NORTHERN ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar, the largest in a cluster of isles on the coast of Tanzania made a defensible port for colonial powers (Persian, Indian, Omani, Portuguese, British) to conduct business, namely spices and slaves. Now, the island has become in the best beach getaway in east Africa, offering unbeatable tropical white-sand beaches
Best time to visit Zanzibar is December - January and June - October.
Climate is humid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22-34 C.
The beaches of Zanzibar change twice a day, because of the strong high and low tides, as water retreats several hundred meters during low tide. Watch out with sea urchins!
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Get to Zanzibar
By plane to Zanzibar Airport from Nairobi (1.20 hours - 330 EUR). Visitors must pay a visa (50 USD). When they come back to Kenya they don't need to pay again the visa.
Take a taxi to move to your hotel.
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Restaurants
Taperia. In Stonetown, there is a Spanish restaurant for who are living abroad.
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Accommodation
If you are looking for running away from a massive tourism, you must stay in Kiwengwa. You must book in advance if you want to travel in high season.
Villa Hideaway. A villa on the Kiwengwa beach. Capacity for 4 people, it's full equipped with air condition, WiFi, cooker service and cleaning service. The cooker can buy all staffs to prepare meals. There is also a BBQ and a take away phone to call the taxi driver to move around the island. Prices from 200 EUR /night.
White Dream. A resort on the beach of Kiwengwa. Prices from 250 EUR/ night.
Villa Laura Zanzibar. A resort on the beach of Kiwengwa. Prices from 250 ER / night.
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Shaba Boutique Hotel. In the middle of Stone Town, this cossy hotel offers breakfast in a spectacular rooftop. Rooms from 50 EUR.
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What to do
Kendwa and Nungwi. Most touristic full of resorts on the shores of the sea. A large beaches to walk along as they are linked.
Kiwengwa. Quite fishermen village where to have some privacy.
Mnemba Atoll. This private island belongs to Bill Gates. You cannot step the beach unless you pay a high fee. Hire a boat in Matemwe from 20 USD. They will provide you all equipment. Here there is a wide fish biodiversity and thanks to its clear waters you can see easily the bottom of the sea. The trip takes 2-3 hours.
Stonetown. Follow the trail of the sultans, slaves and explorers in the winding streets of Stone Town. Visit the former Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders and the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort and Dispensary.
Prison Island. Changuu Island also known as Prison Island lies about 30 min by boat from Stone Town. The island was formerly owned by an Arab and saw use for confinement of refractory slaves but no prisoners were ever housed here instead the island became a quarantine station for yellow fever epidemics.This tour includes giant land tortoise.
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Note: The prevalence of malaria among the residents remains high, therefore bring enough mosquito repellent.
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