Why Your Next Family Trip Should Be To Zanzibar, Tanzania

When looking for a travel destination, you want a mix of adventure, picturesque, relaxation, and friendly locals. Tanzania is a perfect travel destination because it actually has all the above. Tanzania offers you breathtaking beaches, the splendor of nature seemingly undisturbed by people, historical towns, and geological wonders. Added to friendly and welcoming locals, Tanzania is the perfect destination for a family trip. 

Among all the places Tanzania has to offer, the best and most wondrous of them all is Zanzibar. Zanzibar is also known as the “Spice Island” and is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. With its beautiful white sand beaches, Zanzibar is a place for relaxation and adventure perfect for a family trip. 

Zanzibar is such a great destination many of its visitors are not first-timers but people coming back once again. There are many activities for families that kids and adults will enjoy alike. It has many historical sites and wildlife to entertain your entire family. A trip to Zanzibar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Let’s have a look at what you need for your visit to Zanzibar and the places you and your family must visit. 

What To Pack

Before you leave for your trip, you need to make sure you have everything so that you can relax and enjoy your trip without worries. Packing is always the most important thing when it comes to trips. 

Here is a breakdown of your packing essentials for a trip to Zanzibar;

• Sunscreen
• Aloe Vera gel
• Flip flops
• First aid kit
• Ear plugs
• Lightweight fabrics
• Hat
• Mosquito repellent
• Medication
• Sneakers
• Rain jacket
• Sunglasses
• Snorkeling mask
• Universal adapter
• Swim shoes
• Waterproof bag

Zanzibar is a tropical destination so you can be assured of sunshine all year round.  This means your packing should be light and you should carry sunscreen. Zanzibar is also pretty conservative so you might want to pack clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.

Best Time To Visit

Zanzibar is great to visit all year round. It has warm weather with temperatures between  28°C and 34°C and plenty of sunshine. If you want the optimal time to visit then it’s between July to September. This is a popular time to travel since it is the archipelago’s dry season. So you can be sure that there won’t be any rain to dampen your beach plans. 

Places To Go/Activities

A family trip will inevitably need activities that will not just entertain you and the kids as well. Zanzibar is a family-friendly destination with so many places you can visit with your kids. Here are the top 10 activities when holidaying with kids in Zanzibar;

1. Visit and Explore Stone Town

Stone town is actually just a 90-minute drive from just about any point on the Island. It is a very easily accessible location so you don’t have to worry about how to get there. The town is filled with interesting sights and activities you can do. You can start with the home of none other than the great Freddie Mercury. He lived on the island for the first few years of his life. 

One of the most interesting things about Stone town is the streets. It has a maze of narrow streets, a distinctive feature of old Swahili towns. The streets are filled with souvenir shops you can admire and shop with unique wooden doors. 

Make your way up the flights of stairs to find some hidden curio shops for some rare and unique collectible items. Don’t be shy to haggle. The town is full of color and beautiful fabrics so it’s a visual fest for the kids.

Stop by the Zanzibar Coffee House for some coffee and cold drinks as you rest. They have very delicious cakes here so you and the kids will love them. Go to the rooftop to enjoy a view of Stone Town rooftops. If you haven’t booked your accommodation, you can get some cute and spacious rooms here.   

2. Visit Spice Plantation 

Zanzibar gets its name “Spice Island” because of these plantations. The kids will absolutely love a visit to a spice plantation. Ever wondered how the spices you use are grown? Well, these plantations will answer and quench all your curiosities about spices.  The spice garden tour is a few hours so you can add it to your itinerary. The kids can learn about how clove is great for toothache and that cardamom for fresh breath. Many of the gardens are owned by locals so you can buy some spices to take home. 

3. Snorkeling Trips

Snorkeling is a must-do in Zanzibar and you can take the kids. If they are too young to join, they can stay on the boat and watch. They will enjoy coming and chatting with others on the boat. You will find snorkeling boats on the western side of the island. Snorkeling will allow you to experience both sides of Zanzibar Island. For first-timers, the best spots are in Mnemba. 

The best time to snorkel is at sunset since there are fewer people and the yellow-orange sky is so beautiful. 

