Into the Island of Spice and Wind, Zanzibar!

Itinerary

• I flew into Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, the largest city (and former of capital) of Tanzania

• From there, I took a 2-hour ferry boat that I had reserved in advance to the island of Zanzibar from the main port of Dar-es-Salaam

• I then took a pre-reserved taxi to Nungwi Beach, north of the island. This is the place that has pristine crystal-blue beaches for sun-bathing, watching sunsets, and to enjoy a great party scene (making it a great hub for backpackers). I stayed there in oceanfront lodging called Zenobia for the majority of my time on the island.

• Touring around the island, I stopped at Hakuna Matata Spice Farm, situated between Nungwi Beach and Stone Town. This is a great spot for tours of local spices that you can try and buy (Zanzibar’s nickname is “Spice Island,” given its history relative to the spice trade.

• Next, I went to Prison Island, a small island of the Western coast of Zanzibar through a private tour. This island is famous for its aging turtles (the oldest being almost 2 centuries old), plus a nice small beach and a good spot for snorkeling. This small island also has its dark history, routed in the slave trade (and hence the name).

• A notable place on the East coast of the island is Paje Beach, where a lot of the more luxurious and secluded accommodations exist. Also, the beaches here are windier and therefore ideal for windsurfers.

• Finally, I concluded my visit to the island in Stone Town, the historical part of Zanzibar. Here you can wade through busy markets, enjoy ancient architecture (fusing Arab, English, and Portuguese influences), and meet with the locals. Forodhani market has savory food stalls and plethora of activities by locals, including a daily diving into the water contest from the ramparts around sunset (which you can participate in too!). This is also where the Zanzibar International Airport is located.