Zanzibar Islands
Zanzibar Island is an historic Island off the coast of Tanzania in the
Indian Ocean, situated very close to the Equator Zanzibar Island has a
warm sunny climate with the waters surrounding Zanzibar being warm all
year. The beaches around Zanzibar Island are picture postcard soft white
sand leading into azure blue waters. Zanzibar really is an Island Paradise.
Perfect for Honeymoons, romantic escapes, family holidays, watersport
lovers and anyone in need of total relaxation.
Price
ranges in US$ per person per night
30 - 75
75 -
150
150
- 200
200
or more
Swahili
beach Resort
Arabian
Nights
Tamarind
Beach Hotel
Amaan Bungalows
Echo
Beach
Sunset
Bay Hotel
Ras
Nungwi
Ocean
Paradise
Breezes
Bluebay
Sultan
Sands
Fumba Beach Lodge
Langi
Langi beach Bungalows
Hakuna
Matata Beach Lodge
Pongwe
beach Hotel
Unguja
Resort
Chumba
Island
The
Palms
Zamani
Lodge
Baraza resort and
Spa
Stone Town Hotels
Tembo
House Hotel
Hurumzi
Hotel
Beyt
el Chaia
Zanzibar
Inn
Current Zanzibar Island Specials
Special Offer
Stay for 7 nights only pay for 6 stay 12 pay
10 |
Available dates
8th Jan - 15th June
excludes 1st to 5th April
|
Breezes Resort Price
guide 2010
75 - 150
per person per night bed breakfast and Dinner
Email Breezes Reservations: bookzanzibar@madbookings.com |
|
Special Offer
Kids for free no charges for children under
16 years sharing room with parents |
Available dates
8th Jan - 15th June
excludes 1st to 5th April |
Breezes Resort Price
guide
75 - 150
per person per night bed breakfast and Dinner
Email Breezes Reservations: bookzanzibar@madbookings.com |
|
Special Offer
Stay for 7 nights pay for only 6
in a superior room only |
Available dates
March to June, November
excludes 1st to 5th April |
Ocean paradise Price
guide
75 - 150
per person per night bed breakfast and Dinner
Email Ocean Paradise Reservations:
bookzanzibar@madbookings.com |
|
Special Offer
2009 prices held for 2010 |
Available dates
all year until further notice
limited offer |
Ocean paradise Price
guide
75 - 150
per person per night bed breakfast and Dinner
Email Reservations: bookzanzibar@madbookings.com |
|
Planning your holiday to Zanzibar
1/ Area Guide: Information on each area of Zanzibar
Island, what accommodation and activities are available.
2/ Accommodation Guide:
All the accommodation choices on Zanzibar Island
3/ Flights and Transfers:
Flight schedules for Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg to Zanzibar
and transfer information around Zanzibar Island.
4/ Tours and Activities:
Different tours you can enjoy, Diving and Activity Centres
around Zanzibar Island.
Zanzibar Island - Area Guide - Where To Go
Zanzibar Island is approx 65km long and 30km at its widest point,
Zanzibar can be split into five rough areas: South
West Coast | South East Coast
| North East Coast | North
Tip - Nungwi | Zanzibar Stone
Town.
Zanzibar South West Coast
Fumba to Kizimkazi and a handful of small Islands such as Chumbe
Island
The quiet undeveloped coast of Zanzibar Island, only a couple
of places to stay and becoming famous for the dolphin trips that
run to the bay around Kizimkazi.
Kizimkazi is a small fishing village made up of two villages:
Kizimkazi Dimbani and Kizimkazi Mkunguni. The beautiful white sandy
beaches are quiet and uncrowded and for those in search of a no
fuss peaceful quiet relaxing time this is the place.
Accommodation: There are four places to stay - Swahili Beach Resort,
Unguja Lodge, Fumba lodge and on Chumbe Island.
Snorkelling trips, dolphin cruises and diving can all be arranged.
Zanzibar South East Coast
Paje, Bwejuu
Keeping a very relaxed Island feel this beautiful stretch of coastline
has developed a great balance between tourism and Island life, with
a variety of accommodation options dotted along the kilometres of
beautiful white beach.
