Discover Zanzibar’s Hidden Gems: Tanzania’s Best Travel Tips & Cultural Insights

📍 The “safest” and “most enjoyable” place in Tanzania has come to an end!

Surprise, surprise—Zanzibar might be the safest and most reassuring part of this trip. The safety level of the places we’ll visit later will be much lower than Zanzibar, and the environment will be far worse. It’s almost unimaginable! 😂

I spent 12 days in Zanzibar, visiting Nungwi, Paje, Stone Town, and The Rock Restaurant. I didn’t make it to Muyuni or Kizimkazi, but these are all small coastal villages, typical tourist areas where walking at night is no problem. Still, you have to stay cautious ⚠️—after all, this is Black Africa!

Here’s a quick guide to the island:
Zanzibar was once an independent island nation before uniting with the mainland in 1964 to form the Republic of Tanzania. The main language here is Swahili, and greetings like “Jambo” and “Mambo” are heard everywhere. People on the streets will greet you with these words endlessly—they’re really friendly, maybe because it’s a tourist area. Prices are higher than in Dar es Salaam since most supplies come from the mainland via shipping.

🚘 The island is surrounded by the sea, offering stunning ocean views. It’s not very large, and attractions are close to each other, making transportation convenient. The roads are generally in good condition. Local buses go in all directions, and there are also motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks. If all else fails, taxis aren’t too expensive—just be prepared to haggle, because bargaining is a must when traveling!!!

🛏️ Accommodation is the least of your worries. Pretty much anywhere near the sea has hotels and guesthouses, ranging from budget to luxury, with no upper price limit. You can book online or negotiate on the spot—off-season is perfect for bargaining. The only downside is the food 🍚—it’s downright depressing. Local cuisine is barely edible, and while people joke about “food deserts,” this place is practically a “culinary wasteland.” Finding something clean and hygienic costs a fortune! 😫

For tourists, the main highlights are as follows 👇🏻
1. **Stone Town**: Watch free cliff diving by locals near the night market. Take a boat to Tortoise Sanctuary to see century-old giant tortoises (10,000 shillings per person for a shared boat, $15 entry fee for tourists). The Night Food Market is overpriced and not worth it.

Visit Nakupenda Beach for its stunning sandbar.
2. **Nungwi**: Dolphin watching ($20 per person), swimming with turtles ($10), and beachcombing.
3. **Paje**: Sunrise views, kite-surfing paradise, and lazy beach days.
4. **Pingwe (The Rock Restaurant)**: Affordable dining with the option to collect starfish.

5. **Uzi**: Mangrove paddleboarding adventures.

For more details, check my other posts—some places I didn’t get to visit.

⚠️ Zanzibar has intense UV rays—don’t forget sunscreen!