Zanzibar
Spice-trade history in Stone Town, and some of the Indian Ocean's best white-sand beaches a short drive away
Zanzibar's Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage old quarter of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors and centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian and Indian trading history — sits in genuine contrast to the island's east-coast beaches, which rank among the best in the Indian Ocean and are commonly combined with a mainland Tanzania safari.
Best time to visit
June–October and December–February (dry seasons); avoid the March–May long rains
Getting there
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) — direct flights from several European hubs and connections via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi
Highlights
- —Stone Town's Old Fort and House of Wonders
- —Spice plantation tours
- —Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
- —Prison Island and its giant tortoises
- —Jozani Forest's red colobus monkeys
The Zanzibar guide, section by section
Pick a topic below — each page covers real prices, current rules and practical logistics.
