If this winter you dream of escaping to white sand beaches and turquoise waters, in a place where relaxation is at home, Zanzibar becomes the perfect destination for those who want to experience authentic exoticism.
Zanzibar Tanzania Collage DMS
Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of Tanzania infuses you with a unique combination of vibrant culture, wild nature and luxurious comfort at prices to suit all budgets.
Zanzibar is not just an exotic destination, but a complete experience: from its paradisiacal beaches, to the fascinating history and interaction with a unique wild nature, in the natural parks arranged on the island.
The motto of this African paradise is “Hakuna Matata” or “no worries” – a telling motto that perfectly reflects the relaxed way people here look at life.
Ten years ago, a trip to Zanzibar seemed like an extremely exotic adventure. Today, this island, hidden among the waves of the Indian Ocean, attracts more and more tourists. Adventure seekers, tired of the usual destinations and popular resorts, rush to discover this place to experience the unique culture and atmosphere of the island.
Tanzania: the African paradise, from Kilimanjaro to the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar
Tanzania, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, is a country with a pleasant temperature throughout the year, varying between 25 and 30°C. In addition to its constant climate, Tanzania is home to three of Africa’s most impressive wonders: Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s highest peak; The Ngorongoro Game Reserve, known as “Noah’s ark natural” due to its unique faunal diversity; and the Serengeti and Selous National Parks, famous for their huge populations of wild mammals.
The eastern side of the island of Zanzibar is notable for spectacular beaches and considerable tides, with Indian Ocean waters that can recede even hundreds of meters. The south of the island remains an area less explored by tourists, but offers heavenly beaches and a well-established infrastructure for diving lovers, with countless opportunities to discover fabulously colorful coral reefs. Most of the hotels on the island are concentrated in the north around the fishing village of Nungwi, an area popular for its location and tourist facilities.
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Zanzibar Tanzania Photo The Truth
Dream beaches, awarded for their beauty, and swimming with exotic fish
Zanzibar is famous for its dream beaches, including Kendwa and Nungwi, both of which feature in the charts of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations. The eastern part of the island, especially Paje, attracts kite-surfers thanks to the perfect winds and calm waters. In the south, Kizimkazi offers unique experiences such as swimming with dolphins and spectacular landscapes with natural bays. For those looking for relaxation and tranquility, Jambiani beach welcomes you with crystal clear waters and a special local charm.
The waters of the Indian Ocean are warm and calm, but in the south of the island, swimming can become a challenge, as you sometimes have to wade hundreds of meters through shallow water to reach a deeper area. In the northern part, the tides are less obvious and the ocean offers excellent conditions for diving, surfing or relaxing shore walks to explore marine life.
In the business of the shore, you will encounter colorful fish, crabs, molluscs and even starfish of impressive size, some of which can weigh up to a kilogram.
Explore Zanzibar beyond the beaches: exciting activities on the idyllic island
Zanzibar offers much more than relaxing on the beach. Among the most popular activities are:
• Selous Game Reserve Safari. For a complete African experience, tourists can explore the national parks of Tanzania where they can see lions, zebras and many other wild animals in their natural habitat. A special place for a memorable safari is the Selous Game Reserve, one of the largest and most impressive in the world, covering an area of over 50,000 km², four times the size of the famous Serengeti Park. Selous is famous for its huge concentration of African elephants. During the safari, visitors can encounter spectacular species such as lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Excursions are organized with fast domestic flights and include lunch, being also suitable for children over 4-5 years old.
• Exploring Jozani-Chwaka Bay Natural Park. Here you can observe unique, endangered species, such as the red colobus monkey.
• Marine activities. Snorkeling, swimming with dolphins or romantic sunset cruises on traditional wooden dhow boats are just some of the unique activities that Zanzibar offers visitors. These experiences combine the island’s natural beauty with local tradition, and for marine life lovers, snorkeling and swimming with dolphins are unforgettable opportunities to explore vibrant coral reefs. Sunset cruises in dhow boats add a special charm to the holiday, offering tourists a spectacular view of the ocean and the colorful sunset sky in an authentic and relaxing setting.
• Rufiji River Cruises. Rufiji River cruises offer a unique opportunity to explore some of the largest mangrove forests in East Africa. These tropical mangrove forests, which stretch along the coasts, form an impressive green barrier along the beaches, protecting the marine ecosystem, serving as a refuge for many species of animals and birds. As the tours take you along the Rufiji River, you will have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular scenery, observe wildlife in its natural habitat and experience the tranquility of a protected area where nature takes its undisturbed course. These adventures are ideal for nature lovers and those who want to relax in the middle of unspoiled landscapes.
• Visit to Stone Town. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town offers a fascinating foray into the history of the island through a unique combination of Arabic, Indian, Persian, European and African architecture. Carved solid wood doors, ornate balconies and cool inner courtyards are features of the traditional dwellings, reflecting the cultural influences of the various trading communities that contributed to the development of the city. Among the unmissable attractions are the old slave market and the Anglican Church, built to symbolize the abolition of slavery, the House of Wonders (Beit al-Ajaib) – a symbol of Zanzibar’s cultural heritage, and the Arab Fort (Old Fort), built by the Omanis for defense, but which today is the cultural center of the island, hosting fairs, festivals and local exhibitions. Another interesting detail is the fact that Stone Town is the birthplace of the famous Freddie Mercury.
• Gastronomic adventure. Culinarily, local dishes such as “nyama na ndizi” (meat with cooked bananas) or fresh seafood will conquer all the senses. Forodhani Square is an open-air gastronomic paradise, which becomes, once the evening falls, a particularly animated place. Here you can enjoy local delicacies such as Zanzibari pizza and grilled seafood.
• Tours to spice farms. Zanzibar has a rich history influenced by the spice trade, which earned it the nickname of “Spice Island”being a trading hub between Africa, the Middle East and Asia for centuries. Zanzibar was once the world center of the spice trade, exporting cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon to all corners of the world. Spice farm tours are a must for any visitor, as they offer the opportunity to learn about how they are grown, but also to taste them fresh. Zanzibar is particularly famous for its vanilla crops, among the largest in the world, which command a high price due to the laborious hand pollination process. There are many plantations on the island, where you can find cloves, ginger, coconuts, coriander, mango, lemongrass, red bananas, papaya, passion fruit or breadfruit, called Breadfruit.
• Performances with Masai. In Zanzibar, the Maasai guard the hotels and maintain order, while offering tours, massages and souvenirs on the public beaches. They are originally from Tanzania or Kenya and wear traditional clothing, șúkà, usually red with colorful motifs. Their traditional dance, adumu, involves jumping, and those who jump higher are considered more attractive. Hotels in Zanzibar organize special evenings to showcase the Maasai culture.
How much is a holiday in Zanzibar this winter?
Several international tour operators offer holidays in Zanzibar, with departures from Bucharest, charter flights of approximately 8.5 hours, with a technical refueling stopover.
Available offers include: seven-night all-inclusive packages starting from €1,435/person for four-star, adults-only hotels, ideal for a romantic getaway, and seven-night all-inclusive packages starting from at €1,650/person, for five-star hotels, exclusively for adults or over 16s, offering luxury facilities and activities for couples.
The ideal time for a holiday in Zanzibar is between October and March, when the weather is perfect for the beach and exploring.
Thus, tourists have at their disposal attractive offers to discover the beauties of the island, in an exotic setting, with an atmosphere of complete relaxation.
