ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Is an island with 1,658 sq km and its sister Pemba Island 985 sq km.
Zanzibar evokes dreams of romance and mystery the reality will not disappoint the traveler bored mass tourism and seeking enlightening and enjoyable holiday.
Zanzibar is beach lovers’ paradise, with tranquil, warm tropical water and many miles of beautiful sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Zanzibar’s colorfully history is a saga of travelers and traders, raiders and colonizers. To its shore came Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Malays, Persians, Portuguese, Arabs, Dutch and British, each leaving behind the legacy of their stay.
Places to visit:
Beit-el-ajaib (house of wonders) : built in 1883 by sultan Bargash and is the tallest building in stone town facing the sea with pillars fretted balconies and intricately carved doors.
Stone town: is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 yrs. It’s the place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arabs houses whose extravagance is reflected in their brass-studded, carved wooden doors.
National Museum: collection of history and culture of Zanzibar.
Livingstone House: where Scottish explored lived for 3 months
Old Dispensary: foundation stone was laid in Queen Victoria Jubilee year.
Old Fort: site was established in the 16th century by Portuguese as trading depot and later erected as church.
Hamamni baths: Persian style bath build in end of 19th century by Sultan Bargash.
Cathedral church: built in 1879
Spice tours: see the various spices and fruits: clove, cardamon, cinnamon, nutmeg, star fruit, custard apple, tangerine, pineapple, banana.
Jozani Forest Reserve: located 35 kms south east from the city, with area of 10 sq kms, whose thick forest, with trees over 100 yrs old and with the last remaining of sanctuaries of the red colobus monkeys.
Changuu or Prison Island: was built in 1893 and was used to contain awkward slaves and a jail, but never used. Today the island famous inhabitants are giant tortoise and are popular place to swim, a stroll or a picnic.
Dolphin Tours: found at north of the island and chances of watching them is 85% in their natural habitant. The most commonly seen dolphins are bottled nose and spinner dolphins.
Water Sports: The beeches are paradise as people live simple way of life, unchanged through the years, which facilitates water namely: sports fishing, snorkeling, diving. Places like Fuji beach and Chuini beach (south of Zanzibar town), Pongwe , Bwejuu and Jambiani ( south eastern coast) offers a facilities for a range for water sports. Kiwengwe, Uroa , Matemwe and Mapenzi (north east coast ) with the wide stretches of uncrowded sands offers opportunity to explore the underwater world.
BEST TO KNOW IN ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa.
Once the capital city of Oman in the early 19th Century under the Sultanate of Sultan Seyyid
Popularly known as “The Spice Island” due to the farming of vital spices on the island i.e. cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc
Was once, one of the main hub of the slave trade
The famous Stone Town of Zanzibar – a Unessco World Heritage Site
Pristine beaches and sandy coastline
Vibrant historical and cultural presence, historical monuments showcasing Portuguese, Arab, European culture. Some can be dated back to the 12th century AD.
