Top 10 Places to Visit in Zanzibar
Top 10 Places to Visit in Zanzibar: Zanzibar is the top adventure in Tanzania, with an ecotourism destination with sandy beaches, breathtaking and rare wildlife species, crystal waters, rich culture, interesting history, conservation areas, and blissful sunsets, among others. Zanzibar has the top interesting places that will give you unforgettable memories during your Tanzania-Zanzibar safari.
Top 10 places to visit in Zanzibar
Zala Park, Zala in full, is the Zanzibar land animal park, and it’s a small reserve that is situated in Muungoni village, 5 km from Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and 40 km from Zanzibar town. The game reserve was founded as a project to help the local people in Tanzania appreciate wildlife.
During the Zanzibar tour, Zala park is one of the places to visit where you will be able to view different reptiles and hold some in your hands such as chameleons, striped lizards, dik-dik, tortoises, big pythons, geckos, crabs, monitor lizards, hyrax, view various trees and vegetation, among other things, which allows you to spend time and know more about the reptiles
Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond is a turtle sanctuary that protects the sea creatures from being hunted. The sanctuary was opened in 1993, and it’s located at the northern edge of Zanzibar Island in the village of Nungwi near the lighthouse. The pond was set up to rehabilitate and study marine turtles that are caught accidentally by nets of fishermen and baby turtles that hatch from eggs which are discovered on the beach.
During the visit to the Mnarani marine turtle conservation pond, you will see different species and sizes of turtles, and revenue earned is used to fund an educational project for the local children who demonstrate the benefits of conservation of turtles.
Forodhani Gardens food market: this is located in Stone Town, and it’s one of the best places to visit during your tour in Zanzibar. The Forodhani Gardens food market becomes active at night, hence bringing together locals and tourists due to seafood with all sorts of fish like barracuda, octopus, crabs, squid, shrimps, prawns, lobsters and other foods like chicken shawarma, chapatti bread, kebab, Zanzibar pizza, Nutella pizza, barbecue meat and fresh sugarcane juice with lime and sugar. Forodhani Gardens is a must-visit destination in Zanzibar for seafood lovers.
Old Fort, or the Old Fort of Zanzibar, is the oldest building in Stone Town, situated next to the House of Wonders, facing the Forodhani Gardens. Old Fort is a stone-built amphitheatre that hosts festivals and performances of local music and dance, such as the Sauti za Busara and Zanzibar International Film festivals, among others. The Old Fort of Zanzibar also has a tourist information office, a selection of books for sale and a range of Tanzania tour company leaflets, a gift shop, a café and a cultural art gallery where local artists create and display their work.
Mtoni Palace: Mtoni Palace is the oldest palace in Zanzibar, built between 1828 and 1834 for the sultan, located in the northern part of Maruhubi. Princess Salme, the daughter of a sultan, wrote a book about her life on Zanzibar which describes Mtoni Palace as having over 1000 people who were attached to the sultan’s court and a large courtyard where gazelles, ostriches, flamingos, and peacocks, among others, wandered around a large bathhouse at one side of the quarters, and on the other side, the sultan lived with his wife, an Omani princess who was called Azze. The palace was abandoned in 1885 and left in ruins, and today, it’s only the main walls and parts of the roof that are left.
Zanzibar Butterfly Centre: This is the largest butterfly centre that is located at Pete village in Zanzibar, close to Jozani forest. During the visit to the butterfly centre, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes, you will get an opportunity to view hundreds of butterflies in the tropical garden, experience butterflies feeding, learn about the life cycle of the caterpillars and their transformation, let the butterflies fly close to your hand, and learn the importance of conservation, among other things.
The Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is the largest in East Africa, and it offers educational visits for schoolchildren, tourists, and local people and butterfly farming, which is done in cooperation with around 40 farmers and conservationists. Revenue earned from the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is used to support the training of farmers and fund local projects like water tanks and wells, and is used as microloans to set up small businesses, among others.
Prison Island, which is also known as Changuu Island, is located about 30 minutes from Zanzibar Island. The island was never used as a prison, but rather it was used by an Arab slave trader as a quarantine station to contain troublesome slaves that he had brought from the African mainland to prevent them from escaping before shipping them to the Arabian purchasers or auctioning them in the Zanzibar slave trade market.
