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About
Zanzibar
Zanzibar, a part of the United Republic
of Tanzania, is a series of many islands, the main ones being
Unguja and Pemba. The more populated of the two main islands,
Unguja, is better known as Zanzibar Island and is home to
Stone Town (also known as Zanzibar Town or Zanzibar City),
a historic, bustling city of narrow alleyways and stone coral
buildings.
In addition to the two main islands, there are many other
islands and islets in the Zanzibar archipelago which stretches
from the top of Pemba to the south point of Unguja
For a small island in the southern waters of the Indian Ocean,
Zanzibar has a long and unexpected history. Easily accessible
for the people of the African mainland, the Zanzibar islands
are believed to have been settled first by Africans, some
three to four thousand years ago. Centuries later the island
began a history of hosting foreigners from Egypt, Greece,
Persia, Arabia, India, China and Europe.
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Travel
Tips |
Geography
& Climate
Zanzibar is a few degrees south of the equator and enjoys
a tropical climate that is largely dominated by the Indian
Ocean monsoons. The kasikazi winds are from the north and
occur in the winter months bringing the short rains. The long
rains, arrive in March and last until late May or June every
year. January through March is generally hot and dry with
little rainfall.
July through October are ideal months for visiting Zanzibar
because the average temperature is 25 C, the air is dry and
breezy and there is little rainfall.
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Festivals & Events
Tradition, culture, music and sports are just a few of the
subjects covered by Zanzibar's wide selection of Festivals
and Events. Among others are famous Mwaka Kogwa festival,
Zanzibar Marathon and Triathlon, Zanzibar Festival of the
Dhow countries, Sauti za Busara music awards and other religious
festivals
Embassies
There are a small number of consulates in Zanzibar but the
capital city of Dar-es-Salaam is where you need to go if you
wish to consult an embassy. Incase of passport loss you will
be required to visit the Ministry of the Interior in Zanzibar
to prepare temporary travel documents to get off the island.
Banks & Money
In the last few years Zanzibar has opened up dramatically
to the free world, resulting in some changes in the rules
for tourists and currency. Clients are no longer required
to carry large sum of hard currency for every purchase. Travelers’
Cheques and credit cards are accepted at major hotels and
some restaurants and boutique shops
There are also a number of Foreign exchange centers and banks
available within Town
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ZANZIBAR
EXCURSIONS |
Stone Town Tour
Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar.
Very little has changed in the last 200 years. A Guided tour
to see the former slave market site, fish market, Sultan Palace,
House of Wonders, Old Arab Fort, National Museum, Catholic
Cathedral and many amazing scenery. You can spend many idle
hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth
of narrow streets and alleyways, bustling bazaars, mosques
and grand old Arab houses and Palaces. A half day visit that
will take you to experience the unforgettable ambiance and
workmanship particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved,
wooden doors all over Town with more than 500 different examples
of this handiwork.
Stone Town was recently deservedly declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO.
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Spice
Tour
A Spice tour takes you to local farmlands in the central parts
of Zanzibar where there is abundance of vegetation. You will
be introduced to most of Zanzibar's grown spices and other
exotic seasonal fruits. Clients will also have a great opportunity
to meet indigenous population in their traditional African
dwellings. Many spices planted on the islands were introduced
from different countries like Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Seychelles
due to the high fertility of soil.
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Among
the spices grown are cloves (huge production), cardamom, cinnamon,
ginger root, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper and chili, also common
exotic fruits such as, jackfruit, durian, custard apple, mangoustine,
star fruit, tangerine and varieties of mango species
The tour includes a stop at Livingstone House and Maruhubi
Palace Ruins for a little piece of history. Transfer back
to your hotel at the end of the tour.
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Zanzibar Exclusive
The tour takes you from your hotel to the former slave market
site, a guided visit of the old church and slave chambers.
Afterwards drive north of the island for a visit of the
busy Mkokotoni fish market and dhow harbor. Leisurely photographing.
Early afternoon proceed to Nungwi village with a brief stop
at Fukuchani ruins. Here a guided visit to the dhow construction
yard and Swahili village followed by lunch at one of the
local restaurants.
