Activities /Things To do in Zanzibar

With a general idea of where everything is, we’ve compiled a list of 15 must-do activities for your Zanzibar vacation!

1. Take a dip in the water and relax on the beach.

Zanzibar provides the perfect beach vacation that everyone dreams of during a harsh winter. You can’t help but want to lay down on a beach chair or towel, sink your toes into the soft, powdery sand, and simply relax. The crystal clear blue waters increase the allure of taking a dip in the ocean. Set up a call with our staff if you’re interested in finding out more. If you have any questions, we’re more than happy to help.

While on vacation in Zanzibar, you must make time to relax in a hammock.

Travelers may find a plethora of stunning palm-lined beaches all throughout Umguja’s main island. Not having access to more than one will be a problem for you. Visit a few and allow yourself plenty of time to relax and rejuvenate while you take in the soothing atmosphere and breathtaking views of the ocean.

A plethora of five-star hotels and resorts dot the island’s northernmost regions.

On Unguja Island, you may find some of the nicest beaches for swimming, walking, wading, and relaxing, such as:

Bwejuu is one of the island’s most tranquil beaches, fringed with palm trees.
Kendwa is a large beach that experiences breathtaking sunsets and is unaffected by the tides.
Nungwi is the liveliest beach in the area.
Kizimkazi: the coastline is elevated and descends to create charming coves.
Jambiani is a picturesque, serene beach surrounded by palm trees.
Michamvi-Pingwe is a breathtaking chain of secluded bays.
Matemwe is Zanzibar’s longest beach; around its shoreline, you’ll find traditional fishing settlements.
Pongwe is an arc of stunning natural beauty that boasts some of the world’s finest swimming conditions, thanks to the protective reef that surrounds it.

When you go down the beach at Kendwa, keep an eye out for starfish.

Does the water stay warm all year long?

Most importantly, you can swim in Zanzibar at any time of year!

When summer is in full swing (January and February), the water temperature is about 29 degrees Celsius (834 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, the water temperature hovers about 25.5 °C (78 °F) throughout the winter months of August and September.

2. Explore the ancient Stone Town on a guided tour.

Located in modern-day Zanzibar City, Stone Town is the island’s ancient core.

This city’s port has been an important nautical center for generations. Because of this, a distinct culture has emerged, shaped by the interactions and intermingling of various civilizations from all around the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.

Stone Town, located on Unguja Island’s western coast, as seen from above.

Indeed, Stone Town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Taking a guided tour is the greatest way to get a feel for Stone Town’s past and present through its architecture and history. As you make your way through the maze of streets, you’ll come across hand-carved entrances, brightly colored mom-and-pop stores, exquisitely crafted houses, and picturesque minarets.

The dreadful slave trade, its abolition, the rule of the Omani Sultan in the 1800s, and the conquest by the British at the century’s close are all topics you’ll cover.

Christ Church and the Slave Market Memorial, both of which had a role in ending slavery

If you want to get a feel for Stone Town before you wander the streets on your own, taking a guided tour is a great way to see the highlights and learn about the area’s history. That being said, we present to you our third selection of must-do activities in Zanzibar.

3. Independently discover Stone Town.

It is essential to take a guided tour of Stone Town to learn about its history, architecture, and more. However, it is also essential to wander around its maze-like streets on your own!

We recommend setting aside some time in the morning or afternoon to meander aimlessly through the narrow streets of Stone Town. This will provide you plenty of time to peruse the stores, eat some street food, shop a little, visit a museum or two, stroll the boardwalk, discover Forodhani Gardens, and just take it all in.

Those of you who enjoy coffee should also set aside some time to partake in a traditional coffee ceremony. The roasting ritual is open to the public and hosted by several local coffee businesses. Perfect with a sugary snack, the coffee is presented in fragile Arabian cups.

4. Take a spice tour

No trip to Zanzibar would be complete without a spice tour! Get a sense of the aromatic spices that are associated with the islands through sight, touch, smell, and taste.

The Arabs brought immense wealth to Zanzibar through their spice plantations. It got so bad that the archipelago became the leading clove exporter in the world. The Zanzibaris still cultivate cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, chili, and black pepper in modern times.
Zanzibar is known for its abundance of spices, including nutmeg.
The process of cultivating, gathering, and processing spices, along with their culinary applications, are all topics covered during a spice tour.
Those with a really sweet tooth can take their spice trip to the next level by adding a cookery session to their itinerary. So you may take home the secret recipe for those mouth-watering flavors!
Before you fill your bags to the gills with spices and seeds, make sure to research what is legally permissible to carry back to your nation.

