Hidden off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is an island gem where the Indian Ocean merges with rich cultural heritage. What really made us fall in love with Zanzibar was its offering of stunning, white sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs in the north and east of the island, juxtaposed with the centuries-old traditions and winding streets in Stone Town. So whether you're a history buff, beach lover, or adventure seeker, Zanzibar is the ideal place for your next holiday, and you won't be disappointed!
We stayed in Zanzibar for a week and took a direct Fly Dubai flight that lasted a little over 5 hours.
There are three main areas in Zanzibar that are popular to stay in (and we stayed in all three): Nungwi, Paje and Stone Town. However, in hindsight, we probably would have left out staying in Paje but we will explore that below!
We booked a driver through @zanzibardestinations on Instagram. They were by far the most recommended way to travel around the island and it worked out excellently. Basically, they are almost like a 'taxi' service. We gave them our itinerary from the outset and booked the drivers in advance to ensure we could get from A to B on longer journeys. However, they also advised us on stop-off activities and organised these for us like a village quad-biking tour on our way to Paje.
ZANZIBAR ITINERARY OVERVIEW
2 NIGHTS IN NUNGWI
I would highly recommend trying to stay in Nungwi for the majority of your trip to fully experience the nightlife, relax on the white, tropical, sandy beaches and bask in the stunning Zanzibar sunset. We went snorkelling while on a boat trip to Mnemba Island which we booked through friends who were there too, but there are lots of local companies who can sort this for you. Our highlight was definitely Baraka National Aquarium where we got to feed the turtles. A little tip is to try to aim to be there off-peak hours as if it's busy, the pool will be crowded which isn't ideal!
2 NIGHTS IN PAJE (OPTIONAL)
We opted for 2 nights in Paje, however in hindsight we probably should have stayed in Nungwi and travelled down for a day/ evening trip. The main attraction in Paje is The Rock Restaurant which you must book in advance online as it is always booked up. It was definitely a pinch-me moment as I have seen so many people visit this unique restaurant!
2 NIGHTS IN STONE TOWN
Finishing off our holiday in Stone Town was the most perfect ending. It was steeped in culture and history as well as having the most incredible restaurants and bars. We took a day trip to Prison Island which is a MUST if you are visiting Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is an amazing destination for anyone looking to relax, explore, and soak up some serious island vibes! We had an unforgettable week, and we can’t recommend it enough. I cannot wait to go back!
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I have created this small infographic for you to help you with accommodation
we stayed in, restaurants and bars we tried and also some activities we did too!
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