Zanzibar is a very popular spot for holiday travellers from all around Africa. The Zanzibar archipelago offers a hot and heavenly hideaway to hedonists. A kaleidoscope of idyllic imagery springs to mind when contemplating an island holiday and Zanzibar is no different.

Perfectly situated in the warm Indian Ocean, calm, turquoise waters, scintillating sunsets and cultural escapes are on offer. As part of the spice coast region, it’s not only the weather that will warm you. The spice plantations in Zanzibar offer a diverse range of spices from cloves and cinnamon to vanilla and turmeric, certain to arrest your senses! - getawaytoafrica

There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas such as Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. Civets - and rumour has it, the elusive Zanzibar leopard! Various species of mongoose can also be found on the island. There is a wide variety of birdlife, and a large number of butterflies in rural areas. The coral reefs that surround the East Coast are rich in marine diversity, and make Zanzibar an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colourful history. Islam is the dominant religion, and practiced by most Zanzibaris, although there are also followers of Christianity and Hinduism. Population is estimated at 800,000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City which has approximately 100,000 inhabitants. Zanzibaris speak Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language which is spoken extensively in East Africa. Many believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birth place of the language