Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Introduction to Zanzibar
Zanzibar Island is part of Tanzania as a country and is an insular autonomous region composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago found in the Indian Ocean, the Zanzibar Archipelago lies approximately 2.5 – 50 kilometers off the coast of the mainland.
Zanzibar is made up of 2 large islands that are Unguja and Pemba Island, Ugunja Island is the main island and is often referred to as Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Island is also referred to as The Spice Island due to the spice farming taking place on the island, the island is one of the largest exporters of spices in the world and has large spice plantations. Some of the notable spices grown in Zanzibar include cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper.
Zanzibar Island is one of the most safari destinations on the African continent for beach holidays, this beautiful tropical beach destination is loved by a number of visitors because of its white sand beaches and extremely mind-blowing water activities such as snorkeling and diving in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. From the reviews of travelers, Zanzibar can only be compared Mauritius, The Maldives and the Seychelles.
Attractions in Zanzibar
Zanzibar as an island is an attraction itself and same goes to other islands making up the Zanzibar Archipelago, while on a tropical beach holiday to Zanzibar visiting these islands will make your holiday more memorable and worth every penny.
Zanzibar Islands
Pemba Island
This beautiful island offers a rare into the untouched island and offers endless water activates such as scuba diving and snorkeling. Though Pemba Island is beautiful, its beaches are not as good as Zanzibar Islands. Pemba Island offers a fabulous authentic Island experience.
Mafia Island
Mafia Island is a very spectacular island known for its scenic diving experiences and is famously known for being a home to the biggest fish in the world that is the mighty Whale sharks.
On a visit to Mafia Island, there are amazing activities to do including snorkeling with whales, this makes the island a sought after destination for underwater explorers.
Mnemba Island
Mnemba Island is a luxurious and exclusive private island owned by &Beyond, the island offers the most spoiling beach experience, it has only one lodge and is only accessed by visitors of &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge.
At the island, guests enjoy the best of the bright white beaches in the whole of Zanzibar Archipelago and luxury at its most personalized and authentic at the elegant beach lodge.
ZANZBAR BEACHES
Zanzibar is a tropical paradise with some of the world’s most idyllic beaches, Zanzibar beaches stretch for miles from the northern tip of the island along the east coast and they are fringed with palm trees. Some of Zanzibar beaches include Nungwi beach, Kendwa Beach, Pongwe Beach, Paje beach, Kizimkazi beach, Jambiani beach, Bwejju beach among others.
Zanzibar beaches have perfect beach lodges and resorts to accommodate visitors of the island and offer exciting water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, and swimming among others.
The Idyllic beaches are one of the top reasons to why travelers visit Zanzibar Island.
Stone Town
The Stone Town is a historical town, the heart of Zanzibar and a capital town of the island, the town features bewildering maze of streets and alleyways forming the western tip of Zanzibar Town.
Stone Town has narrow streets which take you back in time when you get lost in them, the Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its wide range of architectural styles, eclectic collection of languages and the tastes, smells and sights of various cultures including Asian, Arabs, Africa and European.
The Stone Town was a trading center for over 2,000 years and it oozes history from every part of it.
HISTORY OF ZANZIBAR
Originally, Zanzibar was a home to the Bantu people. By 700 AD the first Muslims arrived and settled on the shores of the island as the Arabs sailed in from the gulf for trade purposes. The coming of the Arabs laid a basis for the Swahili Culture we known today on Zanzibar Island.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese took over the control of the island and their rule lasted for about 200 years, even in the Portuguese rule, Zanzibar’s culture remained strong. From the end of the 17th century, Zanzibar was under the rule of the Sultans of Oman – an elite Arab class. In this period, the trade of ivory and species flourished on the island and it was established as a main trading port for the East African slave trade. Up to today, traumatizing history of slave trade is still visible on Zanzibar Island and can be witnessed in a museum and various monuments in Stone Town.
