Memories of an extraordinary past of sultans and slaves live on through the ruins of the once magnificent palaces, harems and public baths. The legends still prevail and the air still breathes thick aromas of cloves, cinnamon and spices. Welcome to Zanzibar, island of spices, and a world of ancient palaces, coral reefs and endless beaches. Geography Situated in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, Zanzibar actually consists of two main islands. The larger, Unguja, is the one referred to as Zanzibar. Stone Town contains the old harbour, where ancient dhows still offload the morning's fish. High-speed hydrofoils connect with Dar es Salaam on the Tanzania mainland, a 70-minute journey. Narrow cobbled streets house mini-shops that sell spices, cloth and wooden souvenirs. Pemba, the smaller island, lies to the north-east. Soft white beaches that lead out to coral reefs and turquoise water, surround both islands. Access Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) is on the outskirts of Stone Town and attracts international flights from Africa and Europe. On the mainland, Dar es Salaam (DAR) is also well connected. Connecting from here to Zanzibar entail a short flight or hydrofoil journey. Pemba is only accessible regionally, by air or by hydrofoil from Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Time to Travel Zanzibar receives its "long" rain from April to mid-June. Travel during this period is not recommended. The remainder of the year offers hot day temperatures and warm nights. November and December are referred to as the "short" rains or afternoon thundershower period. What can Falcon Africa Safaris do for you in Zanzibar? We design itineraries to suit your individual requirements We are able to logically and logistically plan your itinerary so that you have maximum destination enjoyment and minimum travel time. Arrange, book and confirm all your international and domestic flight requirements. Reserve accommodation at hotels, guest houses and luxury beach resorts. Arrange transfers, excursions, SCUBA diving and game fishing. As we do not own our own properties we are in the advantageous position of being able to utilise the most suitable accommodation, based upon the time of year and the required location. Itineraries & Prices To view our preferred itineraries and even obtain an instant quote online, please CLICK HERE. This will provide you with access to our Quote Engine and our preferred itineraries to Zanzibar. The prices are correct for the date of travel, subject to our Terms & Conditions. Clicking on the hotels to the left will provide you with hotel information and package prices. Considerations The island is small (approx. 80km by 38km) so transfer times are normally less than 1 hour. Stone Town is situated on the west coast and is ideal as a base for exploring the cultural aspect of Zanzibar. Generally the west coast does not offer good beaches, although there are some very good day excursions. Vehicles, scooters and bicycles may be rented for exploring on your own or make use of our knowledgeable guides. The east coast offers the best beaches and a number of good modern resort hotels. Falcon Africa Safaris utilise the very best standards of accommodation available and facilities suitable to your budget. Extensions to any of the neighbouring countries are available. Please select from the list.