How you spend your holiday in Zanzibar is up to you. Because Mustapha’s is next to one of the most lovely beaches in the world, some people choose to base their holiday around the beach – sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling, maybe renting a bicycle, walking out to the reef, or the more adrenaline-fuelled kitesurfing. If you are coming from a busy safari holiday on the main island, relaxation may be your main goal. But equally, many people want to experience the rich culture and wildlife of Zanzibar, and plan lots of visits to get to know the island better.

Whatever your preference, we can help you to have the holiday of your dreams. Activities on the island that we can help to organise are snorkelling, diving, dhow trips, fishing and kitesurfing. Trips that we can help to organise are to the World Heritage site of Stone Town; the slave market and slave caves to learn about Zanzibar’s troubled past; the rare red colobus monkeys of Jozani Forest; the dolphins of Kizimkazi and Unguja Ukuu; the community-owned Zanzibar Butterfly Centre; and spice farms, where you can see the world-renowned spices of Zanzibar grown and learn about all their properties, as well as tasting weird and wonderful local fruit.

If you want a spa treatment, check out our inhouse spa, or if you want to hear local music played live we can find you the right place. From diving at night and experiencing the constellation of iridescent lights in the dark, deep ocean, to going to Swahili cookery classes to master the arts of Zanzibari cuisine, there is bound to be an experience that you will never forget.

Zanzibar itself is a unique island. On a trading crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and the Far East, it is a cultural melting pot. Common influences include African, Persian, Omani, Portuguese and Indian. Over 90 per cent Muslim, any stay in town is peppered with the muezzin calls from the many mosques. This also means that guests should respect their hosts and dress modestly. While local women cover their heads, visitors need not, but it is courteous to keep your shoulders and upper arms covered and to wear skirts or trousers that come down at least over the knee. Learning a few basic Swahili phrases also means that locals will warm to you. "Habari?" – How are you? "Salama." – Good. "Asante." – Thank you. If you would like to learn more, Swahili is a phonetic language, and for most European language speakers, is relatively easy to pick up at a simple level.

USEFUL LINKS:

General information

Zanzinet - a guide to the island

Zanzibar.net – another guide to the island

BBC Weather - weather forecasts for Zanzibar

Tide table – for high tides and low tides

Things to do/places to visit

Zanzibar Butterfly Centre - locally owned business that encourages forest conservation

Eco + Culture Tours - non-profit tour company that benefits local communities

Mrembo Spa - a traditional spa in Stone Town

Saifa Shop - a great gift shop to get presents and T-shirts to take home

Special events

Sauti za Busara - Zanzibar's world music festival

Zanzibar International Film Festival - some of the best films from across Africa and beyond

Blogs and publications

BHF magazine - a high fashion magazine by Africans for Africans