Top Tips for Zanzibar

Located off the east coast of Africa, and part of Tanzania, the island of Zanzibar is one of my favourite destinations. I was brought up in Kenya & Tanzania as a child and have fond memories of visiting Zanzibar on holiday. Recently I returned as an adult and here are my top tips:

1. Combine with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania for a truly magical experience 2. Do a multi-centre by combining a stay with the historic capital, Stone Town, and a beach hotel either on the mainland and/or one of the smaller islands such as Pemba 3. Visit Jozani forest to see the rare endemic red colobus monkeys 4. Have lunch at the iconic The Rock restaurant (beautiful views & delicious food!) 5. Do the Princess Salme spice tour with the wonderful guide Anjam to learn about the Omani history, discover Mtoni Palace ruins, and visit a fabulous spice farm 6. Take a dhow boat trip with Safari Blue, find whales/dolphins, snorkel in stunning locations and have an amazing seafood lunch on an island 7. Wander round ancient Stone Town and get lost around the alleyways - find studded wooden doors, a mix of African, Arabic & colonial architecture, local markets & discover remnants of the slave trade 8. Stay in traditional boutique hotels such as Emerson Spice; luxury 5* hotels with overwater villas eg KonoKono beach resort; and barefoot luxury properties such as Fundu Lagoon on Pemba island 9. See the giant tortoises on Prison Island 10. Allow yourself longer than you think to enjoy everything this magical island in the Indian Ocean has to offer