Your island-life holiday starts here…

Jambo! This is the Swahili greeting that you will hear on arrival when you are welcomed by the warm and inviting locals.

Zanzibar is the name of an archipelago in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of East Africa. There are many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, sometimes informally referred to as 'Zanzibar'), and Pemba Island. As the number one beach location in East Africa, Zanzibar is a wonderful island, with classic tropical beaches, lush plantations, an incredible history and a fascinating culture. Apart from historic Stone Town, with its labyrinth of narrow streets, Zanzibar is known for its beautiful palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs.

Weather-wise, Zanzibar is a few degrees south of the equator and enjoys a very tropical climate. The average daytime high is between 28°C and 32°C and the night-time lows are between 20°C and 25°C. Temperature-wise – this island is an all-year-round winner. February is very hot and very humid, giving you serious island-vibes, and March to May are the wet months however don’t let this deter you! These months often mean you can have an incredible holiday on “low season” prices.

With living reefs surrounding the islands, Zanzibar has excellent dive locations. There are plenty of places where the water temperature is warm, visibility is usually excellent, and currents are weak, all of which contributes to an ideal location for first time and novice divers. In addition to the warm and still waters full of colourful fish, there are many challenging dives as well. If you want to surf the current through a ravine, go for deep water, or search for wrecks, there are dive companies that can make it happen for you. Many of the larger resorts on the north and east coasts have professionally-run dive shops as well. Qualified divers must produce certification and a log book.

There are loads of excursions available to help you explore this unique island. It is wise to stick to a reputable operator and not be lured by beach boys and vendors who prey on tourists promising cheap prices. There are two excursions that are not to be missed in our opinion. A visit to a spice farm village on the Spice Tour will allow you to walk through the farm with your guide – touching, smelling and tasting different spices and fruits. It will give you an insight into local life and the opportunity to try some Swahili dishes, taste the fruits in season and try some spiced tea. And second, setting sail on a traditional dhow will be one of the highlights of your trip. Safari Blue is a full day excursion which takes you out into Menai Bay – a haven of beautiful uninhabited islands where the waters are frequented by humpback and bottlenose dolphins. The anchor is dropped on a sandbank which makes for some spectacular snorkelling. Drinks are served throughout the day and lunch is a buffet of grilled fish, lobster, calamari and chicken. Make sure this one is on your itinerary.

Honeymoon

Best Sellers