Where is Zanzibar island located : Zanzibar is an island which is found off the East African coast in the Indian ocean and it is part of the united republic of Tanzania.
The island is a perfect holiday spot for travelers after or before their safari experiences around the different parks and reserves of Tanzania. It is also the perfect honeymoon destination with white sand beaches and amazing views of the Indian ocean.
Zanzibar is and archipelago and is located about 25 kilometers from Dar es Salaam and it is an exotic island which is also referred to as a spice island. The main island of Zanzibar is known as Unguja.
Pemba and Mafia island are the neighboring islands of Zanzibar island and they are located north and south of Unguja island respectively. Pemba island and Mafia island are both good locations to engage in diving.
A number of aquatic species can be seen during holidays on Zanzibar island such as bottle nose dolphins, whale sharks among others. Rare red colobus monkeys are also part of the endangered wildlife species that can be seen during tours in Zanzibar and they can be seen at Jozani Chwaka Bay national park which is also the only national park on the island.
Different activities are carried out during tours on Zanzibar island and they include swimming, tours around stone town, sailing in traditional dhows among other activities. The coastline of Zanzibar is idyllic for relaxing with palm trees lining the beach.
The island of Zanzibar is also known for the diverse culture of its people, a rich history and a number of excursions to choose from for travelers of all ages as the visit the island at different times of the year.
Best time to visit Zanzibar island
At different times of the year, tours can be carried out on Zanzibar island and the best time for a holiday to the island is in the dry season around June to October when the weather is favorable and the skies are clear.
Rain is received around April and May and also in November and during this time of the year there are few people visiting Zanzibar island. The months of January and February are also hot and sunny and are considered a good time for snorkeling while on the island.
In December, rain is also received but for a short time and the temperature is favorable for a holiday and relaxing on Zanzibar island.
Currency used on the island during tours is Tanzania shillings (TSH) and dollars (USD) are also used for transactions on Zanzibar island. When traveling to the island, it is recommended that you also convert some of the dollars to local currency for transactions during your stay on the island.
There are different ways to get to Zanzibar island during tours and they include flying and also using a ferry. There is no option of driving to Zanzibar island during holidays to the island and the airport found on the island is known as Abeid Amani Karume international airport.
When touring Zanzibar island, there are many means which are used to get around the island at an affordable price. Transport used while on the island includes dala dalas, taxis, mini buses and you can also choose to walk or go cycling around the island.
Cars can also be rented during a Tanzania Safari tour on the island and there are also taxis which can be used to take tourists to different places on Zanzibar island. To get to some places on the island such as Prison island or Changuu island, a boat ride which takes about 30 minutes is used. Another exciting cruise to look forward to is a boat ride in a traditional dhow which can be hired when exploring Zanzibar island.
Walking tours on Zanzibar island are also an efficient way to get to the different destinations around the island, explore the towns, interact with the locals, visit the local markets, get as taste of the street foods and it is safe to take these walks and you can also hire a local guide to accompany you during these walks.
Zanzibar is also referred to as the spice island and during a tour on the island, tourists can also go to the spice farms and get to know more about the spices and what they are used for and also taste food prepared using these exotic spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon among others. There are also different tropical fruits which are grown on the island.
Zanzibar island because of its diversity in culture also has a variety of food with both international and local foods prepared on the island such as sea food. The food can be got from the different restaurants on the island and also in places like Forodhani market.
Visit Zanzibar island and enjoy exploring the spice island and the different attractions during your holiday.
