General Travel Guide To Zanzibar
Unlike other popular vacation destinations, Zanzibar is a beautiful coral island paradise that is still waiting to be discovered. Few people know about the place hence why there are only quite a few visitors travelling to the island up to this day. However, with sufficient information highlighting the unspoilt beauty of Zanzibar, it won’t be long until it becomes a tourist hotspot.
Where is Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is an archipelago and unique coral island that is comprised of Pemba and Zanzibar Islands along with numerous islets. The island lies six degrees south of the equator and 25 miles of the Tanzania coast on the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is characterized by pristine sandy beaches, diverse culture, and untouched coral reefs. The mystery surrounding the island is now attracting the attention of international visitors worldwide.
How to Get to Zanzibar Island?
Those who wish to go to Zanzibar can get to the island via air and sea. Currently, Kenya and Ethiopia Airlines offer international flights to Zanzibar. Larger airline carriers meanwhile offer flights to Dar es Salaam, a nearby town which is only a short trip from the main island through sea or air. Some of the airline companies carrying international flights to Dar es Salaam include British Airways, Swiss, Qatar Airways and Emirate Airlines. For domestic travel, Ethiopian, Kenya, and Precision Air offers regular flights to the town of Zanzibar.
Guests who wish to get to the island by sea should book their ferry tickets through a licensed tour operator. Azam marine is the largest sea ferry that ply between the waters of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Guests can also reach the island by riding a speedboat from Dar es Salaam, which is estimated to be a two hour trip.
Main Attractions
Zanzibar is famous for its picturesque white sandy beaches complemented by the Indian Ocean’s warm turquoise waters. The island features about 25 spectacular beaches some of which are set in a really remote area and the only noise that can be heard is the flowing ocean waves.
Visitors of Zanzibar can enjoy a great day of sightseeing trip to its several small offshore islands. One in particular is the Prison or Changu Island which is extremely popular amongst international and domestic visitors alike. Prison Island is only a few hours away from the famous Stone Town.
Considered as the cultural hub of Zanzibar, Stone Town is known as one of its most famous attractions. The place is teeming with extravagant Arab houses, imposing mosques, winding alleys and busy bazaars. Walking along the Stone town’s alleyways and astonishing labyrinth of narrow streets allow guests to delve into the colourful past and cultural heritage of Zanzibar. Other must-see spots in Zanzibar include the Spice Plantations, Jozani Forest and Kizimkazi Mosque.
Before scheduling your trip to Zanzibar, check with the nearest Tanzanian Embassy to know if you are required to acquire a visa. Some nationalities are permitted to enter the town without a visa while others will definitely need to obtain one to get entry permission. So to avoid encountering problems, be sure to have all your travel documents ready and do not forget to carry your passport with you.
