Product Description

The Rough Guide to Zanzibar tells you all there is to know about East Africa's island paradise. From the labyrinthine Stone Town to ruined Omani palaces, the 16-page, full-colour introduction pinpoints all of the island's highlights. In addition there are two new colour inserts: Zanzibar and the Slave Trade and Zanzibar and the Sea. The guide includes details for all the best places to stay, eat and drink, to suit every budget, plus a new 'Author's Pick' feature to highlight the very best options. There is plenty of practical advice on a range of outdoor activities, including snorkelling and diving. This edition includes new chapters on the Swahili people and Swahili cuisine and comes complete with maps and plans for the whole island.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90655 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

About the Author
Jens Finke has been travelling around East Africa since 1988. He is a long-term contributor to the Rough Guide to Kenya and author of the Rough Guide to Tanzania.

Excerpted from The Mini Rough Guide to Zanzibar (Mini Rough Guides) by Jens Finke. Copyright © 2002. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
WHEN TO GO
Zanzibar’s climate is typically tropical, making for hot and humid weather most of the year. There are two rainy seasons. The "long" masika rains (dubbed the "Green Season" by some hoteliers) fall from March to May, and are especially heavy from April onwards when some of the larger hotels close. The lighter "short" mvuli rains come between October and early December. The end of both rainy seasons is heralded by blustery winds. The rest of the year is hot and dry, with temperatures gradually increasing from July until the onset of the short rains. Ramadan (see p.30 for dates) is not the best time to visit, as most restaurants are closed by day and the atmosphere, especially in Stone Town, is not at its brightest.

Customer Reviews

have these people ever been to zanzibar?
having just come back from zanzibar I'm curious to know if the authors of this book have ever been to the island or if, despite the fantastic people and surroundings, they somehow managed to stay cynical throughout their visit. whilst the overview blurb enthuses the traveller, negative or bland reviews are given to individual locations and accommodation that are actually quite wonderful. I'm usually a big fan of rough guides but in the case of zanzibar, ignore the book, speak to the locals and you'll have a great time!