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Zanzibar

Travel Guide Africa Tanzania Zanzibar

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Introduction

Stone Town

Stone Town

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Zanzibar is the collective name for two islands in the Indian Ocean: Unguja (the main island) and Pemba Island. The capital of Zanzibar, located on the island of Unguja, is Zanzibar City. The city's old quarter, known as Stone Town, is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

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Geography

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Cities

  • Stone Town is the fascinating harbour town, full of culture and fascinating architecture with its winding alleys, bustling bazaars and Arab houses.

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Sights and Activities

  • Stone Town - the older quarter of Zanzibar City, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The streets are crooked and narrow, and most of them can’t accommodate cars.
  • Beaches
  • Kendwa, on the north coast, is a quiet and beautiful beach town. The beaches are white sand. The Indian Ocean water is blue, calm and perfect for swimming.
  • Nungwi is also on the north coast and close to Kendwa. Its a popular backpacker hang out with lots of cheap beach bungalows and little restaurants. Here you can also see where traditional dhows are built and also swim with turtles in the natural aquarium.
  • For excellent views of the setting sun, check out either at The Africa House hotel's top deck or Mercury’s restaurant.
  • Zanzibar is famous for growing spices, especially cloves. Travellers can take tours of a spice farm. The farmer takes you around and shows you various plants and their fruits.

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Events and Festivals

Every full moon a big party is held in Kendwa. Although it does not compare with Thailand in its scale, the atmosphere is generally good and it's the most lively the island gets.

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Weather

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Getting There

By Plane

Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) has a number of international flights.
Destinations include Nairobi, Johannesburg, Entebbe, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Frankfurt, Addis Ababa, Mombasa, Brussels, Milan and Rome.

By Boat

The ferry for Dar es Salaam leaves from Stone Town several times a day. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day from the port.

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Getting Around

By Plane

There are no internal flights on Zanzibar, though there are flights to Pemba. For connections to the mainland, check 'getting there by plane'.

By Train

There are no train services on the island.

By Car

Taxi's are easy to hail on the island and relatively cheap, although always be prepared to haggle! As a general rule, always offer a third of the price you are first given by a taxi driver.

By Bus

Dala-Dala's (or shared buses) connect Stone Town with beach locations on the coast. They are incredibly cheap but prepare to be rather squashed. They will fit as many people as possible, including bags, produce and livestock!

By Boat

You can charter boats to go snorkelling, diving or fishing if you like. Or join a tour of course.

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Eat

Stone Town is full of restaurants, from sea food to Indian specialities. For those with an adventurous approach to food the night market in Stone Town is a fantastic experience. In the beach resorts most interests are catered for but of course sea food is very popular.

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Drink

Kilimanjaro beer out of a big bottle, while sat in a hammock on the beach, is the best drink experience you can have!

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Sleep

There has been massive growth in hotels, villas, condos and guest houses over the past decade, providing travellers with a wide variety of affordable choices.

PropertyAddressTypePopularity
Bellevue GuesthouseBwejuu PO box address 364Guesthouse93
Casa Del Mar hotel Jambiani ZanzibarJambaini Kikadini P.O Box4146Hotel90
Coral Rock HotelJambiani ZanzibarHotel81
Cristal ResortPaje, PO BOX 3917 East CoastHotel88
Imani Beach Lodgep.o.box 3248Hostel91
Jambiani GuesthouseJambianiGuesthouse89
Kinazi UpepoZanzibarHotel66
Princess Salme InnMizingani Road, Malindi, Opposite New Fish Market Opposite HarbourHotel81
Tamarind Beach HotelBox 2206Hotel76
Tanzanite beach resortnungwiHotel95
Twisted Palms LodgeBwejuu, on the oriental coast of ZanzibarHotel83
Zanzibar Fairytale GuesthouseJambiani, ZanzibarGuesthouse89
ZenjiHotelStoneTownOpposite Cine Afrique P.O.Box 661HOTEL86
Mbuyuni Beach VillageJambiani village JambianiHotel74
Dolphin Bay Resort ZanzibarKizimkazi Mkunguni ZanzibarHotel81
Jambo Guest HouseP.O.Box 635Guesthouse87
Jambiani Villa GuesthouseOpporsite Abusons Store literally next the postofficeGuesthouse80
Ras Michamvi Beach ResortMichamviHotel100
Zanzibar Ocean ViewKilimani P.O BOX 4769Hotel82
Amaan BungalowsNungwi Beach North CoastApartment85
Shehe BungalowsJambiani Village Southern side of Jambiani East-CoastApartment77
Dudes Guesthousebox 210, Jambiani, Zanzibar JambianiGuesthouse99
Pakachi Beach ResortMain Road Paje/JambianiHotel83
Maruhubi Beach VillarZanzibarHotel82
Furaha ResortP.O.Box: 4525, ZanzibarHotel91
Step InKichakanjuki JambianiGuesthouse84
Jaribu Beach HotelPO Box 450 Paje JambianiHotel86
Malindi Guest HouseFunguni Rd, 609 Stone TownHotel58
L' Oasis Beach HotelDimbani, KizimkaziHotel87
White Beach Hotel ZanzibarP.O.Box 3748 BwejuuHotel-
Warere Town HouseStone Town ZanzibarHotel89
Al Hapa HotelP.O. Box 210, JambianiHotel96
1001 NightsMalawi Road, Opposite Cine Afrique Stone Town, MalindiHOTEL63
Ndame Beach Lodge ZanzibarPajeHotel86
Jambiani Whitesand BungalowsJambiani Beach Jambiani VillageGuesthouse68
Baby Bush LodgeKiwengwaHotel84
DOMOKUCHUPO Box 3439 PajeHotel91
Sun and Seaview BungalowsPajeHotel90
Funguni Palace HotelFunguni Rd Stone TownHotel-
Stone Town Cafe and Bed & BreakfastPO Box 4156ZANZIBARGuesthouse-
Teddys PlacePajeHostel97
PolePole Villa GuesthouseJambianiGuesthouse-
Promised Land LodgeP.O.Box 2725Hotel-

Quick Facts

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Coordinates
  • Latitude: -6.16591
  • Longitude: 39.202641

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This is version 37. Last edited at 10:33 on Jan 23, 12 by sleepBot (+43). 25 articles link to this page.

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