Zanzibar tours involve taking part in a number of activities and also relaxing along the white sand beaches and these activities include the following;
- Snorkelling
There are different places in Zanzibar where snorkelling is carried out during tours on the island and they include the Mnemba atoll which is found on the eastern coast.
The snorkelling activity takes about 4 hours as you enjoy discovering the underwater world of Zanzibar. Snorkelling is done in the company of a guide and during the activity; you can also enjoy the tropical fruits grown on the island as well as snacks.
Some of the marine life which can be seen during snorkelling includes sea turtles, a variety of fish species and sometimes dolphins and also corals. The cost of snorkelling in Zanzibar is about 50 USD per person and the activity takes about 3 hours.
- Dolphin tours
Another activity to take part in when visiting Zanzibar island is the dolphin tours. The dolphin tours involve taking a traditional dhow ride on the Indian ocean to a place where dolphins can be spotted and you can also swim with the dolphins.
Dolphin tours in Zanzibar are very exciting since the dolphins love playing and swimming close to the boats making it an exciting excursion. The activity takes about 3 to 4 hours and can cost about 40 USD per person.
The activity starts with pick up from the hotel and is done around Kizimkazi which is on the southern shoreline of the island of Zanzibar. These dolphin tours can be group tours or private tours and the best time for the dolphin tours in Zanzibar is during the months from June to October and also January and February.
Zanzibar island is also referred to as the spice island and there are different spices grown on the island such as cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, pepper among others.
During the spice tour on Zanzibar island, you can visit the farms with a local guide and get to know how the spices are grown and packaged. After completing the spice tour another experience is tasting the local food prepared using the spices grown on the island which are also up for sale.
Fruits like coconut, bananas, jackfruit among others are also grown on Zanzibar island. The spice tour also takes about 3 hours and costs about 15 USD to 20 USD per person.
- Prison island tour
An activity which you can also take part in when visiting Zanzibar island is the Prison island tour.
Prison island is also referred to as the Changuu island and the tour on this island involves seeing the giant Aldabra tortoises. The Prison island tour starts with a boat ride from Stone town which takes about 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
The prison island tour takes about 2 hours or more and can be a private or group tour. After this experience, you take a boat back to Stone town and from there continue with other activities on the island and the tour costs about 50 USD per person.
- Dhow cruise experience
Taking a dhow during a tour on Zanzibar island is another activity to look forward to when visiting the island.
The Dhow cruise experience can be done from Stone town or Nungwi and is carried out on the Indian ocean. This activity is very exciting and can be done in the evening while watching the sunset or in the morning when you can watch the sunrise.
It costs about 40 USD per person and can take about 3 to 4 hours to do the dhow cruise during a tour in Zanzibar and it can either be private or as part of a group activity.
- Swimming
A trip to Zanzibar island would not be complete without a dip in the beautiful pools found around the island.
Swimming in Zanzibar can be done in different places such as Bwejuu beach, Nungwi beach, Kendwa beach, Matemwe beach, Kizimkazi among others.
- Jozani forest tour
Visiting the Jozani forest is another activity to engage in during a tour around Zanzibar island. Nature walks or the mangrove walks are among the activities that are done in Jozani forest which is home to the rare red colobus monkeys.
- Beach walks
You can also simply relax at the white sand beaches of Zanzibar during a tour of the island and this can be done at different times of the day. However when engaging in this activity, it is important to dress decently as a way or respecting the culture of the locals.
- Diving
Diving is also part of the tourist activities that are carried out around Zanzibar island and the different places where this activity is carried out include Mnemba atoll, the southern coast of Zanzibar among others.
- Safari blue tour
Another must do activity when visiting Zanzibar island is the safari blue tour which starts from Fumba village.
The safari blue tour takes close to a full day and involves a boat ride on a traditional dhow, visiting the Menai bay, snorkelling and also tasting local fruits and a variety of foods to choose from including sea food.
Tours in Zanzibar can be group tours, private guided tours and even solo trips. The activities which are carried out around the island can be half day tours and some tourists prefer to spend the whole day taking part in activities.
With all there is to choose from during a trip to Zanzibar island, some people prefer to relax along the white sand beaches of the island and enjoy views of the Indian ocean while sipping on drinks or tasting the different tropical fruits on the island.
The tours on Zanzibar island can be guided tours and tourists can also explore the island on their own.
Best month to visit Zanzibar for a tour
Tours on Zanzibar island can be carried out during any month of the year. When visiting Zanzibar, the dry season from June, July, August, September and also October is considered the best time for visiting the island.
Zanzibar tours can also be done around December, January and February which is also a dry season. For activities like scuba diving during a tour of Zanzibar island the months of July to August and also February, march and April are good months to visit the island.
The rainy season on Zanzibar island is experienced during the months of March, April and May and also in November which is a time when tourists avoid tours to the island due to the nature of the weather.
How to move around Zanzibar during a tour
After arriving on Zanzibar island by flight or by ferry there are different means of transport to use to go to the various destinations on the island. During a trip to Zanzibar island, you can choose public transport means or private transport means for moving around the island.
Taxis, shuttles, private vehicles and also bikes are among the different means which can be used to explore Zanzibar island during a tour.
