Zanzibar (Unguja) Island

Zanzibar Island - one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

With its air of mystery and romance, the island of Zanzibar, a short distance off the coast of Tanzania, holds an almost legendary status amongst writers, travellers, and island seekers. But let's get the record straight: -

Zanzibar is an archipelago with it's 3 main islands of Unguja, Pemba, and Mafia. The principle and biggest island is Unguja but is more often than not referred to as Zanzibar. Zanzibar Town, with its heritage UNESCO recognised Stone Town, is the captial of Unguja. The world over calls Unguja by its colloquial name - Zanzibar.

“Zanzibar has an identity all of its own, shaped by a turbulent history which abounds with a colourful cast of characters, from slave traders and Sultans, to pirates and princesses.”, says the Tanzania Travel and Tourism Directory.

From the air, this ear shaped island is fringed by white sand strips and is covered by an emerald green canopy of lush vegetation. The indian Ocean waters are a deep blue / green where deep - a way off-shore - and present a palette of blues, torquoise and indigo dependent on what is below on the sea bed. Coral reefs with gently breaking wavelets surround much of the island.

It is an island paradise, visited by people the world over.

With its white, sandy, palm fringed beaches, warm and crystal clear turquoise waters, very few island destinations can match this paradise. Zanzibar offers a range of accommodation options and activities to suit any taste or budget. Luxury to beach comber. A destination for the active with adrenalin filled water sports, or the less arduous including forest walks, wildlife spotting, spice tours, and of course world class diving and snorkelling.

It has a unique style, delivering a feeling that only it can. 

Zanzibar is small, it takes about 2 hours to drive from one end to the other, and that's only due to the slow speed of the vehicles and the state of the roads. This makes day and half day tours a must - visit historic Stone Town, the forests, the spice farms, the marine park.

What is noticable is how different the island is from north to south, and from east to west. Vegetation, beaches, reefs and rocky cliffs.

A word of caution: the geology of the island: at birth resulted in molten magma cooling quickly. This typically leaves rocks which are very sharp and jagged, so reef / wet shoes are strongly advisable. Many hotels provide these - but your own are always best.

To not visit Zanzibar will feel like a mistake when you speak to those who have.

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