Get to Exciting Places with Your Zanzibar Holidays

An archipelago of numerous islands, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean. The name ‘Zanzibar’ comes from the Persian word ‘Zang-bar’, which literally translates as ‘Black Coast’. As the islands in the archipelago produce a variety of spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg, they are often referred to as the ‘Spice Islands’. This island destination has its own history and culture, while there are several white-sand beaches in this part of the world that make it worth exploring. Unguja is the main island of the archipelago, which also houses the capital, Zanzibar City.

There are two rainy seasons and two dry seasons in this island destination. It experiences its short rainy season during the months of November and December. This is followed by the short dry season, which is experienced in the months of January and February. Next comes the long rainy season beginning in March and lasting until May. The best time to visit the island destination is from June to October, which is its long dry season. If you wish to enjoy your cheap holidays to Zanzibar during this time of the year, you’ll have to book several months in advance. This period is characterised by clear skies and a sunny weather.

During your Zanzibar holidays, you’ll get the chance to visit Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. This part of the island destination has some interesting art galleries, coffee shops, and fabric stalls. You can explore the maze of old streets on foot and enjoy some excellent cultural delights on the way. Another place worth visiting is the night market located on the seafront in Forodhani Gardens. You’ll get the chance to savour some of the mouth-watering varieties of seafood during your visit to this market.

If you’re someone who enjoys snorkelling in the crystal-clear, blue waters of the ocean, the Mnemba Island would be an ideal place for you to indulge in this activity. It is located at a distance of about 3 kilometres from the north-eastern coast of the Zanzibar Island. Another activity you can indulge in during your Zanzibar holidays is scuba diving in the waters surrounding this island. While exploring the underwater marine life, you’ll come across a variety of corals. You may also witness turtles and dolphins as you continue your scuba diving expedition. However, the visits to this island are quite expensive, as it is a privately-owned place.

One of the best beaches in Zanzibar can be found in the Nungwi village located in the north-western part of the island destination. It is a mesmerising sandy stretch, where you’ll not find many tourists. This beach can be your perfect place to relax amidst pleasant natural surroundings. A visit to the Jozani Forest would take you to some vast expanses of scenic green spaces. It is home to a swamp forest with a dense cover of ferns and trees. Buses, chartered taxis, or organised tours are the options you can choose to reach this amazing forest.

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I'm Amanda, and I work as a content strategist for Home and Away Holidays, which provides affordable holidays to the world's most exotic destinations.