Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar Island Beach holidays

Options for a Zanzibar beach holiday are many, but broadly, the island can be divided into five areas: Nungwi in the north, the east coast, the southeast, the west coast, and a few offshore islands.

Two or three hours’ drive from Stone Town, the village of Nungwi marks the northernmost tip of Zanzibar. Surrounded on three sides by a turquoise-blue ocean, Nungwi has long been a magnet for visitors seeking paradise. Come for some good diving and beaches, and proximity to a lively village where there’s always a lot going on.

Zanzibar’s east coast is lined with long, powder-white beaches. To the north, numerous small resorts boast similar beaches, yet all are quite different. Offshore you find the magical Mnemba Island – the ultimate island lodge for those who can afford it.

Continuing along Zanzibar’s southeast coast, the beaches remain stunning: powder-white sand with a barrier reef, lots of palm trees, and a wide lagoon between the beach and the reef. The villages become a little sleepier and more relaxed as you head south, and Jambiani, in particular, is very relaxed indeed: for an authentic visit to a friendly village, you can’t beat it.
In southwest Zanzibar, the Fumba Peninsula is a very laid-back and friendly corner of the island, with two good lodges, while offshore is the award-winning eco-resort on Chumbe Island.

A 30-minute flight north-east of Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island is comparable in size, but far more traditional in outlook, and visitor numbers here are tiny. Apart from a handful of honeymooners, most come for the diving, which can be excellent – although it’s best suited to advanced divers.

Equally magical, although not part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, is the Mafia Archipelago. More remote, and quieter, than many places in Zanzibar, Mafia Island offers some superb diving and snorkeling in its marine park, served by just a few small lodges. And now on the Tanzania beach holiday scene is Fanjove Island, an ideal spot to wind down after a safari in southern Tanzania.

Activities on a Zanzibar Island beach holiday

Sun, sea, and sand: a Zanzibar beach holiday offers these in abundance. Zanzibars beaches differ, but almost all feature crystal-clear waters lapping at the edge of powdery-white sand that trickles through the toes. Be aware, though, that off many beaches, especially on the east coast, low tide can reduce the broad, shallow lagoon to a virtually empty puddle, and swimming is often only possible when the tide is in. It is always worth consulting online tide tables, as the daily range along the East African coast varies through each month and typically ranges from around 1 meter to more than 3 meters.

zanzibar beaches offer some excellent snorkeling, and world-class diving – which is centered around Mnemba Atoll to the northwest, and the Menai Bay Conservation Area, to the island’s southwest. But even if you’re not a water enthusiast, the chance to view the coastline from a traditional wooden dhow is not to be missed.

The team at Kiwoito Africa has visited almost every one of the 250 or so places to stay in Zanzibar to bring you a selection of the best. Some offer exclusivity, at a price; others are all-inclusive beach resorts; still, others are big international beach hotels. Most of Zanzibar’s best places to stay, however, are relatively low-key beach lodges.

 

ZANZIBAR PRISON ISLAND

The island is situated 5.6km northwest of Stone Town, Unguja it is also known as Changuu Island which is a Swahili name for a fish or Quarantine island, located in the Zanzibar Archipelago.

The island has an abundant history in its back, No one stayed at the island until the early 1960s when the first Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Said, gifted it to 2 Arab slave owners who used the island as a prison for rebellious slaves

In 1893, British First Minister, Lloyd Matthews, took the island and planned to build a prison on this island. Although the building work was completed in 1894, the prison never housed any prisoners.

In the early 1920s, Prison Island was transformed into a quarantine serving British territories in East Africa for patients who showed yellow fever symptoms. The prison buildings were converted into a hospital, and yellow fever patients were monitored for some time before they were permitted to leave.

Prison Island is highly famous for its population of giant Aldabra tortoises, The tortoise species are not local as in 1919, the British governor of Seychelles gifted 4 tortoises to Prison Island from there the number of the tortoises began to increase rapidly and by 1955 prison island had an estimated tortoise population of 155

The prison island tends to be one of the best places to visit a typical tropical paradise which contains greatness of wildlife and great scenery

Prison Island is a great day trip for travelers who want to immerse themselves in Zanzibar’s history while witnessing the socialization capacity of the tortoise with an experienced team Kiwoito Africa is ready to give a pure taste of Zanzibar prison island

Are you ready for this great day with some snorkeling around the coral reefs, a site of colorful fish, beautiful starfish, and seashells., or relax on the white sandy beach? Upon your return admire the breathtaking view of Stone Town, the bay, and the archipelago.

