There is more to Zanzibar than the beach, water and monkeys

Yeah, yeah, we've all seen the postcards. Snorkeling, boat trips, turtles, monkeys – the usual suspects. And let's be real, that's what 99% of the tourists (and those self-proclaimed "experts" on social media) will tell you is all there is to do. Zanzibar: Home of Beaches and… well, more beaches.

But hold on a second. Let's spill the chai (or, you know, the slightly stronger Zanzibari beverage) on a little secret: Zanzibar is SO much more than just sun, sea, and suspiciously friendly monkeys. If you're ready to ditch the well-trodden tourist path and discover the real Zanzibar, the hidden gems, the quirky adventures… then buckle up, buttercup, because you've come to the right place. We're about to trade those predictable beach days for some seriously awesome off-the-beaten-path experiences. Prepare to have your mind (and your Instagram feed) blown!

Shambaland is perfect for families tired of the ocean activites and want to just do something else together. I can mention minigolf with a safari theme, paintball, arcade rooms and also recently they opened the first escape rooms on the island, with the theme of none other than the islands biggest hero of all times, Farrokh Bulsara himself. They are located on the east side of the island, visit https://shambalandpark.co.tz for more information and just note that some of the activities require pre booking.

The HUB Zanzibar is the place to visit in Bwejuu (south east) if you want to get active for some hours. They offer a wide range of activites, amongst them several Padel courts, Beach Volley court, Beach Tennis court, Beach Soccer Court, professional Ping Pong tables etc. You can find more information by visiting https://www.thehubzanzibar.com.

Ps. They have just upgraded their padel court with a full cover so this is one activity you can also do in the rain season - extra 👍

If it's Padel you are interested in and you are located closer to the north east side, Zanzibar Padel is a good choice. Check them out on https://www.zanzibarpadel.com.

Michezo Reef is a playground and activity center in Kendwa North run by a NGO called Wifi-Zanzibar. It is ideal for younger kids from 1 to 7/8 years old, but they do have some games for a bit older kids too. At the moment they are open only on Saturdays from 3 to 6 pm but this can change, so check out their Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/michezoreef for updated information on what is happening.

Feeling crazy adventurous? Or maybe skydiving is your favorite pastime :-) Anyway, this is another activity that has made it successfully to the island, and while there are several companies offering this, I would recommend to check out Skydive Zanzibar https://www.skydive-zanzibar.com since they get very good feedback, also from people I know personally and did their first ever jump with them. So when the relaxing island life and margaritas are getting too boring...

Photo: Zanzibar Quad Adventure

Want to add a little adrenaline to your Zanzibar trip but have your feet on the ground? Hop on a quad bike! It's a cool way to explore the island's hidden gems and get off the beaten path. One company that comes recommended is Zanzibar Quad Adventure https://www.zanzibarquadadventure.com. They'll take you through a rich off-road-itinerary passing local farms and villages. Of course, there are many companies offering quad bike tours around the island. Just make sure to check reviews and that they're a registered company with a good reputation (and take safety seriously) before you book.

..and I will update this post with more "hidden" gems soon!

Karibu Zanzibar!

I would also like to take this moment to encourage you to not consider visiting the dolphin hunting that goes on around Mmemba island, they stress the animals and it's plain dangerous at times to snorkle there with boats going crazy all over the place. Also please don't support the zoo's (yes, unbelievable but true, so close to their normal habitats, still people pray on the animals for money) that sadly exists up north. They hide behind being animal "rescues" but this is simply a terrible business bringing animals that does not belong on the island in the first place to earn money off them and keep them fenced in very small areas. If they cared about the animals they would obviously bring them to real rescue parks on the mainland where they could roam free and be taken properly care of, not all the way to Zanzibar in cages.

Thank you for caring!