Far journey Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania (Africa) offers a combination of culture, nature and beach. The always warm climate ensures a pleasant temperature during your holiday. And because there is almost no time difference with the Netherlands, you do not suffer from jet lag.

1. Characteristics Zanzibar

Zanzibar is also called Unguja. Here you come across a mix of influences from the cultures of, for example, the Arabs, Portuguese and English. And you can go there for a wonderful beach holiday on the more than 300 kilometers long coastline.

2. Tips for a holiday to Zanzibar

If you go on holiday to Zanzibar it is useful to know a few things in advance. We would like to put some handy facts for you in a row.

• Homosexuality is prohibited and punishable on Zanzibar, also for foreigners. Be prepared for this.
• 98% of the inhabitants are Muslims. Adjust your clothes accordingly in public places.
• Cover your shoulders and wear a skirt or shorts up to or over the knee.
• Shops will usually be closed on Fridays.
• Because Zanzibar is not far from the equator, the sun is closer than you are probably used to. So regularly apply a sunscreen with a high protection factor.
• On Zanzibar they mainly use English three point sockets. So don't forget to bring adapters
• The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. You will also be able to pay with the US Dollar in many places.
• You cannot actually find an ATM on the island where you can withdraw with a European card. You can go to a bank for this. In hotels and at excursion companies you can often pay with a credit card.
• It is normal to tip. Also to people who, for example, help you on the street when you ask for directions.
• In Zanzibar they don't do summer and winter time. In the summer it is one hour later than in the Netherlands. In winter the time difference is 2 hours.
• A traditional dish is pilau rice. The Arabs introduced this and the locals gave it an African touch.
• You cannot drink the water from the tap.

3. Transport on and to Zanzibar

At Zanzibar you will find the airport about 25 kilometers from Zanzibar city. The airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, has only 1 runway. Unfortunately, there are normally no direct flights here. In some periods of the year TUI is the only provider offering direct flights. If you are not lucky enough to have a direct flight, you will have to travel with a stopover. A stopover is often made to refuel and to ensure a better occupancy rate on the plane. From the Netherlands, you make a stopover in, for example, Düsseldorf, Nairobi or Dubai. This ensures that the total travel time is longer than when you can take a direct flight.

Only on the island it is best to travel around with taxis or an organized bus tour. To make sure you travel with a reliable taxi, you can book it at your hotel or tour guide. If you own a taxi, make sure it has a sticker with "Taxi or private hire licensed to carry passengers" on the side.

It is generally not recommended to drive yourself. And public transport is normally very uncomfortable and not safe. You will see vans driving around on the island of Dalla Dalla. These are often crowded with people. Tourists are not advised to use them because of their safety. You can possibly rent bikes if the heat does not prevent you from being active. Keep in mind that the traffic is chaotic. And that they drive on the left.

4. Zanzibar: visa is required

You need a visa to visit Zanzibar. The easiest way is to apply in advance. Normally you will receive the visa with 2 days. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Zanzibar. The costs for applying for the visa are around €50. You can also buy your own visa at Zanzibar airport. You will receive a form at the airport. You give this form together with another form which you will find at the airport itself. To leave the country you also have to give a form to the customs. You can pick it up at the airport or you can get it through your tour guide.

5. Recommended vaccinations Zanzibar

Before you go on vacation to Zanzibar, you may need some vaccinations. For example, if you come from a high-risk country for yellow fever, a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. Inoculations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) and Hepatitus A (contagious jaundice) are also recommended.

depending on your personal situation, a number of vaccinations may be recommended. Please contact a GGD in your area no later than 4 to 6 weeks before departure. During a personal appointment you can go through your history with regard to illness and travel planning. On that basis you will receive advice about the necessary vaccinations. Normally the most common vaccinations are in stock. These can then be set right. For Malaria tablets, for example, you will be given a prescription.

The costs for a visit to the GGD and the placement of the vaccinations consists of several parts. Consultation costs, for example, are charged (around €22). This includes the costs for your vaccination booklet. Of course you also have the costs for the vaccinations. The yellow fever vaccination costs about €39. An vaccination against DTP is about €25 and for Hepetitus A you pay an average of €55. The costs depend on the place where you live and vary per GGD.

Also look in your health insurance policy what is reimbursed by your insurer for the vaccinations.
Please note that the medical facilities on the island are not good. In the unlikely event that something should happen to you, you will in most cases be taken to the mainland of Nairobi or Tanzania. Also check whether the travel insurance you take out in Zanzibar covers costs. Otherwise you will have to pay for it on the spot.

6. Safety on Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a relatively safe place to go. There is almost no crime on the island and normally tourists feel very safe here. However, it is always good to take a look at the travel advice of the Rijksoverheid before travelling. Always be alert in public places for an increased terrorist threat on Zanzibar. For example, follow the local news. Also in your accommodation they can give you more information about the current situation for tourists. And beware of violent robberies and robberies. Handbags and shoulder bags are sometimes robbed from driving cars, for example.

7. Best travel period Zanzibar

The best months to visit Zanzibar are February, July, August and September. Zanzibar has two monsoon seasons. The first runs from March to the beginning of June. And a second between October and January. In this period the chance of more precipitation is higher than in the other months. By the way, April, May and November are the wettest months on Zanzibar. Fortunately, it does not rain all day during the monsoon season. You will notice that especially at the beginning or end of the day there is a heavy shower. The rest of the day is often dry. The only thing is that the sky will often be full of dark clouds. During the hottest part of the day, they offer you protection from the sun, but of course you hope that the rain doesn't suddenly erupt.

