A family week in Zanzibar

The best time to go to Zanzibar is from June to September, so this is the high season and prices are inevitably higher. But there's nothing to stop you going out of season to take advantage of more attractive offers. Avoid the months of March, April and May, however, as this is the heavy rainy season and you risk missing out on a great holiday.

There are direct flights from Paris, but depending on the airline, there is often a stopover in one of the countries bordering Tanzania. Zanzibar has few cash dispensers and the Tanzanian shilling has a very low value, so you'll need to have plenty of notes (1 euro is worth around 2,300 TNZ). However, the US dollar is accepted everywhere. So the first thing to remember is to take enough cash with you for your trip, allowing for any expenses you wish to make in cash. Once the practicalities have been sorted out, it's time to finally enjoy your stay on the Spice Island.

Freshly arrived in Stone Tone, spend 3 days and 2 nights in the stone city. Stroll through the maze of narrow streets and lose yourself in the astonishing beauty of the place. The extraordinary diversity and richness of its architecture, inherited from 1,000 years of history at the crossroads of African, Omani, European and Indian cultures, has earned it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List as an 'outstanding material manifestation of cultural fusion and harmonisation'. Take the opportunity to soak up the sights, and why not book a room right in the historic centre of the city?

Well-preserved, the town is both a remarkable urban ensemble and a juxtaposition of buildings admirable in their own right. Stonetown is a very lively district, where the everyday life of its inhabitants takes precedence over its heritage. Here and there, you'll find yourself sharing this maze of enchanted alleyways with donkeys, two-wheelers, carts and street vendors. And if you want to take home a souvenir from your trip to Zanzibar, this is undoubtedly where you'll find the most beautiful treasures.

As you stroll through the narrow streets, the precious wooden features - carved doors, shutters and staircases - are sure to catch your eye. Play at identifying the origins of the carved wooden doors with your children. Doors with a square pediment and a chain motif frieze are of Arab origin, while those with a flowery frieze and rounded pediment are of Indian origin. Stone Town can be visited on foot and with your nose in the air, following the Zanzibar rhythm, which consists above all in avoiding the hottest hours of the day. On the way, don't miss out on the most famous buildings, such as the Chamber of Wonders. The old town is packed with sumptuous buildings steeped in history and diverse influences. There are mosques, palaces from the Omani period, colonial buildings and Hindu temples. A wonderful visit awaits you.

After discovering the city, head off to Prison Island to introduce your children to giant land tortoises. The island is home to no fewer than 200 turtles, some of which are almost two hundred years old. The island is less than 20 minutes by boat from Stone Town and is perfect for a half-day getaway. After visiting the island, arm yourself with masks and snorkels to admire the magnificent coral reef off Prison Island. It is said to be one of the most beautiful in the Zanzibar archipelago.

To make your holiday easier and more enjoyable with children, why not opt to hire a car? You should expect to pay around 400 euros for 10 days' hire in high season for a 5-seater car.

It's time to explore the island and discover its wonderful beaches. Off we go to Jambiani and Paje, two small villages side by side by the sea and nestling in magnificent stretches of white sand. It's just a 1h15 drive from the capital to reach this little paradise. The small villages of Jambiani and Paje are a long way from the big luxury hotels in the north of the island. Here, peace and quiet reign supreme. Two nights and three days are enough to enjoy the area, but many travellers, charmed by the place, decide to stay a little longer.

Zanzibar is an island with a relatively expensive reputation. Indeed, it is home to a large number of luxury hotels, the preferred destination of honeymooners. However, it is fairly easy to find hotels that offer excellent value for money. Jambiani's good fortune is that the village has remained authentic and untouched by the large luxury hotels that are increasingly springing up on the rest of the island. So you can indulge yourself and enjoy beautiful seaside lodges at unbeatable value for money.

After enjoying the charms of these two small villages, we head for Pingwe. Pingwe is a quiet little village where life is good. You can spend some quality time with your family in the hotel swimming pool. The beaches of Zanzibar also lend themselves to beautiful walks. Pingwe is particularly well known for its emblematic restaurant, "the rock", set right on a rock in the sea. It is accessible by boat at high tide and on foot at low tide.

Zanzibar has a very high tidal range. This means that when the tide is low, swimming is not possible. Keep this in mind when planning your day. After enjoying the beach, take a day (or afternoon) to explore the Jozani forest. Just a 40-minute drive from Pingwe, you'll discover some superb red colobus monkeys, enough to delight your children's curiosity. The forest walk is easy and accessible to all.

To round off your stay, why not head for the small private island of Chapwani? Your children will love playing Robinson Crusoe on this getaway. And the island looks like a great option for ending your family trip to the Zanzibar archipelago. Chapwani is a 30-minute boat ride from the capital, Stone Town. This island, privatised by a hotel, offers you all the comforts you need to finish your trip in style. This small island at the end of the world gives you the impression of being stranded on an atoll, untouched by civilisation and far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A small stretch of sand just 300 metres wide and 800 metres long, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind. You can't help but be seduced by this charming hotel, which privatises the island and comprises 5 palm-roofed bungalows, each with two bedrooms with their feet in the water and a direct view of the Indian Ocean.

It's very green, with lots of animals to discover. The area is ideal for family activities and is an open-air playground. At high tide, you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling while admiring the magnificent colourful fish that inhabit the Indian Ocean. At low tide, the tide retreats a long way, opening up a magnificent new world of discovery. Go in search of starfish, each more colourful than the last, watch the seaweed gatherers in the distance, unearth little treasures hidden beneath the sand, admire the sea urchins and chase after the little crabs. Finish the day with a delicious sunset dinner. The chef at the Chapwani hotel concocts unique menus every evening, using fresh local produce. A real treat.