5 Unique Things to Do in Zanzibar

5 Unique Things to Do in Zanzibar, Africa is a game-rich continent enough to spend your lifetime watching animals in their natural habitats. The continent isn’t far from the Caribbean in terms of thriving beach experiences, and on its east coast is Zanzibar. This idyllic archipelago is just 40 km from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s business capital, making it accessible by ferry or plane. And the good news is that you can fly into its flagship airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ).

Zanzibar has much to offer to anyone, whether you’re an adrenaline-seeker or a cultural explorer. In this guide, we’ve rounded up eight fascinating activities to do while you’re in Zanzibar.

Walking in the streets of Stone Town.

Want a journey back to the Portuguese or Arabian ages? Step into this wonderful town. You will see spectacular buildings depicting the architecture of Persians, Indians, Europeans, and Swahili because all these cultures once inhabited this ancient trading port.

One of the unique things about Zanzibar is its unique door style. You may not capture it from the beginning, but once you gaze at them, you may want to go door after door to see what is unique. The designs and antiques reflect the early inhabitants. For example, doors with spikes indicate that Indians once lived there, while doors with spikes define the Arab traders.

Pro tip: Hire a local guide who knows the streets well. He knows where to take you and will introduce you to the locals peacefully.

Tasting local cuisines.

Locals have their unique recipes. Tasting local dishes is one of the thrilling experiences you may experience while you’re in Zanzibar. Head to food points like the Forodhani Gardens in the Stone Town, where food vendors bring their delicious meals for sale.

The best local dishes in Zanzibar include pilau (spiced rice), Zanzibar pizza, Mishkaki (grilled meat), Urojo soup, Zanzibar chocolate, mandazi, and seafood like octopus soup etc. The spices add a fragrant smell to your food, elevating your appetite. Common spices include cardamom, peppers, cloves, and cinnamon.

Pro tip: Always buy food from clean and trustworthy vendors. Avoid eating in unclean or crowded areas. If you have a local guide, ask him for a café with the best sanitary conditions.

Sail to Changuu Island

The remoteness of Changuu or Prison Island makes it a perfect place for relaxing and reflecting after a walk in Stone Town. It’s just 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town. It bears the name ‘prison’ because it was once a prison for rebellious slaves during the slave trade. Later on, the island was used as a quarantine for prisoners who were suspected of having yellow fever.

There’s something so special in Changuu – over giant tortoises, with some being over 100 years old. These creatures are not native to Changuu, but, according to history, the British governor of the Seychelles sent them as a gift to Changuu. It’s still unclear who the recipient of the gift was.

Pro tip: Take photos of you and the tortoises, leave the rest to your memory.

Diving at the Mnemba Atoll

For adventurers seeking to explore the marine life of the Indian Ocean, you’ve come to the right place. The azure waters of this ocean teem with dolphins, sharks, small fish, and more. The beautiful coral reefs are also worth watching. If you want to see all these creatures, head out to the Mnemba Atoll.

The Mnemba Atoll is the best dive site in Zanzibar, probably because fishing isn’t allowed near this site. This site is best for both beginners and seasoned divers. The private Mnemba Island Lodge, for example, offers diving courses for divers and beginners led by PADI-certified dive masters.

Pro tip: Diving at Mnemba might be expensive. If you’re on a budget, consider affordable places like Pemba, Misali, and Mafia.

Attend Zanzibar festivals

Zanzibar is a haven of festivals and cultural events. Depending on your time of travel, you can attend any of these fascinating events, which display Zanzibar’s cultural heritage and Africa at large. In February, you can attend the Sauti za Busara festival. It features music, especially local genres like Singeli, Bongo Flava, taarab, and more. The celebration usually runs for seven days.

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is another celebration to catch if you’re traveling in June or July. Artists and filmmakers in Africa display their finest pieces in front of an audience and entrepreneurs. The event happens in the Old Fort of Stone Town, hence giving you the opportunity to explore this ancient town.

The Mwaka Kogwa festival is another not-to-be-missed event. Though it has some Austrian origin, the locals celebrate it in their way. It involves some rituals and mock battles between men accompanied by beautiful melodies from the females in the streets of Makunduchi village, south of Unguja.

Other best festivals include Eid celebrations, Kizimkazi festival, Pemba bullfights, and Zanzibar Beach and Watersports Festival. The Kendwa Rocks Hotel on Kendwa Beach has its very own full moon party. You can attend this event for a vibrant nightlife.

Pro tip: Make sure you confirm the dates if you want to attend any of these events. Some may change dates.

The bottom line.

Zanzibar has a lot of things to see and experience. That makes us responsible for taking you there for your thrilling beach adventure. And for good reason, we’ve taken plenty of visitors to this idyllic archipelago for their beach stays and several things to do. So, we are here to help you discover Zanzibar.