Things to do on Zanzibar
If you want to experience all that Zanzibar has to offer - we recommend that you stay a minimum of five days on the island. Below is a suggested itinerary that takes in the main places, sights and sounds over this length of time.
Day 1.
Arrive into StoneTown by air (25 mins from Dar es Salaam, 1.5 hours from the Serengeti, or 10 hours from London). After settling into your hotel, head for dinner at the Emerson & Green Tower-Top restaurant, with views over minarets and rooftops towards the sea.
Day 2.
Arrange a guide with your hotel and explore the ancient narrow streets of the old quarter on a half-day walking tour. Visit the Anglican Cathedral built on the former slave market, Livingstone's house, the ornate Marahubi Palace, slave trader Tippu Tip's house, the Palace Museum, the old dispensary (now the Zanzibar cultural centre), the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, the Arab Fort, and the many antique bazaars and spice shops.
In the evening enjoy a colourful slice of local life at the Forodhani Gardens night market, before heading for dinner on 'The Dhow' - literally a moored dhow in the main harbour that serves great seafood. Other good restaurants include La Fenice, Kidude, the Sweet Easy and Blues.
Day 3.
Spend the morning on a half-day spice tour and find out why Zanzibar is called the 'Spice Island'. Visiting plantations and homesteads you will see how cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, rumbatan, elephant leaf and other spices are grown and processed ready for sale. Tours usually also visit one of the island’s ruins before ending with a traditional Swahili lunch.
In the afternoon, check out of your Stone Town hotel and head for one of the beach hotels on the east or north coast. En-route you will pass through Jozani Forest where the endemic Kirk’s red colobus can often be seen from the road.
Day 4 and onwards.
Spend the rest of your time relaxing at your beach hotel. Excursions can be arranged from your hotel - especially to visit the dolphins at Kizimkazi or the giant tortoises on Prison Island.
Booking information: contact us by email or contact us by telephone on 0207 622 5114 and ask to speak to a consultant who has been to Zanzibar.
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