The air in Zanzibar has a delightful smell of spices. Once known as Spice Island it could also be named as the blue-sea island or simply exotic island as it is the ideal sea and safari combination. Dive into crystal clear waters, relax on secluded stretches of beach or explore fragrant spice farms. Discover Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, while wandering its narrow streets and losing yourself in the buzz of the markets. Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handwork.

When you get tired of aromas enjoy the idyllic white sand, turquoise water, and unforgettable sunsets. If you seek adventure or relaxation this is the perfect island getaway. Zanzibar has it all. The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years.

There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean. The main island of Zanzibar - Unguja and Pemba Island, which is separated from Unguja island and the African continent by deep channels, have a correspondingly restricted fauna, reflecting its comparative isolation from the mainland making Zanzibar a unique setting in Africa.

The grandeur, elegance, and historical heritage of Zanzibar are perfectly captured at the magnificent Baraza Resort & Spa located on the East coast of the island. On a beautiful stretch of white sand beach, Bwejuu, you can walk for miles along the shore and admire the spectacular natural environment. Baraza is a painstaking architectural interpretation of Swahili design and features handcrafted details that have been incorporated into the architecture to celebrate the skills of the local craftsmen.

Baraza itself is a journey through the grand, beautiful designs of the style of Sultans Palaces of Zanzibar. Baraza features traditional Swahili dancers and singers and the Taarab band plays music that would have been heard in the Court of Sultan bin Said in 1880. This is their effort to support and celebrate the cultural identity of Zanzibar and preserve the iconic art form. Omani sultans ruled Zanzibar from the mid-1600s until the British took over in 1890 and Bazara captured this historic moment and transformed it into a luxurious experience. However, this is just a part of Zanzibar.

The beautiful coral reef which stretches across the coast, makes swimming safe, snorkeling spectacular, and has ensured an extraordinary experience of nature. Swimming in Kizimkazi, home of the famed Dolphin, breathtaking diving, water sports, reef safaris, and a great variety of marine life makes Zanzibar a special place.

The enormous beauty of the exotic archipelago and its nature hides inside Zanzibar’s small islands that surround the biggest - Unguja. For a more private experience of Zanzibar, we recommend visiting &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge, a barefoot paradise on a private island, where just ten simple but luxurious palm-frond bandas lie hidden in a tropical beach forest, fringed by a white beach.

Midway between the bandas and the Indian Ocean are shaded traditional Zanzibari ‘beach’ beds, perfect for reading, sleeping, or doing nothing at all. This is one of Africa’s most magnificent dive sites. It is also the perfect site to end your safari journey in Tanzania, as combining the two is a unique life experience.

Next to Jozani Forest - Zanzibar’s only national park which is known for its population of red colobus monkeys, which are exceedingly rare, in the central southern part of the island, is located The Residence Zanzibar. This is the perfect place to explore inland Zanzibar, take a famous spice tour, or cooking class. Take a bicycle ride around the area or explore the rich and ancient history and markets of this fascinating island. After that, relax among 32 hectares of tropical gardens, fringed by a pristine mile-long beach at The Residence Zanzibar.

This splendid resort is looking at the beautiful coast of Tanzania and is known as one of the best spa resorts with six spacious treatment pavilions, a relaxation area with a whirlpool, sauna, and steam room, nestled amongst two hectares of tropical gardens. This is the place for the ultimate Zanzibar spa experience.

As we continue to travel around the coast of Zanzibar we discover the fascinating culture and people, from the avenue of mango trees, said to be planted over the bodies of past lovers of a 19th-century sultan’s daughter in Stone Town to the dhows that set sail with divers for the lambent coral reef of Mnemba and we are still amazed by the barefoot luxury that Zanzibar presents.

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