Before you leave
Choosing a hotel in Zanzibar can be tricky so I recommend you do your research. Travel reviews are a great source of information. Whilst some hotels are well-located, you may find that the quality of the food and the condition of the facilities not to your satisfaction. An all-inclusive package is recommended as food and drinks are priced in US Dollars. We stayed at the 3-star My Blue Hotel situated on Nungwi Beach, north of Zanzibar.
A trip to Stone Town lasts just under two hours from Nungwi, where you can find restaurants, shops and ATM’s. Therefore, I strongly advise that you arrange foreign currency in cash, preferably USD, with a request for small notes from your bank prior to travel. If you book an all-inclusive package, I’d say you need approximately 200 US Dollars per person for tours and tips etc assuming you staying for about 7 nights. Suggest you also carry snacks and other essentials as there are no shops nearby.
If you travelling within Africa, not all airlines offer a meal. If they do, it is expensive and the menu is limited. Plan accordingly.
Zanzibar is a tropical island. It is extremely hot and humid. A hat and sunscreen are a must. Mosquito repellant and aqua shoes are recommended.
Keep an open mind and enjoy this unique African experience.
When you there
Early morning walks are a must and probably the only time of day you unlikely to be bothered by the beach boys and masai – who only engage with tourists to sell tours, massages and trinkets.
Shop around for tours and don’t be afraid to bargain. After much deliberation we booked with the tour operator at the hotel, and can highly recommend the half day spice and Stone Town tour, as well as the safari blue day trip (both costs approx 100 US Dollars in total per person).
I found the spice tour particularly interesting. The tour consists of a visit to a farm where you get to see and taste spice in its original form. The tour ends in a sing-song where you served coconut water and fresh fruit. It’s loads of fun and if you staying a few days, it makes for a great outing.
The safari blue tour is a must-do and the highlight of our trip. We spent the day snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. For lunch we had a feast fit for royalty. On the menu were fish, crayfish, and prawns cooked on the braai (barbeque). If you keen on shopping, goods are reasonably priced at the stalls and there is ample time after lunch to browse around.
We also toured Stone Town as it was our first time in Zanzibar however the sightseeing is limited. The highlight of the tour was watching the sun go down over Stone Town which was an incredible experience. If you happen to be in Stone Town, visit a rooftop bar just in time for sunset and enjoy the breathtaking views. We had sundowners at the Mara Mara Hotel which was pleasant.
A sunset cruise onboard a dhow is a great way to end the day and can be arranged with the beach boys just outside the hotel. It is relatively inexpensive (approx 15-20 US Dollars per person).
If you looking for a great pub and restaurant, take a stroll down the beach to Gerry’s Bar. It is situated quite close to the Hilton Hotel, Nungwi Beach. And if you keen on partying in Zanzibar, Kendwa Rocks beach party is epic. From Nungwi Beach, it is only 15 minutes away and transport can be arranged via the hotel.
Nungwi Beach looks like a picture frame with its soft white sand, turquoise coloured water and dhow boats in the distance. The only negative was the sea urchins, and the jellyfish larvae which leaves an itchy sensation that lasts a few minutes. However the latter is seasonal and depends on the temperature of the water, or so we were told.
Be generous with your tips as tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of Zanzibar.
My Blue Hotel review
We stayed at the 3-star My Blue Hotel. Despite some of the negative reviews, we decided to give a try anyway.
Located on the most pristine part of the island, it offers the most amazing beach, beautiful sunsets, and general overall location. The Hilton hotel is a short walk from the My Blue Hotel and the beach isn’t nearly as nice, although this is a 4-star establishment.
What can be improved is the quality of the food and the menu as it is a buffet service. Although most reviews suggest that the hotel caters for Italians only, this is not entirely true. Yes, there are quite a few Italian guests and there is a pasta station, however the rest of the menu attempts to cater to other tourists.
On one night of our stay, the hotel arranged a dinner on the beach which was entertaining and memorable. Amongst our favorite meals were the barbeque seafood and steak, curries, and freshly made indian naan bread.
Whilst the rooms are modern and clean, more can be done to improve the condition of the bathrooms.
The staff are extremely hardworking and the service is excellent.
The thing about beach holidays is that you do in fact spend alot of time enjoying the facilities at the resort. So if you are accustomed to a certain standard, I suggest you book a hotel that is highly rated and recommended by fellow travellers, and has a great swimming beach.
No matter where you end up in Zanzibar, I say Hakuna Matata!
