It is tempting to show your child real Africa - a fabulous continent from your favorite children's books! Find out if Zanzibar with children is so serene, if there are food problems and where are the best hotels and beaches.
Is Zanzibar suitable for children
The Tanzanian island in the Indian Ocean is the most developed African resort. Zanzibar has a warm climate, clear azure water, soft white sand and authentic nature. You don't need vaccinations for the trip, it's safe here, and the locals love children.
Despite all the advantages, Zanzibar is not as popular for family vacations as Turkey or Greece. The hot African sun is not for everyone. In addition, there are strong ebb and flow on the coast, and there are big waves in the ocean. The infrastructure is noticeably inferior to developed countries, and there are only a few hotels on the island where there is animation for children.
We advise you to get your visa in advance. It will cost twice as much as on arrival - $ 50, but you will not have to stand in line at the airport.
Find out what tourists think of Zanzibar.
When is the best time to go
You can come to the island all year round. The air temperature is +23 ... + 31 ° С, and the water temperature is +26 ... + 29 ° С. Regardless, Tanzania has high and low seasons that are influenced by the monsoons.
To make your holiday in Zanzibar with children last for five, plan your trip like in Asia. In winter and early spring, the weather is drier and warmer. From May to October, it is colder, rainy and more windy. November and April are transitional months.
Find out when to relax in Zanzibar.
The best beaches for children
The Indian Ocean is famous for its strong ebb and flow. During low tide, beautiful shells, pieces of coral, nimble crabs and amazing fish - mud jumpers - open on the ocean floor. Least of all water leaves in the north and northwest of the island. Almost all the beach infrastructure is also located here, so the beaches of Kendwa and Nungwi are considered the best in Zanzibar for families with children.
The wide coast is covered with fine light sand, which is not very hot in the sun. The entrance to the water is shallow. Swimming with children is a pleasure! Sometimes algae is carried ashore, but there are not many of them. Beach workers rake them into heaps and take them away on carts pulled by cows. Sun loungers and parasols are only available on private beaches.
Due to the ebb and flow of the tide, other beaches on the island are less popular. If you are looking for a quieter place, you will love the beaches of Kiwengwa, Kigomani, Matemwe, Uroa, Page and Jambiani. There are luxury hotels near many of them.
Sea urchins live in the coastal waters of Zanzibar, so it is better to swim in special shoes!
Find out where to relax in Zanzibar.
Katerina and Ruslan: "In principle, a beach vacation in Zanzibar is suitable for children. The sea is shallow during low tides, the water is warm and very clean, there are no waves, sand. But! There are sea urchins, insects that bite very unpleasantly, and the sun is excessive Besides, I once saw a green mamba on the beach - an extremely poisonous snake. Let me calm down: the snake is non-aggressive and tries to retreat when a person appears. Therefore, a child on the beach needs an eye and an eye. "
The best hotels for kids
Almost all problems in Zanzibar can be avoided by choosing a hotel that is focused on families with children. Here is a list of the best family hotels:
Spice Island Hotel & Resort 4 * - a hotel in Jambiani is liked by everyone who needs complete relaxation and excellent animation for children.
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa 5 * is a comfortable hotel in the Kiwengwa resort, 200 meters from its own sandy beach. For children there is a playground and a special menu in the restaurant.
Melia Zanzibar 5 * is an excellent option for a relaxing holiday in Kiwengwa. A cozy hotel is located 50 meters from the ocean.
Baraza Resort & Spa 5 * is a wonderful hotel in Buehuu, next to the sandy beach of Brizes Kit Beach.
Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort 5 * is a luxury hotel with a beautiful tropical garden not far from Pongwe.
Look for tours to Zanzibar on Travelata.
Food
In all-inclusive hotels, meals are five times a day. Tanzania is a Muslim country and there is no pork on the island. Children's menus are not available everywhere. There are many fruits. Budget hotels only serve scrambled eggs, pancakes with jam and coffee for breakfast.
Eating on the island is not a problem. Zanzibar cafes and restaurants serve many seafood and fish dishes with rice, fries, couscous, pasta and feed bananas. In general, the cuisine is European. You will always find something to feed your child with, and you will not go hungry yourself.
Almost everything, including fruits, is brought here from the mainland, so food is more expensive than in the rest of Tanzania. Places for tourists look decent, but prices are noticeably higher than where the locals eat.
There are no supermarkets on the island. Products are sold in small shops and markets. You will find infant formula and baby food only in major resorts. Many tourists take everything they need with them. When packing things, keep in mind that plastic bags cannot be brought into the island from 2019. Everyone is checked at the airport!
Find out what are the prices for food in Zanzibar.
giggly: "Food in Zanzibar for children is perhaps the only disadvantage of a holiday on the island if your child does not eat anything. All-inclusive hotels have excellent cuisine, a normal choice of dishes, but a variety, like in Turkey or Egypt, the menu This is due to the fact that the tourism industry is just beginning to develop, and local hotels are preparing from the products that are available in the country. "
Things to do
In general, Zanzibar is not a children's resort. The island has little infrastructure for children's recreation and there are no entertainment centers. However, a trip to Africa is wonderful in itself. A younger child will be delighted with the beautiful shells found on the beach and the castle built on the sand.
Older preschoolers and schoolchildren will be delighted to swim in the ocean and visit a spice and coffee plantation. Tourists with children enjoy excursions to the Jozani Chwaka National Park, where you can see colobus monkeys and miniature siphon antelopes. It is interesting for the whole family to go to the Butterfly Park and Zala Park to look at giant turtles and other reptiles.
Is it worth going
A trip to Zanzibar is not cheap. The flight is long, there are few all-inclusive hotels. If you are going on vacation with your little one, you should think about more comfortable resorts in Europe or Southeast Asia.
With older children, holidays in Zanzibar can be very interesting and educational. The child will see the real Africa, the wonderful ocean and exotic animals. Impressions - for a lifetime!
