Traveling alone in Zanzibar: All you need to know

Do you want to go on vacation but you can't find someone to go with?

Nobody is available at the same time as you? The destination you have chosen does not enchant your loved ones? Your friends or family do not travel the same way as you? 

Don't worry, you can go halfway around the world on your own. Indeed, traveling alone can be extremely beneficial so do not hesitate and take the plunge.

Why travel alone?

Travel alone can be scary to some at first, however, this can also end up being delight you.

Is there a better way to be free than by traveling alone? Traveling alone is source of real freedom.

You don't have anyone to listen no concessions to do. It allows you to see and do whatever you want at your own pace without feeling pressured.

There is no constraints and no obligations. You don't have to rush or wait for someone when you visit. 

But that's not all, traveling alone will allow you get to know you and will teach you a lot about yourself. 

Also, traveling alone allows se turn more easily to others and therefore to make great encounters.

In recent years traveling alone has become a fashion as many people have embarked on such an adventure.

As a result, many questions have arisen as a result of this craze for solo travel.

“Is it dangerous to travel alone? "," Can we travel alone in each country? "," What about working alone as a woman? "...

How to travel alone when you are a woman?

In our current society, more and more women want to travel alone. It is true that back then, just a few decades ago, it seemed impossible to travel alone as a woman. 

Today from many women set off to explore the world on their own with their bags on their backs.

I am one of these examples, I have indeed gone on an adventure alone in different countries in the world, in Africa, Oceania, Europe or even in North and South America.

It would be lying to you to tell you that no matter which country you visit traveling alone is the same thing.

Keep in mind that no matter where you go, you need to be extra careful when traveling with others.

As woman it is obvious that we may be an easier target for anything that is theft or assault. 

In order to put all your chances on your side to go on a trip alone in the greatest safety, you must already:

• Remain cautious and on guard at all times: do not confuse "being careful" with "being paranoid". When traveling alone, you won't necessarily have someone to watch your back and your belongings, so you need to be careful. For example, don't leave your belongings unattended, keep your bags close to you, don't hang out late at night in unsafe neighborhoods or cities, etc.
• Adapt and respect the customs and traditions of the country in which you are traveling: it starts with the way you dress (cover your shoulders, knees, hair depending on the country) ... 
• Depending on your personality, prepare your trip as little as possible in order to make yourself comfortable: choose correct hotels or hostels, choose places to visit by inquiring in advance
• Stay reachable as much as possible : so as not to worry friends and family as well as to be able to contact the right people if necessary

Can you travel alone when you are a woman in Zanzibar?

I went to the archipelago of Zanzibar during two months between March and May. 

Opinions are varied on this destination, I will just give you my personal feelings.

Religion for a single woman in Zanzibar

As you have probably already read, Zanzibar is an archipelago where religion occupies a very important place. 98% of the inhabitants are Muslims. Over there, the polygamy is common.

To give you examples, I attended two weddings in Zanzibar. One took place on the main island of Unguja and the other on the island of Pemba.

Know that in Pemba, religious traditions are all the more respected and profound than in Unguja (Zanzibar).

At the first wedding I attended, the bride-to-be had never seen her husband. She wore a flight that ran her face and she was able to remove it only after signing the marriage contract ... 

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As a woman traveling alone in Zanzibar, I would like to recommend strongly from respect customs and traditions found there. Namely, for example, it is recommended to cover your knees and shoulders (possibly the hair if you don't mind) in the street to avoid disturbing looks. The more you respect the traditions, the more you will come to you melt into the crowd and therefore you will avoid receiving too much attention which can be embarrassing.

However, it is obvious that a "white" woman will be spotted regardless of her dress code.

The country being poor, when young men see a woman alone, they inevitably imagine a possibility for them to escape and leave the country. 

I was able to chat with many locals during my two months there, and I assure you that it is not uncommon for a woman to travel alone. Sometimes women (often over 40) find themselves spending a lot of time with a local man, paying him a lot for "company". In some cases the relationship ends there and in other cases it ends in marriage.

When I arrived in Zanzibar, I quickly noticed that one of the first questions I was asked was " are you married? " ou " do you have a boyfriend? ", to answer, I think one of the first sentences I learned in swahili it was " nime olewa " which means " I am married ». 

Whether this is true or not, I advise you to learn this sentence so that we are not too insistent and that we leave you alone quickly. 

A woman alone in the villages and along the beaches of Zanzibar

As a lonely woman you will not escape make you approach, especially when you walk around by the beach or in the villages. 

I do not hide from you that my first week has been tiring because I was constantly requested in all directions. We are generally asked to buy souvenirs or buy sightseeing excursions all around the island. 

However, I found the very respectful inhabitants when we tell them "no". They can be insistent when they feel hesitation in our answers. do not hesitate to be clear and sometimes as a direct to make them understand certain things. But at no point did I feel in danger or anything. There has always been this respect.

A woman alone in Stone Town

Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar, it is the biggest city, there are people, that brew a lot in the streets of Stone Town. A woman alone in this city should be all the more careful. 

We recommend avoid walking alone in the small alleys of Stone Town at nightfall. In the evening if you have to move, take a taxi or a boda-boda (a motorcycle taxi) or a dala-dala (a local bus).

When you take a walk in town or in the market of Darajani, keep your bag close to you. There is a lot of people and it can be very tempting for a local to grab a loose tourist bag.

In Stone Town I never got never felt in danger either, if someone is bothering you, don't hesitate to be dry so that you are left alone. Avoid walking in the small alleys at the end of the day, when you will meet few tourists.

Also know thatlearning a few words of Swahili will give you a little more legitimacy and benevolence with the locals. Locals love it when tourists learn their language a bit.

Going on vacation alone doesn't mean traveling alone throughout your journey. You will always meet tourists to share certain moments with, so don't worry. 

Traveling alone: ​​what does it bring?

In my opinion, travel alone :

• Allows you to meet yourself, to get to know each other better in depth (our fears, our deep desires, our way of functioning in certain situations, of making the right decisions, following our intuition etc ...), discovering new aspects of your personality, living a real personal development
• Lets learn to love loneliness : to like to be alone in front of oneself
• Pushes to surpass oneself: his limits, his fears, his lack of confidence, to do violence to yourself if necessary, to find your inner strength
• Allows you to gain independence, to know absolute freedom
• Lets forget the everyday which is punctuated by a certain routine
• Pushes to meet great people : It is easier to turn to others when traveling when you are alone. It will bring you a lot, and you will have the opportunity, I am sure, to meet exceptional people.