5. Provide room for street food.

There are a lot of vendors in Stone Town selling seafood kebabs and other delicious specialties. Stone Town has a thriving street food scene.

If you are in search of a delicious and reasonably priced lunch, don’t miss Zanzibar Street Food Market. Stop by the Forodhani Gardens Night Market on the seafront for dinner. It’s an absolute must. The most ordered item is the Zanzibar pizza, which differs greatly in appearance and flavor from traditional Italian pizza.

6. Stop by picturesque Uzi Island

The little island of Uzi, connected to Unguja by an intertidal causeway, is located off the coast of Unguja to the south. The island is a part of the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which safeguards a variety of ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, freshwater forests, and the animals that rely on them.

The Menai Bay Conservation Area is a secluded and breathtakingly beautiful habitat.

Plus, because it is still unspoiled by tourists, Uzi Island provides a glimpse of a traditional rural Zanzibari fishing village.

We suggest spending the entire day on Uzi Island if you can. Pay close attention to the tides if you intend to visit. You can drive across in a dala dala (bus) on the road that appears at low tide, or you can paddle to the island in a ngalawa (wooden outrigger canoe) if the tide is in. Traveling by boat and bus back and forth is a common part of most vacations.

Visitors visiting the island can partake in a cultural tour of N’gambwa village, where they will be welcomed by a local family and treated to a traditional meal as part of the trip. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a feel for rural Zanzibar.

There will be plenty of time later on to go swimming at a peaceful beach. Another option is to join a guided walk—or should we say wade—through a mangrove forest, where you’ll be able to experience a diverse and breathtaking aquatic ecosystem. For the excursion, you will be provided with reef shoes.

7. Visit Prison Island by boat

Although it was given that name in the 1800s, Prison Island was never ever a prison.

Visiting Prison Island (also known as Changuu Island) is a fantastic day trip from Zanzibar City. Despite having a prison structure built on it in the late 1800s, it was never really put to use as one.

These days, visitors flock to see the island’s famous Aldabra giant tortoises. Are you aware that a bunch of tortoises are referred to as a creep? Considering how slowly they move, that makes perfect sense

As you make your way back to Stone Town on the boat from Prison Island, one of the best parts is taking in the breathtaking view of the waterfront buildings. The waterfront series of palaces and villas, constructed or commissioned by the sultanate in the 1800s, was intended to dazzle visitors from other countries who would arrive by sea.

8. Discover the local fauna at Jozani Forest

A stroll through Jozani Forest is the perfect way to spend a day in Zanzibar’s natural environment. Entering the cool shadow cast by the tangled greenery of the woodland is a delightful reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Stone Town and the beaches.

Pick between a guided nature walk or venturing out on your own. Next, you’ll find a variety of trails to pick from, including easy strolls of an hour or two and moderate hikes of half a day.

Red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and Ader’s duikers are just a few of the endangered species that may be found in Jozani Forest.

Walking on the Pete-Jozani Boardwalk among the mangroves keeps your feet dry.

Most hikes and walks through Jozani Forest take place along meandering dirt roads. In addition, the coastal mangroves of Chwaka Bay are accessible via a short boardwalk.

In terms of birds, there are many beautiful and rare species for you to see! Many kinds of shorebirds, raptors, and waterbirds inhabit the woodland. anything goes! Some beautiful birds to keep an eye out for include lilac-breasted rollers, sunbirds with purple bands, bee-eaters with blue cheeks, golden-tailed woodpeckers, and African pygmy kingfishers.

9. Treat Yourself to a Meal at Zanzibar’s Rock Restaurant

The incredibly scenic Rock Restaurant Zanzibar is located on Michamvi Peninsula, which is on the eastern coast of Unguja Island.This is the most enchanted thing I’ve ever seen!

The Rock Restaurant Zanzibar is well-known not only for its picturesque location, but also for its delectable cuisine! Primarily known for its lobster, it is also highly regarded for its prawns and calamari.

Keep in mind that this is an upscale restaurant; before you arrive, peruse the menu to make sure it won’t break the bank! There is a strict requirement to reserve a table ahead of time due to the restricted availability of seats.
Towards sunset at The Rock Restaurant

During low tide, the trail leading to the restaurant can be easily walked. However, a small wooden boat will be required to ferry you across when the tide is in. This only enhances the experience, unless you’re terrified of water!

