Zanzibar

Get off the plane or boat onto the Zanzibar Archipelago and brace yourself for a journey through time taking you across the centuries. From ancient Persia and the fables of Shiraazi merchants’ voyages that gave birth to Sinbad the Sailor to the courts of Omani sultans and Swahili princes. Your holiday in Zanzibar is complemented by the thick laden scents from India.  Zanzibar Island is also called The Spice Island, as it was a key hub of Spice Trade many centuries ago. These days, Zanzibar happens to be one of those few places left in the world for the growing and production of saffron together with other Middle Eastern and Asian spices such as cardamom, nutmeg and ginger. A visit to when of the many spice farms during your holiday to Zanzibar is a must.

Zanzibar holidays begin on the beautiful white sand beaches at that spread across the east, south and north coast. The water here is as clear as crystals and the sand as white as snow. There also a number of caves in Zanzibar like Tazani which is near Nungwi. Take a tour through the villages and experience a lifestyle from years goneby that remains very much alive today. The friendly and hospitable locals are a pleasure to meet, although, as the majority of the population is Muslim, don’t dress in beachwear outside of your resort. Amazing nature trails in the Jozani Forest that are home to Red Colobus Monkeys as well as a variety of exotic plants and trees await you when you grow tired of the beach. These Monkeys can’t live anywhere else other than Zanzibar, as they require 70 types of different plants, fruits and berries for food, that only grow on this island. Although there is an entrance fee a large portion of it goes to the upkeep and protection of the wildlife.

When planning your holiday in Zanzibar, you ought to have Stone Town on your list of places to visit. In 2000, UNESCO declared the inner city a World Heritage Site. It blends the Moorish, Arab, African and Indian architectures and traditions in an absolutely marvellous way. You can spend days simply strolling through the labyrinthine of alleys of Stone Town. The inner city is not big and you can easily explore it on foot. You will find a few old and magnificent buildings which have been converted to hotels, restaurants and clubs.

A spice tour to one of the many spice farms in the island will offer you the opportunity to learn about the harvesting of cinnamon, kukurma and jack fruit. You will even be allowed to taste the produce. Surfing in the uncrowded crystal clear and warm waters around the Southeast Coast is a popular activity whilst on holiday in Zanzibar and there are a number of surfing spots for surfers of all levels. Self-exploration is not recommended and the services of a good guide who can also arrange rental of surfing equipment is essential. Zarnibar  also offers one of the finest dives in the East Africa. Daily trips are available to the popular Mnemba Atoll Marine Park for snorkelers and divers. This park is famous for its clear, warm waters excellent visibility and the chance to encounter Dolphins and Green Turtles.

If you are considering a holiday in Zanzibar and wondering what is the best time of the year to visit, then the answer depends entirely on your interests, also the places you want to see and the purpose of your travelling. The best time for one person can be a nightmare for another.

If you are looking for a beach holiday in Zanzibar, then the climate and weather are the most important factors. The climate of Zanzibar is tropical and it gets hot and humid in the summers, although thunderstorms often keep things cool. Rains occur from the mid of March to the end June here. A short rainy season also occurs from September to November.

Autumn – Long rains

This time of the year sees long rains, which can go from mid-March till May. Heavy rains fall early in the mornings and the sky normally clears up by noon. Sun comes out and weather remains clear until late afternoon. In the evening, clouds significantly start to build, which goes on till after dark. It often continues to rain through the night. Many facilities remain closed during this season.

Winter - June to October

June and July till October, is the ideal time of the year for a holiday to Zanzibar as the average temperature during these months is a very moderate 25C (81F). Air is usually dry and the breeze mild. There is little rainfall during these months.

Spring - The Short Rains

The rains occur throughout November till December and sometimes even stretch into early January. During this season, there are phases of light rain in the mornings with clear weather and the sun shines brightly through the day until showers in the late afternoon.

Summer - December to March

The days are sunny and hot during this stretch of the year. Temperatures stay between the twenties and early thirties. The sky remains clear and the sun shines for many hours a day. This is the ideal time for star-seeing through clear night skies. Couples can also enjoy romantic beach evenings counting stars. Zanzibar receives around 165 cm or (65 inches) of rainfall and the temperature stays 26 C or (79 F) on average here.