Trip to Zanzibar | Top 10 experiences for adventurers

"Travel to Zanzibar: The Top 10 Things to Do for Adventurers in Zanzibar"

There's always something going on at home. Whether with the boys or with my work, I'm actually always on the ball - I love that and I can't help it. The idea of suddenly going from 100 to 0 while on vacation and lying idly on the beach for two weeks is totally alien to me - maybe you feel the same way?

And yet today I would like to introduce you to a destination that is known for one thing above all else: endless, paradisiacal sandy beaches and coconut trees that blow in the wind - we are of course talking about Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is only about 50km off the coast of Tanzania and can be reached by plane from Dar es Salaam in half an hour. Thanks to the great domestic flights, you can also fly there directly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and plan a few days of paradise before or after your safari or Kilimanjaro climb. A trip to Zanzibar? I can only recommend this - I will forever associate some of my most beautiful vacation experiences with the island. With these ten highlights that you simply have to experience on Zanzibar, I'll prove to you that in paradise you don't just have to lie on the beach.

Here are my top 10 recommendations for the best trip to Zanzibar:

1. Go on a dive

The islands of the Zanzibar archipelago are among the best diving areas in the world, especially the islands of Mnemba and Pemba. Did you know that in the company of a qualified diving instructor you can do simple dives even without a diving license? Under supervision you can dive up to 10 meters into the underwater world of the coral reefs and watch the colorful hustle and bustle of fish, turtles and whale sharks.

2. A traditional boat tour

Photo: Imke Stahlmann

A trip on a traditional dhow boat has very little to do with sunbathing on a yacht - it is all the more fun. There are dhow boats for up to 30 people, but I definitely recommend going with a very small one. Such an excursion at sunset is a very special experience.

3. Snorkel in the reef

Another variant of the boat trip is to pack your snorkeling equipment and just hop into the water at a suitable place. Everywhere you can discover the locals' seagrass fields, and sometimes the sponge and coral farms of the Marinecultures aquaculture project. The organization is committed to sustainable fishing and the protection of the precious ecosystem - you can find more information about the project and how you can support it here.

4. Local Village Tour

Life on Zanzibar is particularly exciting because the island has been influenced by a wide variety of cultures for centuries. India, Great Britain, Arab countries and Tanzania combine to create a special class cultural cocktail. On a Local Village Tour, for example in Jambiani, you will meet locals who will tell you about life on the island and show you how they cook, work and handicrafts. The hospitality of the locals is simply unbeatable.

5. Visit to the turtle center

Photo: Missy

Almost all species of sea turtles are critically endangered. In Nungwi on the northern tip of Zanzibar there is a protection station where volunteers have the opportunity to raise the endangered sea turtles and learn all about the unique animals. But you can also just come as a visitor - your entrance fee goes towards the continuation of the station.

6. Cycling in the Jozani Forest

Photo: Marc Veraart

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the only national park on the island and is particularly famous for the red colobus monkeys that frolic in the canopy of the rainforest. You explore the forest by bike and on foot and get very close to the animal world - in addition to the monkeys, chameleons, turtles and dik-diks, a small native species of deer, await you. Longer bike tours are also possible - if you can handle the tropical heat, Zanzibar is simply a unique bike destination.

Plan a trip to Zanzibar now!

7. Spice tour

Photo: David Berkowitz

Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla and black pepper - Zanzibar is world famous for its spices and your trip would not be complete without an extensive spice tour. You will visit plantations, learn about the harvest and extraction of spices, and their use in the kitchen and traditional medicinal medicine. They are also the perfect souvenir and souvenir to relive that holiday feeling at home.

8. Swahili cooking class

Photo: Denkrahm

In keeping with this, I can only recommend a cooking class. You will quickly notice that Zanzibar is all about fish and coconuts - both essential components of the local cuisine. The mixture of Swahili, Arabic and Indian influences brings out very special dishes, you will benefit from the newly learned cooking skills for a long time to come.

9. Wind and kite surfing

Photo: Konstantin Zamkov

Travel to Zanzibar: Zanzibar is the perfect place if you are looking for a lot of water action, because the winds here are ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Both sports require a little practice and knowledge of the wind conditions, but there are numerous surf schools on the island where you can learn the basics.

10. Underwater Room

Do you remember my absolutely favorite hotel experience in Zanzibar, the Underwater Room at the Manta Resort? Definitely take a night or two and book this room, because there is no better way to experience the underwater world of Zanzibar!

As you can see, you can also be active on the dream beach and find a varied balance to the stressful everyday life at home. I hope I made you want to travel to Zanzibar with my top 10!