In 1890, Zanzibar was annexed as a British protectorate was put under the leadership of the British, on behalf of the British puppet governors were put in place to rule the island until a sultan was appointed. This was deemed unsuitable by the British which lead to the Anglo – Zanzibar War known as The Shortest War in History which lasted for only 38 minutes, in this war the British destroyed the Beit al Hujum palace before a quick ceasefire on 17th August 1896.
In 1963, Zanzibar Island was granted independence from Britain. This occasion was followed by the Zanzibar Revolution which resulted into death of thousand locals and the aftermath was the formation of the Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba. Shortly after, Zanzibar and Pemba were linked to the mainland Tanzania know as Tanganyika then. Today, Zanzibar is a semi – autonomous region of Tanzania and terraces of centuries of curious tradesmen and cultures can be found in Stone Town’s rustic walls.
Travelers to Zanzibar, can learn about the history of the island by going on a tour with a local guide. During this experience, you will learn more about the dramatic history of the island as you visit museums and the former sultan’s Palace in Stone Town.
Other more recent historical sites to visit in Zanzibar include the childhood home of Freddie Mercury found in Stone Town, though the entering the building is not allowed. Visitors can see and explore the surrounding of the town giving them a glimpse into the early life of the global rock star.
Other amazing sites to explore in Zanzibar include The Spice Island, Jozani Forest and The Prison Island among others.
FOOD IN ZANZIBAR
Food is another adventurous experience of its own right in Zanzibar and is a very interesting excursion for visitors seeking for an ultimate fine dining experience on their holiday. There are various beach hotels and resort on Zanzibar Island serving mouthwatering seafood which includes fresh pawns, octopus, tuna, crab and salty delicacy you can imagine on Zanzibar Island. The island’s home dishes include Pizzas which are available for less adventurous visitors, to enjoy an ultimate fine dining experience Xanadu is the best resort to visit. Xanadu Hotel is a home to an ex- Michelin star chef , at the island breakfast, lunch and dinner is always an occasion.
The indigenous cuisine of the island is referred to as The Zanzibar Cuisine which is greatly influenced by the Arabic and a mixture of home – grown spices, though this cuisine may not be what the visitors of island long for in the heat. It is filled with an explosion of flavor and freshness. Sea food is always included on the menus of most beach resorts, hotels and restaurants found on the island.
Most of the meals can be go from hotels and restaurants, menus are changed on a daily basis and are always delicious. One of the most famous places to eat on Zanzibar Island is The Rock Restaurant – perched on a tiny island jist off the East Cost of the Island, the restaurant offers dining with a twist on a rock in the middle of the sea and is also one of the most instagramed sites on the island.
In the Stone Town, you can food experiences as you wander through the sea front stalls and drinking coconut milk straight from the fruit, Emmerson’s Roof Top Café is another fantastic dining spot with a fantastic atmosphere as it is set on the rooftop of a rustic hotel.
HOW TO GET TO ZANZIBAR
Flying to Zanzibar
There are domestic flights flying to Zanzibar International airport from all airports of Tanzania, there are also flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport in Mombasa to Zanzibar. Flights to Zanzibar are offered by several flight carriers including Air Excel, Air Tanzania, Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, Flydubai, KLM (SkyTeam), Oman Air, Precision Air, Regional Air, Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance), Utair Express and Zanair.
From Zanzibar Airport, taxis for hire are available to transfer you to your hotel or resort.
Boarding a ferry
There is a ferry operating daily routes between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, the ferry runs from 04:00 am to 12:00 pm and from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar it is a journey of 70 minutes, the ferry station is located in downtown Dar es Salaam. These ferries have both class and economy class sections.
GETTING AROUND ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar Island is a relatively small island thus making it easy to move around it from North to South which is a drive of approximately 2 hours, taxis are commonly used to get around the island. Travelers are advised to book their trips around the island through a beach hotel or a tour operator as they offer transportation around the island as part of the Holiday Package.
Transportation options around Zanzibar include
Dala – Dala
Dala – dala are jeepney- style vehicles converted to carry around 20 people, taking a dala – dala is an experience of its own, though the vehicle might be alittle cramped and uncomfortable. From the Stone Town, you can take a dala – dala to the North and from Darajani Market to the South.
