Zanzibar Holidays: Exotic Paradise

Located six degrees south of the equator, Zanzibar is about 25 miles off mainland Tanzania and if you're planning an East African holiday, a combination of Kenya, Tanzania, Mombasa and Zanzibar would be the ideal package. Zanzibar is part of a group of islands - Zanzibar Archipelago - famous for its beaches and coral reefs which are home to huge numbers of marine creatures. December to March is the hot season and from June onwards it is slightly cooler. Short rains are in November and the long rains in April-May. Humidity is very high throughout but June-October is high tourist season.

For tourists, it is the image of sugar-white sands, the deep blue Indian Ocean, the remains of ancient civilizations and the rich wildlife and vegetation that makes it the perfect place for an exotic, rejuvenating holiday.

Zanzibar's thriving tourism industry caters to thousands of visitors world-wide. A Tanzanian visa is required. You can fly directly to Zanzibar's International Airport or travel by ferry from Dar-es-Salaam. Within the main island of Unguja, you can get around by minibus (known as dalla-dalla), car, moped or motorbike rental. As Zanzibar's population is largely Islamic, visitors must be respectful of cultural features, local customs and traditions.

Holiday packages here include visits to the famous Stonetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with extravagantly-styled buildings, narrow alleys and busy marketplaces.

The house that the famous Dr Livingstone stayed in before he set out on his expedition and the Palace Museum are worth a visit. Most streets are too narrow for cars, so bicycles and mopeds are the preferred mode of transport.

These exotic islands are also the hottest new concept for destination weddings/honeymoons, with plenty of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and more affordable accommodations available. For tourists who simply want a great beach holiday, adventurous water-sports, wildlife viewing and sampling the exotic local cuisine, there are plenty of suitable options in the surrounding islets and numerous privately-owned islands in the archipelago.

Other holiday-activities here include tours of the famous spice plantations where you can see nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and pepper growing, learn how spices are used in cooking and in health-care and purchase fresh samples for yourself or to take back home as gifts.

The rare Red-colobus Monkey, black-buck and bush-pigs can be viewed in the Jozani Reserve. A visit to the south can include dolphin-viewing and a trip to the beautiful 12th century Kizimkazi Mosque.

As the poem says, “It's not far to Zanzibar” - so start planning your dream vacation!