Known for its white sand beaches and bright blue waters, Zanzibar is a breath-taking paradise holiday. In Zanzibar you manage to relax and be excited almost everywhere you go. One of the best things to do in Zanzibar is to swim in the clear waters, but there is also much more.
Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, is the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, which consists of several islands. Here are some fun things to do in Zanzibar.
Acrobats and capoeira
At sunset, on pleasant evenings, you can head to the Stone Town public beach to enjoy the last light of the day watching acrobatics and capoeira performed by the locals. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It’s pretty fun to watch from any of the nearby restaurants or on the beach.
‘…dance, acrobatics and music…’
Jozani Forest
Take a trip to Jozani Forest, the last sanctuary in the world to see the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. The forest is one of the lushest places in Zanzibar. It’s a reminder of what has become of our environment over the centuries. On the nature trails through the beautiful forests, it’s easy to find the red monkeys because they are not shy.
‘…the red monkeys are not shy…’
Mwani Zanzibar
A visit to Mwani Zanzibar is a must. Previously known as the Seaweed Center, Mwani Zanzibar is a women’s initiative that employs local women to make products from the abundance of seaweed around the island. You get to see the daily tasks of the seaweed farmers and it’s a pleasure to relax at the shop with a glass of seaweed fruit juice.
‘…relax with a glass of seaweed fruit juice…’
Paje Beach
Paje beach has hip cafes, burger joints, kite surfing, bars, and hostels, making it one of the great places to visit in Zanzibar. The most popular thing to do in Paje is kitesurfing but relaxing in the inviting turquoise waters is the perfect thing to do! Paje is considered one of the best places in the world to go kite surfing, and it’s easy to understand why when you feel the wind and see the gorgeous water.
‘…feel the wind and see the gorgeous water…’
Prison Island
Prison Island is one of the great places of interest in Zanzibar. Built in the late 1800s, the prison served as an island for slaves and prisoners, but is now a joy to visit the nearby tortoise sanctuary, home to some of the giant Aldabross tortoises.
‘…giant tortoises…’
Spice Tour
Zanzibar, often referred to as ‘Spice Island’ for its centuries of clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon production offers spice tours to a large farm where you can see, touch, and taste the many flavours of Zanzibar.
‘…see, touch and taste…’
Stone Town
While in Zanzibar, a visit to Stone Town is essential. The ‘Palace of Wonders’ is the tallest building in Stone Town and a main point of interest. It’s next to the Old Fort and is a sight to see; it’s the spot for the first elevator in all of East Africa. You can learn about the history of Stone Town and view old exhibits here. There are many unique places to see in Stone Town, including beautiful boutique shops and plenty of fabulous restaurants.
‘…beautiful boutique shops and fabulous restaurants…’
We know it’s important to stay home right now, and we’re thankful to everyone helping us to do so, from those fighting to keep us healthy and safe, the grocery store where we get our essentials, and the hospitality professionals who don’t give up.
‘…amazing places…’
This doesn’t mean we aren’t dreaming of packing our luggage and travelling soon. We dream of visiting favourite places that we’ve been missing or going somewhere we have never been before. There are so many amazing places that we are dreaming about, we share some of our thoughts with you to get you thinking of popular places you can add to you travel dream list.
Australia
There’s nowhere we’d rather take the plunge than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. We’d love to experience scuba diving and snorkelling and maybe meet the incredible marine biologists caring for conservation.
‘…most sought-after destination…’
The Great Barrier Reef has the world’s largest coral reef. It is one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations. It’s the perfect place to explore by helicopter, glass-bottom boats and cruise ships. In addition to the incredible, colourful coral reefs, you can soak up the sun on golden beaches, swim with dolphins and whale watch.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has something for everyone! We look forward to exploring this Central American country with its exotic wildlife and colourful birds. Bordered by Nicaragua, the Caribbean Sea, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and Ecuador, it is paradise on earth. You can bask in the sun on glorious beaches, go zip lining in the jungles and relax in world class spas.
