ZANZIBAR. REVIEW OF HOTELS, BEACHES, EXCURSIONS, TOURS (MAY 2019).

T he island of Zanzibar attracts already with its exotic name and bright associations. This is an amazing piece of land on which history has created a unique cocktail of cultures, and as if time has stopped. Imagine yourself surrounded by white beaches, which are always washed by a warm and gentle ocean, and giant palm trees grow along the shores, and the desire to get to this island takes on very specific outlines. In addition to the beaches, you will find the historical cultural heritage of the Stone Town, luxurious deep-sea fishing, diving, snorkeling, kiting and much more. Zanzibar is good both in its pure form and in combination with a safari, which is so familiar to Tanzania. In this blog, we want to share our fresh impressions on hotels, beaches and excursions after visiting the island in May 2019.
F ly to Zanzibar from South Africa by direct flight from Johannesburg. I flew on a morning flight at 7 am, and I was on the island around 11-30. From Russia you can fly to Ethiopian airlines with a transfer in Addis Ababa, to Emirates, via Dubai, or Qatar Airlines, via Doha. Visa can be obtained upon arrival directly at the airport ($ 50).

North, Nungwi-Kendwa . These beaches are the best, in the sense of tides. Here you can always swim, even at low tide. There are also amazing sunsets here.

Отель RIU Palace Zanzibar 5 *

Hotel for adults only on all inclusive. A large area, several restaurants, spa, beautiful beach, comfortable swimming. In the evenings, an entertainment program. Rooms and bathrooms are very pleasant, we really liked the hotel, it corresponds to the stars

Essque Zalu 5 * (but according to our feeling it is 4 * +)

A very unusual hotel with a local flavor, there are large villas and classic rooms in blocks of 2 and 4 rooms. Kids club, large pool, spa. Of the minuses no sandy beach, swimming from the shore, sunset in the ocean by a ladder or from a pontoon bridge.

La Gemma Dell’Est 5*

Great hotel, good with children, great beach, pool, bars, restaurants, all-inclusive. The neighboring territory with the hotel RIU, when it is low tide, you can walk along the coast from one to the other. Very nice made suites category rooms, they are completely updated. Walls, floors, doors, plumbing, furniture - everything is new. In these suites you can with children, the living area with a sofa is separated from the main bedroom by a glass sliding partition-door.

My Blue Boutique Hotel 4 * (but we feel closer to 3 + *)

The hotel is not large, now undergoing a grand renovation, all the rooms have been updated, the restaurant has been rebuilt, and all buildings are being repainted. Its sandy beach, swimming pool. For the new season will be sweetie, and the price is very affordable. If you want to save money and get a good beach, you can go.

Gold Zanzibar 5*

Chic beach, excellent location, spacious rooms. Large pool, spa and so on. Russian-speaking employee is always happy to help guests. There are villas, there are standard rooms. Food - buffet, but without frills. If you want to get the best quality cuisine, then you need to take an additional package of Gourmet meal plan. It’s good to go with children, comfortable accommodation in villas. The price is affordable. To be completely honest, the hotel service is closer to 4+, but everyone is trying to fix it quickly and please the guests as much as they can. When we checked in there was a slight hitch with the Internet, it was decided within an hour. The missing hairdryer was also brought in by a call to the reception and a bathroom door that moved off the runners was fixed quickly, and the same technician that repaired the Internet. So an hour after we settled, we were fine and went swimming in the rays of the sunset. The biggest plus of this hotel is fantastic beach.

Melia 5*

Very nice hotel, a huge area, a large number of rooms, spa, swimming pools, kids club. Private eco-style wooden bungalows for couples stand on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The main territory of the hotel stands on the stone shore, entering the water by a staircase from the pontoon bridge, where the bar is also located. When the tide doesn’t go swimming, it’s turned into a plus in the hotel, and the guests are offered an excursion to the coral reef, that is, you walk and watch the marine life that was exposed after the departure of water. This is a very picturesque sight. And after 3 hours the water starts to arrive again, and closes the bottom, then again you can swim. If you want to sunbathe on the beach, then the hotel has a second wing, where a small shuttle runs every 15 minutes. There is sand, sun beds, a bar, they are completing another pool and another building with numbers. Next year they want to upgrade the hotel to the level of Melia Grand, that is, to upgrade to a luxury class.

