An archipelago in the Indian Ocean made up mainly of Unguja and Pemba Islands, and several Islets, Zanzibar is characterizes by beautiful beaches and fringing coral reefs.

Unguja as is locally known (Zanzibar internationally) is located about 25 miles from the Tanzanian Coast and 40 kilometers from the mainland, stretching 60 miles long, 20 miles wide and occupying a total of approximately 650 square miles.

As if God meant it to be the ultimate holiday destination, the weather is filled with summer heat of 25-28 degrees centigrade for most of the year often cooled by the pleasant pangs of the sea breeze. April and May are exceptions with bringing with them the long rains and November bringing the short showers.

To go on a Zanzibar tour, take a Kenya airways flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar Airport since it is the most convenient option as compared to hours on the bus or ferry. For great views during your flight, sit on the left side and thank me in absentia for the breathtaking views you will enjoy.

Once there, Eco & Culture Tours is a nonprofit tour group offering tours of Stone Town, spice tours and trips to Jambiani and other less-developed beaches, all with a focus on cultural and environmental conservation.

Omani Palaces and towers, graceful dhows, classic Arabic sailboats plying the harbor since centuries and the scent of spices of old, all come together to make Zanzibar something of a classic destination. A rare tri-cultural blend runs deep in the cultural grain of the island with Arabs, Indians and African influences being reflected in the music, cuisine and architecture. Brass-studded, and carved, wooden doors are proof of this handiwork with more than 500 different examples.

The capital, Stone Town is quite charming, thanks to its maze of narrow-winding streets, bustling markets and friendly inhabitants.  Most prominent in the town is the historical depth visible buildings such as the house of wonders, the palace museum, Dr Livingstone’s house and the Arab Fort amongst others. It is said to have been the only functioning town in East Africa centuries ago.