ZANZIBAR: The Place Where It All Begun

- Sijambo! Hujambo?

- Sijambo. Mambo!

- Poa.

You’ve just witnessed a Swahili "Hello" and in the event you’ll ever find yourself lost in Zanzibar, it would be best if you kept it in mind. People in that part of the world value a nice greeting more than anything.

Why Go to Zanzibar?

First off, because it sounds like one hell of an exotic place. It’s the spice island, the place that gave birth to so many stories of pirates, princesses and dark magic. Pemba, Zanzibar’s twin island, is well renowned as the centre of witchcraft in Eastern Africa. Talk about spooky! But it’s not all skulls and bones… if you’re the romantic type, Zanzibar can sweep you off your feet even before you set foot on its ground.

Why you ask? The reasons are countless. It has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Paje. Hard to believe, but this amazing beach is almost deserted. You can walk for 15 minutes barefoot on the white, soft sand and find no one around. It’s quite another world out there. Out on the ocean there’s a dhow sailing, the waves are battling with the riff away from the shore and the only thing that reaches you is the almost silent sound of the battle. The sand crabs are sneaking out of their layers, prudently looking at you with their black marble eyes. You’re all alone here, you and the ocean and you can’t help being overcome by a strange feeling – is this the beginning of the world? Is this the end?

What Is There to Do in Zanzibar?

Well… nothing. Doesn’t it sound awesome? Zanzibar is the place for doing absolutely nothing. The locals are basically experts in doing just that. Let’s take Babu Zion for example. He works as a gardner in Germany. When he returns home, for a few months, he spends his time playing the drums and sleeping on the beach. Married with children, he dreams of becoming the second Bob Marley and in case he doesn’t make it, he wishes at least to learn how to play all men invented instruments. He’s already learned how to play about 10 of them.

But maybe you desire more than that. If that is the case, rent yourself a car and tour the island. The fun you’ll experience will most probably exhaust you and lazy you down for the rest of the trip. Keep this in mind: the car will most likely be a worn out Suzuki and you’ll have to drive on the left side of the road. And the road will be swarming with bikers and cyclists which drive the same way they live: how they want to. Don’t bother asking for directions – you’ll receive a smile followed by an advice which will lead you precisely towards the wrong way.

Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar is quite a pretty city, full of color, history and romance. It’s also quite a bazaar, full of hundreds of people who will jump you, trying to either sell something or beg for something. If you arrive in Stone Town you have to watch the sunset from the roof of the Emerson & Green Hotel. Treat yourself to a marguerita while you’re there; it’s only 5 bucks a glass.

The Jonazi Natural Park is home to the last living Red Colobus monkeys. If you’re a nature enthusiast, it would not hurt if you went and saw them, they’re extremely cute animals. The tour includes a tropical forest visit – from what we’ve heard, it’s swarming with pitons and cobras, but we didn’t meet any – and a mangrove forest visit. If you don’t know what a mangrove is, you have to find out!

Zanzibar Accommodation

There are two types of accommodation in Zanzibar. The eco-resorts offer bungalows, where you can spend the night and enjoy a complimentary breakfast for 30 to 75 dollars per room. The other option is the luxury resorts, where you can pay as much as hundreds of dollars per night and enjoy the air conditioning, the pool, the upgraded rooms. But come on, let’s face it, who needs a pool when you have that amazing ocean at hand?

Paje Ndame is an eco resort situated on the best side of Paje. The owners, Liz and Jan, are some very nice Swedish teachers. The resort is very peaceful and offers its customers a restaurant, a beach bar and a massage parlor. If you want to lay low for a while, about 10 meters from the resort there’s a diving club.

Paje by Night is more of a party spot, ideal for crazy nights. The music doesn’t stop until dawn and almost every night there’s a jam-session, in which both local musicians and tourists take part. Don’t worry, talent is not a must, but a belly full of beer is. The owner there is Marco, a red blooded Italian. Tell him we sent you and he’ll treat you the right way.

Robinson Place is maybe the most peaceful place around the island. The name says it all. The huts have no door, there’s no electricity and between you and the starry sky there’s only a mosquito net. You can eat and read using the light from a candle. Just Remember to bring your own music – a guitar would be the best choice.

Breezes is a luxury resort, made especially for honeymooners. In spite of the stingy price, this resort is included in many romantic destinations offers.

If you set some money aside you can always go to Chumbe Island, situated very close to Stone Town, where you can find a marine park and a fabulous resort with only 7 huts. The price starts at $ 150 per night and it includes everything, except for the alcoholic drinks. This place is ideal for diving and snorkeling.

If you can afford it, take a ride to Mafia Island (relax, there’s no relation what so ever to that OTHER Mafia). Here you can find another marine park and some luxury resorts. You can find accommodation for about $75 , but you’ll have to pay an extra $10 park fee, plus the $ 300 plane ticket from Zanzibar and back. Ouch!

If you’re a millionaire – or you just robbed a bank – then you can go to the private island of Mnemba, one of the most exclusive places in the world. Here, for just $ 1000, two lovers can spend one of the most romantic nights of their lives. Frankly, for $ 1000, who would actually leave the bed?

Overall, food and drinks are a tad expensive and they have to be ordered hours in advance. A pizza is 4 to 8 bucks and a dish of sea fruit is around $ 10. Beer is $ 2 and a Cola just under $ 1.

How Much to Get to Zanzibar? How Do You Get There?

For a 10 day vacation expect to pay around $ 4400. Two thirds of the money be spent on the plane ticket.

What to Read

‘The White Masai’, because it matches the guys slowly walking on the beach.

Some Swahili Words

Hujambo = ‘What are you doing?’ For tourists, the locals use Jambo, to find out for how long you’ve been on the island.

The right answer? Sijambo = 'Fine'

Habari = ‘How are you?’

Nzuri = ‘Well’

Poa = ‘Cool’

Asante = ‘Thank you’

Tafadhali = ‘Please’

Nakupenda = ‘I love you’