My passion for traveling has changed over time; From cities to outlying cities, from easy routes to difficult ones, from close places to far away... I love deserts, oceans, mountains and islands even more.
Tanzania'S Zanzibar This is how the island entered my travel plans. One of the most famous exotic islands in the world is an island especially preferred for honeymoon. Of course, my nature trip is completely. Let me also state that it is a very suitable island for an economical trip apart from transportation costs. The best times to go are the same time as our summer season.
It was evening when I landed in Zanzibar with a direct flight from Kenya Nairobi Airport. Since I wanted airport shuttle service from the hotel I was staying at, I was immediately greeted at the exit and to the right hotel. Another way to reach Zanzibar is to take a short ferry ride from Dar es Salaam.
The hotel I stayed in was the first hotel built by the British in Zanzibar. It surprised me with its authentic, high ceilings, door and window treatments that reflect beautiful examples of Zanzibar wood art. As I usually travel on the cheap, I couldn't help wondering if I had misunderstood the room rate.
Zanzibar has a very interesting historical past, it has been colonized or influenced by the culture of many countries, from Persians to Omanis, from Indians to the British.
Stone Town
While some of those who come to Zanzibar stay in the center of the island called Stone Town, like me, others prefer their hotels on the east or west coasts of the island, which is adorned with white beaches. When you go to the hotels, it is possible to visit the island with pool, sea, sun or package tours all day. My choice was to stay in Stone Town, where the heart of the island beats, and wander around the whole island.
Stone Town, the main residential area of Zanzibar, consisting of buildings made of stone, is both a transportation and commercial center. 90% of the island is Muslim, so if you go during religious holidays, you can see everyone dressed in their most fancy clothes while spending time in Forodhani Gardens. Of course, don't miss the night market without trying all kinds of seafood grills.
Zanzibar Beaches
Zanzibar is an island where the tide can be felt very clearly, so your beach walk can suddenly be flooded. At the same time, this tide creates very beautiful landscapes. If you go to Nungwi, in the northernmost part of the island, you can watch the magnificent views created by the local people who collect the algae when the waters recede, accompanied by rafts made of wood specific to Zanzibar. The west of the island is home to more party beaches and the east is home to beaches with quieter hotels. If you want to attend parties according to the time of the month, such as Full Moon or Half Moon, it is useful to schedule your time accordingly.
Activities to Do in Zanzibar
There are many activities to do in Zanzibar. You can choose one or more according to your taste and time.
Prison Island
An island with a former prison very close to Stone Town. Giant tortoises over 100 years old live on it now.
Spice Tour
With a half-day tour, you can meet the herbal form of many of the spices we see on our tables. I was very interested.
Kizimkazi Dolphin Tours
I definitely do not recommend it, but it is a very popular activity. You follow dolphins with boats and try to swim with them.
Diving and Snorkeling
If you've spent a long time in Zanzibar, Pemba island is a great stop for diving enthusiasts. If you say you have limited time, Mnemba island, where you can take a daily diving or snorkeling tour, is also close to the island of Zanzibar and offers a magnificent underwater experience.
Jozani–Chwaka Bay National Park
There is a tiny jungle in the middle of the island and various animals in it. Especially the red monkey is known as a unique species here.
What to Eat and Where to Eat in Zanzibar
If you love seafood, Zanzibar is a paradise, with everything you need from luxury restaurants to street vendors. In Tanzania they call white men "muzgi". It is also possible to eat or drink at very very affordable prices in stylish cafes where you can find all kinds of European dishes with muzzles.
I would like to name a few places in particular;
The Rock
I said that there are many beauties in Zanzibar due to the tides. “The Rock” restaurant, which I went to because I wanted to see it in a photo on the internet, is one of them. While you can reach the land by walking when the waters recede, you can go to this restaurant on a tiny piece of rock, which becomes more when the water rises, even for taking photos, if not for a meal.
Lukman
This is a restaurant in Stone Town, close to the Slave Market, where you can eat local food in the form of an artisan restaurant. It is always full of foreigners and locals who want to try local food.
Livingstone Beach Restaurant
If you want to let my feet touch the beach in Stone Town and watch the sunset while sipping my beer, this is the place. During my time in Zanzibar, I think I stopped by once a day.
Africa House Hotel
This is the place where you can watch the sunset on the terrace of an authentic boutique hotel in Stone Town. Luckily, there was a cloud on the day I went, and although we couldn't watch the sunset, the view was beautiful.
Zanzibar is a good option for those who are looking for a beautiful island to experience different cultures and activities as well as a sea holiday. The security problem is negligible compared to the surrounding Kenya-Tanzania.
Stay on track.
13 Comments
Hello,
I noticed your nice article about Zanzibar after I went to the island and came back. Unfortunately, we missed The Rock restaurant.
We went for our honeymoon and we were quite satisfied. THY's direct flights also facilitated transportation from Istanbul. We did not encounter a negative attitude in our dialogues with both the island people and the beach boys.
As far as I researched on the internet, Nungwi and Kendwa regions are more beautiful in terms of sea and hotels.
We also shared our thoughts about Zanzibar on our blog, we are waiting for you 🙂
I forgot an anecdote, beach boys walking around on the beach. Many sites where Zanzibar is advertised say that these beach boys are harmless, but they can get very aggressive from time to time. When you want to take a walk on the beach and enjoy the white sand, a beach boy with a bad smell appears next to you and when you don't answer or snap. you can stay in a dangerous situation.. In summary, I say don't go..
Hello dear blog owner and followers. We went to the island of zanzibar with my wife and two friends after a 4-day safari visit in nairobi and stayed for 5 days. yes, the island is beautiful, but very expensive..when you order your food, you have to take into account the waiting time of 2 hours. Also, the island is not safe for whites and vacationers. Acidic and bomb attacks in 2013 and 2014 show this. Britain warns its citizens about Zanzibar, you can't see anyone other than Dutch and Turkish tourists when you go, probably in these countries, bloggers and tourism companies do not warn about the dangers. The sea and sand are very nice, but when you want to wear your swimsuit bikini and sunbathe in the sea, you may experience harassment with slippers and stones. I'm not even talking about the abuses made by staring while sitting on the beach. If you want to watch the moonlight and sip my wine accompanied by loud prayers and calls for jihad from the mosques in your back village, it may be a great choice for you. Or if you like to have acid thrown in your face while walking in stone town, zanzibar is an invaluable blessing.. Below you can find links about acid attacks and bomb attacks..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2389209/Zanzibar-acid-attack-Muslim-preacher-wanted-attack-British-teenagers-shot-police.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zanzibartanzania/10899560/Zanzibar-bombing-leaves-one-dead.html
I did not encounter any of the situations you mentioned, it was interesting.
Frankly, I just arrived and it was one of the safest places I've ever been in my life. I think the probability of something happening to him in Barcelona is much higher. Only the desire and insistence of locals to sell something excessive is boring. The process doesn't come to a level that could pose a danger either. I even left the tourists and traveled in vehicles like the dala dala used by the locals, most of the time I was single white and had no problems. Of course, this is not to say that something will never happen to you. But anywhere in the world something can happen to you, you can run into bad people. After all, we live in Istanbul. We are training 🙂
The places in our dreams, the sea is perfect, it was a really nice article. I read without getting bored 🙂
Thank you very much for your comment.
Island trips are getting more exciting.
I also like the island.
You travel a lot, you know a lot, you are successful, I follow your articles, thank you
Thank you for your interest and follow-up.
Freddie Mercury birthplace. Unfortunately, this place has started to lose its virginity like the islands of Thailand.
Exactly, you need to find untouched places 🙂