Travel to Zanzibar. Reviews of tourists about the rest, photo

This article will tell you about the beautiful archipelago located in the Indian Ocean. Its name is Zanzibar. Reviews of tourists often confuse it with the main island of the archipelago, Unguya. It is the second largest on the coast of Africa after Madagascar. In addition to Ungua, the archipelago includes smaller islands: Chapvani and Chumbe, Prison and Bava, Mnemba and Tumbata, Mafia and Pemba. The whole complex lies seventy kilometers east of Tanzania and is part of this country. True, on the rights of broad autonomy. Zanzibar has its own parliament, president, customs. But the Tanzanian shilling is circulating in circulation. The main industry in the archipelago has recently been tourism. Here come as lazy beach vacationers and sportsmen young people who want to conquer the wave or to learn the depths of the sea. When should you come to Zanzibar? How much are tours to this fabulous archipelago? How developed is the recreation infrastructure there? The answers to all these questions you will find below.

History of Zanzibar

The proximity from the mainland allowed people to settle the islands from time immemorial. Even the ancient Egyptians and Assyrians knew about these regions. In the archipelago, the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Chinese, the Hindus, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English left their cultural trail. Since the VIII century Zanzibar was the legendary home of spices. Arab merchants brought from there vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and ivory. The longest (from 1698 to 1890) was the influence of Omanis, under the influence of which 97% of the population of the islands became Muslim. Then the power over the archipelago was established by Great Britain. The colonialists were driven out only in 1963, but Zanzibar remained for a short time as an independent sultanate. Already in 1964, the archipelago became part of Tanzania. The country uses the island's natural beauty to attract tourists. Rest on Zanzibar reviews called a trip to heaven. Nature here is the same as the first day of the creation of the world, and the tourist infrastructure is developed, as at the best European resort.

How to get there

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to the Zanzibar archipelago. We have to get to the capital of Tanzania, the city of Dar es Salaam. And from there small aircraft-"corn" for fifteen minutes drive you to the airport of the resort of Zanzibar. Tours (traveler reviews repeatedly mention this) do not include air travel. But the rest of the paradise archipelago can hardly be called a budget one. The cheapest beach tour will cost from 565 US dollars. And active rest (for example, with safari in Tanzania) - and that is more expensive: $ 1000-2500. You can, of course, buy an air ticket in a travel agency. But the reviews recommend that you take care of the flight yourself. From Moscow it is most convenient to use the airline Emirates with a transfer in Dubai.

When to go to Zanzibar

The archipelago lies in a zone of tropical wet climate. But the sky above Zanzibar is almost always clear. There are two short periods of rain: the first - from April to June and the second - from October to the end of November. Then some hotels stop working, and the prices noticeably decrease. Travelers disagree on when it's best to go on vacation to Zanzibar. Reviews of tourists say that the "high season" falls on November-March. When there is winter in the northern latitudes, comfortable hot weather sets in Zanzibar. The average air temperature during the day at this time is +32 ° C, at night it decreases to +24. Water in the Indian Ocean is always warm, regardless of the season (+ 24 ... + 27 ° C). Other travelers assure that there is no better time to travel to Zanzibar than from June to October. This is the so-called low season. The holidaymakers are few, the prices are moderate, not hot (+26 ... + 27 ° C), there is little rain, a refreshing breeze blows from the ocean. This is the ideal time for those who can not stand the heat.

Where to stay

On the archipelago, and especially on its main island Ungua, there is no shortage of choices in housing. Every tourist here can find shelter based on their preferences and the size of the wallet. In the "high season" prices, of course, bite. In this case, tourists who come to the island of Zanzibar, tourists are advised to look for accommodation in the only city of the archipelago (and at the same time its capital) - Stone Town. It is located not on the coast, and therefore the prices for the hotels there are not subject to seasonal fluctuations. Life in a real medieval city, and even with such an Arab flavor, has its advantages. The most beneficial option for the ratio of price and quality of service reviews called the hotel "Zanzibar Coffee House." It is located in the heart of Stone Town. Rooms in this hotel have coffee "names". For example, "espresso" (double "standard") costs $ 75 per night, and "makkyato" ("superior" for 2 persons) is $ 115. Coastal hotels ask a higher price for their services. The most prestigious reviews are the Serena Inn complex. True, the double "standard" in this hotel costs 570 dollars per night. But, they say, if you want, you can always find a more budgeted option. Travelers recommend the hotel "Tembo" and the guest house "Beit al Chai".

