Zanzibar is an island paradise with a rich history, and it's now most aesthetically falling apart.
The historic centre of Stone Town is definitely a tourist hub. People are constantly trying to sell you a tour or taxi ride, and the streets are lined with Tanzanite emporiums, souvenir stores, and restaurants. That said, learn a little Swahili to fend off the hawkers and you'll be left relatively free to explore this tropical paradise in peace. Compared to Dar Es Salaam (read about it here), Stone Town and other areas frequented by tourists are relatively safe to carry a bag and have a camera out. Translation: photos galore!
My recommendation for a Zanzibar itinerary would be what almost every visitor does, but for good reason. If you have 3-4 days I'd recommend the following...
Stone Town Walking Tour
Th area has an incredibly rich history as a major player in Arabian politics, colonial history, the East African slave trade, and the spice route. While this might not sound like everyone's cup of tea, if you find a good guide you'll hear stories full of scandal, humour, and sobering tragedy in equal measure.
Prison Island & Snorkeling
Enjoy a 10-minute boat ride out the surrounding reef before visiting Prison Island, and enjoy swimming amongst tropical fish and corals (maybe a turtle too if you're lucky). Once a slave prison, as one might deduce from the name, it has since been refurbished into a stunning resort. Evidence of its history can be found throughout, such as a heavy steel ring that's bolted into the floor of what's now the women's bathroom, which was once used to secure the inhabitants in years past.
Aside from the resort guests, the island's other occupants are a collection of almost 200 endangered Aldabra giant tortoises descended from four animals that were a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles in 1919.
Spice Tour
Brush up on your spice skills with a walk around a spice plantation. Learn how everything from pepper, to cinnamon, to vanilla beans are grown, harvested, and dried. Many plantations double as fruit producers too, so you have the added benefit of being fed a constant stream of exotic fruits while you wander. I was also treated to fresh Dafu (young coconut), picked from a palm as I listened to the young man sing in his mother tongue while he climbed. Absolutely lovely.
Venture North to Kenda or Nungwi
The area is popularised by the monthly Full Moon Party hosted at Kendwa Rocks resort, but the area is stunning in its own right. Golden sunsets, turquoise waters, and white sands galore. I could definitely recommend splurging on a couple of nights at a resort to relax in style on some of the best beaches that Africa has to offer.
Final Thoughts
I left Zanzibar totally enamored. I loved being able to relax, and not worry so much about personal safety. The constant badgering from hawkers was annoying, and I felt bad about flat out ignoring them, but you'd never get anywhere if you didn't.
I found myself finally falling into the swing of 'Africa Time', and really, truly enjoying it. You only have to be on time for one thing: your transport off Zanzibar - and you might just find yourself tempted to 'accidentally' miss that just to sneak some more island time.
Interested in seeing a video from Zanzibar and the rest of Tanzania? Follow this link to watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/Whu0XpRarj0