It really is a fantastic place for beach lovers, sun seekers, divers,
snorkellers fishing and perfect for weddings and honeymoons.
Accommodation: Breezes, The Palms, Barazzar, Echo Beach, Sunrise Lodge, Arabian Nights and a new dive accommodation centre opening soon.
Zanzibar North East Coast
Pongwe to Matemwe and Mnemba Atoll and Mnemba Island
A little more developed than the south it still has a charming
Island feel and some claim the best beaches on the Island, although
all the beaches around Zanzibar are so beautiful it is difficult
to put a best tag on any of them !
The best place for snorkelling and diving around the Mnemba Atoll
and some wonderful places for weddings, honeymoons and family holidays,
lodges vary from resort style - great for families and active holidays
to exclusive quiet hideaways.
Accommodation in this area has to be selected carefully as some
hotels have been developed exclusively for the Italian Market with
Italian food and Italian speaking staff, great if you are Italian….
For
Resorts and Lodges in North East Zanzibar click here
Accommodation: (excludes all Italian resorts)
Pongwe beach, Bluebay, Sultan
Sands, Ocean Paradise,
Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski, Matemwe beach,
Mnemba Island Lodge.
Activities: Snorkelling, diving, fishing, kayaking, sailing, sunbathing,
swimming, day trips.
Zanzibar North Tip
Nungwi
The area of Zanzibar that started beach tourism on the Island,
is getting a little busy but has kept a fun chilled out feel. For
those who want a more active holiday with lots going on this is
a great area of Zanzibar.More suitable for younger people who want
to chill by the pool all day with an occasional dip in the warm
ocean and then experience some local colour and music into the warm
starry nights.
The beaches are great and sandy bays offer sheltered swimming
in azure waters with soft sandy bottoms. The locals are very relaxed
about the tourists and love to interact with visitors from all over
the world.
Accommodation: Sunset
Bay Hotel and Ras Nungwi
Zanzibar Stone Town
Zanzibar Capital on the central west side of Zanzibar
Stone Town is the cultural and historic heart of Zanzibar Island,
a combination of North Africa, Arabia and Indian Ocean life with
a labyrinth of narrow twisting streets dotted with bustling bazaars,
small shops and grand Arabic mansions. During the 19th Century Zanzibar
was the most important commercial centre along the East Africa coast,
where most trade passed through from Africa to Asia including slaves,
ivory, tea, cloth, spices, gold, silver and more.
Slaves and Tea were the big money makers and most of the grand
buildings around Stone Town are built around these by the Sultans
who profited so handsomely. These have now become historic museums
and hotels and are well worth a visit to get a feel of the old days.
Palace Museum, The House of Wonders, The Omani Fort, The Slave Market,
Anglican Cathedral and Persian Baths.
Several tea houses have become hotels and restaurants, most notably
are Beyt al Chai (house of Tea) and Hurumzi hotel (Hurumzi means
free man).
Also it may interest many that Freddie Mercury from Queen was
born on Zanzibar which explains the presence of a café called
Mercury that is dedicated to the late singer.
Accommodation: Hurumzi house, Serena Zanzibar Inn, Beyt Al Chai,
Tembo house hotel, Dhow palace.
For Hotels
in Zanzibar Stone Town click here
Activity and Diving centres
on Zanzibar Island
There are many places and people offering snorkelling trips, dives
and dolphin trips all over the Island, in contrast there is only
a handful of operators running safe, controlled ecologically sound
trips, we encourage all visitors to use officially licensed centres,
this is for your own safety and the future of coral and marine life
around Zanzibar Island. They may charge a little more than the man
on the beach with his boat but will provide a safer and better experience.
Good Zanzibar Island Operators include:
One Ocean, Breezes dive centre, Safariblue, Swahili dive centre.
For more information on Zanzibar Diving and Activities click here...
Getting to Zanzibar Island
From:
Europe – Most capitals throughout Europe.