Beach holiday in Zanzibar

Reviews of tourists mention over twenty-five beautiful coasts, located only on one island of Ungua. A characteristic feature of local beaches is snow-white sand, surrounded by luscious greenery of plantations, on which a lot of various spices are grown. In the north of Ungua lies Nungvi. On the beach side, this beach is decorated with mangroves, coconut and banana palms. In the west of the island, tourists praise Mangapvani. The best beaches are located in the east of the Zanzibar archipelago. Guest reviews mention Jambiani, Bwueu, Uroa, Kiwengwa, Pvani Mchangani and Matemwe, which are covered with tiny white sand. In terms of beach rest, other islands of the archipelago are also good. Only on Mnembu you will not be able to land. This is a private domain. Each island has its own "chip", in addition to beach recreation. So, for example, Prison and Bave attract divers with masks their famous coral reefs. And in Tumbata you can perfectly stupefy. After all, this island is an offshore zone.

Diving

This type of water entertainment is considered to be one of the best in the world in Zanzibar. The same diversity of tropical fish as in Ras Mohammed in the Red Sea, but the water temperature stays stable at around +26 ... + 27 degrees. Diving conditions are suitable for both beginners and those who are already skilled in scuba diving. The best season for diving is November-March. Then the average visibility reaches fifteen meters near Nungwi and twenty-five - near the island of Mafia. The best places to dive are Tartlets Dan and Morogh Reef near Stone Town, the neighborhood of Mnemba and Mateve. "Leven Banks" (Pemba Island) is popular with experienced divers. Many interesting impressions will bring immersion in the Bay of Chaul (Mafia Island). Several dive-resorts are located on the island of Zanzibar itself. Reviews of tourists warn of possible strong currents and abundance of large fish, so be careful.

Nature of Zanzibar Archipelago

Photos, reviews of tourists and the impressions described by them show that it is equally original and ... man-made. After all, Zanzibar in the Middle Ages was considered the main home of spices and spices. And now the daily "spice-tours" are sent from the capital of Stone Town. Reviews mention that during an interesting excursion, not just carry on the plantations of cardamom, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. You can personally adjust the cinnamon, try the jackfruit and breadfruit, treat the coconut. The natural beauty of the archipelago is simply amazing. Here there are many endemic plants and animals, which, in addition to Zanzibar, are not found anywhere else. This is a highbrow bottlenose, and giant turtles, and the monkey is red thick. There are many exotic birds (Turako, zebra amadines) and fish, from which the reviews often mention the white shark.

Stone Town

The main business card of the Zanzibar archipelago is called its capital. This city was laid by the Arabs in the ninth century, and now UNESCO is included in the list of the international heritage of mankind. On his narrow and tangled streets, like a labyrinth, the time seemed frozen. Walking between the stone houses, the eastern bazaars and squares, past the ancient mosques and decorated with openwork carvings, you will feel that there is the same atmosphere and atmosphere as a thousand years ago. Nevertheless, in the city there are as many as two Sultan's palace and as many huge cathedrals. From the colonial rule of Great Britain, several mansions and ornate buildings of foreign embassies have been preserved. Reviews are advised not to miss the abandoned Persian baths. And not far from Stone Town there is a unique forest massif of Hosani, Mangapwani, also known as the "Cave of Slaves", and the ruins of ancient palaces.

What to try in Zanzibar

Travelers who have tasted local dishes have the impression that the inhabitants of the archipelago do not export half of the spices, but use it on the spot. Regular garnish on weekdays, and on holidays is rice pilau with leek. From meat dishes it is worth trying sorpotel (stewed pork with offal and spices). On the archipelago there are plenty of restaurants of local and European cuisines. Do not be afraid of street cafes - they are also well fed. The best institutions on the island of Zanzibar called the reviews "Archipelago" and "Lazuli" in Stone Town. The first serves delicious seafood, and the latter is famous for a wide range of smoothies and fresh. From the restaurants of European cuisine, recommendations are recommended to visit "House of Spice" and "Amore Mio".

Souvenirs

What can I do to complete the rest on the Zanzibar archipelago? Reviews advise to buy a set of spices - the cheapest souvenir. For the beloved, you need to bring a blue diamond tanzanite - it is found only in this country. Also in Zanzibar are beautiful pieces of gold and silver. A worthy reminder of a happy holiday will be figurines made of macedonian wood. Maasai masters are ready to offer you traditional fabrics and blankets, bright hoodies and shirts with inscriptions in Swahili.