Zanzibar
Zanzibar Stone Town
The Zanzibar Stone Town is about 150 years old covering an area of 96 hectares of residence, gardens and bazaar streets. It is physical evidence of the rich cultural heritage from Arabs, Indians and Europeans combined with the local African tradition. The Central Market (1904), the Anglican Church (built on the site of the former slave market), the old Arab fort, the Palace Museum, the House of Wonders (built in 1883 by Sultan Bargash) and the Livingstone House. A walk along the narrow lanes of the Stone Town gives you an opportunity to see some splendid artifacts like miniature samples of the famous Arab doors and chests with their studded brass decorations.
"Spice Island"
The famous spices, such as cardamom, connamon, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg and many others are grown here. Also to be seen and tasted are different kinds of tropical fruits such as durian, Zanzibar apples (tufah) drupes (coconut) rambutans (lychees) and many others, not forgetting rare plants like the Henna, Perfume tree and Lipstick trees, e.t.c. The spice tour includes visits to some historical places such as Persian Baths at Kidichi built in 1850 by the first Sultan of Zanzibar Sayyid Said bin Sultan, for his Persian wife and Princess Shehzad, grand daughter of the famous Fateh Ali the then Shah of Persia. You will get the chance to visit Mangapwani Slave Caves.
The Jozani Forest situated 35 km Southeast of Zanzibar Town is the only remaining natural forest in UNGUJA ISLAND. A visit to the forest will give you a very rare opportunity to see different species of its flora and fauna. The forest is the refuge of the Red Colubus Monkey.
Prison Island
Prison Island (also known as Changuu Island) is an islet situated to the west of Zanzibar Town (about 30 minutes ride by motor boat), the islet measuring about half a mile long and one eighth of a mile wide, was formerly used slave owner as a private detention place for a disobedient slaves. It was then bought by General Mathews who constructed a jail in 1893 (and hence the name PRISON ISLAND was adopted). It was however never utilized as such but it still stands. At the moment the islet is a small TOURISM resort where you can relax, sunbathe, swim, snorkel, walk around and see the GIANT TORTOISES some as old as 100 years.
ZANZIBAR EXCURSIONS
Zanzibar Spice Tour
In days past, Zanzibar was known as a spice island, exporting cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom across the world. The spices were brought over from Asia and South America and flourished in the tropical climes. Nowadays the plantations are a tribute to the island’s past, swapping spices for tourism, combining both in a spice tour, one of the most popular excursions on the island. Walk through the spice farm with your guide. Touch, smell and taste different spices and tropical fruits. Try to guess which is which, from the crushed leaves, the fruit, shoots and vines and creepers crawling up the trees. Learn about their properties, their origins and their use as medicines and in food and drink. A visit to a spice farm village gives you an insight into local life and the opportunity to try some Swahili dishes, taste the fruits in season and try some spiced tea. An optional lunch is available at Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge, a special menu, prepared with the best of the seasonal fruit and spices introduced to you during the tour. Depending on the season you are visiting, you can find anything from vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, lemon grass, cloves, ylang ylang, cumin, garlic, ginger, coriander, pepper, allspice, tamarind, chilli, oregano and more! Fruits can include banana, pineapple, jack fruit, custard fruit, oranges, star fruit, tangerine, passion fruit, mango, avocado, pear, papaya, grape fruit and many others.Advisable • Comfortable closed walking or hiking shoes and pants. • Sun hat and sun cream.
Stone Town City Tour
Follow the trail of the sultans, slaves and explorers in the winding streets of Stone Town. Your guide will tell you about the events that shaped Zanzibar, leading you through the buildings where it all happened, such as the former Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders and the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort and Dispensary. While tracing the steps of the past, the walking tour provides you with a window into modern life in Stone Town.
Explore the markets, seafood and fish piled in the fish market, fresh loaves of bread in wicker baskets and the neat stacks of fruit and vegetables as traders sell their wares from their stalls. Children play in the streets in the residential areas, mamas sit out and gossip while the men play board games. An optional stop at The Zanzibar Coffee House provides a rest from the heat and hustle and bustle. A selection of drinks, local swe ets & seasonal fruits act as the perfect pick me up, for you to continue your tour. The City Tour is very flexible and can be adapted suit your interest and time frame, if you’re a shopaholic, culture vulture or history buff. If you want to hunt for antiques and souvenir shop, follow David Livingstone’s time in Zanzibar and walk the path of the slave trade, your guide can recommend and develop routes and itineraries that will optimise your time and get the most out of your trip.Advisable
- Closed walking or hiking shoes.
- Please dress conservatively when walking through Stone Town.
