Is Zanzibar worth visiting?

Hi everyone, I’m planning a two-week trip to Tanzania at the end of December and beginning of January, including 3 or 4 days in Zanzibar. But after reading some posts about the island, I’m wondering if it’s really worth it.

Are the beaches on the mainland just as idyllic as Zanzibar’s? I’ve also seen there are other islands, like Mafia Island, which is less touristy.

Another question: for my arrival, I don’t want to stay in Dar es Salaam, as big cities don’t really appeal to me. Would Bagamoyo be a good base, or would you recommend somewhere else?

To give you more details, I’m not traveling with a tour operator—I’m more of a backpacker and prefer local transport.

Thanks for your advice!

Hi,

Please closely follow the very serious events currently unfolding in Tanzania .... !!

...

Hi everyone, I'm planning to spend about two weeks in Tanzania at the end of December and early January, including 3 or 4 days in Zanzibar. But after reading some posts about the island, I'm wondering if it's really worth it. Is it true that the beaches on the mainland are just as idyllic as those in Zanzibar? I've also seen that there are other islands, like Mafia Island, which is less touristy. And another question: when I arrive, I don’t want to stay in Dar es Salaam, as big cities don’t really appeal to me. Would Bagamoyo be a good base, or would you recommend somewhere else? Just to give you more details, I’m not traveling with a tour operator—I’m more of a backpacker and prefer local transport. Thanks for your replies.

Hello, Actually, the beaches south of Dar es Salaam are just as stunning as those in Zanzibar. When you arrive in Dar, instead of Bagamoyo, I’d recommend looking for accommodation in the Kigamboni area, like Kipepeo, where you can stay in bandas near the beach for a very affordable price. You’ll be close to the Mjimwema fishing village and Rasta Zone, where the food is excellent. If you’d like to experience Tanzanian life without it feeling like voyeurism, our friends at the Jamii Kwanza association would be happy to welcome you in the late afternoon to join their dance and acrobatics training sessions. From Mjimwema, you can easily reach the Bajaj: the port of Dar es Salaam to take the boat to Zanzibar or the new railway station to catch the high-speed train to Morogoro (in less than 2 hours, where a guide from Mikumi National Park can pick you up). Finally, regarding Zanzibar, Stone Town’s old town is absolutely beautiful and worth visiting. If you’d like more tips, I’m happy to help.

Hi Bidulette, The Zanzibar archipelago is definitely worth a visit. There’s the main island (Unguja), where the capital’s alleys are gorgeous and the beaches are too, but it’s packed with tourists. Then there’s the second island (Pemba, further north), which is less touristy and more authentic—my favorite. I don’t think I saw a single other white person there. And the third island in the archipelago (Mafia, to the south), I haven’t been there yet.

Hi everyone, I'm planning a two-week trip to Tanzania at the end of December and early January, including 3 or 4 days in Zanzibar. But after reading some posts about the island, I'm wondering if it's really worth it. Are the beaches on the mainland just as idyllic as in Zanzibar? I also saw there are other islands like Mafia Island, which is less touristy. And another question: for my arrival, I don’t want to stay in Dar es Salaam, as big cities don’t really appeal to me. Would Bagamoyo be a good base, or would you recommend somewhere else? Just to clarify, I’m not traveling with a tour operator—I’m more of a backpacker and prefer local transport. Thanks for your replies.

Hi, Actually, the beaches south of Dar es Salaam are just as stunning as those in Zanzibar. When you arrive in Dar, instead of Bagamoyo, I’d recommend looking for accommodation in the Kigamboni area, like Kipepeo, where you can stay in bandas near the beach for a very affordable price. You’ll be close to the Mjimwema fishing village and Rasta Zone, where the food is great. If you’d like to experience Tanzanian life without it feeling like voyeurism, our friends at the Jamii Kwanza association would be happy to welcome you in the late afternoon to join their dance and acrobatics training. From Mjimwema, you can easily reach the Dar es Salaam port by bajaj to take the boat to Zanzibar, or the new railway station to catch the high-speed train to Morogoro (in less than 2 hours, where a guide from Mikumi Park can pick you up). Finally, regarding Zanzibar, the old town of Stone Town is beautiful and worth visiting. If you’d like more tips, I’m happy to help.

Thanks for the advice—I’ll look into it more closely.

Hi there,

I’ve been to a bunch of amazing beaches around the world, but I’ve never seen water as emerald green as in Zanzibar.

So for that alone, it’s worth the trip.



Stone Town is really charming.

And Zanzibar has a rich history as a trading hub.

So I think it’d be a shame to skip it ;)

Hi there,

Responses:

I’ve seen a ton of amazing beaches around the world, but I’ve never seen water as emerald green as in Zanzibar.

Better late than never—I totally agree! In Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Mauritius, or anywhere else, I’ve never seen colors like those in southern Zanzibar. Avoid the northeast because of the resort clubs, and head south where you’ll find small villages.

I also loved the capital, Stone Town.