This stunning island off the east coast of Africais known for its budget-friendly prices and being the birthplace of Freddie Mercury.
(Image: Getty)
Temperatures are beginning to rise across the UK, prompting many Brits to start planning their summer getaway, and jetting off to somewhere tropical doesn’t have to break the bank. One destination worth considering is Zanzibar Island, also called Unguja, a beautiful island situated off Africa’s eastern coast, just above Tanzania.
Zanzibar Island is renowned for its coastline, where the sand is remarkably fine, making it ideal for anyone simply seeking a sunny spot to unwind. Paje beach has earned recognition as one of the world’s finest beaches, thanks to its landscape featuring swaying palm trees, shimmering azure waters and a spectacular sunset vista across the Indian Ocean.
Yet Zanzibar offers far more than just beaches, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts, as it’s home to Jozani Forest, a national park sheltering creatures found nowhere else on Earth.
The red colobus monkey exists exclusively on Zanzibar and is recognised by its distinctive red-striped coat and vocal nature; you’ll frequently hear it communicating with fellow group members.
Visitors can encounter numerous wild species, including blue monkeys, bush babies, elephant shrews, and an array of exotic birdlife, reports the Express.
Zanzibar’s eastern shoreline is also famous for hosting a substantial population of vibrant starfish, and boat excursions are available for snorkelling alongside these remarkable marine animals. It’s an outstanding destination for snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts, as coral reefs line much of the island’s shores, teeming with parrotfish, clownfish, angel fish and occasionally even reef sharks.
Plenty of travellers also relish hiring transparent kayaks, allowing you to glide around the island whilst capturing photographs of the stunning azure waters.
Zanzibar has earned the moniker Spice Island, being amongst the world’s leading clove producers, whilst also cultivating cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, mace and black pepper.
Visitors can explore spice plantations to witness the island’s verdant crop gardens and join guided tours where you’ll sample fresh spices straight from the plants.
It’s equally worthwhile simply strolling through Stone Town, the capital, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its distinctive Swahili architecture, shaped by Indian, Arab and European influences.
Stone Town is renowned for its bustling markets, narrow alleyways and exquisitely carved wooden doors adorning the structures. It’s also Freddie Mercury’s birthplace, and you can tour his childhood residence and discover a museum celebrating the legendary performer.
Countless visitors adore Zanzibar for its sweltering climate, and during this period temperatures typically hover around 30C, dropping to 25C after dark.
Nevertheless, many holidaymakers favour Zanzibar because it’s considered remarkably affordable, with TripAdvisor users reporting it’s perfectly feasible to dine out for just a few quid. One holidaymaker reported: “A local beer is about £2.50 in a nice bar. A glass of wine (always South African) is a bit more. Soft drinks are fairly cheap. The local ginger beer (Tangawizi) is worth experiencing.”
Another traveller commented: “My experience is that for dinner and drinks (a two course meal, a glass of wine and lots of bottled water) one would expect to pay around £10 per head in Zanzibar, including Stone Town.”
A third visitor noted: “In the very local style places we are eating: large bottles of water for $1.50, Sprite/Coke $2, juice $3, beer and Savannah cider $3 and a glass of wine $3-$4.”