Zanzibar holidays

1. Visit one of Zanzibar’s spice farms to understand how the archipelago became known as the ‘Spice Islands’. Clove cultivation took off here in the 19th Century and you’ll still taste the spice in the island’s tea, slow-cooked curries and pilau rice. Today, the plantations are also home to coffee shrubs, black pepper vines, turmeric roots, cinnamon trees and more. Take a farm tour to smell raw roots and pods, bite into freshly picked fruit and hear local songs mingled with bird calls.
2. Take to the Indian Ocean on a traditional wooden dhow. These boats, with long hand-crafted hulls and fin-like sails, have been part of Zanzibar’s coastline for centuries. You’ll spot plenty of them out on the water, silhouetted against turmeric-coloured skies during sunsets. Become part of the picture on a sunset dhow cruise and see the island from the water as the archipelago’s historic sea traders would have done.
3. Some of the archipelago’s most famous inhabitants are the Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. Found in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, these whiskered islanders share the forest with bushbabies, duikers, butterflies and bright birds flitting between mangroves. You can keep an eye out for the ginger-red fur of these endangered monkeys on gentle walks. Keep as much distance from animals as possible and never touch or interact with them.
4. Kizimkazi is a fishing village on the southern tip of Unguja Island. It’s also a gateway to the Menai Bay Conservation Area, where Indo-Pacific bottlenose and Indian Ocean humpback dolphins are found in indigo waters. If you decide to go dolphin spotting, research your boat tour operator carefully. Choose an operator who gives the animals space and never chases, touches or feeds them.
5. Walk along one of Zanzibar’s white sand beaches. While many have shallow tides that are suitable for paddling, Nungwi and Kendwa are often ideal for swimming thanks to their deeper water. Nungwi is lively and lined with oceanfront bars. Kendwa feels more relaxed outside its full moon parties. Other top Zanzibar beaches include Paje, an ideal kitesurfing spot, and the offshore Nakupenda sandbank.

• Stone Town is the UNESCO-listed old quarter of Zanzibar City on the main island. It’s a tangle of alleys where the city’s mix of cultures is captured in Swahili buildings, cathedrals, mosques and bazaar streets. Stay here to experience Zanzibar’s cultural heart and taste its varied, spiced cuisine. Make sure to look for the carved Zanzibar doors and stop at important landmarks like the Old Fort before unwinding on the lively waterfront.
• Nungwi is one of Zanzibar’s most popular beaches on the northern end of the main island. Facing west, it’s positioned for dramatic sunsets after days spent swimming in the turquoise sea. A holiday here is typically filled with strolls along deep, powdery sand, meals overlooking the Indian Ocean and plenty of opportunities to get on or in the water.
• Matemwe is another beach location, known for its sleepy, serene atmosphere. Platinum sand and warm, clear water await – so does nearby Mnemba with its coral reef and marine life. Stay at Matemwe for a gentle holiday. A typical day might include paddling in shallow waters, taking a boat trip to a nearby island and toasting to the ocean with a sundowner back at your resort.

Zanzibar maintains high temperatures throughout the year. There are, however, two rainy seasons to avoid: the long rains from March to May and the short rains from November to December. Visit in January or February for some of the highest temperatures, reaching around 35C. For a slightly cooler stay, travel between June and October, when temperatures can range from around 25C to 30C.