Top Ten East Africa Classic Adventures

Kick back on Zanzibar (Rich Beattie)

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Evocative of the days when Arabic dhows plied the coastal spice trade and sultans ruled the island, Zanzibar retains the feel of a different era while serving up some of Africa's best beaches and snorkeling. The legacy of Arab rule is a captivating town of bazaars, mosques, squares, narrow streets, and whitewashed houses that could have come straight out of the Middle East. Scuba shops line the oceanfront, a testament to the sport's popularity here, and to the fact that pristine coral reef surrounds the island. To lose yourself entirely, head over to the island's east coast, where white sand and solitude rule. The island is accessible in just a couple of hours by fast and comfortable boats from Dar es Salaam.