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ZANZIBAR

- Zanzibar - 

Exotic spice island in the Indian Ocean surrounded by gin-clear water. Perfect for post-safari chillaxing

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The name alone evokes palm-fringed white sandy beaches, gin clear waters with shawls of tropical fish and above all - pure and utter relaxation. Accessible from Dar es Salaam or directly from Tanzania’s top safari destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar is the perfect place to unwind after an exciting East African safari.


It is a little known fact that the Zanzibar Archipelago actually consists of several beautiful small islands, the one often referred to as Zanzibar is actually called Unjunga and is only one of many islands. Most notable are quirky and adventurous Mafia Island, which has emerged as one of the best diving spots in the Indian Ocean, and pretty and wild Pemba Island, which will enchant honeymooners with its pristine and strikingly beautiful coastline. For a particularly intimate or romantic touch, why not head to one of Zanzibar ‘s lesser known islands?


Zanzibar is rightly considered one of the world’s most romantic honeymoon destinations. While famous for its never-ending beaches, warm Indian Ocean water and its world class diving, there is so much more to see and explore! Although officially part of Tanzania, the Zanzibari have very much developed their own culture and identity through their rich and turbulent history. Nowhere is this as evident as in the ancient city of Stone Town, which has seen British, Portuguese, and Omani conquerors come and go over the centuries. 

Important Notice: As of 1 October 2024 all foreign visitors are obligated to to acquire inbound travel insurance cover (of up to 92 days stay in the islands). This insurance must be obtained before travelling to the island, and only from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Failure to comply may result in denial to entry. More info at https://visitzanzibar.go.tz. 


The ancient city of Stone Town - declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 2000 - is charming, quaint, architecturally imposing, cluttered, colourful and utterly exotic. Known as the spice capital of the world, the city offers an eclectic fusion cuisine, incorporating Indian, Arab, Chinese, Portuguese and African cooking traditions, all based on Zanzibar’s most famous products - spices. Cloves, cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg, fragrant vanilla and aromatic star anise find their way into everything from delicious street-food, 5 star restaurant meals, tea, coffee, smoothies and cocktails. At The Travel Cafe we recommend allocating at least one day in your itinerary to take in this bustling colourful town with its cobbled streets and winding alleyways. 
After visiting Stone Town, we recommend going straight to the source of all those aromatics and visit a spice farm. Magical and educational in equal measures, you are bound to be impressed. After all how many of us know how what a nutmeg tree looks like, how cacao beans are roasted or how saffron – literally worth its weight in gold – is grown? You will also get to sample the most mouth-watering array of tropical fruit that grow under the Zanzibari sun. Mafia Island and Pemba Island are also dotted with spice and tropical fruit plantations, so you will get to cherish this experience no matter which island you choose.

Once all your sensory explorations have been fulfilled, it is time to head to one of the archipelago’s world-famous beaches. The accommodation choices can seem overwhelming, especially since Zanzibar and its neighbouring islands have everything from luxury beachfront cottages to exclusive boutique hotels to family-friendly hotels. Which beach? Which hotel? Which part of the island, and when? And even which island – Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba, Mnemba or somewhere even further off the beaten track? 

No worries, we have your back. At The Travel Cafe we will help you choose the best option for you based on your expectations, budget and time of year - whether that is to head east, to the sleepier parts of Zanzibar island, north to the most exclusive beaches or south, to the most authentic villages or to one of the nearby islands. One thing all these options have in common, however, are warm blue waters, white sandy beaches and bucketloads of sunshine!

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Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

- Best time to go to Zanzibar -

Best time to go to Zanzibar

Winter (June - September): Like mainland Tanzania, the best time to go to Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba is during the dry season from June to September. Due to its close proximity to the equator, the temperatures vary very little through the year, with maximum daytime temperatures hovering between 25°C / 75°F and 28°C / 82°F throughout the year. The dry season is famous for its clear blue skies and sunny days. This is also the best time to go scuba diving at the majority of sites as the water will be crystal clear and visibility will be at its peak though days are occasionally windy and choppy (especially in July when the “kusi” wind is at its peak - excellent news for kite surfers. 


Going in June or beginning of July will have the added bonus of the vegetation being green and lush after the rains. September is usually spice harvest season, and it is quite fascinating to watch the farmers harvest cloves by hand. Winter has the added bonus of combining beautifully with a safari to Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro.


Summer (January - March): January to March is summer and our second favourite time to visit Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba. The summer months bring with them beautiful dry, sunny and warm days with bright blue skies very similar to winter, with temperatures averaging around 28°C or 82°F. The north-eastern “kaskazi" wind is at its peak during January, affecting the north and east coasts of the island, but starts to mellow as March approaches.


Spring (November - December):  Spring is the second of the island’s two rainy seasons and is known as the time of "short rains”, usually in the form of late afternoon showers. The rains are intermittent and not too much of a bother, but we do feel that when choosing to go to a beach destination, dry season would be better, making the period of November to December not our top pick. 


Autumn (April - May):  Autumn is the least desirable tome to visit any of the islands, be it Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba. April and May are monsoon season with spectacular storms and is known as the season of “long rains”. The waters are rough and murky, and the beaches wet and windswept. Many hotels close altogether during these months to refurbish and upgrade their lodgings for the next season. Luckily these long rains coincide with mainland Tanzania as well, which rules out only these two months, and leaving 10 months for a magical Bush + Beach combination. Surprisingly, this season is a good time to go diving specifically in the north of Zanzibar because of its wind free days, underwater visibility is great and you have a chance to see more and bigger fish on most dives than the rest of the year in this part of the island.

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