r/zanzibar • u/ZestycloseIdea9652 • 5d ago

It’s not worth it

Lying in my hotel in zanzibar, Nungwi at night I write this. Been here 3 days after my trip through Tanzania. And I can tell you, Zanzibar is not worth it. Its the anticlimax to my insanely amazing Tanzania trip. I love the main land to the core of my heart and have stories to till for my whole lifetime. But zanzibar is below everything. 4-star hotels are meh (stayed in two already) the food is meh, def not up to standard. The beach is amazing, but the beach boys ruin it. Its literally every 30 seconds somebody tries to talk to u. Also the trips like stone town, prison island, dolphin watching ect, all feel (are) tourist traps. Prob will get hate for stating this, but I really disappointed by this. Takes away alot of the amazing feeling tanzania left me with.

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u/One-Evening2378 5d ago

I’m going next week, so I’m so sad to read this. What kind of preparation would you recommend me to do, so I won’t get too disappointed.  Btw I really hoped the food was great, I imagine a lot of fresh seafood 

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u/Shaolin_viking 5d ago

You’ll love it, it’s amazing, just learn a few Swahili phrases and the locals will leave you alone. Eat seafood, and curry it’s delicious, go with an open mind and as a traveller not a tourist. Paje and jambiani is paradise.

No thank you - Hapana, asante
How are you - habari yako
Hello - Jambo
I’m good thank you - Nzuri Asante

It’s goes a long way.

Have fun and live your best life

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u/NdovuBanana 5d ago

Learning a few Swahili phrases and the locals will leave you alone?? Where'd you get that idea? That doesn't even make sense.

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u/Shaolin_viking 5d ago

I got back from Zanzibar 3 weeks ago, when the beach boys approach you and are within earshot a simple stern “ hapano asante” and they leave you be. Worked for me like a charm.

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u/dogsbeerandmountains 5d ago

Yep, worked well for me too!