Zanzibar

A small Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa,
“Spices Island” attracts with its lush nature and a fascinating past, crucial in the history of the region.

History and heritage

Zanzibar has a unique history, as a nerve centre of spice and human trafficking for several centuries, with strong Arab and Swahili influence. Among other things, you can visit historic places on the main island, Unguja, such as its capital, Stone Town, a Unesco World Heritage site which is home to coral stone buildings, narrow cobbled streets and bustling markets.

Also impressive, Changuu, the infamous quarantine island "Prison Island", as well as the museums and market place of Stone Town will open your eyes to slavery in East Africa. Zanzibar was for a long time the hub of trade in the region, and built this rich heritage which still endures today.

Beaches and water activities

The archipelago's beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, with crystal clear waters, colourful corals and diverse marine life. You can go snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sport fishing and other water activities.

The numerous surrounding islets allow escapades to discover numerous species or are the opportunity for a sunny lunch around a seafood platter. You can even take advantage of the strips of sand which barely emerge from the turquoise waters for a session photo in an idyllic environment.

Arrivée en bateau sur une des îles de l'archipel zanzibari.

Local cuisine

Zanzibar cuisine is influenced by Swahili, Indian, Arabic and European culinary arts, therefore offering a variety of delicious dishes to savour, such as biryani, rice pilau, samosa and a plethora of choices in terms of grilled fish. The majority of restaurants will be able to offer you fish caught the same morning or, depending on your taste, different types of curries featuring the long list of spices that flavour the archipelago.

Exotic fruits are present on every market or roadside stall, and offer direct tasting or in the form of freshly squeezed juices throughout the day, depending on your preference.

Nature and wildlife

In addition to its beautiful beaches, Zanzibar is home to a variety of natural landscapes, such as rainforests, mangroves, and other spice farms.

You can notably visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to observe endemic colobus monkeys. Located in the heart of the main island of Zanzibar, the park is easy to access, but without being teeming with visitors. You can therefore take your time to discover the local flora, with the help of a guide (English or French speaking), particularly useful for finding the primates who generally travel with family.

Les embarcations traditionnelles de Zanzibar quittent la plage.

Warm hospitality

The people of Zanzibar are known for their hospitality and friendliness towards visitors, which will make your stay even more pleasant. Meeting people is easy and the Zanzibaris make it a point of honor to, on the one hand, help you as best they can, and on the other hand leave you with excellent memories of your stay in Zanzibar.

We can also quickly note that the phrase that opens all doors here is "Hakuna matata!", which responds to each request "No problem!". A philosophy that we quickly adopt under these mild skies.

Masai traditions

For those who imagine that the Masai live exclusively in the savannah, know that you can come across many Masai men, always dressed in their iconic red and blue outfit, the Masai shaku, and their attributes on Zanzibar.

They will be happy to talk to you about their traditions, the different stages of their education - including in particular the rite of passage to adulthood consisting of killing a lion - or even the duality between culture and modernity. Their activity on the archipelago generally consists of participating in dance shows for tourists, acting as security agents or even transmitting Masai culture to foreign