Zanzibar Island – Unguja, Tanzania: A Comprehensive Guide

Also known as the Spice Island, the gorgeous island of Zanzibar is rich in culture and history, white-sand beaches sparkling under the sun and palms swaying lazily in the sea air, together makes Zanzibar a fantastic site to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.

Zanzibar is the semi-independent part of Tanzania in East Africa. It has many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the largest island, informally referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba. The Zanzibar Archipelago sits in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) from the coast of the mainland. Its capital city is Zanzibar City, on the island Unguja. Stone town is the historic center and a World Heritage Site.

The Island is a paradise for water sports activities like swimming, snorkelling, diving with tonnes of luminous fish or just grazing over adjacent coral gardens and offshore pods of dolphins cavort offshore. The smooth beaches make the day shine under the sun.

The island’s capital, Zanzibar, houses the old Stone Town. You might imagine yourself going back in time in the historic core. The Spice Tour allows the opportunity to go out into the actual plantations to see, touch and taste Zanzibar’s numerous spices in their natural setting. Exotic tastes include cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices that have given the island its fame.

If you wish to have Zanzibar’s eclectic street food, Forodhani Garden’s food market is your destination.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Stone town is the perfect place for culture, history and photography lovers
• Stone Town Highlights: Winding Alleys, Carved Doors, History and Markets