Joanna James
Blessed with the beaches of the purest sands, ornate Omani imperial architecture along with a vibrant culture and history, Zanzibar remains an evocative Indian Ocean archipelago with many things to do, see and taste. Here is a curated list of top activities to do during your holiday on the East African coast! Read on for more!
Located in an ancient and reverent part of Zanzibar City, Stone Town is also known as Mji Mko, which offers a tantalising glimpse of how old Swahili trading towns felt, sounded, looked and smelled in the past. Stone Town embodies an atmospheric air with soulful Islamic prayers resounding in the air, and the heady aroma of fragrant spices at every turn. To date, Stone Town remains the heart and soul of Unguja Island – the capital city of the archipelago. Here visitors can sip aromatic cups of coffee or tea, admire elegant stone buildings and feast on fresh seafood dishes to their heart's content. With its infusion of Arabic, Indian, Persian and European legacies, Stone Town is a destination to remember and can be reached easily from resorts such as The Residence Zanzibar.
Among the top things to do in Zanzibar remains traversing through Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, a biodiversity hotspot. With a vast and scenic spread of verdant beauty, trekkers and hikers have the opportunity of possibly sighting the extremely rare red colobus monkey. Due to years of isolation from sibling species on the mainland, this particular simian monkey has managed to retain a special sort of beauty seen in its vibrant coats and distinct cries. There are plenty of nature trails to explore that cut through open fields and mangrove swamps as well.
If you came to Zanzibar, with the ambition of sinking your toes into soft sands as pure and pale as caster sugar, your best bet to do so is at Nungwi. Located on the northwesternmost tip of Zanzibar, Nungwi is a beachgoer's paradise! Here one has the opportunity to sunbathe, enjoy a sundown cruise, embark on a deep-sea fishing excursion and enjoy seafood feasts in the rustic beachside cafes in a completely leisurely manner.
No trip to Zanzibar is complete without treating your taste buds to a culinary adventure. To do this make your way to Zanzibar's spectacular nighttime food market located in the thick of Stone Town as the afternoon dims towards dusk. Forodhani Gardens comes alive with juggling spitting pans, while chefs set about creating dishes that are nothing short of remarkable. Here, foodies will be able to enjoy everything from falafel, kebabs, tandoori lobster, BBQ fish, fried potato balls and plenty more. Do bring a large appetite!
A slender slice of sandbank located just off the coast of Stone Town, Nakupenda means Swahili for I love you. And what is not to love? Jutting out from the brilliant turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean, this tiny and idyllic stretch of sand is the ideal spot to snorkel and swim. If you are especially lucky you might run the chance of catching a glimpse of frolicking pods of dolphins in the distance.
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