Dubai
For an exceptional holiday where the rich culture and history, adventure, first class shops, dining and entertainment attractions we can’t wait to see Dubai again. There is something for everyone; beautiful beaches, mysterious deserts and heritage sites. The bustling city has a mix of activities for all tastes. Dubai is a must-see vacation destination!
Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza are found in Egypt, along with the Great Sphinx of Giza. Built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, they are truly an incredible sight to behold. The site is located at the edges of the Western Desert, west of the Nile River in the city of Giza, and southwest of the city centre of Cairo. There are some incredible tours on offer where you can ride camels and experience what it was like to live way back.
Hawaii
Known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, the Na Pali Coast of Kauai in Hawaii is jaw-dropping beautiful. The famous Na Pali Coast hike along the Kalalau Trail draws thousands of adventurous tourists every year. You can tour the coast by boat, stop to snorkel and whale watch. Or, if you prefer, you can tour the Na Pali coast by plane or helicopter. A visit to the Na Pali Coast State Park is a must and something you will remember for the rest of your life.
New Zealand
Who wouldn’t want to visit New Zealand located in the South Pacific Ocean? The country is famous in part due to the filming of the movie trilogy Lord of the Rings. New Zealand has so much to offer, from glaciers to beaches, whale-watching and wine tasting. The Māori culture and hospitality is the best experience and famous bungee jumping a blast of fun.
Peru
The ancient ruins in Machu Picchu is a real favourite of ours; Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient 15th century Inca city, high in the Andes of Peru. It is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world. As one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, it receives over one million visitors every year.
Puerto Rico
As soon as we can, we want to visit Puerto Rico. We want to lounge by the pool at historic hotels and sip on classic cocktails while breathing in the fresh air from the ocean. We can’t wait to experience nature at a tropical rainforest!
Rome
Rome is an adventure for any traveller! There’s something about the city that has been inhabited for so long, every corner is an inspiration, from the crumbling marble ruins to the patchwork of medieval apartment buildings and Renaissance churches.
‘…people are meant to visit…’
The commanding Mussolini-era structures feel so lived in and natural; people are meant to visit Rome!
Santorini
Top of our mind is the thought of the bright blue and white skies of Santorini in Greece the ideal destination for travellers who yearn for warm waters, quiet streets, culture, and a touch of luxury. Considered one of the most romantic places in the world, Santorini is a popular wedding destination, it’s a precious gem in the Aegean Sea. Santorini has an active volcano. The last big eruption occurred 3,600 years ago and another is not expected for 16,000 years or so.
Sicily
It’s the beaches, the food, the ancient history, the medieval architecture, and the romantic piazzas overlooking Mt. Etna that we love. Sicily is a favourite part of Italy loved by many. The locals remind us that togetherness still exists. We dream of devouring plates of pasta, sipping on cappuccinos, winding through historic towns and plunging coastlines, and soaking in everything that makes Italy perfect.
Tanzania
There are so many amazing places to visit in Africa but Tanzania, the land of game drives is one of our favourites! Wildebeest, hippos, elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, crocodiles, water birds are just a few of the wildlife we want to see.
‘…palm trees and sleepy coastal villages…’
Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline is also popular for its powdery beaches, palm trees and sleepy coastal villages. Mt. Kilimanjaro is a top visitor spot for adventurous climbers who want to scale Africa’s highest peak and the world’s largest free-standing volcano.
Texas
Yes, Texas is on our list, the comfort, tacos, margaritas, and barbeques. We look forward to exploring and hanging out by the pool in the desert sun. Texas offers peace and relaxation with the perfect balance of nature and the exploration.
Vietnam
A perfect tourism spot is Vietnam, it’s incredibly vibrant, culturally rich and has gorgeous tropical sandy beaches! We long to visit packed street food stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants while eating insanely good food elbow to elbow with strangers.
‘…incredibly vibrant, culturally rich…’
And last but not least any beach! We love the beach and water; we can’t wait to spend time lounging on various beaches across the world. We need to feel the sand between our toes, the sun shining on our faces, and more than anything else, the sound of the ocean.