Rest of the day is spent at leisure on the white pristine
beaches of Nungwi. Return to your hotel at the end of the
tour.
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Jozani
Forest
A Half day guided tour of nature trails and mangrove swamp.
Home to the family of rare specie of red colobus monkey and
few dikdik population. The monkeys are highly endangered,
numbering around 1,500. The Forest contains about 100 tree
species from a total of 43 families. It has a gazetted area
of over 2512 hectors that includes the whole ground water
forest, coral rag forest and salt marsh area. The area together
with the adjacent Chwaka Bay forest have recently been converted
into a reserve known as Jozani Chwaka Conservation Area. A
little paradise for nature enthusiasts. |
Adventure
Afloat
Full day sailing excursion from the fishing village of Fumba,
aboard traditional motorized dhows. Clients are picked from
the hotel to arrive at the coastal village within Menai Bay
Conservation area. The bay has a number of beautiful uninhabited
islands and sandbanks frequently visited by humpback and bottlenose
dolphins. Professional guides are responsible to give briefings
and life jacket demo before the start of the tour.
Set off to explore the Menai Bay coral reef
on a first stop. Coconut drink provided on a sandbank after
the snorkeling session.
Later embark on the dhows to another sand
bank for barbeque lunch.
Lunch is a traditional Zanzibari buffet including grilled
fish, lobster, calamari, chicken and variety of coconut sauces,
vegetarian recipes served under the fixed shaded tents.
Also on the menu is a gastronomic selection of seasonal fruits,
soft drinks and beers.
Later in the afternoon sail through the beautiful lagoon and
mangrove forest using local outrigger canoes “ngalawa”.
Return to Fumba shore by sail as sun begins to set.
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Prison
Island
This is a half day tour on motorized boat departing from Stone
Town waterfront.
Also known as Changuu, the island was originally used by Arab
rulers as a detention centre for disobedient slaves. In 1893,
a prison was built here but instead it was used as a quarantine
station for the whole of East Africa. It is endowed with natural
attractive features observed while on a guided walks around
the island.
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Apart
from the ruins of the old prison, there is a large population
of protected giant tortoises, brought from Seychelles in the
18th century. The island has a restaurant and small coral
reef for snorkeling and is popular with day trippers from
a number of Stone Town Hotels. |
Chumbe Marine Park
Accessed using a motorized boat from any Stone Town Hotel,
a full day trip is just the ideal option.
Chumbe Island is situated eight miles off the coast of Zanzibar
main Island. It is a small uninhabited island dominated by
coral rag forest and bordered, on its western shore, by a
fringing coral reef of exceptional bio-diversity and beauty.
Chumbe Island was gazetted as a Reef Sanctuary by the Government
of Zanzibar in 1994 with minimum and controlled vessel movements.
Well trained rangers conduct all the excursions with great
efficiency and knowledge.
Lunch is included on the tour and is served on the island’s
only eco- friendly lodge.
Mangapwani Caves
A short drive from your hotel to Mangapwani village famous
for its coconut and clove plantations. Because of location,
the tour is recommended for clients staying in Stone Town
or as an en route visit to north east hotels.
Visit the coconut plantations to see cultivation, processing
and consumption. Also included is a visit to slave caves and
chambers
Barbecue lunch is served at a beach restaurant.
Rest of the day, relax on the beautiful sandy beach with optional
sailing, kayaking and snorkeling.
HOTELS’ LOCATIONS ON THE ZANZIBAR
ISLAND
Stone Town Hotels:
Zanzibar Serena Inn, Tembo Hotel, Dhow Palace Hotel, Chavda Hotel, etc.
West Coast Hotels:
Mtoni Marine, Mbweni Ruins Hotel, Zanzibar Beach Resort, etc.
North Coast Hotels:
Mnarani Cottages, Flame Tree Cottages, Nungwi Beach Village, Z Hotel, etc.
North East Coast Hotels:
Shooting Star, Matemwe Beach Village, Ocean Paradise Resort, etc.
East Coast Hotels:
Zanzibar Safari Club, Pongwe Hotel, etc.
South East Coast Hotels:
Karafuu Hotel, Hakuna Majiwe Beach Hotel, Sultan Palace, etc. |
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