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Travelling to Zanzibar

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We never thought we would end up there, in Zanzibar. It sounded a little too much like a dream. Maybe a little too much like a animal dream. But then what happened ...

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Unrest in Kenya

We booked cheap flights to Nairobi and packed our backpacks. The year was 2007 and it was Christmas time. People were dressed up in their best clothes and wished us 'Merry Christmas'. But the elections, which were about to start, escalated into savage violence (another story) and we managed to get a taxi to Tanzania.

We crossed the border on foot, without even having a guidebook... So started a dramatic journey, through a normally beautiful and peaceful Kenya. We, who never planned to go to Tanzania, ended up there. We started the journey to Tangabefore we decided to travel to Zanzibar.

Tanga
Our first night in Tanzania - in a guesthouse in Tanga

By bus and boat to Zanzibar

We took a bus to Dar es Salaam and then a boat to Zanzibar. What a dream! Here were the paradise beaches we otherwise mostly saw in pictures. Here were the palm trees, the turquoise blue water and the quiet boat trips.

Vackra Zanzibar!
Beautiful Zanzibar!
Tanzania, Zanzibar
Where the sea went
Tanzania, Zanzibar
Aha, it's the ebb!
Tanzania, Zanzibar
Order restored

Sun, swimming and water sports

Zanzibar may be a destination for sunbathing and swimming, but its beaches are also ideal for water sports such as kite surfing. You can fish, dive and make excursions to different islands. We made a trip to an island where there were lots of giant turtles.

Bungalows not too far from stonetown
Tanzania, Zanzibar
Own bungalow at the edge of the sea! What a luxury!!!
Tanzania, Zanzibar
Helena enjoys it very much!
Jättesköldpaddor
Peter with Mr (or Mrs?) turtle

Stonetown

There are also guided tours of the spice farms, and of course you can visit Stonetown, the small stone town where Freddy Mercury grew up. Although the most beautiful beaches are not next to the town, we found a cosy hotel, consisting of small houses on the waterfront.

Stonetown
On the way to the boat in Stonetown

Travelling to Zanzibar

We can highly recommend Zanzibar, and if you're willing to travel light and book excursions on the spot, it doesn't have to be insanely expensive. You can book flight tickets directly to Zanzibar, or fly to Dar es Salaam, and from there take the boat out to the island.

Solnedgång i Afrika
Sunset in Africa

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