Presently, the prison island is known for its incredible views of Stone Town, a beautiful beach, a good place for snorkelling, a ruin and the giant tortoise.
Jambiani Beach is one of the beautiful beaches in Zanzibar, with swaying palms, powdery white sand and no rocks. The beach offers great views of the marina and is an ideal place for kitesurfing, swimming, sunbathing in the blue water, snorkelling in the ocean, viewing the sunset, and eating different food types like seafood in one of the hotels and restaurants at a low cost, as well as viewing women wearing colourful hijabs and boys playing soccer, among others.
Cheetah’s Rock is a conservation centre of wild animals on Zanzibar Island, where people get a face-to-face interaction with animals. During the Tanzania safari tour on Cheetah’s Rock, you will have an opportunity to learn about different animals, their behaviours and habits, and the importance of protecting and conserving the endangered species.
While at Cheetahs Rock, you will engage in a Tanzania wildlife tour to view the rescued wild animals, take incredible pictures with them, feed some animals like zebras, lions, and striped hyenas through the fence, interact with turtles and golden tigers, and play with ring-tailed lemurs, among others, which will give you fascinating experiences.
Kuza Cave is an ancient sacred cave in the jungle of Zanzibar with clear, turquoise, fresh water, located in the Jambiani area. The cave is characterised by underground rivers, and it has a reception area with a restaurant where you can buy food and drinks, and wildlife species such as red colobus monkeys, bush babies, and different bird species enjoy swimming; you can see artefacts, learn more about the Swahili history, relax and chill with professional musicians, learn about Swahili cooking, and learn how to make fresh coconut milk curry, among other things.
Best time to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar can be visited all year round, though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to October because during this period there is less rainfall; therefore, you will have great views of the clear sky, sunbathe on the beach and engage in swimming, snorkelling and diving. The dry season is also the best time for wildlife viewing, in case you want to combine your Zanzibar tour with a Tanzania safari to the national parks like Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Tarangire National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, among others.
Where to stay in Zanzibar
There are a wide number of accommodations ranging from luxury, midrange and budget where you can stay during your tour in Zanzibar including Matemwe lodge, Matemwe Retreat lodge, Mnemba Island lodge, Che Che Vule, Private Villa, Matemwe Beach house, Ze Villa, Villa Turquoise, Matemwe Villa Loiki, Garden Beach Villa, Sevi Hotel Zanzibar, Kilindi Zanzibar, Gold Zanzibar Beach Resort, Zuri Zanzibar, Milele Villas, Essque Zalu Zanzibar, The Palms Lodge, Baraza Zanzibar Resort, Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar, Anna Zanzibar Hotel, Breezes Beach Club and Spa, Boutique Hotel Matlai, White Sand Luxury Villas, Sharazad Villa, Uzuri Villa, Hideaway of Nungwi, Star of the East, Myblue Hotel, Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Diamonds la Gemma Dellest, Sunset Kendwa, Amaan Bungalow, Mnarani Beach Cottages, The Z Hotel, Langi Langi Beach Bungalows among others.
How to get to Zanzibar
Zanzibar can be accessed by road, which takes about 85 km; by air, which takes about 20 minutes by flight from Dar es Salaam and one hour from Arusha; and by train, which takes about 2 hours from Dar es Salaam. (Top 10 Places to Visit in Zanzibar)
Conclusion
The top 10 places in Zanzibar capture the island’s uncanny beauty. It’s a paradise of beautiful, pristine beaches, colourful cultures, and vibrant centuries of rich history, all coinciding effortlessly from the city’s antiquated cobbled streets of Stone Town Safaris to exploring the hazy fragrances of spice that engulf you at the Spice Farms.
Each place will not only give you a glimpse of the paradise that is Zanzibar but also open your heart to lasting memories, whether you’re an adventure seeker or a lover of the coastal lifestyle. The charming hospitality of Tanzanians, delicious exotic fare, and indescribable natural beauty make Zanzibar one of those places in Africa that absolutely no lover of travel and adventure should miss; in fact, a tropical paradise awaits.
