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Zanzibar is made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets located just off the coast of Tanzania...The islands are characterized by long sandy beaches, coral reefs, lush forests, white-washed buildings and a unique blend of African, Arab and Indian culture created by the diverse people who have settled here over the last 1000 years...Easily reached from the mainland, Zanzibar makes the perfect end to your safari to Tanzania!
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The islands of Zanzibar were once the eastern gateway to Africa...The earliest visitors were Arab traders in the 8th century who brought with them Islam and returned home with ivory, spices and slaves...Under their ownership, plantations of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, cumin, ginger and cardamom flourished in the tropical climate and Zanzibar became known as the "spice islands"...A sultan from what was Persia (now Iran) arrived with his followers in 975 A.D. and the mixing between them and the local Africans gave rise to our language of Swahili...Indian traders also settled here and the legacy of all these early visitors is shown today in the culture and architecture of the islands.
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The main attractions of Zanzibar are the north coast, east coast, Jozani Forest Reserve, the spice plantations and the town of Zanzibar itself...A visit to each of the coasts usually takes a full day apiece and a full day can be spent in and around Zanzibar town...Three days is a good start for experiencing what Zanzibar has to offer and many people stay longer.
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Around Zanzibar there are several small offshore islands ideal for day-trips...Changu (or Prison) island is the most popular with tourists because it's only a short trip from Stone Town...Other islands near Stone Town are Chapwani, Chumbe and Bawe...Kizimkazi is situated on the southern point of Zanzibar, and is home to several schools of bottle-nosed dolphins which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village...If your lucky, you may be able to swim close to the dolphins!..Kizimkazi is also the site of the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa, and is worth a visit for both natural and cultural reasons.
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Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar Town and the cultural heart of the islands...Here little has changed in the past couple of centuries and as a matter of policy all the major hotels in Stone Town are housed in renovated buildings helping to maintain the ambiance...Stone Town is filled with narrow streets and alleys formed by houses built with coraline rock and adjourned with massive wooden doors...There are many interesting sites to visit here and one of our favorites is the central market...Started in the early 1900's, it remains a focal point for many of the people who live here.
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The Jozani Natural Forest Reserve is located in the center of the island where the soil is deep enough to support a thick and lush rainforest...Jozani is home to the rare Red Colobus Monkey and a few of the troops have been habituated to man allowing for some close up viewing...The Reserve has an excellent nature trail and the guides are informative and friendly. It's located on the road between Zanzibar Town and the east coast and is well worth a visit.
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A coral reef protects the powdery soft sand of Zanzibar's long east coast...Sprinkled with sea shells, the beachs of Chwaka, Uroa, Paje and Jambiani are lined with palm trees and little else...Our favorite town is Bwejuu Dere which offers simple accomodations and the finest beach of them all.....
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At the northern tip of Zanzibar island is the town of Nungwi which offers variety of watersports and a fully equipped dive center specializing in trips to the Mnemba Atoll...A turtle sanctuary has been built where injured turtles and other marine animals are nursed back to health before being released back into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.