Zanzibar, Nungwi, Jozani… It sounds very unusual and interesting, don’t you agree? If you have always dreamed of visiting Tanzania, but have no idea where to start planning your trip and what to do there, read the guide from our travel expert!
How to get there and where to live
Look for a ticket from your city to Zanzibar. There are no direct flights from Moscow to Zanzibar, the fastest is with a transfer in Dubai (16-17 hours on the way). The cheapest way to fly is with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and connections are usually long – in this case you will spend at least a day on the way.
Look for current prices and convenient flights on OneTwoTrip.
In Zanzibar, we suggest staying at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton hotel, in the village of Nungwi:
- DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar — Nungwi
The best way to get from the airport to the hotel is by taxi. The trip will cost approximately 92 thousand TZS (about 2,700 rubles) and will take 1 hour.
What to do on the island
Zanzibar is a tropical island off the east coast of Africa. Here you will find snow-white beaches, blue waters of the Indian Ocean and a rich fauna of the marine world.
Nungwi Beaches
The beaches of Nungwi are considered one of the most picturesque and convenient for a beach holiday on the island. A strip of beaches stretches along the entire village.
In the northeastern part of Nungwi, high tides occur every day, during which you can wander along the shore and observe the marine life remaining in the shallow waters. If you go along the beaches to the west, you will reach a deeper shore and the neighboring village of Kendwa.
Nungwi’s beaches are lined with cafes and bars where you can sample local Swahili cuisine and host parties in the evenings.
Jozani Forest
For a change of scenery on your beach holiday, head to the Jozani Rainforest. The local jungle is home to a population of Red Colobus monkeys, a family of monkeys that are on the verge of extinction. There are wooden bridges in the forest, guiding visitors over the mangroves.
To get to Jozani Forest, you can book a tour with your hotel or head into the jungle yourself by taxi. A one-way taxi ride will cost approximately 100 thousand TZS (about 2,900 rubles).
Stone Town
Be sure to set aside one of the days of your trip to visit the capital of the island – Stone Town, or Stone City.
Stone Town is a collection of narrow streets and stone houses, decorated with carved elements and massive ancient doors. The entire Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the streets of Stone Town you will find markets and restaurants, as well as shops selling authentic goods and souvenirs.
The best way to get to the city from Nungwi is by taxi. A one-way trip will cost approximately 85 thousand TZS (2,500 rubles). The journey will take about 1 hour.
Spice Farm
In Zanzibar, you can visit a farm where locals make spicy spices from island plants. The best way to go to the farm is as part of an excursion.
You can purchase an excursion either at the hotel or from one of the beach vendors.
Blue Safari
One of the best ways to spend time on the island is the Blue Safari, a boat ride through lagoons with flawless turquoise water. The destination is a sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean, where people usually have a picnic.
You can purchase an excursion from special merchants on the beach or inquire about the possibility of going on the Blue Safari at the hotel.
Expert advice
- The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). 1 shilling is approximately equal to 0.029 rubles.
- Use offline maps Maps.me.
