Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island
ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.
The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect for wading; and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists.
Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.
The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect for wading; and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists.
THE HISTORICAL STONE TOWN TOUR
Our tour includes a visit to the town market, the old slave market, the National Museum, High Court, Slave Chambers, House of Wonders, Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace, Livingstone’s House, and the Former English Gentleman’s Club.
Travel back in time to historic Stone Town; as you wander amongst the souk-like alleys you will see a fusion of Omani, Persian, African, and European cultures. Children apeer from behind ornate carved studded teak doors; tread where explorers Livingstone, Speke and Burton once walked. From the ancient steady mosques to the tiny stalls selling crafts, antiques, clothes, bags, jewelry, sculptures, paintings and material…. Mingle in the markets weaving between piles of Zanzibar’s famous spices: cardamom, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, and of course cloves
JOZANI FOREST TOUR
The forest, 35km southeast of the capital Stone Town, is the island’s only remaining complete forest.
With evergreen thickets, mangrove boardwalks, succulents, and broadleaf varieties, the forest is a botanist’s delight. Jozani Forest has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with a huge variety of wildlife in and around the forest. There are large troops of the rare endemic Red Colobus Monkeys (Procolobus kirkii) one of the most endangered monkey species in the world.
Just down the road is the pioneering Zanzibar Butterfly Centre. Providing income for local farmers – who previously relied on mangoes and were over-farming the forest- this small but delightful center provides pupae to butterfly collectors globally. It generates valuable sustainable income for the farmers and re-skills them. Next door is the Zala conservation park, private conservation, and education project, with details of the indigenous animals of the region. A small contribution is required on the entrance to both places. The best times to visit are early morning or dusk, and the forest is at its most abundant between May- July, and December – January
HALF DAY SPICE TOUR
Zanzibar has always been an important trade location for Spices. Its location in the India Ocean was deemed ideal for the spice trade worldwide. The trade-in spices between India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe became even more important to the economy of Zanzibar after the slave trade was made illegal.
Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer you a chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous. You will learn about the uses of the different spices, their history on the island, how they grow and best of all be able to taste them, you can buy them directly from the farms.
This tour is not about to identify countless types of spices only, but there are more to discover other than spices. During the tour you will also encounter a selection of tropical fruits depending on the season try some of these such as the wonderful coconut with its refreshing milk and sweet flesh or the exotic Rambutan.
The spice tour guides will also teach you about the many other uses both cosmetic and medicinal for spices and herbs seen at the farms like the shampoo plant or the iodine plant.
Zanzibar has always been an important trade location for Spices. Its location in the India Ocean was deemed ideal for the spice trade worldwide. The trade-in spices between India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe became even more important to the economy of Zanzibar after the slave trade was made illegal.
Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer you a chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous. You will learn about the uses of the different spices, their history on the island, how they grow and best of all be able to taste them, you can buy them directly from the farms.
This tour is not about to identify countless types of spices only, but there are more to discover other than spices. During the tour you will also encounter a selection of tropical fruits depending on the season try some of these such as the wonderful coconut with its refreshing milk and sweet flesh or the exotic Rambutan.
The spice tour guides will also teach you about the many other uses both cosmetic and medicinal for spices and herbs seen at the farms like the shampoo plant or the iodine plant.
PRISON ISLAND HALF DAY TOUR
Travel to Prison Island, known locally as Changuu, for a tour of this tropical wonderland. The island’s most famous inhabitant, a 192-year-old tortoise The Island was originally used as a Prison then later it was turned into a quarantine station for British Army. Although a newer prison was later built on the island it was never used. The Island has sandy beaches and is covered in lush vegetation making it a perfect habit for Island and sea birds. The surrounding sea offers some lovely opportunities with beautiful coral formations.
The island is perfect for nature lovers. The Island's most famous inhabitants are the giant tortoisesm192 years old. Originally the Prison Island tortoises were brought from Aldabra in Seychelles to help increase the conservation efforts by starting a new breeding population.
What to do: See the giant land tortoises of Prison Island, or Changuu Island, on a half-day trip from Zanzibar, with time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. It will take you a 30minutes boat ride from Stone Town, Prison Island has a beautiful beach, clean water. Both morning and afternoon departures to Prison Island are available. and the tour includes hotel transfers and all entrance fees. Visit unspoiled island that’s close to Stone Town See giant land tortoises.
MANGAPWANI SLAVE CAVES TOUR
Zanzibar, with its strategic and geographic location East of Tanzania, has been receiving guests, invaders, and traders for thousands of years. Since the abolition of the Slave Trade in the late 19th century (though it continued illegally for years after) clove export is at the heart of Zanzibar’s enterprise. The Mangapwani Slaves Chambers were used for storing hundreds of slaves during the illegal period, awaiting the monsoon period and the arrival of the dhows to be shipped away from their homes. After visiting the caves you will have time to relax on the golden sands of the beach.
