Just the name, Zanzibar, evokes dreams of romance and mystery and the reality will not disappoint the traveller bored with mass tourism and seeking an enlightening and enjoyable holiday experience.
Zanzibar -the name includes the main island Unguja, and its sister island Pemba- has for centuries attracted seafarers and adventurers from around the world. Now it welcomes a new generation of explorers, those who have come to marvel at the rich heritage, reflected in the architecture and the culture of the people.
It is where Arabia meets the Africa. Visit Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town, where the Sultans once ruled. Relax on one of 25 dazzling white, palm-fringed beaches, where the azure water of the Indian Ocean beckon swimmers, divers, fishermen and water sports enthusiasts alike. Breathe in the fragrant scents of cloves, Vanilla, Cardamom and Nutmeg, and discover why Zanzibar is called the Spices Island. Explore the forests, with the their rare flora and fauna. Or visit some of the ancient, archaeological sites.
Spend a few days here after a Safari on the African mainland or, better still allocate a week or two and immerse yourself in the Magic that is Zanzibar.

A MELTING POT OF CULTURES

Zanzibar’s colourful history is a Saga of travellers and traders, raiders and colonisers. Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Malays, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Dutch and the British, each leaving behind a legacy of their stay.
From the island the great European explorers - Burton, Speke, Living stone, Stanley - set off for their voyages of discovery into the great African hinterland

THE BEACHES

Brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and take a break from some busy sightseeing.
Modern resorts nestle in the shade of coconut palms, providing comfortable retreats. The beaches area is a paradise. Here are picturesque fishing villages where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged though the years.
Just south of Zanzibar Town are Fuji Beach and Chuini Beach, which both offer facilities for a ranger of water sports, while to the north there is Mangapwani where the noise is likely to be the sound of the ocean.
On the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, where visitors can watch fisherman’s boats being built here or swim in the coral lagoons.
On Zanzibar’s north-east cost are the beaches of Matemwe, Mapenzi, Kiwenga and Uroa, with their wide stretches of uncrowned sand and opportunities to explore the underwater world. Other well- developed- Pingwe, Bwejuu and Jambian are to be found on the south eastern Cost. As well as water sports there are also opportunities for fishing or for observing the activities of the local fishermen.

STONE TOWN

The 4 hrs guided tour begins and ends up at your hotel. A walking or drive to the city market (opened 1904) where you could see and buy tropical fruits and spices. You will also feel the pulse of Zanzibar and hear different dialects being spoken by the people at the market. From there we proceed to the Anglican Church of Christ built by Bishop Steers in 1874 on the site of old slave market. You will see tiny and dingy room where slaves were kept (Slave Chambers) before reaching the auction table in the Old slave market. You will then be driven or walk (optional) to National Museum of Zanzibar (opened 1925) to see many interesting relics from the time of the Sultans and the early Explorers.
Then a drive along the beach road up to Forodhani Gardens where you will see the Old British Consulate (the house where the body of the late Dr. Livingstone was kept before being sent to Britain), the Arab Fort built (1700), the House of Wonders (built in 1883) National Museum of Zanzibar, High Court Building, Old German Consulate, Africa House - (former English Club) Tip Tip House, Kelele Square, Orphanage Home, Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens, Sultan Palace (Palace Museum) former French Hotel in Zanzibar, Custom House, Old Harbor are among the topics of this Stone Town Tour.

SPICE TOUR

A spice Tour is a great way to explore the island and to understand why Zanzibar is referred to as the “Spice Island”. Tropical fruits, spices and other rare species of plants are among the different vegetation to be seen in this guided tour. You could taste the different spices straight from the ground and guess what they are : cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black peppers, roots gingers ,vanilla sticks, lemon grass, nutmeg and many others.
This 3hrs guided tour begins and ends up at your hotel via Kidichi Village, to view the Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan (first Sultan of Zanzibar) for his wife Princess Shehrzard (grand daughter of Fateh Ali Shah of Persia). At Kizimbani Village visit of Spice Farms to smell spices and taste tropical fruits like jack fruit, bread fruit, pineapples, bananas, coconut mangos, malay apples, etc. Rare plants such as henna bush, and Ylang lang (perfume tree), anator (lipstick tree).

PRISON ISLAND

Enjoy the visit of the small isle off the Western Coast of Zanzibar. This half-day guided tour begins and ends up at your hotel. This historical Island, formerly owned by an Arab and used for the confinement of refractory slaves, was bought by General Mathews and the jail (goal) which still stands was built in 1893 : hence the name "PRISON ISLAND".
One time a quarantine station for East African Territory, today Prison Island is one of the Tourist Resort. There are new Constructing Hotel, also bar and restaurant, infrastructures for tourism. It is an ideal place to swim, sunbath and snorkel. Giant Tortoises can be seen at Prison Island.

Accommodation in Zanzibar Stone Town

Accommodation on Zanzibar beaches