The best of Zanzibar
There are so many little boutique stores all over Stone Town. There’s a bunch on Ginzenga Street, Kenyatta road, and Changa Bazaar Street. You’ll also be sure to see some great stores for souvenirs as you’re wandering around.
I wasn’t planning on buying anything, but I loved the jewellery so much, I bought myself a pair of earrings! There are excellent places there where you can get some Zanzibar souvenirs to bring home!
If you want to do a safari in Zanzibar, you can consider a sea adventure safari as well! Safari Blue is a company that offers full day tours where you can swim or snorkel. Leaving from Stone Town, these tours are one of the best ways to experience snorkeling in Zanzibar. You might also get a chance to swim with dolphins!
Depending on which tour you choose, you will be taken to several different places, from a sandbar to a lagoon. You’ll also get a full buffet lunch, which is usually grilled right on the beach! You can also sail in one of the tradition Dhows (boats used by Arabs and Indians that have large triangular sails).
Safari zanzibar
There are a bunch of companies that offer similar tours, but Safari Blue is the most well-known. It’s also the most expensive and, while you can find identical ones for much less, they might not be of the same quality.
Through Safari Blue, you can book the “Safari Blue experience” for $70 USD a person. There is also a Safari Blue Snorkeling Trip. If you’re looking for something more exclusive, you can book your own Dhow (at $450 USD for two people) or even charter a private yacht! There are plenty of other options to choose from as well, depending on your preferences and budget.
Also, be sure to book directly through the company, as some places charge you extra for the booking!
Zanzibar food
out in the architecture – you can also find it in the food! The island is home to some of the most diverse food in Africa!
You can get these local dishes anywhere on the island if you know where to go, but Stone Town might be the easiest place (and most authentic!) to try them.
For you foodies out there, there are also several food tours you can take, in case you don’t want to discover everything by yourself or if you are short on time. For example, the 3-hour “Taste of Zanzibar” guided tour will bring you to various local stalls and restaurants where you can try authentic flavors. You can also do a 2-hour Afternoon Food expedition which includes a traditional lunch, as well as other samples.
If you want to go around the city and try some authentic food by yourself, here are some traditional dishes I can recommend:
Zanzibar pizza
You might be thinking that you’ve had pizza before, but not like this! This isn’t like any pizza you’ve ever seen. It’s more like a pancake or pupusa. The dough is folded up so that all the ingredients are inside and then it’s cooked on a hot metal pan. You can get these with chicken or beef, and they usually also include an egg, cheese, onion, bell peppers, and mayo. You can also get it with chili if you like spice! If you’re looking for a sweet treat, some vendors even make these with Nutella or mango and cheese.
Biryani and pilau
There are two rice dishes that are traditional on the island – biryani and pilau. To make biryani, the rice is cooked separately from the meat and sauce.
Once everything is finished, then everything is combined and it’s served with an amazing sauce. Pilau is cooked all together with all the ingredients in the same pot, giving the rice an incredible flavor. You can get it either with your choice of meat or without any meat. I recommend that you try both and see which you like better!
Urojo Soup
This is a flour-based soup with mango and lemon flavors. It also usually has potatoes served three ways in it – cubed, fried mashed potatoes, and potato shavingsalong with lots of spices and meat. With a slightly sour flavor and a lot of tang, this soup is something you definitely have to try! It’s a lunchtime favorite of Zanzibar people.
Zanzibar tea
Zanzibar isn’t known as the “spice island” for nothing! When I came back from my hike to Kilimanjaro, I was feeling a bit under the weather. This tea was a really amazing blend of spices and helped me clear my throat!
Mishkaki (maybe with octopus!)
Mishkaki is a meat kabob where the meat is marinated in spices and then grilled. These are a common snack food and you can get them with any kind of meat you like.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try them with octopus! The island is known for its “octopus hunters”, so octopus is a common addition to lots of dishes. — Miss Yulia.
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be continued next week.