Zanzibar with a 6 year old
Aug 10th, 2011, 01:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Zanzibar with a 6 year old
We are in the planning stages of a week long trip to Zanzibar. I'm beside myself with excitement!
Our little family consists of my husband, myself and our 6 year old son. He's pretty well traveled -- so I'm not concerned about that.
We have sent our inquiry emails to half a dozen villas. We would prefer to stay on our own instead of a hotel. This has worked best for our little family before, although we've never been to Zanzibar.
It seems like there is enough to do to fill a laid back week -- snorkeling, swimming, sailing, fishing, Stone Town Tours, Jozani Forest, a turtle aquarium, the butterfly zoo (?), maybe a Spice tour, a visit to a local school (for my son to meet some other children) etc. Am I missing anything? Does any of this need to be planned in advance or can we show up and decide as we go? All of the villas are staffed and they advertise as being able to arrange things like this.
Now, the food issue. I'll eat anything. My son, on the other hand is pretty limited. Of course the correct response is "No time like the present" to broaden his palette. He will be encouraged to try everything, but I won't make meal times a battle if I can help it. He doesn't eat granola bars or things like that at home, so we can't stuff our suitcases before we leave. He loves plain chicken or plain pasta (notice a theme?), ham and cheese sandwiches, some veg and most fruit (but nothing exotic -- corn, broccoli, grapes, strawberries, etc), and dairy -- he eats his weight in cottage cheese every week or so
Will we be able to find any/some of that in Zanzibar? We're not a "money is not an issue" family -- but I don't mind paying extra to keep his tummy full.
Am I missing anything? I plan all our trips and am usually pretty thorough but I keep seeing photos of turquoise water and get all distracted and dreamy. Just saying "Zanzibar" is enough to make me lose my train of thought!
Our little family consists of my husband, myself and our 6 year old son. He's pretty well traveled -- so I'm not concerned about that.
We have sent our inquiry emails to half a dozen villas. We would prefer to stay on our own instead of a hotel. This has worked best for our little family before, although we've never been to Zanzibar.
It seems like there is enough to do to fill a laid back week -- snorkeling, swimming, sailing, fishing, Stone Town Tours, Jozani Forest, a turtle aquarium, the butterfly zoo (?), maybe a Spice tour, a visit to a local school (for my son to meet some other children) etc. Am I missing anything? Does any of this need to be planned in advance or can we show up and decide as we go? All of the villas are staffed and they advertise as being able to arrange things like this.
Now, the food issue. I'll eat anything. My son, on the other hand is pretty limited. Of course the correct response is "No time like the present" to broaden his palette. He will be encouraged to try everything, but I won't make meal times a battle if I can help it. He doesn't eat granola bars or things like that at home, so we can't stuff our suitcases before we leave. He loves plain chicken or plain pasta (notice a theme?), ham and cheese sandwiches, some veg and most fruit (but nothing exotic -- corn, broccoli, grapes, strawberries, etc), and dairy -- he eats his weight in cottage cheese every week or so
Will we be able to find any/some of that in Zanzibar? We're not a "money is not an issue" family -- but I don't mind paying extra to keep his tummy full.
Am I missing anything? I plan all our trips and am usually pretty thorough but I keep seeing photos of turquoise water and get all distracted and dreamy. Just saying "Zanzibar" is enough to make me lose my train of thought!
Aug 11th, 2011, 06:13 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolutely discuss with whomever you book your holiday of dietary requirements for any in your party... in this instance the little one. If he wants simple/bland, he can get simple/bland. Fruits are a plenty and some may seem exotic, so he can try or not.
As to activities once at your resort, arrangements for sightseeing on the island can be arranged. However, many of these are more cost effective if booked from Stone Town (a 10/min drive from ZNZ airport), a World Heritage Site and worth a stay of at least 2/nts before heading to a beach area. This will allow for some of the sightseeing that is close-by. Others, you may consider on your way from ST to your beach resort, i.e., Jozani Forest or Spice Island.
Discuss with your tour operator for hotel suggestions and coordinating activities and from where.
Remember though... Zanzibar is tropical, so hot and humid. So if any sightseeing to be done... best early in the day before it becomes unbearably uncomfortable, when sitting on the beach or at a pool is a better idea.
Another reminder - need for malaria medicines and Yellow Fever inoculations and proof of same for all in order to enter Zanzibar. No proof, they have the option to give ths jab on site for a fee (not something I'd recommend... have these done prior arrival, 10/days minimum).
As to activities once at your resort, arrangements for sightseeing on the island can be arranged. However, many of these are more cost effective if booked from Stone Town (a 10/min drive from ZNZ airport), a World Heritage Site and worth a stay of at least 2/nts before heading to a beach area. This will allow for some of the sightseeing that is close-by. Others, you may consider on your way from ST to your beach resort, i.e., Jozani Forest or Spice Island.
Discuss with your tour operator for hotel suggestions and coordinating activities and from where.
Remember though... Zanzibar is tropical, so hot and humid. So if any sightseeing to be done... best early in the day before it becomes unbearably uncomfortable, when sitting on the beach or at a pool is a better idea.
Another reminder - need for malaria medicines and Yellow Fever inoculations and proof of same for all in order to enter Zanzibar. No proof, they have the option to give ths jab on site for a fee (not something I'd recommend... have these done prior arrival, 10/days minimum).
Aug 11th, 2011, 07:19 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, both of you. That's just what I wanted to hear -- that simple/bland would be available!
We are planning on taking anti-malarial meds and getting the inoculations. Should we bring our own insect repellent or just bank on buying some there? I don't think you're allowed to bring aerosol sprays in checked luggage.
While we do want to see Stone Town we are going to go straight to our villa and see Stone Town as a day trip from there. Our journey there is about 40 hours! Our flight has a 25 hour layover in Oman. We were deciding between Oman and Zanzibar so thought this would be perfect. So after hours and hours of flying and a mini stop in Oman, we'll want to get to the villa asap!
I'm so excited!!
We are planning on taking anti-malarial meds and getting the inoculations. Should we bring our own insect repellent or just bank on buying some there? I don't think you're allowed to bring aerosol sprays in checked luggage.
While we do want to see Stone Town we are going to go straight to our villa and see Stone Town as a day trip from there. Our journey there is about 40 hours! Our flight has a 25 hour layover in Oman. We were deciding between Oman and Zanzibar so thought this would be perfect. So after hours and hours of flying and a mini stop in Oman, we'll want to get to the villa asap!
I'm so excited!!
Aug 11th, 2011, 12:55 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bring your own repellents, as whatever might be available on Zanzibar is rather expensive. And, yes... there are pump sprays, wipes and creams, all of which are permitted in checked luggage (do pack in double ziplock bags just in case of leakage especially if these are filled to the top).
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aostrofe
Africa & the Middle East
4
Jun 26th, 2011 12:52 PM
