Anyone been to Zanzibar

Souness

Heading over to Tanzania on Friday for 2 weeks, we are climbing Kilimanjaro the first week and when thats done we will have 5 days left before our flights home.

At the moment we are thinking of flying straight to Zanzibar from Kilimanjaro airport. From looking on the web the place looks like paradise!:D

Was wondering if anyone has been and if so, what is it like and is it expensive?

Another option is a safari to NGORONGORO CRATER in Tanzania, also looks amazing but with time constraints can't do both.

Any infor from anyone thats been around this part of Africa would be very helpful.

Cheers

HemmingSay

I stayed 5 days there last year and you are right on 2 accounts, it's both a paradise and expensive.

But perhaps that expense can be brought down, the people I was with really wanted to splash out on the luxury side of things. We stayed in the Ocean Paradise hotel, which was expensive, but I believe the northern part of the island caters for more back-packing type travellers. The hotel experience was quite stunning, but I have to say, I felt a little out of place at times.

Like you, this was rounding off the last few days of a busy trip and it was a toss up between Zanzibar and other coastal resorts like Mombasa. In the end I'm so glad we spent the extra for Zanzibar, it's truly a unique place. Small enough to get around, vibrant towns, a real mix of cultures, masses of history, beautiful beaches with the clear blue waters of the Indian ocean lapping them...

this is making me really want to go back now!

TCollins

Souness wrote:

At the moment we are thinking of flying straight to Zanzibar from Kilimanjaro airport. From looking on the web the place looks like paradise!:D

Was wondering if anyone has been and if so, what is it like and is it expensive?

Another option is a safari to NGORONGORO CRATER in Tanzania, also looks amazing but with time constraints can't do both.

I've done both. Both are great holidays but Zanzibar is not the paradise it looks like in pictures. When you have your back to the land looking out over the beach at the sea it is indeed paradise. Turn around though and face real life on the island and you will see some of the worst poverty and most run down places you have ever seen.
Stone town is lovely. Can get a bit rough at night though and as soon as you leave the square mile that is stone town you run the risk of being mugged.
For beaches and that Bounty add experience try the north of the island. But make sure and face only the beach

NGORONGORO CRATER is a different story completely. It is without a doubt one of the wonders of the world. It means 'The book of life' and it sure is. You will see more wild animals in this crater than on any other trip to Africa. Also its not a long trip to the serenghetti from there either (about 4 hours drive). Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Cheetahs, Leopards are all easily seen there. On our trip the cheetah hid on top of our landrover before pouncing on a gazelle that wandered by. We were actually petting its tail, which was probably a bit nuts. NGORONGORO really is an experience not to be missed. It beats Zanzibar 10 fold.

Make sure though, Whichever you choose post back here afterwards.

mikekrupel

I've been for 2 weeks in Tanzania and did both Ngorongoro crater and Zanzibar. I agree with TCollins on both Zanzibar and the crater. Zanzibar is nice with some beautiful beaches but probably not as nice as the pictures make it out to be. It was a good place to relax after a camping safari but not something essential.

The Ngorongoro crater is another thing altogether. I think it's a must do if you're in Tanzania. This is probably the best place to see the african mammals. If you like animals this is something nobody should miss. If you're indifferent then you'll probably start liking them.

I'd say to go Ngorongoro unless you're really a beach type of person who needs to visit every beach in the world, or else you've got an aversion towards animals and dust.

For an idea about costs you can take a look at my holiday expense list (there are also some pics and notes): http://www.mindspill.org/travel_channel/tanzania

Souness

Thanks lads

Really torn here, but guess thats a good complaint!:) Just wish I had more time!