- Women should cover their shoulders and wear long skirts or trousers
Jozani Forest Tour
- In the south of the island, Jozani Forest is a wonder and delight, with tales of Zanzibar leopards, medicinal cures and stunning scenery. Currently under consideration to become Zanzibar’s second World Heritage Site, the Jozani-Chkwa Bay area is a hotspot of biodiversity. The forest is home to a number of endemic species, including the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey. Your park ranger will take you on a nature trail, lined with eucalyptus and mahogany trees and explain the medicinal properties of various plants and tell you about the animals, birds and reptiles that make their home in the various habitats of this tropical rainforest. Troops of Zanzibar Red Colobus monkeys can be found scrambling from branch to branch, in searc h of food. The monkeys have become acclimatised to people and allow you to get close to them to take photographs as they eat, play and jumping from the treetops. The mangrove boardwalk takes you above the swamp, where, depending on the tide, you can see tropical fish flitting between the mangrove roots and crabs scuttling across the mud. Mangroves play an important role in environmental conservation and as a resource for villagers and community life. Your ranger will explain the different species found in the swamp and their uses.Advisable
- Comfortable, closed walking or hiking shoes and pants.
- Please do not feed or touch the monkeys.
Prison Island
Prison Island gets its name from the prison built to condemn Zanzibari citizens to the isolation of the island, looking out at the coast. Previously owned by an Arab to house his rebellious slaves, the prison was never used, and the island is now home to a tortoise sanctuary, prison ruins and hotel. Prison Island is 20 minutes away from Stone Town by boat and has spectacular coral reefs to enjoy while snorkelling. Giant tortoises shuffle through the trees, with the patience that old age brings you. Originally thought to be from the Comoros Islands and Seychelles, some of these tortoises are said to be over 100 years old. Stately and lumbering, the tortoises have even been known to take children on a ride.
Lunch is available on the island and then you’re left to your own devices. If you’re feeling active, you can explore one of the hiking trails, snorkel in the crystal clear waters in search of colourful tropical fish darting through the reef or soak up some sun on the powder white beach. Thatched bandas are dotted along the waterfront, available for hire if you wish to stay for the night.
The Prison Island excursion is a great companion to a morning city tour. After an eventful morning of walking through the busy streets of Zanzibar, you can enjoy this slow and relaxing island excursion.
Advisable
- Swim wear, towel and water resistant shoes.
- Hat and sunscreen.
- Please do not feed or touch the tortoises.
North Coast Tour
The north coast is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar. Your drive to Nungwi will take you past the fish markets, where you can see freshly caught seafood being auctioned. There’s a stop at the ruins of an old Portuguese settlement, where your guide will explain the history of the ruins and the Portuguese conquest of Zanzibar, dating back to 1497.A stop at the blacksmith is fascinating. Tools are still made in the traditional way for constructing dhows. At the construction site, dhows are built in the same way they have for centuries, skilled craftsmen bending wood to create the dhows. Visitors may be invited to try their hand at this unique craft.
A visit to the Nungwi turtle sanctuary and aquarium follows, where ailing turtles are nursed back to health and released into the ocean. A guided tour of Nungwi village, where mamas wrapped in kangas cook over firewood and smiling kids play. Walk down to the beach where you can enjoy an optional lunch at one of Nungwi’s popular restaurants and enjoy some free time sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling.
The northern tip of Zanzibar offers some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. The sky turns pink and gold as the sun sinks over the Indian Ocean. Sundowners and a late transfer back to your hotel can be arranged if you wish to stay to enjoy the sunset.
Advisable
- Swimwear, beach towel and water resistant shoes.
- Hat and sunscreen.
- Kizimkazi Boat TripTake a one hour drive from to Stone Town to Kizimkazi, on Zanzibar’s southcoast for a day of dolphin spotting. Kizimkazi is home to large numbers of bottle-nosed and spinner dolphins, beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish.
On arrival, you’re given a short saf ety briefing and the dos and don’ts when faced with these wild animals. Then, you board a traditional ocean going dhow and set sail on the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins.
You can get as close as 10 to 20 metres away from the dolphins. Sleek and grey, they jack-knife through the water, sometimes showing off with jumps and twists. In the past, some tourists have been lucky enough to swim and snorkel with these magical animals. However, the dolphins aren’t tame, and can be shy and elusive. Although visitors see dolphins on the majority of outings, there are no guarantees. Whether you’re fortunate enough to see dolphins or not, you can enjoy two hours sailing and taking in the sights of the ocean. There’s superb snorkelling in the pristine coral reef and swimming in the clear, warm water of the Indian Ocean.
You’ll return to the beach for lunch, where you can swim in the shallower waters and talk to the crew, who can tell you sea stories about the one that got away.
Advisable
- Swim wear, towel and water resistant shoes.
- Hat and sunscreen.
