Zanzibar
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Zanzibar Island was once the centre of spice and slave trading. Today many of the winding streets and high townhouses of old Stone Town remain unchanged. Zanzibar's coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world – on the east coast waves break over coral reefs and sand bars, in the north, smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun. A holiday in Zanzibar can be a perfect combination of beach & culture.
All holidays to Zanzibar can be enjoyed as a "stand alone" destination or can easily be combined with either Tanzania or Kenya's fantastic game parks.
Excursions in Zanzibar
Spice Tour – pick, smell and savour exotic fruits and spices, guaranteed to stimulate the senses
Jozani Forest Tour – the forest sustains a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare red Colobus Monkey
Prison Island – a short boat ride to this small island, perfect for swimming, snorkelling or relaxing. Watch out for the giant old tortoises!
Dhow Cruise – learn to sail or sit back and relax on the deck of an opulently appointed Dhow.
Sunsets & Savannahs - experience a flying safari of breathtaking beauty and amazing game viewing staying in high class accommodation over seven nights.
Recommended Hotels in Zanzibar
Baraza
This is the newest of Zanzibar’s luxury hotels boasting beach frontage and spacious villa style rooms. Sitting on Bwejuu beach, named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the world’s top 30 island beaches, Baraza overlooks a coral reef, ideal for snorkelling. Facilities include; a tranquil spa, swimming pool and poolside bar/restaurant, tennis, fitness centre, library, gift shop, main restaurant, breakfast room and evening Sheesha bar. All of the 30 villas has its own spacious terrace and plunge pool, dressing room, living room, bathroom, TV, CD player, air conditioning, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities. Bahari Oceanfront/Ocean view villas have one bedroom. Sultans Seafacing/Garden Villas have second bedroom with ensuite shower. Transfer from airport: 50 minutes.
Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa
Carefully and tastefully decorated in a Zanzibari style with a wide range of facilities and impeccable service, the Bluebay is a first-class resort with a stunning white sandy beach, nestled within 25 acres of tropical gardens and overlooking turquoise waters, on the east coast. Facilities include the Oasis Spa with treatment rooms overlooking the sea, outdoor pool with Jacuzzi, scuba diving and watersports. 88 air conditioned rooms with private shower, hairdryer, mini bar, satellite TV, ceiling fan, terrace, balcony or veranda. Sultan Rooms are on the beach, have butler service and 8ft Sultan-size bed! Transfer: 45 minutes from airport.
Honeymooners receive fruit & flowers & sparkling wine on arrival and if booked in a superior room will be upgraded to a suite (subject to availability. Stay a minimum of 7 nights & receive dinner in either the Bahari restaurant or on the beach (weather permitting)
Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Located in attractive landscaped gardens on a pristine, tranquil south-east coast beach, this great Beach Club & Spa boasts great facilities. The Frangipani Spa is fashioned after Zanzibar’s luxurious Sultan’s bath houses offering the ultimate in luxury. Breezes is well known for its superb attention and detail throughout offering intimate private dining and personalised service. 70 spacious rooms and suites with twin beds, air-conditioning, bar, fridge and private balcony or terrace. Deluxe rooms as above with terrace and closer to the beach. Suites are on upper floor with dressing room, larger bathroom, larger balcony with beds. Transfer: 45 minutes from airport. HONEYMOONERS: Bottle of wine and flowers on arrival. Couples staying 7 nights receive complimentary lunch. Guests booking a suite receive complimentary dinner and sundowners. Pay for 14 nights and receive 7 of these free. REPEAT GUESTS: Flowers and sparkling wine on arrival and complimentary lunch.
Fairmont Zanzibar
This beautiful hotel has benefited from recent renovation boasting comfortably appointed rooms and suites which spread throughout the lush tropical gardens of the resort. The hotel offers exclusivity and luxury and is fringed by a long stretch of powder white sand beach, spectacular coral reef and an incredible diversity of marine life. 109 air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bath/shower, satellite TV, tea/coffee making facilities and a veranda with views of the grounds or tranquil blue ocean waters. Island cottages with sea views, deluxe garden villas, superior cliff rooms, deluxe sea view rooms and Suites are also available. Transfer: Approximately 55 minutes from Zanzibar airport. HONEYMOONERS: Honeymooners receive the above plus a special welcome cocktail and flowers on arrival. Candlelit dinner on the beach including a bottle of house wine, subject to a minimum of 7 nights stay. Complimentary half-day shopping tour of Stone Town.
Fundu Lagoon
This unique resort offers an idyllic hideaway, outstanding beauty and exceptional levels of service for those wanting the ultimate, tranquil holiday experience, situated on a remote & beautiful beach on the south-western side of Pemba Island, the sister island to Zanzibar, a 35 minute flight away. The lagoon is ideal for snorkelling and a watersports centre offers waterskiing and PADI diving courses. The resort comprises of 16 bungalows with canvas walls, bath & shower, ceiling & standing fans, indoor seating area & outdoor seating area with ocean views. Suites feature a deck & plunge pool. More spacious Superior suites feature separate seating area and room attendant service during the day. All meals, selected beverages and laundry are included. Transfer: 1 hour road and speedboat transfer from Pemba Island, a short flight from Dar es Salaam.
La Gemma Dell’Est
This luxurious, enchanting and environmentally friendly development blends with its magnificent surroundings set amongst exotic and colourful gardens and waterfalls. The Makuti Wharf is built on the ocean, with a restaurant, coffee shop, bar and breathtaking sunsets. Facilities include: stunning lagoon style swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, 3 restaurants; beach grill, 4 bars, gym, watersports and dive centre. 138 generously appointed deluxe and club rooms with butler service including 93 deluxe rooms, 16 suites, 1 family suite, 28 villa Club rooms in 7 private villas (3 to 4 rooms), 1 Presidential villa (5 rooms). All rooms mini-bar, air-conditioning, garden terrace, satellite TV. Transfer: 1hour, 15 minutes from airport.
