We left Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by a 14 seater light aircraft for the twenty minute flight over the Indian Ocean to the Island of Zanzibar. Our plane glided along steadily and below us were coral reefs and small islands surrounded by turquoise sea, followed by our first glimpse of Zanzibar Island itself.

Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean about 25 miles from the Tanzanian Coast and is approximately 60 miles long and 20 miles wide. The island is best known for its beaches which are characterised by their clear blue waters and powder soft coral sands which are said to be among the best in the world, making the island the number one beach location in East Africa. The beautiful 12 mile stretch of beach called Bwejuu where we stayed has actually been named one of the top 30 island beaches in the world and once I saw it I definitely see why. It certainly had the “wow” factor and was almost blindingly white and completely deserted except for the odd local fisherman.

The warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean offer world class watersports including scuba diving, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, windsurfing and sailing which are usually on offer from the hotels.

The island’s history goes back centuries and in the 19th Century when the spice cultivation developed, slave trade was at its height. At this time Zanzibar became the centre for the slave trade and the most important town in East Africa.

For a bit of culture take a trip to the island’s capital, Stone Town which has been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and has changed very little over the last 200 years. Explore the old town with its winding alleys, bazaars and mosques and the site of the former slave market. To find out more about the spice trade you can also take a tour of the spice plantations which gave Zanzibar its old name “Spice Island”.

I believe Zanzibar is a paradise that provides the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun after a hectic safari experience.