Note: there is no time table for the dala – dalas and to board one, it requires you to ask the locals. However, keep a keen eye on some touts as they attempt to rip you off by asking for your fare beforehand and take a significantly higher fee.
Taxi
Taxis are available and they can be booked at major tourist hotspots in Zanzibar such as hotels and at the airport, you can also book your trip with a tour operator such as Petnah Africa Tours and Travel who will offer you a private driver throughout your holiday.
Car/motorbike rental
If you wish to explore the island in a more private way by yourself, renting a car or a motorbike is the best option. Booking a motor bike in Zanzibar is easy as you do not necessary need to have a license, however you will need one when renting a car.
On Foot
If you are an adventurous traveler, you can choose to get around most parts of the islands such as the Stone Town on foot.
WHEN TO VISIT ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar Island can be visited all year-round, however the best time of the year to visit is during the dry season. Zanzibar Island and Tanzania as a whole experiences its first dry season from December to March and the second one from July to October, in these periods temperatures tend to be around 30-33 degrees Celsius. Also there tends to be no rain on the island.
The period of December to March experience the most humid as the island explodes into rain in April and May which is the long rainy season.
Note: travelers are advised not to travel to Zanzibar in the rainy season period of April and May, the short rain fall in November though they are less predictable and long rains fall between October and December. Even in the rainy season, Zanzibar remains sunny with only a few afternoon showers in November which is a low season and the rates are relatively low.
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Just like Tanzania and Kenya, the main languages spoken on Zanzibar Island is Swahili and English. However, Swahili is the most spoken language by the locals that is why travelers intending to visit Zanzibar are advised to learn a few important words from Swahili.
English is also widely spoken by staff in hotels, resorts and those operating tour and travel companies. Zanzibar Island is greatly influenced by the Arabs and it is witnessed by the big Muslim population on the island. The influence of Islam is marked by morning and evening calls for prayer which can be heard in Stone Town, travelers of the island are advised to respect the culture of the island and dress appropriately when outside of their beach hotels and resorts.
Swahil way of life at the island is tangible and the island has rich and proud culture attracting a large numbers of travelers each year.
For communication purposes and blending in with the local easily with the locals, it is important to learn some of the useful phases of in Swahili language.
USEFUL PHRASES IN SWAHILI LANGUAGE
- Jambo – Hello
- Asante – Thank you
- Asante sana – Thank you very much
- Habari gani – How are you?
- Baadaye – See you later
- Kwa heri – Goodbye
- Lala salama– Goodnight
- Nafurahi kukuona – Nice to meet you
- Ndiyo – Yes
- Napana – No
- Tafadhali – Please
- Sawa – Okay
- Jina laku nani – What is your name?
- Jina langu ni – My name is
- Rafiki – Friend
- Maji – Water
Accommodation in Zanzibar
There is a wide range of accommodations on Zanzibar Island ranging from authentic beach lodges to 5 star hotels, accommodation options on the island enable all travelers to get a decent place to stay at regardless of their budget. The best and most luxurious accommodations on the island are found in Mnemba Private Island, there are also elegant bandas which are scattered along the pristine beaches of the island.
Mnemba Island is a simply stunning private island owned by &Beyond and has only luxury hotels and beach resorts.
Accommodation options (Beach lodges and hotels) on Zanzibar Island include Fundu Lagoon, Manta Resort, Fumba Beach Lodge and Mnemba Island Lodge, Kilindi Zanzibar, Matemwe Retreat, Zuri Zanzibar, The residence Zanzibar, The Aiyana Pemba, Matemwe Lodge, The Manta Resort, &Beyond Mnemba, Essque Zalu Zanzibar, Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort, Tulia Zanzibar, Sunny House Paje II, Tsunami Village, Green’s Nungwi, Tembo House, Flamingo Guesthouse , Bottons Up Hotel, Princess Salme Inn, New Teddy’s on the beach, Nyumbani Residence, Shanuo Beach Bungalows, Golden Palm Boutique Zanzibar, Spice palace Hotel, Ras Michamvi Beach Resort among other
