Zanzibar - 15 Favorite Things To Do

Zanzibar Things To Do: A Guide With Our Favourite Zanzibar Activities

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Zanzibar, is THE island where we left our hearts.

A wise person told us once: "The moment you step foot on the island, you never want to leave."

She was definitely right about that. Zanzibar is an island where the lifestyle is also known as: Hakuna Matata. They have incredible spices, amazing sunsets, the clearest ocean and it's a perfect honeymoon destination.

HERE ARE 15 THINGS TO DO IN ZANZIBAR

Written by: Stephanie Gabriella

1. Visit Jozani Forest

A must see in Zanzibar is definitely the Jozani Forest. It's the only national park on Zanzibar Island and it's a very small (only 50 kilometres square) beautiful green place with monkeys to visit. Jozani Forest is also famous for its rare Red Colobus Monkeys and are hard to spot. However, you may also see a Bushbaby monkey, 50 different species of butterflies and 40 species of all kinds of birds. Jozani Forest is declared as a nature reserve in the 1960s.

You can book this tour before hand with the same travel guide as us: Kassim. He drove us to all the beautiful things the island has to offer.

There is also a mangrove area on the other side of the park. Here there are various plants and trees to find. and they are used as natural remedies.

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⬇ All the important information:

The entrance fee: $7.30 if you go on your own. This includes a guide that shows you around in the forest.

A remark: A guide isn't necessary as you can't get lost on the boardwalk as it leads to one direction.

2. Rent a Transparent Kayak

You know those beautiful transparent Kayaks you see on Pinterest? They have them in Zanzibar Island at Kings surf and it's an amazing experience. Just think about it: floating on the Indian Ocean. It gives you such a relaxed feeling.

If you are at Nungwi beach, we recommend to take a boat taxi and you'll be there in less than 10 minutes.

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⬇ All the important information:

Location: Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar -Near Sunset Beach Hotel

Entrance fee:

Kayaks: $20 for 30 minutes and $40 for 1 hour

Stand up Paddleboards: $15 for 1 hour

About the Kayaks: 1 Kayak seats 2 people

Opening times: 8AM - 6:30 PM (Every day)

For any questions: Click here to contact Kingz surf

3. Go on a Reef Tour

Are you curious to see what lives on the reef of the Indian Ocean?

Definitely book a reef tour at Kassim and he will take you on a reef tour when it's low tide at Pwani Mchangani and tell you everything you need to know to discover animals you might never heard of before. Such as Sea Urchins, Spider star fishes and many more. The tour will take upon 1,5/2 hours.

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Location: Pwani Mchangani

4. Swim with turtles

Surrounded by turtles as long as you want? It's possible in the north of Zanzibar. You can swim with them, give them their foods, or just admire them, it’s all possible. 🐢🐢

It’s a home for these turtles and it's also a community based effort to protect them from fishing nets. They are usually brought here to recover and when they are in a good condition, they set them free, back into the ocean. 🌊

⬇All the important information:

- Opening times : 9AM - 6PM

- Wear underwater shoes

- Location: Mnarani , Nungwi 0000

- Entrance fee: $10 / 23050.00 TZS

- Best times for photos: 10:30 AM or 4 - 6 PM

We were so excited to do this and luckily @kassim_zanzibar arranged a swim with our friends for us. 🐢

5. Sail upon the blue Indian Ocean

In need for some relaxation? Book a sail trip at Pwani Mchangani beach. You will experience slow sailing upon an authentic self made boat. Don't worry it's all save and a beautiful experience. We would recommend to book this trip in between your holiday or towards the end, to create a memorable peaceful moment on the sea.

⬇ All the important information:

- Our guide 🙋🏾‍♂️: @kassim_zanzibar

- Opening times ⏰ : 8AM - 7PM

- Location 📌: Pwani Mchangani beach

- Best time for photos 📸 : 8 - 11 AM or 4 - 6:30 PM • 6 PM for sunset photos 🌅

6. Visit the Kuza Cave

Explore the beautiful serene Kuza Cave. Its beautiful clear and clean blue water is definitely a hidden gem in the South East part of the island. You can also book a cooking class and drum session together when you want to visit this place.

⬇All the important information:

- Our guide 🙋🏾‍♂️: @kassim_zanzibar

- Important information 👟: Wear underwater shoes

- Opening times ⏰ : 8:30AM - 6:30PM

- Location 📌: Kibigija, Jambiani

- Best time for photos 📸 : 12-2 PM

- Entrance fee 💵: $10 / 23050.00 TZS

7. Relax at Paje Beach

What's more tropical than hanging in a palm tree? This is definitely a beautiful Instagram spot and photo spot in general. Paje is one the longest and clearest beaches on the island. If you're longing for rest, than this is beach is calling your name!