Matemwe Retreat
Located on an exclusive stretch of private land, the Retreat is of the highest standard with a butler in each room. Meals are served on your veranda, the beach or roof terrace. Leisure facilities include: swimming pool with poolside bar, guided reef and village walks and dhow boat trips. Massages and beauty treatments can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own roof terrace. Watersports include snorkelling, diving and kayaking. Three air-conditioned villas with en-suite bathroom, plunge pool on private roof terrace, complete with sun and shade decks and private bar and dining area on the veranda. Villas have direct access to small beach in front. Transfer from airport: 1 hour Zanzibar airport.
Mnemba Island Lodge
On an exclusive island just 4.5km off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar, this barefoot paradise is one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering privacy and rustic exclusivity on an all-inclusive basis. Thatched dining, sitting and bar area. A range of pampering massages and therapeutic treatments, bird-watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing. 10 rustic beachside bandas with an en-suite bathroom, overhead fan and outdoor veranda. Transfer: Approximately: 1 hour 45 minutes drive from Zanzibar airport followed by a 15 minute boat ride.
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort
This 4 star, all inclusive, massive resort on the Kiwenga seashores occupy 30 acres of pristine and untouched beauty. 150 deluxe rooms each with splendid views of the beach and sea, shower, TV and balcony or terrace. For that extra touch, VIP Suites have two private balconies, plasma TV, Jacuzzi and lounge. Transfer: 1 hour from airport.
Ocean Paradise
A unique and enchanting resort, reflecting the traditional styles and charm of Zanzibar, situated in Kijangwani on the north east coast, within the unspoiled beauty of a palm grove & fronted by a spectacular beach. The luxuriously finished rooms are designed in traditional African roundhouse style and are fronted by a spectacular white sand beach. 100 air conditioned bungalows with private shower, hairdryer, mini bar, satellite TV & balcony. Junior Suites offer a separate living room. All rooms are sea facing. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Zanzibar airport. Honeymooners receive a basket of fruit, flowers & one lobster dinner for two, a bottle of sparkling wine & upgrade to junior suite (subject to availability)
Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
This all-inclusive attractive edition to Zanzibar’s unspoilt beaches offers a lively and friendly atmosphere. The hotel offers sumptuous restaurants and superb leisure facilities. The area is home to some excellent diving sites. Facilities: Three restaurants, bars, snack bar, evening entertainment, 4 swimming pools, gym, tennis, beach volleyball, deep-sea diving, snorkelling, dhow cruises, dolphin tours and deep-sea fishing. 100 rooms with en-suite bath/shower, mini bar, TV, telephone, safe and coffee makers. Transfer time: 55 minutes from Zanzibar airport.
The Palms
The Palms offers luxurious levels of comfort & service, set on a pristine pure white beach. Facilities include a sanctuary spa, swimming pool, lounge, boutique, excellent restaurant and watersports at the adjacent hotel. The Palms offers six oversized private villas, at over 1300 square feet, with bedroom, lounge, en suite bathroom, minibar, standing bar, TV and DVD player, private plunge pool and spacious sun terrace. Transfer time from Nairobi: 1 hour.
The Z Hotel
An elegant, boutique hotel, situated in the popular region of Nungwi, the northern tip of Zanzibar. The Z Hotel blends contemporary design with traditional Zanaibari features. Set in tropical gardens with direct access to a white sand beach and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, a perfect place to relax and de-stress. An alfresco style à la carte restaurant and a 1st floor bistro and cocktail bar, both open and airy and positioned on the beach. Infinity swimming pool with massage jets, mini spa and reading room with computer and internet access. WiFi is available throughout the hotel. Water sports include PADI dive centre, water-skiing, kayaking, and deep-sea fishing. 35 air-conditioned rooms including 3 rooftop suites and 2 ocean front cottages all with en suite bathroom, telephone, mini bar, safe, 4 poster beds and French doors leading onto large balconies or terraces if in one of the suites.
Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski
This is Zanzibar’s first internationally branded luxury hotel, set in 30 acres of tropical gardens on the Indian Ocean. The facilities and service are excellent, and the resort has a contemporary theme offering luxurious and spacious accommodation having its own private beach club. The private jetty has a lovely bar where you can enjoy the sun and the sea or take the complimentary shuttle to the nearby private beach club. The Anatara Spa is an exceptional facility. All 110 rooms and suites are stylishly furnished and feature private terraces or balconies, en suite bathrooms with free standing bathtub and outdoor showers. The Zamani suite has a separate lounge, two balconies and rooftop terrace. Transfer from airport: Approx 1 hour. Honeymooners/25th Anniversary: Couples receive sparking wine and flowers and room upgrade subject to availability on arrival.
Zanzibar Serena Inn
A member of the "Small Luxury Hotels" collection, this haven of tranquillity is in the centre of bustling Stone Town giving it the perfect location to explore this ancient town with Portuguese forts, dhow harbours, slave markets and bright bazaars. Facilities include: Restaurant, pool bar, beach bar, large pool, tennis. Watersports, which can be organised on request, are available at the nearby beaches, including scuba diving, snorkelling and sunset boat trips. 51 rooms and suites with TV and private balcony. Prime view rooms have a hammock and full ocean view. Transfer: 20 minutes from Zanzibar airport.
Weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 |
| Rainfall (inches) | 4 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 |
