Copy of Open your mind to African Wonders
I know this island like the palm of my hand as I was exploring it for one month. On this page you will see (activity, hotel, restaurant, and beach suggestions). If the trip is shorter than one month, even better as you have alot of options to choose from.
I like to zanzibar in two parts (rural and urban)
*The rural areas where you can get a very local experience, and rest your mind and soul are the following:
-Jambiani
-Dongwe
-Pingwe
-Makunduchi
-Nungwi
-Bumbwini
-and pretty much all around the island
*The urban areas where its more alive to be in with a variety of shops, clubs, restaurants and much more to select from are the following:
-Kizimkazi
-Stone town
-Paje
-Ngambo
1.Activities, hotels, nature, beaches, and a peaceful state of mind
*There are far alot of activities in the rural areas of Zanzibar such as:
-Snorkling with the fishes also known as blue safari while seeing beautiful mini islands in the turquoise water. (pay 170,000 tzs including transportation from your hotel and back+ an lunch on another island+ fruits on a sandbank)
-Swimming with the dolphins while seeing the sunrise in Kizimkazi. (pay 180 tzs including transportation from your hotel and back+ a meal)
-Jozani forest close to Jambiani that is filled with friendly monkeys. (pay 25,000tzs (including a tour guide that explains the backstory and captures bomb shots of you)
-Spice farm in Jambiani that you can see a wide selection of fruits and spices. (pay 15,000 tzs and get the sweetest two guide tours who can explain alot about spice knowledge and the history of zanzibar. After the sun sets you will be given fresh fruits along with fresh herbal tea all picked up freshly from the farm. There is a mini market inside the farm that you cac purchase small bags of fresh spices ranging from 5,000 tzs each)
-Nakupenda island is one of the many sandbanks in zanzibar that is a great choice to spend you evening there watching the sunsets and the birds. (you can take a boat from stone town for 70,000 tzs)
-Swimming with the turtles in salaam cave kizimkazi sounds like a fantasy right? well, you can do that only for 25,000 tzs and feed them turtles.
-Stone town tour with a tour guide and go with the flow. ugh... I have alot to say about the interesting history of stone town but would rather not be a spoiler.
*There are alot of hotels in the urban area including:
-The good thing about zanzibar is that you will never run out of hotel options there since its the island is very touristy. You will find a hotel every 2 blocks away. However the one and only hotel I can recommend is Whitesand bungalows in Jambiani because:
-The staff is very helpfull in terms of guiding you and arranging transportation.
-The breakfast buffet has alot of different and delicious dishes to choose from.
-The rooms are very clean and well organized.
-The hotel is right on the beach.
*Beaches that is each known for:
-Jambiani beach for its cleanliness and the best option to swim there.
-Paje beach for seeing luxury cafes, restaurants, and hotels on the beach and chilling there. (recommend clear kayaking during the sunset. 10 usd)
-Michanvi beach for its sunsets. (recommend jetski during the sunset 100,000 tzs)
-Jambiani beach for its sunrises. (recommend to mentally rest there as it is so quite)
1. Night life, luxurious places, and fun
-Stone town is where you will find alot of clubs, high class hotels, a variety of shops, and delicious restaurants.
-Paje is where you will the nightlife and a mini town that never sleeps
-Kizim kazi is known for its history of mosques and different activities on the beach
2. Restaurants
-6 degree south in (stone town) (I recommend their tacos)
-Bento food court in (paje) (I recommend their cheesy juicy burgers)
-Rock restaurant in (Pingwe) (I recommend any seafood)
-Mr. kahawa in (paje) (I recommend their fresh juices and salads)
-Lukmaan in (stone stown) (You cant leave zanzibar without trying a zanzibarian cusine)
-Secret garden in (stone town) (the place is more than beautiful and i recomment their drinks and dessert if you have a very sweet tooth)
-Honestly just go with the flow and walk around and see what you find appealing. Everything is way better unplanned.
3.Transportation
*I personally never took taxis unless it was more than a one hour drive. If you want new experiences for a cheaper price i recommend you to take tuktuks/bajajs (depends on how lond the drive but dont take it for more than 10,000 tzs) and scooters/bodsbodas again depends on the drive time but for example it costed me 10,000 tzs from jambiani to paje. so, do not take it for more than that, it is supposed to be cheap.
*If you want to rent a scooter or motorcycle, you can do it for a very suitable price in paje scooter rent next to the atm. (btw, if you want to withdraw cash you can do that in paje as well the withdraw fee is 15,000 tzs and its open 24 hours)
4.Connections
*My favourite part about this trip or any trip is making friends and connections which makes the trip a whole memory you cannot forget. I personally follow the theory (life is short, the world is wise so live like there is no tomorrow) and watch how your perspective will change.
*Saftey measurment have to be taken into consideration of course. With zanzibar sheltering the most unique culture and the most positive/hospitable people, you still need to put some limits for your own safety.
NOW GO AND MAKE A TRIP OF LIFE!!!
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