Best things to do in Zanzibar

Zanzibar, an archipelago off the coast of East Africa, comprises two main islands: Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba. Most people travel to Zanzibar for the pristine white sand beaches and turquoise ocean, and they have no idea how many programs and adventures await them on the island. During your vacation, you can meet the giant Aldabra tortoises and the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, visit one of the famous spice farms or even explore the labyrinthine streets of Stone Town.
In addition to sunbathing, you can have a number of exciting adventures, most of which are of course related to the water.
You can organize these programs yourself, or you can ask for the help of a local guide. The price of the programs largely depends on whether:

whether you pay for an individual (private) or group program,
how many people participate in the program, and
how far the program location is from your accommodation.

Please note, this post may contain affiliate links.

Best activities in Zanzibar

Explore Stone Town!

Wander through the labyrinthine streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic quarter. Discover landmarks such as the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the vibrant Darajani Market. This area reflects a rich blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.

Take a walk in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park!

Visit Zanzibar’s only national park, home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey. Stroll along the nature trails, explore the mangrove boardwalks, and learn about the island’s unique flora and fauna.

Take part in the Zanzibar Safari Blue program!

The Safari Blue excursion takes you on a “Dhow” type wooden boat, which is used specifically in the Indian Ocean. During the program, you have the opportunity to swim, beach, snorkel, and visit the mangrove lagoon. Lunch is served on the island of Kwale, which is usually lobster and various seafood. There is also a huge fallen baobab tree on this island, which is definitely worth seeing and climbing.

Explore more Zanzibar travel tips on my blog - Check it Now

Watch the stunning sunset!

The most beautiful sunsets can be seen in the villages of Nungwi, Kendwa, Michamvi and Zanzibar City. If you are staying in one of the above towns, all you have to do is walk to the beach, or you can pay for a sunset cruise. If you are staying in another part of the island, I definitely recommend visiting one of the above places, because the sunset is a stunning sight.

Kizimkazi – Splash with the Dolphins!

Swimming with dolphins is a dream for many people, so it is definitely worth mentioning among the Zanzibar programs. There are several places on the island where you can swim with wild dolphins, one of which is the village of Kizimkazi on the southern tip of the island. Swimming with dolphins is a unique and incredibly exciting experience, but these are wild dolphins, do not expect the animals to stay still.

Meet the giant land tortoises on Prison Island!

The island of Zanzibar is surrounded by countless smaller and larger islands. One of the most popular is Prison Island (Changu Island), where the Aldabra giant tortoises currently live, which were gifted to Zanzibar by the British Governor of the Seychelles. The oldest specimen is almost 200 years old and there are also many baby tortoises that can be seen separated from the adults. You can reach it by boat from Zanzibar City.

Snorkel the reef near Mnemba Island and visit the sandbank!

This is one of the most popular activities on the island of Zanzibar. If you leave early in the morning and are lucky, you can also meet dolphins. Afterwards, you can swim at the sandbank and snorkel near Mnemba Island. The reef around the island is a nature reserve and a popular diving spot. Since the island itself is privately owned, you cannot dock or swim ashore. The program usually ends with a seafood BBQ.

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Dine at the famous The Rock Restaurant!

The Rock Restaurant is one of the most popular and unique restaurants in Zanzibar, located on a rock in the Indian Ocean. The restaurant can be reached by foot at low tide and by boat at high tide. Due to its unique location and excellent cuisine, many people consider it a ‘must-see’ destination. The cozy restaurant specializes in seafood and local flavors.
TIP! It is worth booking a table, and be aware that it is much more expensive than other restaurants in Zanzibar.

Try water sports!

Paje is a beautiful seaside village with a long and wide white sandy beach, beachside accommodation and restaurants. Thanks to the strong winds, Paje is a Mecca for water sports. There are many more young people here, bars, shops and kite surfers crowding the beach. If you are also a fan of this sport or would like to try it, then Paje is the ideal place for you – kite surfing schools, instructors and rentals can be found almost everywhere.

Visit a sea turtle sanctuary

There is a lagoon in the northern part of Zanzibar that is full of sea turtles. The water depth rises and falls with the tides, providing a natural environment for the inhabitants of the lagoon.
The Aquarium rehabilitates injured turtles caught by fishermen. During the visit, you have the opportunity to swim with the turtles or feed them seaweed. You can also bring your own diving mask with you for diving, so you can see the animals in their natural environment.

Take a village tour!

If you want to get to know the real Zanzibar, it is worth visiting a lesser-known, isolated village. You can do this as part of a quad tour or with any organized program. In the former, the point is not the quad (although that is also exciting), but the journey itself. Sugarcane plantations, deserted roads, isolated villages… During the trip, you can see how the locals live in their mud houses in the shade of palm trees.

Visit a local spice farm

Visit local plantations and take a look behind the scenes. See how the world’s best spices are grown and processed. Early settlers quickly realized that the island was ideal for growing various spices, resulting in a large number of spice farms on the island. You can find a detailed description of the program in this blog post.

Discover the coral reef surrounding Chumbe Island

To the west of Unguja lies a string of smaller islands, one of which was designated Tanzania’s first marine national park in 1994, the Chumbe Island Marine Reserve. Chumbe is a small privately owned island known for its ecological innovation and exceptional coral reefs. You can dive among the bustling coral reef, home to more than 200 species of coral and nearly 450 different species of fish.

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Where to stay in Zanzibar

There are two things to consider before choosing a hotel in Zanzibar. What you want to do during your holiday – just relax, partying occasionally, water sports specifically, or all of the above. The other factor is how much time you want to spend on the beach each day. For example, many people specifically look for a place where there is no tide and you can swim all day. If you’re going for a week or more, I recommend booking accommodation in two different parts of the island, as it’s a unique experience to walk into the water at low tide and explore the ocean life.

Need help planning your trip?

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Here are my favourite sites to use when planning my trips:

Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website

Book your Hotel: Booking.com and Airbnb

Search for a rental car: Discovercars

Stay Connected Anywhere: Airalo eSIM

Book an unforgettable experiences: Get Your Guide

Source: Wandering Linda
Photos: Wandering Linda
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