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Zanzibar Island is 95 kilometers long and 35 kilometers from the Tanzania
mainland. Few countries in the world equal Zanzibar's long white sandy
beaches leading to warm aquamarine water that provides the back drop for
excellent snorkeling and diving. With a history steeped in the slave trade
and as an important trading post for cloves and spices, the island is a
popular tourist destination.
Zanzibar's old quarter, Stone Town, is a fascinating maze of narrow streets
and alleyways which lead past numerous old houses and mosques, ornate
palaces, shops and bazaars.
Many buildings in Stone Town date from the 15th century slave boom.
Beaches
Zanzibar's beaches are equally splendid and the perfect place to relax after
exploring one or two of the mainland national parks or the Kilimanjaro trek.
Zanzibar has a large number of breath-taking beaches. And with the island
surrounded by crystal blue water, there are many opportunities to dive,
snorkel, swim or just relax on the beach.
Zanzibar is known throughout the world as the jewel of the Indian Ocean. It
has a romantic and
colourful
history of seafarers and explorers spending time here along with a history
and with the dark stain of slavery.
This was once the trading centre for the whole East African area, Zanzibar
attracted the following great traders Sumerians, Assyrians, Phoenicians,
plus the Arabs, Chinese and Malays. The great
explorers, Burton, Speke, Livingstone, and Krapf
continued their journeys from these shores.
A walk through the narrow, twisting streets of the Stone Town plunges you
straight into the past. The houses here are over 150 years old and
constructed from the Island’s coral stones. Built by Arabs and Indian
merchants in the nineteen century, this is the only functioning historical
city in East Africa.
A spice tour is a specialty of Zanzibar and it involves a walk in the
western and central regions of island through plantations, private gardens
and forests. There are over 50 different spices and fruits like cinnamon,
pepper, pimentos, ginger, tamarind, and coconut to sample and to buy.
The clear sandy beaches, plus swimming with Dolphins in the south coast at
Kizimkazi are a must and also the playful Red Colobus monkeys in the
Jozani
forest in Central Zanzibar should not be missed.
Snorkelling
and scuba diving on the North Coast
(Nungwi)
adds in to the beauty and adventure of Zanzibar.
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