The sun shines quite a lot all year round, even in the wettest months. The minimum temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. This applies all year round. Keep in mind that during monsoon periods the humidity rises considerably. It can then be very stuffy. Especially in the months of April and May you will notice this very well. In Zanzibar you don't have to be afraid to step into a cold sea. Throughout the year the seawater of the Indian Ocean is at least 25 degrees Celsius. And in the months of March and April this even rises to about 30 degrees Celsius.

8. The most popular sights on Zanzibar

There are all kinds of special places to visit on the island. And trips to make. We would like to list 11 sights for you that you should not miss. The beaches of Zanzibar, which are among the most beautiful in the world, are of course not to be missed.

8.1. Stone town

Stone Town is located in Zanzibar-town in the west of the island. It is the old centre that has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 2000. Here you can see the history of Zanzibar with your own eyes. The many influences from all over the world come together here. By the way, did you know that the city got its name because of its many limestone buildings? The surrounding coral reefs provided this raw material for the white and red buildings.

You can stroll through a maze of small streets and alleys in Stone Town while enjoying the bazaars, craft shops and mosques. At the market you can sniff out the scents of the local spices. By the way, you won't find any cars in these narrow streets. You only have to watch out for cyclists and mopeds. You can also visit various museums and cathedrals including the Sint-Jozef's Cathedral. One of the most famous sights is "The Palace of the Sultan". This palace from the nineteenth century now houses a museum. From the balconies you have a beautiful view.

8.2. Palace of Wonders

The largest and tallest building in Stone Town is ´Palace of Wonders´ from 1883. The palace was nicknamed 'House of Wonders' because it was the first building with electricity and also an elevator. It is one of the six palaces built by the second Sultan of Zanzibar. Nowadays you can find the "Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar" in the palace.

8.3. Forodhani market

Enjoy the local dishes such as Urojo (soup with potato balls), pilau (spicy rice) and chipsi mayai (an omelette with chips). And that together with a freshly squeezed sugar beet juice with lime. How do you know where to go? Look at what the locals are doing. Where the longest queue of locals is, the food is probably recommended. Of course it's also good to see how the food is prepared, if it's hygienic.

Good to know: It is forbidden to drink alcohol in the park.

8.4. Prison Island

In the west, off the coast of Zanzibar, lies Prison Island. It takes about half an hour to get here from Stone Town. The Portuguese built a prison on the island, which now serves as a restaurant. However, the prison has never been used. The Portuguese thought the island was too beautiful to use as a prison. The island is now mainly known for the turtles that live there. Some of them are already so'n 200 years old. The age is written on their backs.

8.5. Paje for water sports

In the southeast of Zanzibar you will find the paradise for kite board lovers: Paje. This is actually where a constant inland wind blows all year round. The kilometer long white beach provides a pleasant environment. Even if you can't kitesurf yet, you can visit Paje. There are plenty of opportunities to learn it.

8.6. Jozani Forest

In the middle of the island lies the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. This is the only national park on the island. You can walk endlessly through the jungle here. And see if you can spot the red fringe monkey (also called the Zanzibar fringe monkey). This animal only lives in this region.

8.7. Nungwi

Zanzibar is perfect for a wonderful beach holiday. For this you can go to Nungwi. This town is located in the northernmost tip of the island. And the beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. You can swim in the sea if you want to cool off. In the village itself you can enjoy the local life as you walk between the local shops and inhabitants. Nungwi is also a perfect base for various day trips in the area to make.

8.8. Mnarani Aquarium

Mnarani Aquarium in the north of Nungwi. Nowadays also baby turtles that have lost their mother are taken care of here. There are several lagoons and swimming pools where the turtles are taken care of.

 

8.9. On excursion to Mnemba

There are many small islands around Zanzibar. One of them is Mnemba, in the northeast. By the way, the island is uninhabited, there are only huts for tourists to stay overnight. From Nungwi day trips by boat are offered to this island. If you are looking for a tropical beach and a fantastic underwater world to discover, you should definitely visit this island. The coral reefs here are definitely worth a snorkeling or diving trip. And are often called the most beautiful of Zanzibar.

8.10. Visit a plantation

Zanzibar is also called "Spice Island". There are many plantations on the island and the spices are one of the main sources of livelihood. Clove, vanilla, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg and pepper are just some of the herbs that come from here. From Nungwi you can easily book a visit to a herb plantation. During a spice tour you will visit a plantation inland. And learn where the herbs come from. Of course do not forget to take some home to cook with you.

8.11. The beaches of Kendwa and Matemwe

If you're looking for hail white beaches and a blue sea, you've come to the right place in the town of Kendwa. It lies just below Nungwi and it is a lot quieter there. Another quiet beach is that of Matemwe, about 25 kilometers south of Nungwi. From the beach here you can go snorkeling and diving. Don't leave here too fast. During the change of the tide you will see the landscape change completely. When it is low tide, you can enjoy the coral and shells during a walk.

If you are looking for bounty beaches, beautiful underwater scenes and a mix of cultures, Zanzibar is the place to be. With a lovely temperature all year round, you can enjoy yourself here.

9. Book a trip to Zanzibar: compare providers and accommodations

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