Zanzibar

A Zanzibar beach holiday combines white powder sand, turquoise Indian Ocean water, and one of East Africa’s most culturally rich destinations in a single unforgettable escape. This semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania has been a crossroads of Arab, Persian, Indian, and African cultures for centuries. Stone Town — Zanzibar’s ancient capital — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of labyrinthine alleyways, carved wooden doorways, and mosques, a living museum of the island’s complex history. A Zanzibar beach holiday is best experienced on the north and east coasts, where powdery beaches stretch for kilometres. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north offer year-round swimming conditions. Matemwe and Paje on the east coast are beloved by kitesurfers and snorkellers. The coral reefs surrounding the islands are rich and relatively intact, supporting dolphins, sea turtles, and a dazzling variety of reef fish. Jozani Forest, the island’s only national park, is home to the rare endemic red colobus monkey. Zanzibar is Tanzania’s spice island, still producing cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Spice farm tours are a popular half-day excursion. A Zanzibar beach holiday pairs perfectly with any mainland Tanzania safari, typically added at the end of a bush itinerary for a classic bush-and-beach combination.