Zanzibar has lured travelers to its shores for centuries, some in search of trade, some in search of plunder and others in search of an idyllic home. The annals of Zanzibar read like a chapter of the “Thousand and One Nights”. The Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Oman Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or other. Some, notably the Shiraz Persians and the Oman Arabs, stayed to settle and rule.
Zanzibar's people are a distillation of the nations of travelers, pilgrims, fishermen, explorers and merchants who stopped here in time's passage. Islam is the dominant religion and practiced by most Zanzibarians, which is reflected in many aspects of the lives of the residents. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming.
Get lost in Stone Town
Zanzibar's old city and cultural heart is Stone Town, one of the most impressive towns of East Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage. Walk around, get lost and find out what a fascinating place it is. Every twist and turn of the narrow alleyways presents new surprises like bustling bazaars, mosques, palaces, extravagant houses. The architecture is predominant Arab but blended with local, Indian and European features.
History is alive
There are a number of historical sites around the island worth visiting such as Mbweni Palace, the ruins of Mvuleni, the Shirazi Mosque and Maruhubi Palace.
Spice Tours
Visit the various spice and fruit plantations. See how cloves, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, rambutan, iodine plant, breadfruit, jackfruit, five-star fruit, vanilla and lemongrass are growing.
Jozani Forest
Some 24km south-east of Zanzibar town between Chwaka and Uzi bays, Jozani Forest is located. A nature reserve for the rare red colobus monkey, two antelope species and the Zanzibar duiker and sunni.
The beaches are a paradise
Brillant white beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and take a break from sightseeing. Zanzibar is reputed to have some of the very best diving spots in the world. Good visibility and a year-round average water temperature of 27°C ensure that you enjoy yourself.
Getting there
Zanzibar lies 35 km off the Tanzanian coast in the Indian Ocean between Middle East and Asia. You can reach the island by international and domestic flight or by boat. There are ferries, catamarans or hydrofoils from Dar es Salaam.
.jpg)
.jpg)
