Destinations · 18 April 2026 · 6 min read
Zanzibar Beyond the Beach
Stone Town's carved doorways, spice farms in the green interior, and the forest where red colobus monkeys live nowhere else on Earth.
Most travellers come to Zanzibar for the beaches — and fair enough, they are extraordinary. But the island rewards curiosity far beyond the sand.
Stone Town
A UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth where Swahili, Omani, Indian and European histories layer over each other in coral-stone buildings and studded doorways. Go with a good guide, in the morning, and finish with coffee overlooking the old harbour.
The spice farms
Cloves, vanilla, cardamom and pepper built this island's fortunes. A farm tour sounds touristy and is actually delightful — crushing fresh leaves in your hands, tasting fruit straight from the tree, and understanding why they call it Spice Island.
Jozani Forest
The last refuge of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, found nowhere else in the world. The boardwalk through the mangroves alone is worth the trip. Pair it with a dolphin morning at Kizimkazi for a perfect inland day.
