Be it one’s 1st or 101st time to Africa, the sight of the continent looming into view as the plane banks is usually an indelible and breath-taking one. For those visiting East Africa this vision below is often a glistening, multi-toned cerulean ocean meeting an exquisite archipelago of soft, white shorelines fringing palm-dense lands... The Spice Islands of Tanzania - and most majestic amongst them: Zanzibar (or Unguja).

Whilst the coast and islands twin marvellously with safari for some excellent beach-based R&R, a wealth of opportunity awaits on Tanzania’s stunning archipelagos. The cultural and historic riches of Zanzibar’s capital, the important former trading-post of Stone Town; the endemic rare red colobus monkeys of Jozani forest; the array of water-based activities benefitting from favourable winds and calm seas; its rich marine life; and the range of local culinary delicacies resulting from exotic spices, cultural island fusion and lush vegetation - Zanzibar is a worthy destination in its own right and it warrants a decent amount of time to properly explore.

With a main offering of nature, heritage and beach, the Tanzanian Spice Isles are topped with a generous peppering of paradise.