Zanzibar Island has hugely varied accommodations ranging from authentic beach lodges to 5 star hotels and in between, the huge numbers of accommodation options in Zanzibar enable travelers on zanzibar holidasy/ zanzibar vacations  regardless of their budget to fine a decent and comfortable accommodation facility to stay during their travel along the shores.

In Zanzibar, the best and most luxurious accommodations can be found in Mnemba Private Island. The island has only a handful of elegant bandas scattered along one of the most pristine beaches of Indian Ocean. Mnemba Island is a simply stunning private Island with only authentic luxury hotels and beach resorts for an unparalleled castaway experience

Zanzibar Island’s accommodations include Fundu Lagoon, Manta Resort, Fumba Beach Lodge and Mnemba Island Lodge, Kilindi Zanzibar, Matemwe Retreat, Zuri Zanzibar, The residence Zanzibar, The Aiyana Pemba, Matemwe Lodge, The Manta Resort, &Beyond Mnemba, Essque Zalu Zanzibar, Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort, Tulia Zanzibar, Sunny House Paje II, Tsunami Village, Green’s Nungwi, Tembo House, Flamingo Guesthouse , Bottons Up Hotel, Princess Salme Inn, New Teddy’s on the beach, Nyumbani Residence, Shanuo Beach Bungalows, Golden Palm Boutique Zanzibar, Spice palace Hotel, Ras Michamvi Beach Resort among others

Zanzibar Beaches

Zanzibar is a tropical heaven with some of the most idyllic beaches in the world, beaches in Zanzibar stretch for miles from the northern tip of the island along the east coast, these beaches are fringed with palm trees. Beaches in Zanzibar include Nungwi beach, Kendwa Beach, Pongwe Beach, Paje beach, Kizimkazi beach, Jambiani beach, Bwejju beach among others.

Beaches in Zanzibar have perfect beach lodges and resorts accommodating visitors of Zanzibar Island, the beaches offer exciting water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, swimming among others which you will enjoy on your travel to Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Islands is not very big which makes easy to move around it, from North to South it is a drive of 2 hours. To get around the island, taxis are available. For travelers, you are advised to book your trips to Zanzibar through a beach hotel or a tour operator as they offer transportation around the island as part of the package.

Transport options used to get around Zanzibar include

Dala-dala

A Dala-dala is a jeepney-style vehicles converted to hold around 20 people, taking a dala-dala is an authentic local experience, though you might find the vehicle a little cramped and uncomfortable. From the Stone Town of Zanzibar city on Unguja, you can take a dala-dala to the north and South from Darajani Market.

Note: There is no timetable for the dala-dalas, to board one it will require you to ask the locals. Be careful of some touts as they attempt to rip you off by asking for your fare beforehand and take a significantlt higher fee.  

Taxi

Taxi can be booked at major tourist hotspots in Zanzibar such as your hotel and at the airport, alternatively you can book your trip with a tour operator who will offer you a private driver.

Car/motorbike rental

If you are looking for a more private exploration by yourself, then renting a car or motorbike is a very enticing option to take. To book a car in Zanzibar, you do not necessarily need a license to rent a motor bike, however you will need a license to rent a car.

On foot

For adventurous traveler, you can get around most parts of Zanzibar such as the Stone Town by walking.

Zanzibar Island is not very big which makes easy to move around it, from North to South it is a drive of 2 hours. To get around the island, taxis are available. For travelers, you are advised to book your trips to Zanzibar through a beach hotel or a tour operator as they offer transportation around the island as part of the package.

Transport options used to get around Zanzibar include

Dala-dala

A Dala-dala is a jeepney-style vehicles converted to hold around 20 people, taking a dala-dala is an authentic local experience, though you might find the vehicle a little cramped and uncomfortable. From the Stone Town of Zanzibar city on Unguja, you can take a dala-dala to the north and South from Darajani Market.

