Where is Zanzibar located? This is the question I get every time I mention my African travels to the Spice Island. Despite being the birthplace of Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury, many don’t know where Zanzibar is.
I’ve spent almost 2 weeks in Zanzibar, and that is why I decided, to create a guide about the location of Zanzibar in Africa. Learn where you can find it below.
Best places to stay IN ZANZIBAR:
• New Teddys on the Beach (I stayed here in Jambiani)
• The Loop Beach Resort (top location on Jambiani Beach)
• White Sands (top stay on Paje Beach)
• Makofi (I stayed here in Nungwi)
• Z Hotel (direct access to Nungwi Beach)
• Lost & Found (I stayed here in Stone Town)
• Shoki Shoki House (I stayed here in Stone Town)
TOP EXPERIENCES and TOURS IN ZANZIBAR:
• Stone Town walking tour (my favorite and A MUST DO!)
• Spice farm tour (I did this fun top-selling tour)
• Prison Island tour (I did this and met tortoises)
• Jozani Forest (I saw endangered monkeys on this tour)
• One-day safari from Zanzibar (top-rated tour!)
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa.
It is an island archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The biggest island in the group, named Unguja, is what people usually refer to as Zanzibar.
Are you still trying to locate where Zanzibar Tanzania is?
Keep reading to learn the location of this popular honeymoon destination, where Zanzibar is on the map, and other info you might find helpful about this slice of paradise.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
Where is Zanzibar
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Island of Zanzibar is located off the coast of mainland Tanzania in the Indian Ocean.
● It is an island archipelago, consisting of two main islands, Unguja and Pemba, along with smaller islands. Unguja is referred to as Zanzibar.
● Spice Island or Zanzibar just South of the Equator and has two distinct dry and wet seasons.
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Where is Zanzibar located
When trying to find Zanzibar on a map, you must first find Africa.
In Africa, look at the central part, around the equator, and search for Kenya and Tanzania on the mainland in East Africa.
Then you can look up for Zanzibar archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, around 25-50 km (15-30 mi) off the coast of Republic of Tanzania.
Zanzibar map and geographical details
Zanzibar is located roughly between 6° and 7° South of the Equator, and 39° and 40° East of the Prime Meridian. Islands in the archipelago are in the same time zone as Tanzania (UTC +3).
The total land area of Zanzibar is 2,643 km² (1,020 mi²). Palm-fringed shores, spice plantations, and tropical forests characterize the landscape.
The tropical climate makes Zanzibar a great destination to visit all year round.
Zanzibar is an island archipelago consisting of several islands in the Zany Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The main island, Unguja island, commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island is the largest among them. It covers approximately 1,666 km² (643 mi²) of land.
The second largest is Pemba Island with 985 km² (380 mi²) in land size.
It is one of the tropical island destinations in the Indian Ocean, besides Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives. Closeness to Tanzania means that you can combine tropical Zanzibar with Tanzanian safari.
Zanzibar has a population of around 1.9 million, influenced by Swahili, Arab, European, and Indian cultures, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and customs. Most of them live in Unguja.
General facts about Zanzibar
where is Barbados located
POPULATION
1.6 million (2021)
GOVERNMENT TYPE
Semi-autonomous part of Tanzania
CURRENCY
Tanzanian Schilling (TZS)
CAPITAL
Zanzibar City
MAIN RELIGION
Islam (99%)
COUNTRY CODE
+255
TIME ZONE
UTC +3
Now that you know where is Zanzibar …
Zanzibar is a tropical island off the coast of Tanzania between the Zenj Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is an island archipelago with the main island Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar.
So, the next time someone asks you where Zanzibar is, you’ll know exactly where to point!
With its tropical climate, UNESCO sites, and rich history, Zanzibar is an ideal destination for a perfect tropical getaway. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October, when the island welcomes tourists from all around the world.
If you are curious on how to get to Zanzibar, or are looking for a perfect relaxed Zanzibar itinerary, check out my other Zanzibar guides.
There I share more tips when traveling to Zanzibar, best beaches, things to do in Stone Town (besides visiting the spice farm), fun facts about Zanzibar, packing lists, best souvenirs to bring home, how Zanzibar compares to Barbados and Seychelles, and other info you might need when planning a trip to the Spice island.
➤ What you should read next
• 15 Best Places to Stay in Stone Town Zanzibar
• 15 Best hotels in Jambiani Zanzibar for a perfect holiday
• 15 Best Things To Do in Stone Town Zanzibar
• Zanzibar Itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Zanzibar
• Is Zanzibar safe to visit? 15 Things to know
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