This tour includes

• Guided half-day trip of about 3-4 hours
• experienced guide as per your language request.
• Transportation: from any hotel in Zanzibar
• Admission to the Prison island

what to pack

• Swimsuit and towel

Our comments

• Suitable for all ages and fitness levels
• It is suitable to combine with other activities
• Don’t forget to carry a small tip for the tortoises’ reserve

NUNGWI VILLAGE.

It is also known as Ras Nungwi a large village located in the far northern end of the island of Zanzibar. With a population of 30,762, Nungwi is the second largest settlement on the island It is situated in the Nungwi Ward in the Kaskazini A District of the Unguja North Region. It is about 35 miles (56 km) north of Zanzibar Town on the Nungwi Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Stone Town. To the south Nungwi shares a border with the neighboring Matemwe- and Tazari villages.

Nungwi village is the liveliest beach spot in Zanzibar Nungwi was traditionally a fishing village and dhow-building center but is now a popular tourist destination

Activities that can be done at Nungwi

• Local village tour

Discover how locals live their everyday lives and how they make their livelihoods. Then visit Mnarani Aquarium, home to several endangered species.

• Spices tour

A Zanzibar classic! Get familiar with spices, herbs, and exotic fruits. The Spice Tour is one of our most popular excursions in Zanzibar, the Spice Island.

• Traditional cooks tour

This favorite tour includes a visit to a local organic spice farm and a walk through a nearby village. Learn about local life and try your hand at traditional cooking.

This tour includes

• Transfer from Hotel and back
• Professional local guide
• Lunch
• Exotic fruit tasting
• Drinking water

 

STONE CITY

Zanzibar Stone City is renowned for its beauty and the good arrangement of its buildings, Stone city is the main city on Zanzibar. It is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, with a unique mixture of Moorish, Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements

Activities that can be done at Stone City

• Walking Tour

Starting from the House of Wonders (Beit-el-Ajaib), Mizingani Rd, Stone Town, Zanzibar City Tanzania, the travelers will get to know the story behind the name of the House of Wonder

Then head towards the old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), Mizingani Rd, Stone Town, Zanzibar City Tanzania the traveler will see the original wall from the chapel and the theater

Finally, we will be stopping at the Freddie Mercury Museum, Kenyatta Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar City Tanzania where the traveler will acquire the history of a famous singer.

CHUMBE ISLAND

This is a private island found at Zanzibar and developed in 1991 with the aim of nonprofit rather than coral reef conservation

activities that can be done at chumbe

• SNORKELING

Our well-organized snorkeling tour takes you by boat to the edge of our Coral Reef Sanctuary where the view opens up a world of breathtaking sights.
Each snorkeling tour lasts for about one hour and provides discoveries for our guests. With each visit, you are unlikely to be disappointed! No matter if you are a snorkeling newcomer or professional, our competent guides will make sure you get the most out of it safely and responsibly. If you decide to explore the reef on your own, please make sure to inform our guides for your safety.

• Coconut crab walk

our guests have the chance to encounter giant Coconut crabs in the coral rag forest. Coconut crabs can reach up to 45 cm in diameter and are the largest living land crabs in the world! During the daytime, they hide in caves and crevices but after sunset, they roam around to look out for food. Although coconuts are their preferred diet, they are scavengers and eat almost everything they can find.

• Shore walking

This involves shorewalking areas that are covered by seawater at high tide and exposed during low tide. Guided shore walks which are led by our experienced kiwoito Africa guides who are familiar with the shore, ensure your safety and will show you fascinating marine organisms which are usually well camouflaged or sometimes hidden

 

• FOREST WALK

Zanzibar beaches lets you Join our one-and-a-half-hour forest journey on forest here you learn more about the geology of the island, the medicinal uses of local trees and shrubs, and hidden fauna that is difficult to spot.

the footpath led down into a large intertidal pool overgrown with mangroves and shaded by huge
baobab trees, where the seawater rises and falls with the tides and where you may observe many creatures adapted to these conditions

birds hiding in the thicket, hermit crabs crawling over leaves, and lizards resting on the ground on your Zanzibar beach

MNEMBA ISLAND

Let us color your Zanzibar beach safari with Mnemba Island an exclusive paradise featuring twelve rustically chic beachside bandas, for just 24 guests, connected to the breathtaking Mnemba atoll.

 

ZANZIBAR CULTURE

Zanzibar Beach possesses a different culture compared to the mainland culture, being once ruled by a sultan makes Zanzibar one of the most Islamic islands across the coast, the language they use is Swahili but it is quite different compared to that spoken at the mainland since their language is co-mixed with Arabic making it sound so well