Ecotourism in Zanzibar
Even though it is not as well established in Zanzibar as in other travel destinations, there is now an increasing number of accommodation and activity providers concerned about ecotourism, trying to optimize their offers to eco-friendliness and social sustainability. This website aims at offering you a comprehensive overview about the existing ecotourism offers in Zanzibar, and making them easily bookable online.
You can of course also combine a stay in Zanzibar with a holiday at neighbouring travel destinations, which are fascinating for nature enthusiasts, including Tanzania mainland, Kenya, Uganda, and other Indian Ocean islands off the African mainland coast, including Pemba (which is part of the Zanzibar archipelago) and Mafia Island.
East Africa around the equator is a very suitable and safe travel destination for everyone who loves nature, including natural wonders such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Udzungwa Mountains, the Usambara Mountains, the Selous, Oldoinyo Lengai, Lake Natron, Mafia Island Marine Park, Gombe Stream, Kibale National Park, the Maasai Mara, and many more – there is definitely more to discover than what you can do during one holiday. This website also lists some eco-friendly accommodation and activities at these neighbouring travel destinations that are often combined with Zanzibar for a holiday.
The focus is however on Zanzibar, the tropical archipelago, which is a semi-autonomous republic and part of Tanzania. It alone can count with a rich variety of habitatsincluding paradise sandy and rocky coasts, coral rag forest, groundwater forest, mangroves, coral reef and seagrass beds, plus many different animal and plant species, out of which many are indigenous.
What nature-related outdoor activities can I do in Zanzibar?
- Staying at an eco accommodation
- Guided tours through (parts of) the island on bicycle, hiking, or on an oxcart
- Guided canoe or kayak tours through mangroves
- Cultural tours offered by local tourism initiatives
- Birdwatching
- Watching dolphins and whalesharks
- Visiting protected areas
- Visiting conservation projects
- Joining a permaculture workshop
- Volunteering in environmental conservation
- Swimming
- Snorkelling and diving
Protected areas of Zanzibar
Protected areas of Zanzibar include Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Chumbe Marine Park, Ngezi Forest Reserve, Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve, Mnemba Island, Misali Marine Park and the Menai Bay. Find out more about protected areas in Zanzibar.
Wildlife of Zanzibar
Zanzibar is know for its great marine life. It is a breeding and hatching environment for the Green Turtle. You can often observe dolphins, whale sharks and whales. Find out more about Marine Animals of Zanzibar.
Zanzibar also has fascinating land animals, including the indigenous Red Colobus Monkeys, the huge bats called “Pemba Flying Fox”, massive coconut crabs, and many reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Learn more about Zanzibar’s Land Animals.
Particularly the mangrove areas and forest are bird lover’s paradises with birds such as Fish Eagles, Pemba Sunbirds, Roseate Terns, Fischer’s Turacos, Brown-Headed Parrots and Pemba Scops Owl. Find out more about the Birds of Zanzibar.