Zanzibar

TANZANIA | DESTINATIONS

Overview

When it’s time to rinse off the dust of the plains, there is really no better place to be than the tropical Swahili Coast and Zanzibar Island, infused with natural beauty and a heady mix of African, Arabian, Persian, and Indian cultural influences.

The shimmering coastline of palm-fringed white beaches and reefs is indented with creeks and mangroves while the warm aquamarine waters are beaded with tropical islands. Baobab, cashew, and mango trees and fragments of ancient coastal forest color the narrow strip between coast and uplands green. When palms and casuarinas frame your view of sand, sea, and lateen-rigged dhows, it is time to breathe out and relax, soothed by the balmy onshore breeze.

Summary

Area

2,461 km²

Location

Coast of east-central Africa

Climate

28.4°C / 83.1°F- Average sea temperatures off Zanzibar
December- March is generally hot and dry April- Mid June is wet because of long rains
July-August is dry and breezy with little rainfall October-November is when the short rains appear.

Getting There

There are several ways to reach Zanzibar. One can fly into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airline, South African Airways, Swiss Air or Kenya Airways then connect with a domestic flight to Zanzibar can also be very conveniently reached from Dar es Salaam with daily sea ferry schedules taking only two hours traveling time.
Alternatively, Airlines such as precision Air, ZanAir, Auric Air, Reginal Air, and Coastal Air have daily scheduled flights to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam taking only 20 minutes of flying time

Attractions

Swahili Culture

The monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean have shaped the history and culture of this sparkling coastline, carrying traders and seafarers from Arabia, Persia, India, and even China to and from Africa on their seasonal routes.
Swahili language and culture blend African and Eastern influences in a fusion that is both exotic and easy on the senses.

The Kilwa Sultanate that once ruled the coast from Kenya to Mozambique fragmented into several city-states that flourished with the trade winds. The breezes of the fabled island of Zanzibar still carry the heady scents of spices; while Swahili culture infuses Stone Town’s winding alleys with taarab music, magnificent carved doors, and hospitable people. Echoes of a sadder history linger in the ruins and caves once used by slavers all down the coast.

Over 50 – Numbers of islands and islets making up the Zanzibar archipelago
12 hours-The length of each day and night here on the equator