Zanzibar Safaris

Zanzibar Safaris

From the oldest living town to the exquisite sandy beaches, Zanzibar is a scenic archipelago in the Indian Ocean that deserves to be visited by any safari-goer. Whenever you have a holiday, and you are thinking of spending this precious time on a picturesque destination, Zanzibar should top your list.

How to get to Zanzibar

International visitors can book flights to any of three international airports of the United Republic of Tanzania, which are Kilimanjaro International Airport in Kilimanjaro, Julius Kambarage International Airport in Dar es Salaam and Abeid Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. Domestic flights from Tanzania mainland to Zanzibar are also available. Boat trips from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar is another common method of traveling to Zanzibar.

Why to visit Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is an archipelago of several islands that is endowed with the world’s lovely beaches not to mention the Stone Town, which is an ancient Swahili town still active up-to-date.

The Stone Town, which is a bustling old town in Zanzibar still have that ancient architectures dating back to the Arabian, Portuguese, Swahili, and Indian eras. The town was once a cosmopolitan hub for the exchange of commodities and slaves. This vibrant old town was also used as a home of the sultans and other rulers who happened to live in Zanzibar. To preserve this cultural heritage, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site since 1981. The authorities rehabilitated most of ruined houses but leaving the architecture old as it seemed to be.

You can have a memorable tour through this charming town, and immense yourself in its history while enjoying the views of bazaars, mosques and giant houses. The most sought attractions in the Stone Town include the Anglican Church cathedral, the Dunga ruins, the Kidichi Persian Baths that were used by Sultan Said, Peace memorial museum and Makusurani graveyard where the tombs of past Arab rulers are found.

The fall of Portuguese rule in 17^th century made Omani Arabs who defeated the Europeans build the stunning Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe in Swahili). You can’t skip to mention the Mtoni Palace ruins which is found to the north of this old town. The ruins of this palace are fascinating things attracting many visitors.

Changuu Island also known as the Prison Island stand distinctly to anyone in the search of joy during his/her safari in Zanzibar. This island has an interesting history as it was used as a detaining camp for rebellious slaves. Forget about this history, Changuu Island is home to lovely tortoises whose origin can be traced back in the Seychelles. They were sent from the Seychelles to Changuu as a gift by the British governor. Many giant Aldabra tortoises can be seen in this island with some of them having over 100 years old.

Zanzibar’s exquisite beaches is the major driving factor of visitors reaching this archipelago. The breezes of the azure blue Indian Ocean are amazing, and you can combine a beach chill with other enchanting activities such as swimming, snorkeling, boat cruises, and scuba diving. The blue dolphins are also captivating marine species that you can swim with, especially in the southern beaches. Dolphins are harmless aquatic mammals. In Zanzibar, you can swim with these superb creatures in Mnemba Island, Wattaboni, Leven Bank, and Kizimkazi.

Some beaches such as Nungwi, Paje and Kendwa are well known for their white sands and turquoise water, where night parts are very amazing. Witnessing the sun set in the western beaches is exciting. Despite the fact that Nungwi Beach is crowded, it is a perfect site for seeing the sunset. Sensational views of sunset are also observed in various locations in Zanzibar’s beaches.

Zanzibar also has the stunning turtles that are preserved in special marine parks. Marine Turtle Conservation Pond is one of these special marine parks. You will be exhausted with the scenic views of turtles. The turtles are conserved until the age of laying reach and are then released into the wild (Indian Ocean). Baraka National Aquarium is another stunning destination for swimming with turtles.

After getting used to the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar, you can taste the wildlife safari which can be done in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. This park is 6,200 acres big, and is home to the rare red colobus monkey as well as several butterfly species. You may also see other wild species like duikers and birds.

When to visit Zanzibar?

Zanzibar can be visited all year round. However, the monsoon winds get even much stronger during the long rainy season (March to May). The winds come with a lot of disturbances and heavy rains thus making your beach holiday miserable a little bit. Therefore, you should visit this idyllic during the dry season that starts from June to October, and during the short rainy season which is from November to December.

Generally speaking, Zanzibar is a travelers’ top choice when it comes to beach holidays and historical tour. The experiences obtained from a trip to this archipelago is unmatched.