Chris McIntyre - Zanzibar (Bradt Travel Guides)

Zanzibar
Dont miss

Zanzibar Town

The islands largest settlement features whitewashed houses, bazaars, mosques and museums, as well as a Catholic cathedral (pictured here) (Pd/S)

Diving and snorkelling

The seas around the Zanzibar archipelago offer coral reefs, sandbanks and plentiful marine wildlife (SS)

Beaches

Fine-sand beaches such as this one in Nungwi are a major draw for visitors (M/WC)

Wildlife

Kirks red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii) is endemic to Zanzibar and can be seen in the Jozani Forest Reserve (ID/S)

Culture

Locally produced Tingatinga paintings can be found for sale throughout Zanzibar (NK/S)

Tall houses line the labyrinthine alleyways of Stone Town (NF/S)

Zanzibar Towns market hall is the place to track down everything from fruit and fish to spices and sewing machines (NF/S)

The atmospheric nightly street-food market at Forodhani Gardens is popular with diners and voyeurs alike (PS/S)

The Anglican cathedral was built on the site of a former slave market in Zanzibar Town (t/S)

The newly landscaped Forodhani Gardens have become the pulsing heart of Stone Town, with cafs, a bandstand and even a dhow-shaped adventure playground (OZ/S)

The Old Dispensary was originally built in the late 19th century as the private home of an Indian merchant, one of the wealthiest individuals on Zanzibar at the time (C/S)

Youre likely to see the Sykes monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis albogularis) on a trip to Jozani Forest (th/S)

Aldabra giant tortoises (Geochelone gigantea) are found on Changuu Island, descendants of four gifted from the Seychellois governor to his opposite number on Zanzibar in the 18th century (M/S)

Between 200 and 300 types of butterfly can be spotted at the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre, including the citrus swallowtail (pictured) (AVZ)

Coconut crabs (Birgus latro) are common on Chumbe Island (AVZ)

The cute Suni antelope (Neotragus moschatus moschatus) can be found on Mnemba Island (SS)

Starfish are a common sight on inter-tidal walks along the east coast of Zanzibar (DL/S)

A spice tour is one of the most popular activities on Zanzibar, giving visitors the chance to experience familiar flavours such as nutmeg and cloves growing naturally (s/S) and (PS/S)

Turtles have been nesting on Tanzanian beaches for millions of years; Juani Island, just off Mafia, is the best place to witness them hatching (KJ/S)

The large, billowing sail of the traditional dhow is a typical sight off Zanzibar, and dhow builders can be seen at work up and down the coast (AVZ) and (SMP/S)

Elaborately carved doors are a sign of a home owners wealth and status, and grace both humble village houses and historic palaces in Stone Town (BB/S)