Last updated on April 10th, 2024
Nungwi Beach view from Double Tree Hilton
Visit Zanzibar – Beach Hotels
Beach hotels are the main reason that tourists visit Zanzibar. Many Europeans fly to Zanzibar to escape winter weather. Travelers on safari often finish their visit to the Serengeti by relaxing at a beach hotel in Zanzibar. Spend time at a beach resort on the Indian Ocean, like Smiles Beach Hotel in Nungwi. The coastline outside Zanzibar City continues to see major waterfront hotel development.
Nungwi Fish Auction
If you stay in one of the beach hotels in Nungwi, don’t miss the daily Nungwi Fish Auction. The auction takes place on the beach in Nungwi each morning at 7am. Watch that night’s catch arrive and be sold.
Elephant Door, Stone Town Walking Tour
Visit Zanzibar – Stone Town
When tourists arrive to visit Zanzibar, they often take a walking tour of Stone Town before they head to their beach hotel. In the narrow streets of Stone Town, you can see ancient doorways, built by the Arabs to allow elephants to enter their home courtyards. Other interesting sights in Stone Town include the Former Slave Market Site and the Anglican Church built on the Market grounds. See the ebony cross dedicated to Dr. Livingstone in the church.
Stone Town Waterfront Jump, Zanzibar
Zanzibar Weather
Zanzibar weather is completely different from the Serengeti. The islands are hot and humid throughout the year. The summer months are from November to March. Expect average highs then of 92 F (33 C) and lows of 75 F (24 C). The winter months are from June – September. Winter is only slightly cooler than summer. Expect average highs of 82 F (28 C) and lows of 72 F (22 C).
Rainfall can be very heavy from March through May, because that is the monsoon season. Zanzibar also experiences short daily rains in November and December. The best time to visit Zanzibar for weather is probably from June to September, but those months are not good for safaris in Tanzania.
Fishing Dhow, Nungwi Beach
Get to Zanzibar
The main way to get to Zanzibar is from Dar es Salaam on the mainland. Dar has frequent daily flights to Zanzibar City, so access is easy. In addition, some safaris finish by flying from Arusha directly to visit Zanzibar City. Once you get to Zanzibar City, you will need a car or taxi to reach the beach hotels, which are mainly at the other end of Zanzibar Island.
Spice Farm, Zanzibar
Visit Zanzibar – Spice Farms
Zanzibar has successfully developed a number of small spice farms, which supplement their income by enticing tourist visits. Take an excursion from Zanzibar City for a Spice Farm Tour. Sample cinnamon, cloves, mangroves, nutmeg, henna and lipstick plants. Watch workers harvest spices and climb tall coconut trees.Visiting one of the spice farms is a pleasant stop on the way to your beach hotel.
Stone Town Fish Market
Stone Town Markets
Another amazing attraction near the Former Slave Market Site are the Stone Town Markets. Visit the spice, meat and fish markets. These Stone Town Markets are all joined together. Watch the local morning catch arrive from the Nungwi Fish Auction at the northern end of the island of Zanzibar.
50 Slave Cell, Old Slave Market, Stone Town
History of Slavery in Zanzibar
The Sultan of Oman took control of Zanzibar in 1698. The Sultan made it a major slave trading port. Dr David Livingstone fought hard to end slavery in Africa, so Tanzanians revere him. Arabs are somewhat disliked, because of their history of supporting slavery. So, the popularity of Muslim religion and Arab dress in Zanzibar is surprising. The slave trade formally ended in 1873 in Zanzibar, but the underground slave trade kept going until 1907.
History of Zanzibar
Zanzibar joined with Tanganyika in 1964 to form Tanzania, but Zanzibar’s people are very different from the rest of Tanzania. The population is 97% Muslim, while the rest of Tanzania is heavily Christian. Zanzibar consists of a series of islands in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Tanzania. Unguja, also known as Zanzibar, and Pemba are the two largest islands of Zanzibar. The main city is also called Zanzibar or Zanzibar City. So, Zanzibar refers to a group of islands, to one of the islands and to its major city. Confused? You are not alone.
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