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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. |
Travel
Tips |
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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 Banks & Money
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ZANZIBAR
EXCURSIONS |
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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 |
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. |
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Adventure
Afloat 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. |
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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. |
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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 HOTELS’ LOCATIONS ON THE
ZANZIBAR ISLAND West Coast Hotels: North Coast Hotels: North East Coast Hotels: East Coast Hotels: |
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