Indian Ocean

1. Snorkeling to Kendwa Reef
About 15 minutes offshore from Kendwa or Nungwi, it is possible to stop the boat and look up to the coral reef, discovering and… why not, photographing tropical flora and fauna.

2. Snorkeling to Mnemba Atoll
Mnemba Atoll is a Marine Conservation Park situated on the North East Coast of Zanzibar, know for the beauty and richness of its sea floor.

3. Snorkeling to Tumbatu Island
Situated off the North West coast of Zanzibar, this location is made special by an amazing coral reef here, where occasionally it is possible to find also turtles.

After receiving numerous excellent reviews from guests on TripAdvisor, The Z Hotel has been awarded ‘Trendiest Hotel in Africa’. Only 25 hotels on the entire African continent got this Award, and The Z Hotel is the only one in Tanzania.

1. Spice Tour
Two hours walking around the spice farm, where the famous spices of Zanzibar come from: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, cardamon, black pepper, turmeric, lemongrass… But also a chance to taste some seasonal tropical fruits and do some “food” shopping.

2. Stone Town
Stone Town is a UNESCO world heritage site, where you’ll be taken on a walking tour of around historical buildings and streets, to see the amazing old colonial & Arabic architecture. Landmarks are the old fort, the House of Wonders, the fish market and the former slave market.

3. Prison Island
A small Island to the west of Stone Town, famous for it’s giant tortoises and beautiful peacocks. A place with a long history: it was a private place of detention for slaves, then a jail which has been never used. And finally, a small tourist resort, perfect for one day relax.

4. Kizimazi Dolphin Tour
Kizimkazi is located in the most southern point of Zanzibar and is reckoned to be one of the best locations for spotting Dolphins, swimming and snorkelling with them.

5. Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest is on the way to Kizimkazi. Here you can get to have a walk into the forest, where you can see Mangrove and meet the Red Colobus Monkey.

Plenty of side events, which will take place in the same days around Zanzibar. On February 9th, the Carnival Street Parade around Stone Town, where everybody is invited to take part. On schedule, also a selection of African Music Films: documentaries, music clips, videos and live concert footage.

Around the festival, the island is buzzing with a range of fringe events: traditional ngoma drum and dance, fashion shows, dhow races, open-mic sessions, after-parties and performances of Zanzibar’s oldest Taarab orchestras are all arranged by the local community.

Organizers foresee a large affluence this year, and advice to reserve tickets and passes in advance. For more info, visit Sauti Za Busara website.

1. Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated 180 km west of Arusha, in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. It is a large, unbroken volcanic crater, formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago. It’s also a “natural enclosure” for a very wide variety of wildlife – mostly wildebeest, zebra and gazelle, but also rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo.

2. Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara is a shallow lake in the Natron-Manyara-Balangida branch of the East African Rift in Tanzania, the right setting to discover a different landscapes and wildlife. While most known for baboons, the lake and its environs is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs and giraffes. But it’s also a great chance for viewing over 300 migratory birds, including flamingo.

3. Tarangire
Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire river that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. The park is famous for its huge number of elephants, baobab trees and tree climbing lions. Other common animals in this area are zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, giraffe, and olive baboons.

4. Serengeti
Serengeti National Park is widely regarded as the best wildlife reserve in Africa due to its density of predators and prey. The park covers 14,763 km2 of grassland plains and savanna as well as riverine forest and woodlands. It is famous for its annual migration of over one and a half million wildebeest and 250,000 zebra, but also for the presence of lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo.

5. Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres above sea level. There are six official trekking routes: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Being an Afromontane area, Kilimanjaro has an enormous biodiversity and a flora which adapted to living in alpine plant conditions.

Besides, Festivals and other events are a good chance to discover East African culture, having fun at the same time. July is the right month, if you are interested. The Zanzibar Cultural Festival (bringing on stage cultural heritage of this area, such as “taarab” music, traditional dances, arts and crafts), the Zanzibar International Film Festival and the Mwaka Kogwa (the new shirazi year, celebrated with many traditional expressions), will give you the chance of enoying a less ordinary holiday.

The most featured event in Zanzibar’s calendar? The festival of African music Sauti Za Busara, taking place in February. A selection of the best artists from the continent on stage for about one week.

Climate is one of the most important issues to consider, while organizing a “short escape” to Zanzibar. A nice weather will make your trips easier and funnier, as well as your free time at the seaside.

Warm days along the whole year are typical of tropical climate: it’s like an endless summer, where cold weather almost doesn’t exist. But it’s better to pay attention to the Monsoon, which causes rainy periods twice a year. The first one, between March and May, is called the “long rains season”: it often rains for many hours of the day, so many outdoor activities become difficult. From Novemeber to December, we have the “short rains season”: it rains frequently, but after a short time it’s sunny again.

The most adviced period to go to Zanzibar is usually from June to October, during the dry season. But also January and February can reserve good surprises.