Do’s:

• Greet people! Learn some simple greetings in Swahili and greet the local people - it’s considered a sign of politeness and it’s important.
• Understand how time works in Zanzibar. In Swahili culture, people start counting time at sunrise rather than at midnight, which means that 7:00 a.m. Western time is one o’clock in the morning Swahili time, and 7:00 p.m. is one 1:00 a.m.
• Visit the Islands off Unguja like the Chapwani, Changuu. They are places filled with history and are host to some stunning resorts.
• Do visit Dar-es-Salam, use the airport, and visit some of the great hotels in the area.
• Do dive in to discover the beautiful and diverse marine ecosystem of Zanzibar.
• Do plan your choice of clothes for the vacation and pack accordingly.
• Do lock up valuables like money and jewellery as there is a high rate of crime in the city.
• Women are advised not to wear miniskirts and men should not roam around shirtless in the islands.
• Do plan your trip according to the festivals celebrated, some of them are the International Film Festival (July) spotlighting African film; the Sauti Za Busara festival (February) provides a stage for East African and European acts; the Jahazi Literary and Jazz Festival (September).

Dont’s:

• Don’t use the Taxi services they are expensive, it’s much better to use rent a car service.
• Do not drink the tap water. It is clean to wash in but drink only bottled mineral water.
• Don’t take the ferry to Zanzibar. It’s far faster and more reliable to fly a reputable carrier that operates multiple flights per day, like Coastal Aviation.
• Don’t miss out on the street food. Handmade chapatti bread, samosas, grilled seafood—these local fixtures are every bit as safe and delicious as high-end restaurant cuisine. And don’t neglect the most unique street-food offering: Zanzibari pizza, made from chapatti bread.

Nightlife in Zanzibar is fun, exciting and full of enthusiasm! The night activities begin with a vibrant sundowner tradition. It’s a great place to witness an incredible atmosphere of wining, dining, and dancing from the evening until the early hours of the morning. Garage Club in Stone Town has an eclectic disco house which is a popular night dance-club in Zanzibar. Kendwa Rocks offers the famous full moon night parties and celebrations, whereas the Africa House is famous for its cheap beer and indispensable meal plans. The nightlife at the Paje Beach by Night Hotel is a fun place for tourists to hang out, and it holds regular theme parties for the bold, such as its Glow in the Dark and Bubble Bath Jacuzzi parties. Offering plenty of dancing and cold beer!

• Cheetah's Rock to experience the wildlife reserve, to get in touch with nature.
• Nakupenda Beach for the best experiences of snorkeling and sunbathing; its beautiful and pristine waters are the perfect backdrop for any photoshoot.
• Nungwi Beach
• Prison Island - Changuu Private Island for its rich history and the beautiful beaches.
• Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
• Paje Beach
• Tangawizi Spice Farm a demonstration farm, where several spices are grown and tours are given to tourists to help them understand and taste some of the best spices in the world.
• Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage site has a lot to explore and several cultural shows are performed.

• Nungwi Beach – Nungwi is a small village with a very low population. This is one of the top beaches in Zanzibar. There are lots of quality restaurants and hotels in this region. It’s a place to relax and see the sunset. The sea water is crystal clear and warm which makes this place the finest beach in Zanzibar.
• Prison Island – It takes a 20-minute boat trip to reach Prison Island from Zanzibar. If you would like to explore the history of this region where people were used as slaves then you can visit this place. Right now this place is widely known as a nature reserve for giant tortoises reaching ages of over 200 years old.
• Forodhani Market – This night market is an absolute ‘must’. If you’d like to experience some of the best street food, it is here. Zanzibar style. You can find fresh fish, vegetables, and other food items. If you are a seafood lover then this is the place to go to.
• The Rock of Zanzibar – Many people visit Zanzibar just to eat at this world-renowned restaurant. Set in the middle of the sea, you can reach there by walking in at low tide, but during high tide, you will require a boat to reach the Rock. The same group that owns The Rock also own Kichanga Lodge where you can stay and enjoy the best Zanzibar beach accommodation.
• Palace Museum – It’s widely known as Sultan’s Palace. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Stone Town. The museum was built in the 19th century just overlooking the ocean.
• Spice Tour – You are in the best part of the world if you are a spice lover. The spices are locally grown and sold in streets by local merchants. There are lots of varieties of spices available in this place and you can smell the wonderful aromas when you visit. Zanzibar is also known as “Spice Island”.
• The Old Fort – One of the oldest buildings in Stone Town. It's located on the seafront and was built in the 17th century. You can shop local produce in the courtyard.
• House of Wonders – A historical building in Stone Town where exhibitions are held about the Zanzibari and Swahili culture. It’s the tallest building just opposite the seafront.
• Jozani Forest – This is one of the last indigenous forests left in Zanzibar. You can reach it by bus or hire a taxi. It is famous for the red Colobus monkey. It's spread over an area of 2,512 hectares. A wonderful experience for sightseeing and photography.
• Mnemba Atoll – A $25 ride on a slow sailing Dhow boat is a trip which you will never forget. This place is the perfect destination for snorkeling enthusiasts which hosts many species of fish like barracuda, eels, and snappers.

• Handmade, organic cosmetics
• Kikoi fabrics
• Products made from Ukili (palm leaves)
• Tingatinga paintings
• Kanga (the traditional dress of women)
• Kitenge bags and cases
• Maasai Handmade crafts
• Spices
• Handcrafted wooden animals
• Zanzibar wooden chests