Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.
Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.
The port city of Stone Town dominates the west coast, and although the beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low tide and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive away, a night or two spent on the east or north cost is well worth the extra hour it takes to drive there. That said, the Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town – and nearby Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands – make a refreshing day-trip and a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the old city.
On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for the endangered species that come to breed on the island. Roads to the southeast coast take visitors through the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus monkeys and a number of other primate and small antelope species.
STONE TOWN:
This town is also known as Unguja Town or Zanzibar Town.
At Stone Town you will see the following things: The Stone Town Cultural Centre (Old Dispensary) situated along the Mizingani Road, the four storey building originally built as a private residence, but later used by colonists as Dispensary. These are very important sites to visit during your tour in the Archipelago of the Island.
THE ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL COURTYARD:
This place was used by Arabs and their European counterparts, as a center to receive and ship slaves from all over East Africa. With intrusion and humanitarian reasons the slaves’ market was closed in 1873. The British Christian Mission bought the place and built the Anglican Missionary Hospital.
PALACE MUSEUM:
Palace Museum was formerly the residence of the Sultan of Zanzibar. This large white house depicts about the Sultan’s life and properties such as fancy furniture etc.
THE ARAB FORT:
This fort stands next to the House of Wonders. The fort was built on the site of a Portuguese chapel. It is believed that the construction took place between 1698 and 1701. Other sites in the Stone Town are: – The House of Wonders, Dhow Harbour, National Museum and Livingstone’s House. DOLPHIN TOUR: The Kizimkazi fishing village is located on the southern point of the island which gives the tourists a chance to swim with Dolphins in the Indian Ocean. In addition, this place marks the old mosque built in the 12 th century.
SPICE TOUR:
One of the common expeditions done in Zanzibar by visitors and indigenous from the mainland of Tanzania is to visit spices plantations. The Spice Tour takes you out of town to see large plantations with varieties of spices: ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and cloves. Spices are used for traditional medicines, modern medicines and cosmetics. Spices are also used for food (tea and rice). You can’t wait to get a nice aroma and the taste from these special spices of the great island of Zanzibar.
JOZANI FOREST:
There are fewer animals in Zanzibar compared to the number of different species of fish and other sea living things. The Jozani forest which is situated southeast of Stone Town is a life supporting source for Red Monkeys, small bucks and bush pigs. There is natural vegetation and different types of trees.
SUNSET CRUISE:
After a very long day around the Island you can have a rest while sailing along the coast of the white sand beaches. Normally, it is done during the sunset when the ocean radiates its red colour shade which makes it very attractive to view.
LANGUAGE:
The common language that unites over 120 tribes in Tanzania is “Swahili” which was selected by our first President J.K. Nyerere after independence as the National language. This language is believed to have originated from this Island as most of its words are formulated from the Arabic and tribal languages. English is the second language in Tanzania.
CLIMATE:
The climate of Zanzibar is tropical which offers two rainy seasons. The long rains from March to early June and short rains from October through November. Zanzibar is hot during the day and this is suitable for divers and swimmers. Evenings are cooled with a breeze from the India Ocean.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
Developed by the tourism industry Zanzibar has all the necessary facilities such as luxurious hotels and lodges for comfortable accommodation, domestic flights including the ZanAir, Precision Air and Air Excel, flying doctors, surfing internet cafes, express boats to Dar – es – salaam, sea port and many more.
