Tanzania is an exotic paradise with reserved and protected forests, rocky mountains and lakes that reflect the blue sky in their waters. The highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Africa's largest lake by area, Lake Victoria, are located there.
The gem of Tanzania is the fabulous Zanzibar Archipelago which consists of seventy–five islands. Tourists from different parts of the world come there every year to enjoy the scents of bright juicy tropical greenery, soak up the sun at snow–white sandy beaches, swim in the sparkling turquoise ocean with dolphins and turtles and give themselves many other pleasures.
Zanzibar enjoys a tropical climate, it’s sunny there almost all year round. The high season lasts from December to March and from June to September. During these months the average temperature is 29°C.
The local Zanzibari government is based in Stone Town, on the west coast of Unguja. It’s the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago, that’s why it’s often referred to as "Zanzibar Island'' or simply "Zanzibar". The resorts of Kendwa and Nungwi are the most popular with tourists. Unlike the eastern and southern parts of the island, the beaches there have less noticeable tides, the waters don’t move far away from the shore at low tides. However, other resorts in Zanzibar also have many advantages.
The most popular resorts of Nungwi and Kendwa are located on the North coast of the island. They feature wide sandy beaches, less noticeable tides, the absence of jagged rocks and marine animals in the ocean.
Nungwi is the largest tourist area in Zanzibar, so it’s always crowded as there are lots of restaurants and cafes situated along the coastline, as well as a market street with numerous souvenir shops and stores.
Kendwa is also quite a busy tourist area with magnificent beaches and variegated greenery. Many travelers consider Kendwa to be a tourist destination most similar to Seychelles and Maldives.
Matemwe, Pwani, Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Uroa resorts are the best choice for families with children, as the beaches there are gently sloping and the ocean is very shallow.
On the East coast, in Kiwengwa, Chwaka, Pongwe and Uroa, tides are the strongest. Many tourists think that it’s a real natural wonder and enjoy strolling over the exposed ocean bottom, examining corals and marine inhabitants left on the shore. On the North East of the island, in Matemwe, Pwani and Mchangani the low tides are less noticeable.
Matemwe, Pwani, Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Uroa resorts are the best choice for families with children, as the beaches there are gently sloping and the ocean is very shallow.
On the East coast, in Kiwengwa, Chwaka, Pongwe and Uroa, tides are the strongest. Many tourists think that it’s a real natural wonder and enjoy strolling over the exposed ocean bottom, examining corals and marine inhabitants left on the shore. On the North East of the island, in Matemwe, Pwani and Mchangani the low tides are less noticeable.
The resorts of Bububu and Mbweni are located quite close to the local airport and the capital of the island, which is certainly a big advantage for active people. This is an ideal location for those who want to be in the thick of things, even while having a holiday. It is the most convenient departure point to go on a guided tour to Stone Town.
At the same time, these resorts are perfect for those who look for solitude and silence. Bububu and Mbweni are a real refuge from the hustle and bustle of the capital. There are wonderful restaurants with sea views and lots of sights that will definitely be appreciated by history lovers.
Paje, Jambiani, Kizimkazi, Dongwe and Pingwe are picturesque resorts which are famous for very beautiful beaches and abound with cozy hotels.
The South East Coast of Zanzibar is a perfect place to totally relax, relieve stress caused by living in bustling metropolises and forget about everything in the bosom of pristine nature. Constant favorable winds and almost no waves make this part of the island a world-class kitesurfing spot. However, local winds do not bother other vacationers, on the contrary, fresh sea breezes are very refreshing on hot days. Also, take into account that tides are quite strong in Jambiani, Paje, Michamvi, Dongwe and Pingwe.
It’s the capital of Tanzania. The town is located on a plateau which rises 1290 meters above sea level, and it’s 320 km away from the coast of the Indian Ocean. There are laurels and coniferous trees on the streets of Dodoma, and a variety of African animals live in the area. To admire the panoramic view of the town, tourists often go to Simba Hill.
If you want to walk around Dodoma, you should visit the central mosque of the city, the Anglican, Lutheran and Catholic cathedrals, as well as the sacred Sikh temple, whose hospitable hosts are happy to treat their guests with tea and sweets. Other interesting things include the complex of parliament buildings, the Geological Museum and the railway station, built at the beginning of the XX century.
In Dodoma tourists will find bars, discos, nightclubs and restaurants, offering European, Asian, Indian, Chinese and, of course, Tanzanian dishes to suit all tastes.
It’s the former capital of Tanzania and one of the most interesting cities in Africa. Walking around this city, you can admire Islamic mosques, Buddhist pagodas and Catholic cathedrals, Chinatowns and English buildings.
The narrow streets with two-story Swahili-style houses in the old part of Dar es Salaam look very authentic. There are government buildings, offices, banks and classic boulevards in the modern city.
It’s definitely worth visiting the National Museum of Tanzania, famous for its collection of archaeological, ethnographic and historical exhibits. The museum houses a human footprint made more than three million years ago, impressive ancient tools and these are not all of its treasures. Also, travelers will certainly be interested in visiting the palace of Sultan Majid, a local spice market, a botanical garden and other attractions of Dar es Salaam.
