The main Zanzibar Island, known locally as Unguja, is 60 miles long by 20 miles wide. Zanzibar is an island state within the Republic of Tanzania and has its own semi-autonomous government. Air time is about 90 minutes between Nairobi and Zanzibar. Ferries from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar operate daily. To see the rest of the main island of Zanzibar, hop onto a local bus or negotiate a day rate with a hired driver.
Tour operators run boat trips from Stone Town to neighboring islands.
Visitors can view the tortoises and 19th-century prison of Changuu Island, the Christian cemetery at Chapwani Island or the nature preserve at Chumbe Island. At the very least, make sure your room has a fan, and preferably a mosquito net. A passport and proof of a yellow-fever vaccination are required to enter Zanzibar.