Middle East - Dubai
Kenya - Nairobi
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam, Arusha,
South Africa - Johannesburg O R Tambo
Mozambique - Pemba
United States –
Australia – best via Johannesburg South Africa
From South Africa to Zanzibar Island
Good news, we now have a twice weekly flight direct from Johannesburg
O R Tambo to Zanzibar Island, no stop in Dar es Salaam any more
! A Gentle 4 hour flight takes you from Johannesburg to Zanzibar
Island airport just outside Stone Town.
South Africa to Zanzibar Timetable and prices click here...
South African Airways still fly to Zanzibar Island Via Dar es
Salaam.
From Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar Island
There are several daily flights from Dar to Zanzibar on a variety
of small airlines including
Zanair (click here for Zanair schedules and prices). Some of the
bigger airlines have specials that are available when buying an
intercontinental flight ticket from Europe, America and the Middle
East (BA, Emirates, SA and KLM).
Help us Preserve Zanzibar's Magic
Zanzibar is unspoilt by the unpleasant effects of mass
tourism - the number of visitors to the island is still low, but
has been on the rise. It is our hope that increases in tourism do
not impact adversely on the magic of Zanzibar, and we humbly
ask all visitors to follow a handful of guidelines, ensuring they
will not offend the traditional values of the local people or harm
the environment in any way. It is typical of the Zanzibaris' friendly
nature that they will not harass you for infringing these guidelines,
but you should be aware that this is merely politeness, and is not
an excuse for ignoring them!
- Please ensure that you dress modestly when off the beach. Women
should not expose too much leg and chest, and topless sunbathing
is also strongly discouraged.
- If you have children and are bringing them to Zanzibar, please
make sure that they don't display their expensive toys in front
of their Zanzibari contemporaries. This may instill a false sense
of values in the local children, whose parents are unlikely to
be able to afford such luxuries.
- If you are diving or snorkelling, you may be tempted
to collect some pretty shells from Zanzibar's many coral reefs.
Please do not, as this kills entire reefs, the devastating effects
of which can be seen in the well-trodden areas of East African
coast. Although there are shell sellers, you are asked not to
buy shells from them, as it simply encourages this harmful industry.
- Zanzibar is an amazingly photogenic place, but if you want to
take photographs of people, please ask their permission first
out of courtesy.
- If you are non-Muslim, then please do not enter any of Zanzibar's
many mosques.
Zanzibar is still the best-kept secret in the Indian
Ocean, with its fascinating historical Stone Town and
magnificent beaches.
Zanzibar's Indian Ocean offers world class water sports including
scuba diving, snorkelling, deep sea fishing , kayaking, windsurfing,
water-skiing and sailing on traditional local dhows
Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba
Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian
Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6°
south of the equator. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja,
but as Zanzibar internationally) is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide,
occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is
characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs,
and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only
functioning ancient town in East Africa
There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas such
as Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes.
Civets - and rumour has it, the elusive Zanzibar leopard! Various
species of mongoose can also be found on the island. There is a
wide variety of birdlife, and a large number of butterflies in rural
areas. The coral reefs that surround the East Coast are rich
in marine diversity, and make Zanzibar an ideal location for snorkelling
and scuba diving.
Zanzibar Stone Town
It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone Town
is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed
in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling
bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied
with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This
one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded,
carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples
of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just
wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets
and alleyways.
Zanzibar Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared
a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. More information can be
found at the UNESCO
website.
Most of the houses that can be seen today were built in the 19th
century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres
in the Indian Ocean region. The coraline rock of Zanzibar was
a good building material, but it is also easily eroded. This is
evident by the large number of houses that are in a bad state
of repair. Several buildings have already been renovated and the
Stone Town Conservation Authority has been established to co-ordinate
the restoration of the town to its original magnificence. As a
result of sensible policy, nearly all of the major hotels built
in Stone Town are housed in renovated buildings.
As you walk through the town, please remember that Stone Town
is very much a real community, where real people live and work.
It is not a museum piece or theme park created for tourists, and
sensitivity should be shown to the local people.
If you want to learn more about Stone Town, there are various
ways to do it. You can either wander through the narrow streets
by yourself armed with a map, or you can embark on a tour with
one of the local tour operators.
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