The island where pepper grows: This is how you can spend the perfect holiday in Zanzibar

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Snow-white beaches, turquoise sea, skyscraper-sized palm trees and a lush jungle inland: this is Zanzibar. The archipelago is not far from the East African mainland and has around 50 islands. Some lived, some did not.

The main island of Unguja is the perfect base for a relaxing holiday. So what is there to do on the island? Where is the best place to stay and how do you spend the ideal holiday? Blick gives you an excellent overview.

It all depends on how much energy you have and how much you want to relax. If you want to retreat to a luxury holiday resort and just enjoy the beach, this is the place for you.

But Zanzibar offers more. I recommend everyone to do a snorkel tour. You can make a reservation a day in advance from the Get Your Guide page; You will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the reef on a small fishing boat. If you are lucky, you can see dolphins and countless fish as far as the eye can see here.

Fly: Open your eyes, there are jellyfish here. I speak from personal experience when I say that jellyfish stings are incredibly painful. But the guides are well prepared and help with proper care.

These places are also valuable:

• Jozani Forest: A protected area where wild monkeys live in the inner part of the island. You can easily come here by car and then proceed through the park with a guide. The entrance cost is equivalent to approximately eleven francs.
• Spice farm: Zanzibar is best known as the spice island. The archipelago is also known as the place where pepper grows. So-called spice farms are everywhere. I visited KV Spice Farm and had a lavish tour of their fields and gardens.
• Mtende Beach: This very special beach is located in the south of the island. Access is free, but you need to pay attention to the tide as at certain times the beach cannot be visited at all.
• Stonetown: The old town of Zanzibar City is definitely worth a visit! The neighborhood is structured like a maze, and everywhere you can find small shops selling art, spices, and other beautiful and exciting items. To avoid getting lost in the old streets, I booked a city tour through Get Your Guide.

The island is almost entirely surrounded by fine sand and beautiful beaches. There are ebbs and flows here too. I noticed this very clearly, especially in the east of the island. The well-known villages of Paje and Jambiani are popular with many tourists, but you should be prepared to not be able to swim on the beach all day, as there is no sea water. If you still want to stay on the east coast and do not want to miss the fun of swimming, you should definitely choose a hotel with a large pool.

That’s why I liked the north more. The famous village of Nungwi has a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets, and the water level is almost always the same. You can also tell from the number of tourists; There’s definitely a lot more going on here, but you can still find somewhere comfortable and quiet.

Fly: If Nungwi is too crowded and touristy for you, you’ll find a little more peace and equally beautiful beaches at neighboring Kendwa beach.

After a bumpy week, I really recommend only renting a car to people who are really good drivers and not afraid of bad roads. Left-hand traffic, numerous potholes and wild animals on the roadside make driving on the roads an experience. Personally, I will not rent a car and travel alone again, because you are often stopped by the police. By the way, this is often without reason.

If you still want to drive yourself, I recommend the off-road vehicle. You can easily rent it in advance from Sunny Cars.

Otherwise, you can hire a chauffeur from hotels or sightseeing points to chauffeur you around the island.

I usually left expensive jewelry, the latest sunglasses, and designer clothes at home. Although there is no excessive crime in Zanzibar, drawing unnecessary attention to yourself is not tolerated anywhere. I’ve also noticed that everything gets a little musty quickly due to high humidity, so I recommend linen dresses and tunics, which dry quickly and are comfortable to wear.

The thing that should definitely not be forgotten is sun protection. You immediately notice its proximity to the equator and you don’t want a bad sunburn to ruin your holiday. So don’t forget to pack 50+ sunscreen and sunglasses!

Important: Zanzibar is a Muslim state. You can wear a bikini at the beach and by the pool. However, if you pass through a hotel complex, village or restaurant, it is appropriate to cover up. But don’t worry: there’s no need for a sweater and long pants.

Cash is an absolute must in Zanzibar. Although you can pay by debit card in most hotels and large restaurants, a generous fee is added to the amount. You can also only pay cash at many beach resorts, gas stations and convenience stores. It is always worth carrying a large piece with you.

This article was created as part of a press tour.

Source : Blick