4. Mnarani Natural Aquarium, Nungwi

The center is well organized to rescue, protect and rehabilitate injured turtles. This is a top kids’ destination because they can play with the turtles. They also get to feed the turtles. 

The turtles are sent back to the ocean once rehabilitated. If you are not fond of seeing animals in captivity, this is a perfect place for you to visit. 

5. Changuu (Prison) Island

Image Source: Changuu Private Island Paradise – Prison Island | Tanzania Hotels Agent 

This island is a 20 minutes boat ride from Stone Town and is a sanctuary for Giant Tortoises. The trip takes half a day and is the best for an entire family visit. The tortoises are huge so the kids will have the most fun. Remember to take many photos for their memorabilia. 

The most fun fact about this sanctuary is that there are four giant turtles that were gifted from Seychelles. They had been threatened but due to the care in the sanctuary, they have quickly multiplied over the years. It’s not hard to get to this island since there are many boats along the beaches of stone town you can take. 

6. Jozani Forest Reserve and Zanzibar Butterfly Center

Image Source: Jozani Chwaka bay national park 

Did you know that Zanzibar has its own species of monkeys? The Forest Reserve is located at the southern end of the island. It’s a native forest that is home to the near-extinct species of monkeys. This is a must-visit place in Zanzibar. 

There are local guides who will help you find the monkey as they are always on the move. They will also instruct you on the rules of the reserve that you must adhere to. The monkeys are very beautiful and it’s great to watch them swing from tree to tree. 

There is a mangrove walkway across the road from the forest you will also visit. You can learn all about the inhabitants of the Mangroves on your tour. 

You should also stop at the Zanzibar Butterfly Center that is nearby. It is perfect for a short stop as you head back. There is a dedicated team who will guide you through the community project. The kids will have fun learning about the butterfly’s life cycle from a caterpillar to a fully formed beauty. It is a lovely sight walking through the garden full of butterflies. 

7. Reef Walk

Zanzibar proudly presents its beaches in all their splendor. Walking along the coastline of the southern beaches is an extraordinary experience. Make sure you get some reef shoes since you will be walking through sludge. There are also sea urchins to avoid and you might trip barefoot. 

The kids will surely love this walk since there is so much to see. You can search for giant starfish, clownfish, eels, and soft corals among so many others. The best time to go on a walk is when the tide is low. Remember to use the well-worn tracks and also pay respect to your surroundings. Have an expert who will guide you in the walk so that you can get the most out of it. 

8. Swimming With Dolphins

This is literally the best activity you can do in Zanzibar. It takes place in the southern part of the island. There are many people providing this service and it is very popular. The kids will have an experience of a lifetime. The dolphins like swimming back and forward past the reef. You can meet them when snorkeling with your kids. Dolphins are incredibly curious and are very interested in humans. 

You can also take a dedicated dolphin-catching trip to Kazimkazi in the south. They organize great overnight guided packages. Your accommodation host will recommend the best operator for you. Don’t leave Zanzibar without swimming with dolphins. 

9. Seaweed Farming With Local Women

In the early morning, you will see women with sticks and a basket on their heads. They are mainly planting seaweeds. The seaweeds will be due for harvesting in six weeks’ time. Seaweed is a very big business in Tanzania and is used in many things from toothpaste to ice cream. There are tour companies that organize tips to accompany these women. You can join them with the kids and learn about seaweed. You will also catch the beautiful sunrise and maybe end the trip with a morning walk along the beach. 

10. Enjoy The Beautiful White Sand Beaches

There is no bigger attraction to Zanzibar than its breathtaking beaches. The white sand beaches are perfect for relaxation. They are so alluring you might have a hard time doing anything else other than lounging on the beach all day long. Go from the beach to the beach taking in the stunning views. As a tropical island, Zanzibar’s beaches are some of the best in the world. The best beaches you should make sure to visit our Matemwe and Pongwe. Kiwengwa is perfect for young children since it has shallow waters and lots of pretty shells they can collect. Get on a hammock and enjoy the cool breeze and some cold drinks as you relax on a Zanzibar beach. 

There you have it, all the reasons you needed to go to Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is a place of relaxation more than anything. Since it is a popular destination, book your trip in advance. This way you can also save money. If you are looking for a budget trip, there are many accommodations that are friendly to the pocket.