Some of our Zanzibar holiday ideas

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Our expertise in Zanzibar

Craig Kaufman

I’d love to create your perfect destination experience to Zanzibar . Give me a call and I’ll share my first-hand expertise so you get the most from your trip.

Craig
Travel Specialist

Best Time To Visit Zanzibar

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Quick Country Facts

Time Zone:GMT +3 hours

Captial:Zanzibar City

Currency:Tanzanian Shilling

Temperature:20 -31°

Why visit Zanzibar?

The Zanzibar Archipelago lies just 35 km offshore from Dar es Salaam, and the combination of fabulous beaches, distinctive culture, and excellent diving makes it a blissful place to unwind after a safari.

These islands have lured travellers for two millennia. Persian and Omani sultans, followed by Portuguese merchants, made this the slave- and spice-trading capital of the world. The spice trade still flourishes, with clove and coconut plantations covering the interior. However, in the last decade tourism has emerged as a major commercial activity on these islands.

Craig Kaufman

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Lying on the main route of the monsoon winds, Zanzibar became an important trading centre between China, India and Africa. In addition, the island’s own plantations have supplied the world with aromatic spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon ever since they were discovered by Arab traders in the 8th century.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Zanzibar was ruled by the Sultanate of Oman and in 1840 Zanzibar City (now Stone Town) was declared its capital. During this period, Zanzibar became an important centre of the slave trade, trafficking up to 20,000 slaves per year in the mid- 19th century. David Livingstone made Zanzibar a base for his East African explorations and campaigned for an end to this foul trade.

The British made Zanzibar a protectorate in 1890, still ruled by the sultan. Zanzibar was granted independence at the end of 1963. A bloody uprising followed; more than 17,000 Arabs and Indians were massacred in one night. The 1963 revolution was led by Africans and in 1964 the country merged with neighbouring Tanganika to form the new nation of Tanzania, although both states remained separate entities with their own governments, supported by the Soviet bloc.

In the 1980s Zanzibar again opened up to the West and began to promote itself as a tourism destination. Revenue from holidays to Zanzibar is now second only to clove production in its contribution to the GDP.

Stone Town, with its bazaars, mosques, and winding streets, is the cultural heart of Zanzibar, and no visit is complete without spending some time exploring this fascinating city. We can include a guided city tour on any of our tailor-made Zanzibar holidays. Its often convenient to spend a night in Stone Town if you arrive in the early evening or have an early morning flight. See a selection of Stone Town hotels here.

There are many exceptional beaches in Zanzibar with the beaches on the east coast recognised as some of the best, even more beautiful than they appear on postcards and in travel brochures. The sand here is brilliant white and powder fine, and stretches from Nungwi, at the northern tip of the island to Chwaka.

To the north of Zanzibar, the verdant island of Pemba remains largely undeveloped and unchanged. Pemba has miles of glorious, deserted beaches, but few tourists visit the island. Read more about Pemba Island holidays.

Easy flight connections from Dar es Salaam and Nairobi mean that an East African safari can be combined with a holiday to Zanzibar.

Looking for inspiration?

You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

  • We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
  • Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
  • We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

  • You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
  • We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
  • Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

  • We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
  • For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
  • We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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