Zanzibar Travel
Stone Town
Stone town was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I could get lost walking through the back alleys and looking at all the beautiful historic buildings. Of course the beaches here are stunning, but the vibrant history makes this melting pot a great place for adventure. There's a garden market that is well known for street vendors. I ate here everyday, because restaurants are a little pricey.
Stone town has to die for sunsets. You can grab dinner at the garden market and relax by the ocean front and watch locals do acrobatics while the sun sets. Darajani Market is in the heart of Stone Town and it's where the locals do their grocery shopping. Be sure to prepare your own meal one night and stop by the market to pick up some fresh produce. Prison Island is also a popular destination, but the 100 year old tortoise is in captivity FYI.
Nungwi
Kidoti Wild Garden is a guesthouse tucked away outside of Nungwi. It's the perfect oasis for a solo traveler or family. The staff is very friendly and caters to your needs. They prepare each meal based on preference and shop locally for organic food. There's hammocks set up to watch the sunset over the ocean, kayaks available for free, and the perfect area overlooking the ocean for a bonfire. I really connected with the staff and owner and ended up staying longer than expected. The price is very affordable too! Around $20 a night for a double bed, but there's singles available for cheaper. Highly recommend this place for a relaxing time away from the crowds.
Kendwa
Located just 3km from Nungwi, Kendwa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches. The town is very small and doesn't offer much except water excursions and the famous full moon party. If you're in the area for the full moon party, make sure to check this out. We partied until the sun came up and experienced the nightlife as a local would. There is a small entrance fee if you enter through the Kendwa Rocks resort. A bit of advice, lots of locals party on the beach outside the resort and have just as much fun. If you want to meet other tourists, check out the resort.
Other Popular Trips
Walking tour of Stone Town
Spice tour in Stone town
Diving and snorkeling in Matemwe
Take a trip to Pemba Island
Go on a Safari Blue tour
See the Red Colobus Monkeys in Jozani Forest
Go Kiteboarding
SUP through the mangroves
Transportation
Dala dala is the main form of transportation and is very cheap. It costs less than $1 to go from stone town to any part of island. There are several options for personal drivers but this often cost more. I would compare it to a cheap Uber back in the states. Hitchhiking is also common. I often used this mode but people would want a small tip for their courtesy.
Zanzibar Tips
No Banks outside of Stone Town
Average $20-$30 a night for accommodation (use airbnb, widely available)
Not many supermarkets- had to eat local or restaurants
Book tours through tour companies
Ask a local friend about prices to compare/ mzungos often get a higher price
Ask locals before taking pictures
Zanzibar is very touristy and the prices definitely reflect this