P.s. Our guide kassim_zanzibar got us here and even took this beautiful photo.

⬇ All the important information:

- Location 📌: Paje Beach, Zanzibar

- Our guide 🙋🏾‍♂️: @kassim_zanzibar

8. Visit Stone Town

Stone Town, a city on Zanzibar that's always busy. One the best ways to get a true understanding of the island is to book a walking tour.

Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We would say that taking a tour isn't that necessary, because you can walk around on your own, however to get a deeper understanding a tour guide's explanation would be more convenient. It also saves you from getting lost.

Here's a list of things you can do in Stone Town:

- See Freddie Mercury's House

- The Hamni Persian Baths

- Drink a Coffee the Jaws Corner

- Go to the St. Joseph's Cathedral

- Visit The Old Fort

- Explore Zanzibar Cultural Arts Centre

- Visit The Abeid Curio Shop

- Stay at a traditional Swahili Hotel

- Visit the slave market

- Eat at the Forodhani Gardens

- Drink or eat at a rooftop restaurant

- Visit prison island

9. Go to the Spice Farm

When you're already in Stone Town you can take a Spice Tour. During this tour you can try all types of different locally grown spices, such as turmeric, lemongrass, vanilla, cumin, cinnamon and many more spices that are used for cooking or traditional medicines. When you're on a tour, your personal guide will explain all the meanings and uses for the spices. They all have their own unique purpose.

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10. Relax at Nungwi Beach

During our stay at Zanzibar we decided not to do hotel hopping, because we have red so many good things about Nungwi, that we wanted to stay here as long as possible. Although Nungwi lays in the north, it's a good point to start all your activities from and the beach is clean and beautiful.

The coral is much further from the coast, which makes it easier to swim. Also, whenever there is a low tide, you're still able to swim at all times because there aren't much low tide leaves.

Also, the food in this area is incredibly good and you have the choice of kitchens all over the world, but there's also plenty opportunities to eat local cuisine. When we would visit Zanzibar, we would definitely go back to Nungwi again. We truly get why it's so popular.

⬇All the important information:

Location 📌: Nungwi beach

11. Go Snorkling at Mnemba Atoll

Mnemba Atoll is a must do activity, you can not leave the island without going into the ocean to snorkel.

You will spot the most colourful fishes and coral. You’ll find an abundance of sea life and may even spot some dolphins!

⬇All the important information:

Location 📌: Mnemba Atoll

Important information: Make sure to book your trip in

advance. If you book at Kassim Zanzibar Tours he will

always tell you which day would be a better one for

the activity.

Note: if somehow it rains or the water is too wild he will postpone the trip without any additional fees.

12. Visit Mnemba Island

Have you ever been on a Sandbank? We had never been on one before and it definitely describes a certain 'wow feeling'. Take a look at our video to see the Sanbank from above. We recommend to stay here for at least 30 minutes to soak up all the beauty.

⬇All the important information:

Location 📌: Mnemba Island

13. Go Surfing

Would you like to surfing on Zanzibar? It's definitely possible. You can rent a board on different places of the island, but we definitely recommend to rent a board at: Aquaholics Kite & Surf Zanzibar

Location 📌: Paje Beach

14. Go on a Sunset Dhow Cruise

A Sunset Dhow Cruise offers you chance to watch the sunset from out on the water. There are various options, you

can go for an easy romantic trip or hop on a party boat. Most of them include drinks and some also include food.

A lot of Sunset Cruises depart from the main towns on the West of the island.

You can departure from Nungwi, Kendwa beach or Stone town.

⬇All the important information:

Location📌: Kendwa Beach, Nungwi Beach or Stone Town- Zanzibar

15. Relax on the beach with beach cows

A very nice and sweet experience you can have is to chill with cows on the beach. Imagine just laying down and a cow is enjoying the sun just as you are. We spot them on Nungwi Beach, but we can bet they live all over the island. Make sure to be kind to them and take photos or videos without a flash.

⬇All the important information:

Location 📌: Nungwi Beach

That's it, those where our favorite spots of the island, we highly recommend them. We hope you will have an amazing time in Zanzibar and if you like our articles definitely subscribe,

Love Steph and Jo