Zanzibar is East Africa’s finest beach destination surrounded by coral reefs with numerous idyllic beaches lined by huge sweeping palm trees. Only 15 minutes by plane from the Dar es Salaam, the wonderfully sleepy island of Zanzibar is an obvious beach tack-on to a safari in mainland Tanzania.
Though most visitors spend a night or two in Zanzibar’s Stone Town it is the beaches, snorkelling and diving that attract people to Zanzibar’s shores, and with an increasing tourist trade it is remarkable that the island has kept its African charm. Zanzibar is much larger than one might expect; driving from top to bottom takes about two hours. Stone Town and the airport are found on the Western edge, with a transfer from any beach lodge taking about an hour.
The island’s best beaches for a Zanzibar holiday are found on Zanzibar’s Eastern and Northern coastline with miles and miles of seemingly endless beaches, and a wealth of accommodation choice.
Zanzibar is the jewel in any Tanzania holiday. Pemba and Mafia islands are less well known than Zanzibar but offer some of the best unspoilt reefs for diving and snorkelling although the beaches are arguably not as good as Zanzibar.
Mafia and Pemba:
Mafia and Pemba are the two ‘other’ islands just off the coast of Tanzania, they are less visited than the major Zanzibar which has over 300 beach hotels but offer a different style of beach get away.
A lot more remote and arguably with less beautiful beaches than Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia are real tropical islands with less tourists, more tropical under growth and very good reefs and sand spits making these islands ideal for diving and snorkelling away from the crowds.
Tanzania Mainland Coast:
The Tanzanian mainland coast is a part of the country which is often overlooked. While the appeal of Zanzibar and the islands off the coast is obvious, the vast majority of travellers to Tanzania do not consider the mainland coast.
And long may it remain that way, for some of the best beaches and authentic cultural experiences are found along the stretch of coast north and south of Dar es Salaam – and without hordes of visitors they will remain charming; an insight into what the region was like 100 years ago.
Anyone dreaming of absolute seclusion on their Tanzania holiday should consider heading to the Indian Ocean mainland coast for some of their time in the country. Just a short hop from Dar es Salaam, we really recommend a short stay on one of these wonderfully relaxing and highly romantic beaches either at the beginning or end of a honeymoon.
The only real drawback of the mainland coast is that for the most part there is no diving because the coral reefs are nowhere near as good as those of Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba. However, the joy of a hideaway on this glorious stretch of white sand coast is logistical ease and the high standards of beach luxury.
Along this stretch of coast south from Dar, Ras Kutani and Amani Beach Hotel are the two lodges that we recommend. The laidback, barefoot luxury Ras Kutani is one of our absolute long-term favourites in the office and countless guests give it rave reviews. The lodge is a beach-shack-chic Polynesian-style hotel, complete with bamboo and thatch rooms lying along a lagoon by the ocean. It is unquestionably one of the best hotels in our list and would be double the price were it on Zanzibar!
Dar es Salaam and Area:
Dar es Salaam:
At first glance, Dar es Salaam is like many African cities, bursting at the seems with people, trouble and poverty. This would not, however, be doing this young city justice as, once you delve a little deeper, a vibrant, innovative society emerges that is forging forwards into the 21st century. Many who arrive into Tanzania for safari and beach will never even set foot in the city, but, for those that are interested, it offers a glimpse of Africa’s modern future.
The capital of Tanzania in all but name, Dar es Salaam is a relatively new city having been founded in the 1860s by the then Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid. Following a series of ups and downs the city/port became established in the early 20th century as the main base of operations for the German empire and the heart of trade in East Africa.
Today, as one wanders through the dusty streets of the city, it is possible to see a few remnants of this history with architecture originating from Germany, Great Britain and, above all the Arabs. This does however, still remain a predominantly Swahili city and, as such, there is a laid back and relaxed feel to both the pace of life and the people that reside here.
Without a huge amount of “sights” to be seen we rarely recommend more than a couple of nights in the city, but for those that are interested, it is a rewarding experience.
North of Dar es Salaam, there is Bagamoyo, historically, one of the most significant centres in the East African slave trade. It was the centre where slaves from East African mainland were brought and sorted, before shipment to Oman and sometimes through Zanzibar. Other cities and towns of mainland Tanzania coast are nice but have a few spots that are well worth visiting, the beaches south from Tanga offer soft white sands and some good dive and snorkel locations.
South of Dar es Salaam is one of the best beach hideaways in Tanzania, a 15 minute flight from Dar brings you to the wind swept remote coastline. Barefoot luxury, a beautiful spot to really relax and do very little! One of our favourite properties we like to single out is Ras Kutani.