It’s the air and sea gateway of Zanzibar. A colorful city with labyrinths of narrow streets which trolleybuses and buses cannot pass through. There you can admire the elegant doors in the Arabic style, as each of them is a unique work of art. Stone Town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In Stone Town, tourists should see the slave trade square, a former slave market where thousands of people were sold every year, and be glad that these dark times are in the distant past. An old fort, which the Arabs built on the site of the Portuguese colonizers settlement, is another interesting place to visit. Inside the fort, slaves were also once traded, now there is a nice souvenir market there.
There is Freddie Mercury’s Birth House, a former Sultan’s Palace, an Anglican Church of unusual architecture – after admiring the sights of Stone Town, be sure to go to local restaurants and cafes, where they cook delicious fresh seafood and other dishes, which are certainly worth tasting.
Those who like going for walks will surely find it fascinating to stroll along the mysterious labyrinths of Stone Town narrow streets.
In the very center of the main city of the islanders, there is such a popular tourist attraction as Freddie Mercury’s Birth House because the legendary vocalist of the world-famous rock band Queen was born in Zanzibar. Now the house is a museum where visitors can find out colorful details about the life of the star.
Travelers will definitely be interested in visiting a former Sultan’s Palace or the House of Wonders as it was the first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and a water supply system. Also it was the first building in East Africa to have an elevator. Because of all these modern things the house got its pretentious name.
Zanzibar boasts many historical sites, for example, a prison built long ago for rebellious slaves on Prison Island, which is at the same time a habitat for the first inhabitants of the archipelago, Aldabra giant tortoises. The tortoises are allowed to be fed and petted like cats as they don’t mind having so much tourists’ attention.
Moreover, in Zanzibar tourists have a chance to see with their own eyes some natural wonders. For example, Nakupenda island which is an amazing sandbank that disappears in the ocean during a high tide. However, travelers don’t have to limit themselves with local sights as it’s quite possible to get from the island to the most popular tourist attractions of Tanzania, located on the mainland, and, for instance, take a photo, posing in front of the crater of an extinct volcano in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Tourists traveling to Zanzibar have an opportunity to choose between guided tours to suit all tastes. Everyone will find something to see, either you are fond of history, a nature lover or want to learn more about local customs and traditions.
You can try dishes of African cuisine in local restaurants, visit the colorful markets of Zanzibar, have a traditional wooden boat tour in the ocean or arrange an adventure of another kind by visiting a lively Full Moon Party, the world-famous monthly disco, which is held right on the shore, on Kendwa Beach.
The coolest and most memorable guided tours in Tanzania are, perhaps, safaris on the mainland of the country. You can go to the Serengeti National Park and see the great migration of animals that takes place there twice a year. Zebras rushing across the plain is a breathtaking sight. You can also have a once in a lifetime adventure, taking a hot-air balloon flight across the skies of the Serengeti.
Safaris in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Selous Game Reserve and Kilimanjaro trekking tours are very popular among travelers as well.
The warm climate and sunny weather of exotic Zanzibar attract more and more travelers, so the tourist infrastructure is rapidly developing year by year. More and more shops with a great variety of goods are opening, the assortment of souvenirs and fresh fruits and vegetables at local spice–scented markets is also appreciated by travelers.
There you can buy natural handmade cosmetics, coffee and tea of excellent quality, unusual African souvenirs and many other things.
Wood carvers in Tanzania and Zanzibar are able to make amazing wooden souvenirs. Wooden masks are frightening and fascinating and used as amulets. They also make animal figurines, rosaries and dishes.
The Maasai figurines depicting characters of local history and tribal legends attract special attention of tourists. The most valuable things are made of ebony, but no less attractive are gizmos made of other woods, for example, tulipwood or mango trees.
Tingatinga is traditionally made on masonite, using several layers of bicycle paint, which makes for brilliant and highly saturated colors. They depict wild animals, fish, birds, people, and various landscapes.
Tingatinga paintings are a kind of antidepressants. They feature bright vibrant colors and positive subjects. You can see smiling good–natured lions and touching elephants with long eyelashes, romantic hugging giraffes and joyful rhinos: these elements of interior design and decor will bring a feeling of happiness and warmth, they are a piece of sunny Africa that you can take home.
It’s a gemstone appearing alternately blue, violet and burgundy, it’s a real symbol of these places. Tanzania is the only deposit of Tanzanite in the world, and it is mined near Mount Kilimanjaro.
The price of tanzanite in Zanzibar compares favorably with the cost of this stone in the world. There you can buy it not for $300-500, but much cheaper, at $200-300 per carat. It is better to do this in special stores and be sure to keep receipts.
Despite the fact that the island is predominantly Muslim, you can buy alcohol there. Alcoholic beverages are not sold in regular stores, but alcohol shops are open in tourist areas. On beaches that are not as crowded as Kendwa and Nungwi, alcohol shops are less common. There are no restrictions on the amount of alcohol purchased.
Those who like tasting local products should pay attention to drinks produced in Tanzania: beer, as well as vodka with juniper, which is called Konyagi.
Algae wraps and other SPA treatments, an amazing massage that relieves tension in the whole body − massage and SPA salons in Zanzibar can be very different, from the simplest to European–level establishments, but one thing will remain the same: your well-being after visiting such places will surely be greatly improved.
The key to it isn’t just the skills of local professionals but the atmosphere on the archipelago. You’ll be charmed by benevolence, warm smiles and relaxing unhurriedness, time seems to slow down there and go by according to its own special laws. This is an ideal location to relieve stress, overcome nervousness, forget about deadlines, the hustle and bustle, business activity indexes and the ever-accelerating pace of life in modern big cities.