Note: There is no timetable for the dala-dalas, to board one it will require you to ask the locals. Be careful of some touts as they attempt to rip you off by asking for your fare beforehand and take a significantlt higher fee.  

Taxi

Taxi can be booked at major tourist hotspots in Zanzibar such as your hotel and at the airport, alternatively you can book your trip with a tour operator who will offer you a private driver.

Car/motorbike rental

If you are looking for a more private exploration by yourself, then renting a car or motorbike is a very enticing option to take. To book a car in Zanzibar, you do not necessarily need a license to rent a motor bike, however you will need a license to rent a car.

On foot

For adventurous traveler, you can get around most parts of Zanzibar such as the Stone Town by walking.

The best time of the year to Visit Zanzibar is during the dry season, Zanzibar and Tanzania at large experiences two dry seasons. The first dry season is experienced from December to March and the second from July to October, in these months temperatures tend to be around 30-33 degrees Celsius. In these two dry seasons, there tends to be no rain in Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The months of December to March are the most humid, as the country and island explodes into rain in April and May for the long rainy season.

As a traveler, it is not advisable to travel to Zanzibar in the rainy season of April and May, the short rains in Zanzibar fall in November although they are less predictable than the ones received in the long rains between October and December.   However, even in the rainy season, Zanzibar remains sunny with only a few afternoon showers in November and in this month travelers benefit from excellent low season rates.

anzibar Island has hugely varied accommodations ranging from authentic beach lodges to 5 star hotels and in between, the huge numbers of accommodation options in Zanzibar enable travelers regardless of their budget to fine a decent and comfortable accommodation facility to stay during their travel along the shores.

In Zanzibar, the best and most luxurious accommodations can be found in Mnemba Private Island. The island has only a handful of elegant bandas scattered along one of the most pristine beaches of Indian Ocean. Mnemba Island is a simply stunning private Island with only authentic luxury hotels and beach resorts for an unparalleled castaway experience

Zanzibar was originally a home to the Bantu, by 700 AD the first Muslims arrived and settled on the shores of the Island as the Arabs sailed in from the gulf for trade. The coming of the Arabs formed the basis for the Swahili culture we know on Zanzibar Island. In the 15^th century, the Portuguese took over control of the Island and their rule lasted for about 200 years, Throughout the Portuguese rule, Zanzibar’s culture remained strong. From the end of the 17^th century, Zanzibar was under the rule of the Sultans of Oman, an elite Arab class. In this time frame, Zanzibar’s trade for ivory and species flourished and this is the time Zanzibar was established as a main trading port for the East African slave trade. Up to today, the ugly history of slave is still visible in a museum and various monuments scattered around Stone Town. 

Zanzibar was annexed as a British protectorate in 1890 and it was put under the leadership and control of the British, “Puppet” governors were put in place to rule Zanzibar until a sultan was appointed which was deemed unsuitable by the British thus leading to the Anglo-Zanzibar War also known as The Shortest War in History.  For only 38 minutes, the British destroyed the Beit al Hukum palace before a quicj ceasefire on 17^th August 1896.

Zanzibar Island gained independence in 1963 from Britain which was followed closely by the Zanzibar Revolution which resulted into death of thousand locals, the aftermath was the formation of the Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba. Though, shortly they were linked to the mainland Tanzania then known as Tanganyika, currently Zanzibar is a semi – autonomous region of Tanzania.  Up today, terraces of centuries of curious tradesmen and cultures can be found in Stone Town’s rustic walls.

Travelers can learn about the history of Zanzibar, by hiring a tour guide during your visit to island and you will learn more about the dramatic history of the Island during your visit to the Museums and the former Sultan’s Palace while in Stone Town.  Some of the more recent history sites to visit in Zanzibar include the childhood home of Freddie Mercury found in the Stone Town, although visitors cannot enter the building, they can see and explore the surrounding town offering the glimpse into the global rockstar’s early life.

Other places to visit on Zanzibar Island include The Spice Island, Jozani Forest, and Prison Island among others.