Stone Town (Stone Town) heart of the island .

Visit Zanzibar and not visit the Stone City it is the same as arriving in Moscow not to see the Red Square. For many centuries the island was influenced by different cultures, which left a bright imprint on the appearance of the ancient Stone Town (Stown Town). This historic part of the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once in the heart of the old city, you become a witness of how antiquity and antiquity coexist with the simplicity of everyday life. Here you can call on the way to the airport or stay here for the night. From the beach hotels to the Stone Town go about an hour. From the airport about 20 minutes. If you stop overnight, from 5 * you can consider Park Hyatt Zanzibar or Serena Inn. The first one is more luxurious, the second one with the spirit of history and rooms is simpler. In the evening, you can go to the embankment, where the booming trade in freshly caught seafood. If you need a cheap hotel, then we recommend Tembo Hotel (by the way, one of the buildings of this hotel is in the former house where Fredi Mercury was born).

Spice Plantations

During this tour you will see how the spices grow that are used to buying in the store without thinking. Feel, taste and smell fresh cinnamon chips, clove buds, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric, coffee and many other famous spices

Kizimkazi, southern part of the island

This is where you can swim with wild dolphins. This is a quiet and secluded part of the island, where there are no crowds of tourists, noise and annoying souvenir sellers. And here is the charming The Residence Zanzibar . These are spacious villas with swimming pools, a large landscaped area. These are bicycles in each villa, delicious food, a magical spa and yoga every day. Hotel concept rest is not only the beach! Here you rest with your soul, head and body. At low tide the water goes away, and at this time you can relax in different ways, if only with a book by the pool, or during a massage session. Around the clock at your disposal a large personal pool. At high tide you can swim in the ocean. For children there is a mini-zoo, a club, riding a donkey in a cart and a small spice garden.

The Residence Zanzibar

Northeast Coast

Baraza , The Palms , Breezes , Zawadi . These hotels are located in the neighboring territories.
Baraza villas with pools. You can swim in the ocean when the tide is high. This hotel is considered one of the most luxurious on the island and is positioned as a suite. For an amateur, everything here breathes Arabian luxury, the rooms are decorated in the style of the Sultan's palace. There is a kids club. SPA, beautiful pool, live music in the evenings.

The Palms Hotel is near, for those who want to leave, there are only 7 villas.
Next comes Breezes 4 *, a simplified version of Baraza at a reasonable price.
Romantic couples built Zawadi new spacious villas in pastel colors.

If we consider hotels in segment 4 *, we can go to Neptun Pwani , Blue Bay Beach Resort , Sultan Sands , Dream of Zanzibar . Reasonable prices, good service, everything you need for a pleasant stay without pathos and complaints.
Of course, this is not all hotels with which we work. These are the choice ones we decided to visit on this trip.
And in conclusion, I would like to tell you about new hotel Zuri (north, Kendwa). This is really a bomb! Chic beach, designer bungalows, a huge spice park, cooking classes, tai chi, yoga and spa, kids club. The hotel opened in 2018 and today, in our opinion this is the most delightful hotel on the island.
Suitable for everyone who appreciates quality and is willing to pay for it!

Baraza

Baraza villas with pools. You can swim in the ocean when the tide is high. This hotel is considered one of the most luxurious on the island and is positioned as a suite. For an amateur, everything here breathes Arabian luxury, the rooms are decorated in the style of the Sultan's palace. There is a kids club. SPA, beautiful pool, live music in the evenings

The Palms

Hotel The Palms, for those who want to be alone, only 7 villas.

Breezes

Breezes 4 *, a simplified version of Baraza at a reasonable price

Zawadi

Zawadi for romantic couples new spacious villas in pastel colors

Neptun Pwani

Baraza

Baraza villas with pools. You can swim in the ocean when the tide is high. This hotel is considered one of the most luxurious on the island and is positioned as a suite. For an amateur, everything here breathes Arabian luxury, the rooms are decorated in the style of the Sultan's palace. There is a kids club. SPA, beautiful pool, live music in the evenings

Sultan Sands

Dream of Zanzibar

Zuri

Chic beach, designer bungalows, a huge spice park, cooking classes, tai chi, yoga and spa, kids club. The hotel opened in 2018 and today, in our opinion this is the most delightful hotel on the island.
Suitable for anyone who appreciates quality and is willing to pay for it!