Safari Breeze, its dupe, was realeased recently, and it was the only way I could get close to this composition, given how difficult the original is to find. I liked it, but there was something harsh in the drydown that never fully convinced me. So I thought… no matter the price, I need to try the original.
And indeed, as similar as they are, the small details make all the difference.
Tales from Zanzibar is a mix of rich, dense, summer tropical fruits. It smells of guava, papaya, mango… as if the bowl itself were a coconut, figuratively speaking, wrapping the fruits in an aroma that oscillates between creamy and the green freshness of the husk. I also detect a subtle aquatic nuance that makes it feel even fresher and more summer-like.
In the drydown, a greener minty facet shows up, with a grapefruit-like edge. The fruits are still very present, but now everything is enveloped in this green, at times slightly bitter scent that, for me, makes the difference between smelling like a perfume and smelling like tropical juice. Many fruity fragrances on the market are hard for me to wear, but this one, on the contrary, is majestic.
It leaves a luxurious trail, fruity and fresh, green, with an almost molecular touch. Super chic.
This is the fragrance I’d wear walking around Marbella, Capri, Nice, or Rodeo Drive. It elevates you, catches attention, and is very likeable, yet never loses sophistication. It’s that extra layer that makes you stand out. And to top it off, it’s almost impossible to find. I believe only one perfumery in all of Europe sells it. To me, that’s true niche.
Going back to the beginning: Safari Breeze is the sketch, Zanzibar the finished work. Safari is the demo, Zanzibar is the fully mixed and mastered track. Safari’s rough edges feel sharp and annoying to me. Zanzibar is round, smooth, filtered, and refined.
I shouldn’t have tried it, because now I need it. That’s its only downside: €225 for 75 ml, and being clearly a summer fragrance, it makes me hesitate. But that’s the nature of expensive treats
Definitely one of the best summer fragrances out there today, in the same league as Pacific Chill or Porthole without resembling them, and with a DNA of its own.
