeymoon destination with plenty to offer.
Zanzibar itself is known as the Spice Island, and for good reason, as it has been growing various types of spices of centuries and is one of the few places in the world to produce saffron. Be sure to take a tour of one of the local spice farms so you can see how their products are grown and taste some delicious exotic fruit. To get another glimpse into the island’s traditions it is also well worth taking a village tour, to meet the local inhabitants and get a fascinating glimpse of their daily life and customs.
There are plenty of other things to see and do on the isle, ranging from delving into Stone Town’s historic and labyrinthine streets, to kitesurfing on Paje Beach. Don’t miss the chance to book yourselves on to an unforgettable Kizimkazi Dolphin Watching Tour and taking a cycling tour around the northern part of the island with Zanzibar Cycling Adventures. You may also want to visit Jozani Forest Park, with its adorable population of Red Colobus Monkeys, and take an interactive tour of the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre.
During your exotic Zanzibar honeymoon don’t miss the opportunity to try local specialties such as octopus on a stick, sugar cane juice, fresh coconut milk and Zanzibar pizza (which isn’t actually pizza at all).
What is the currency in Zanzibar?
The official currency of Zanzibar is the Tanzanian shilling.
How long does it take to fly to Zanzibar?
A one-stop British Airways flight from London to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, via Amsterdam, lasts 12 hours; then a further flight from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town is just 20 minutes in duration.
What is the time difference in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is 3 hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3).
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
A good time to visit Zanzibar is between the months of June and October, when the weather is pleasantly cool and dry – but if you can stand the heat, you may want to visit during the popular period of December to February, which allows you to avoid the rainy season; the diving is particularly good off the south coast of the island during this time.
What language is spoken in Zanzibar?
Swahili is spoken on Zanzibar, as the two official languages of Tanzania are English and Swahili.
