June 15, 2026
How do you want to live?
What affordable housing really means in Zanzibar Affordability is one of Zanzibar’s key challenges in urban development. Rent-to-own could be the golden strategy. And it could start in Fumba. According to official statistics, 10,000 new homes per year are needed on the island. What should these houses look like and how can they be financed,
June 15, 2026
The East Coast Surf is On
Warm water, wild wind and total freedom – Kiters’ heaven in Paje At first glance, Paje looks too beautiful to be sporty. The beach is absurdly white. The Indian Ocean glows in fifty shades of turquoise. Masai sell rubber sandals. But then the wind arrives. Suddenly the horizon explodes with colour: red kites, blue kites,
May 26, 2026
How Big is Africa
How big is Africa? Greenland as big as Africa? This widespread misconception goes back to a world map from 1569 — one that has shaped how millions picture the planet. A newer map shows how it could be done better. No land or sea map can truly portray the Earth as it is. The
May 19, 2026
Serving tea for 33 years
A fixture at the Forodhani night market for more than three decades, Babu Chai never runs out of tea and coffee. The menu, printed out and laminated, contains only three items: spice tea, ginger tea, and coffee. They do come in two different sizes though – in large mugs or in small paper cups. Babu
May 19, 2026
Lighten up your Life!
Candles & new Utulivu Spa The iced matcha got us – a candle with the scent of the trend tea of the season. We had to find out who is behind such wonderful creations. Quality scented candles are now available in Zanzibar. Mercy Odhiambo, a talented Kenyan who moved here three years ago, is producing
May 11, 2026
The A to Z of Shopping
S Shoes Unless you fancy high heels made of plastic, trustfully turn to Zanzibar’s last remaining shoemakers Sirtu $ Sons. You’ll find pure leather creations, from standard brown men and women sandals to new golden glitter designs in Hermes shape at their work- and retailshop on Gizenga Street Souvenirs Let’s rename it “meaningful souvenirs”, if
May 11, 2026
Sunset, Sand, Click!
Good to know THE PERFECT ZANZIBAR SHOT Best Instagram beach: Mtende beach Overcast days perfect for portraits Black-and-white photography does not mean just removing colour Ask for permission to photograph people Favourite motifs: architecture, people, culture Island storyteller and artist shares his best tricks for anyone who can’t resist a sunset – including a
May 11, 2026
100% MODERN Swahili Style
“We wanted an African-style house in Africa”, says a Swiss couple living in Fumba. So they furnished a simple, off-plan modern townhouse entirely with historic Swahili furniture. The authentic interior turned the unassuming bungalow into an oasis of calm and style. What does Swahili culture mean, is a question often asked by tourists and first-time
May 4, 2026
Crafting the future together
Neema: built on empathy and good taste Looking for cosy cushions, stylish lamp shades or casual furniture for your home? Once you spot the label “Neema”, don’t go any further. In Iringa’s ochre-light afternoons, a low hum of looms, lathes and laughter spills from Neema Crafts – a workshop where modern Tanzanian design is crafted
May 4, 2026
Long Live Busara!
New look, new feel, more to come: Zanzibar’s biggest music festival, Sauti za Busara 2026, proved a full success at a new venue. After the festival is before the festival. Just when Sauti za Busara (Swahili for “Voices of Wisdom”) ended in February, the date for next year’s festival was announced for 11-14 March 2027.
April 10, 2026
A day at The Wonder Campus
India’s best university IITM, opened its first African branch in Zanzibar Like a UFO from another planet, a branch of one of the best universities in the world landed in rural Zanzibar on the Fumba peninsula – and started teaching straight away. How is it possible? To find out, we spent a day at the
April 10, 2026
Totally Spaced Out
Discovering Zanzibar’s intergalactic connection A space tracking station in the midst of Zanzibar helped America to land on the moon. The remains are still there – and one woman keeps star-gazing alive on the isle. You may know a few things about Zanzibar but one story is almost too spaced out to be true: Zanzibar’s
