Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania, and consists of two islands, Unguja and Pemba. Flying into Zanzibar Town airport, you can almost feel the dust of safari drop from your shoes, as you catch sight of the beautiful coastline and pristine beaches below.

 

Zanzibar's history is in trade and spice, and the island still exports cloves and coconut products, and a wide variety of types of fish. Zanzibar's markets are wonderful places to explore, for their incredible displays of brightly-coloured tropical fruit and vegetables, neatly stacked by proud stall owners who offer a taste of anything you wish to try. Here, too, are the spice traders, selling packets of golden powers or aromatic seeds, plus cinnamon bark strips so long they would barely fit in a suitcase.

 

Most visitors to Zanzibar head for the east coast beaches, near perfect stretches of white sand fringed with palms and washed by the gentle waves of the warm Indian Ocean. To the south of Chwaka Bay are the most popular beaches, located between the seaweed-gathering town of Bwejuu, down to Paje, Jambiani, and Makunduchi. North of the bay, new developments and resorts have sprung up around Matemwe and Pwani Mchangani, providing superb facilities alongside lovely beaches. What more could you wish for?

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© 2009 Kirsty Young