Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. On its main island, Unguja, familiarly called Zanzibar, is Stone Town, a historic trade center with Swahili and Islamic influences. It’s winding lanes present minarets, carved doorways and 19th-century landmarks such as the House of Wonders, a former sultan’s palace. The northern villages Nungwi and Kendwa have wide beaches lined with hotels.
In recent years, this group of islands has become a popular destination for those seeking an alternative beach getaway. Miles of white sand, prime snorkeling and diving spots along its atolls and coral reefs, as well as a burgeoning kite-surfing scene, have steadily drawn more and more visitors to this center of Swahili culture.
Zanzibar can be reached both on water and air and you can get around by taxi on land.
By Flight
You can catch direct flights to Zanzibar Island from any part of the world and still connect to Zanzibar either direct or through Nairobi in Kenya, Kigali in Rwanda, Entebbe in Uganda or use the domestic airlines in East Africa. From Heathrow in London, you can fly to Zanzibar via Doha, Muscat, Nairobi, Johannesburg or Addis Ababa and Kilimanjaro. There are also numerous domestic and international flights to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, a two-hour ferry ride away from Stone Town in Zanzibar or a short 20-minute flight by small aircraft.
Taxi
There are taxis waiting for passengers when you exit the terminal. Despite having a “list” of prices for the various tourist destinations on the island, prices are negotiable. Although you can arrange a pick up at the airport with your hotel or tour company, even a little negotiating will get you a better price than the inflated one quoted by most hotels. However, some Stone Town hotels do offer free shuttle service from the airport. Journeying outside Stone Town is most comfortably done with a taxi or a private car. The latter are essentially also taxis with drivers although they don’t have the official taxi designation.
You can as well have a combined East African Safari, that can across East Africa, enjoy a wonderful wildlife safari or gorilla safari combined with a trip to Zanzibar for a total relaxation. For this arrangement, get in touch with Enclose Africa Safaris, and have this planned for you.