You may have heard the name before, but Zanzibar is Africa’s best-kept secret. An archipelago belonging to Tanzania, each island is ringed in a halo of sugar-fine sandy beach, fringed by coral reefs and some of the bluest ocean you’ve ever seen. It’s postcard-perfect, thanks to a coastline complemented by the luscious greenery of the equatorial forests that are home to monkeys, antelopes and the elusive Zanzibar leopard.

Watersports here are a must. Whether you’re just heading out for a pleasure cruise to soak up the sun and take a quick dip in the turquoise waters or strapping on the aqua gear to do a bit of reef diving or snorkelling, the abundant beauty found beneath the waves never fails to impress.

The East Coast has some of the best beaches, with sweeping stretches of powdery sand as far as the eye can see – perfect for topping up a tan! When the tide’s in, the water is shallow enough for splashing around in, but when it goes out it exposes shallow pools that are deep enough to bathe in; it’s like having your own naturally-made hot tub. Add in the local women who do their fishing there in colourful clothing whilst singing traditional songs, and you’ve got a picture-perfect spot for a bit of chill-out time with your significant other.

And we love the Fairmont Zanzibar for a romantic getaway, which has 109 villas, cottages and deluxe rooms located in lush gardens and is a stone’s throw away from the beach. Unequivocal views of the Indian Ocean, five-star luxury and a blissful setting – what more could you possibly want?

While you’re there...

Stroll around
Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar, and this is how life used to be with its winding alleys, exotic bazaars and beautiful Arabian-influenced architecture – which makes for hours of fascinating meandering as you absorb the local culture.

Jungle look
Visit the Jozani Natural Forest Reserve, where you can get up close and personal with Zanzibar’s Red Colobus Monkey, or catch a glimpse of bushpigs and small buck. This is where the Zanzibar leopard hunts and you might see one if you’re lucky!

Porpoise play
Head to Kizimkazi fishing village and hop aboard a boat to see the bottle-nosed dolphins that live just off the coast. Back on dry land, Kizimkazi has a 12th-century mosque that’s also well worth a visit.