10. Scuba dive and snorkel among the coral reefs

While visiting Zanzibar, we urge you to try snorkeling, scuba diving, or diving. The islands that make up the archipelago are encircled by beautiful coral reefs.

Shrimp, pipefish, lungfish, dolphins, and sharks are among the marine creatures that you could observe. Humpback and sperm whales can be seen migrating through the area in the months of September and October. More than that, whale sharks and manta rays may be spotted between the months of December and April.

Although diving and snorkeling are possible all year round, the optimum months for calm waters are June through August and mid-November through January.
Make an appointment with our staff, and we would be pleased to assist you in organizing your Zanjzibar safari.
The Nakupenda Sand Bank, sometimes known as Nakupenda Beach, is a great spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. This lengthy stretch of beach is located not far from Stone Town, and in 2022, it was named the second-best beach in all of Africa by TripAdvisor! By translation, the name Nakupenda means “I love you” in English.

In addition, Prison Island, Pungume, Mnemba, and Tumbatu are some other fantastic islands for snorkeling and scuba diving.

On the other hand, the privately owned Chumbe Island, which is located off the coast of Unguja in the southwest, is the greatest spot for snorkeling and diving. Nearly every kind of hard coral found in East Africa can be found at Chumbe Reef Sanctuary.

11. Take a scuba dive

The Zanzibar Archipelago is the best place in the world to go scuba diving. Oh my god.

Scuba diving in the Zanzibari waters is an incredibly rewarding adventure!

Among the many beautiful places to go scuba diving near Unguja Island are:

Nyange Reef, close to Stone Town, is the most beautiful and inexpensive reef to visit.
Soft corals abound on the barrier reef that is off the southeast coast.
The heart-shaped Mnemba Atoll is located off the northeastern coast of Unguja; it is home to several reefs and offers a good opportunity to see turtles.
In the Pemba Channel, just north of the island, is an underwater mountain called Leven Bank where barracudas and moray eels can be seen.
The coral gardens in the blue lagoon close to Michamvi town are shallow and protected, making it the perfect place for beginners.

12. Go to Cheetah’s Rock to hang out with some wild creatures.

On Unguja Island, there is a sanctuary called Cheetah’s Rock that takes in rescued creatures like cheetahs, lions, hyenas, zebras, lemurs, bushbabies, otters, and tortoises. Some animals put there for conservation efforts are also taken care of there.

After rehabilitation, some of the animals at Cheetah’s Rock are released back into the wild, while others are permitted to live out their lives safely within the reserve.

Cheetah Rock relies on the money it makes from tourists. One unique selling point is the opportunity for guests to get up close and personal with several of the creatures. Visitors frequently feed the animals and even get up close and personal with them. It is therefore advantageous to visit this unique rescue facility and have encounters with these stunning wild animals in a safe manner.

13. Embark on a dhow voyage

An afternoon dhow trip from Nungwi around Zanzibar is a wonderful way to see the island. For the best view from the dhow, your cruise should conclude shortly after sunset.

There are still skilled artisans working on the beach at the town of Nungwi, which is located on the northern tip of Unguja Island. Nungwi is known as the traditional center of dhow building in Zanzibar.

You have the option of going on a private dhow cruise or joining a group one when making your selection. The fee usually include drinks as well.

14. Check out Paje’s seaweed farms!

One of the most recognizable images of Zanzibari is of women in vibrant clothing laboring in ankle-deep water on seaweed plantations along the coast.

One of the most picturesque farm designs is created by growing seaweed in rows, as depicted below.

The primary market for seaweed exports is the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It is the local women that perform the harvesting, and they get much-needed money from the trade. Actually, seaweed is now the third biggest cash cow for the archipelago. In addition, around 90% of its exports by sea go via it.

Although a large portion of Unguja Island in Zanzibar is dedicated to tourist attractions, we think it’s worthwhile to explore the places where traditional crafts are still practiced, don’t you think?

15. Prolong Your Stay on Pemba

As a way to escape the hustle and bustle of Unguja and its many developed tourist attractions, a trip to Pemba is a must for any Zanzibari vacation. The people of Pemba lead a more conventional lifestyle. Beaches tend to be less crowded. Plus, the environment is better safeguarded.