12 October 2017
Zanzibar, a tropical island, is famous for its stunning white beaches and coral reefs. Yet there is more to it than relaxed days on the sand and watersports: the island also has a rich, colourful history and culture. Old Stone Town is a remarkable blend of influences. If you enjoy food and culture, places such as the Sultan's Palace, the House of Wonders and the Darajani or Forodhani food markets are well worth a visit. Alternatively, join a Spice Tour or head out to the wonderful coral reefs to swim among tropical reef fish. There is no shortage of options. Here are 4 excellent excursions we picked out for your time on Zanzibar.
Nakupenda beach
Nakupenda Beach is a big sandbank out in the open sea. This pristine 'island' lies just 20 minutes from Stone Town. A boat takes you to its gleaming white sand, crystal-clear water and tropical scenery, and once there you can relax, sunbathe, swim, snorkel and explore life beneath the surface. With a bit of luck you may spot dolphins too. Many operators include a tasty seafood lunch served right on the beach.
Cheetah’s Rock
Cheetah's Rock is a one-of-a-kind rescue centre for wild animals, where you can learn about and interact with wildlife in natural surroundings. The woman who runs it has a deep passion for wildlife and has devoted her life to protecting these animals. All of them are well looked after, live in spacious enclosures with plenty of room to move, and are never sedated with tranquillisers. If you are an animal lover hoping for a close, personal encounter with a cheetah, lion, hyena, bush baby or dikdik, this is the place to go. The visit is not cheap, but the tour is worth every penny.
Watch the humpback whale
For divers and snorkellers Zanzibar is a genuine paradise, and it is also an ideal place to watch humpback whales. The whales arrive on their migration in the waters off Zanzibar in late July and stay in the area until November. You can tell a humpback apart from any other whale by its nodules and long flippers, and these giants can measure up to 55 metres. If your visit to Zanzibar falls in this period, we strongly recommend a whale watching trip. With luck, you may even see them while swimming or scuba diving.
The waters around Zanzibar are also a nesting ground for sea turtles, which divers frequently encounter, as they do several dolphin species. With a bit of luck a scuba diver might even come face to face with a whale shark or manta ray.
Paddleboard through the mangrove forests
Take a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) through the mangrove forest. If you are drawn to nature, water and a bit of adventure, this trip could be just right for you. Mangroves grow only in tropical regions close to the equator and along coastlines, and the sight of their dense tangles of roots, like trees hovering above the water, is something special. The mangroves also attract a wide variety of birds and fish for you to spot.
Feed the giant tortoises on Prison Island
Prison Island is an uninhabited islet roughly half an hour by boat from Zanzibar Island. In
earlier times enslaved people were held here, and afterwards it became a quarantine post for patients with deadly illnesses. Today most visitors come simply to unwind, drawn by the tranquillity and the lovely white beach, which lends itself to snorkelling, swimming or sunbathing. You can wander through the ruins of the former prison and meet around a hundred giant land tortoises, brought over from the Seychelles in the 19th century. Few tortoises anywhere grow bigger, and they wander freely in the nature reserve, where you are welcome to feed them.
Find out more about Zanzibar Island.