- Sultan Panorama Tour (Town + Spice Tour)The Sultan Panorama Tours is ideal for visitors with little time who want to experience a bit of everything Zanzibar has to offer. It’s a full day excursion, starting in Stone Town, covering the history of the sultans, slave trade and invasions that shaped Zanzibar ’s history. Your guide will give you a broad overview of the island’s history and current affairs and you’ll pass by many historic sites and visit the Slave Market. A stop at the vibrant Darajani Market helps you to experience city life, with all the hustle and bustle, smells and noise. You’ll be driven to a spice farm, and given the opportunity to taste seasonal spices and fruits as your guide describes their properties and uses. Throughout the tour, you can sample local delicacies and local staple foods. Your next stop is at a local village for a slice of Zanzibari culture and life. Cooking, weaving, building houses and playing with the children, you’ll have chance to see what life is like for Zanzibaris. An informative and action packed day, this tour gives a taste of everything found in all other Zanzibar excursions and is strongly recommended as a first excursion. You’ll finish the excursion with a comprehensive view of Zanzibari life and you’ll be able to plan future excursion based on what you enjoyed the most, choosing the most relevant tour from our standard excursions.
Advisable
- Please dress conservatively when walking through Stone Town, women should cover their shoulders and wear long skirts or trousers.
- Comfortable closed walking or hiking shoes and pants.
Safari Blue
After lunch, you can sunbathe, snooze or visit the beautiful mangrove lagoon. Depending on the tide, you may be able to take a swim in the lagoon. For the adventurous, join the crew to sail in an “ngalawa”, a local outrigger canoe but be careful not to tip the boat! Then it’s back to Fumba for around 5:30pm.
Advisable
- Swim wear, towel and water resistant shoes for walking over coral.
- Water resistant bag for cameras and other valuables.
- Sunscreen and Hat
- Sunset Dhow CruisesStep onto the deck of our vessels, relax and let us sail you away on a magical sunset cruise to end your day. Our sunset cruises leave Stone Town in the late afternoon to cruise along the coast, slicing through the clear turquoise water.
The sounds of the bustle of busy people in Stone Town grow faint in the distance until they seem only in a memory. Musicians take over playing songs of love and loss, as the butler serves canapés and keeps your glass topped up with your choice of a selection of beers, wine and sodas, encouraging you to sink back into the cushions and enjoy the romance of Africa while watching the scenery drift by.
Onboard our dhow we also have a personal guide who will accompany you on your cruise and give you a tour of Stone Town from the water. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about Zanzibar.
The blue green of the sea contrasts against the clear blue sky. The sun sets, changing the sky from shades of pinks and blues to magnificent golden colours, as you sail back towards the glimmering lights of Stone Town in the distance, the wind gently blowing you back to shore.
Returning to Stone Town in the evening to the shores of Hotel, we guarantee blissful relaxation after hours of luxurious sailing around the beautiful island of Unguja.
Advisable • Towel and water resistant shoes
Princess Salme TourPrincess Salme. Rebel, outcast, revolutionary? Salme sent shockwaves through Zanzibar, teaching herself to write, conspiring in a plot to overthrow her brother, becoming pregnant and eloping to Germany with a young merchant, Heinrich Ruete and writing the sensational Memoirs of an Arabian Princess.
This tour takes you to Mtoni Palace, where Salme was born in 1844, the daughter of Sultan Said and one of his secondary wives. She spent her childhood in the palace, served by slaves and playing in the gardens.
You’ll then head to Marhubi Palace, built by Sultan Barghash, Salme’s older brother, who she helped to escape after a failed attempt to overthrow their brother, Sultan Majid.
From here, you’ll travel to Stone Town, where the princess lived in a relative exile, unmarried and shunned by her family for her role in the intrigue. The Palace Museum has a room dedicated to Salme’s life and writings. Your guide will take you to her house, where her romance with Heinrich Ruete began across the balconies, resulting in secret trysts and meetings in the countryside. The tour ends at the Gallery Bookshop, where you can buy Salme’s book, Memoirs of an Arabian Princess, available in many languages.
Advisable
- Walking shoes
- Please dress conservatively
- Closed walking or hiking shoes.
- Sandbank PicnicExperience the way Livingstone felt discovering untouched land and sail away with us to sandbanks around the magnificent island of Unguja, Zanzibar. Come on board our traditionally crafted dhows, put your feet up and allow our staff to pamper you as the Sultans of Zanzibar were once upon a time.
We set sail to find an untouched sandbank an hour away from Stone Town. Swim in the crystal clear blue water around the sandbank and snorkel to discover a whole new underwater world filled with marine life and corals of brilliant colours. Tables are set out on the golden sand and a five star seafood lunch extravaganza, prepared by the talented chefs from the Zanzibar Serena Inn will await you. After lunch relax on the sandbank listening to the hush of waves lapping against the shore or discover more underwater life around it and listen to stories from our crew about sailing the seven seas.
Then sail off to Prison Island. It is now home to a tortoise sanctuary, the prison ruins and a hotel. Watch the giant tortoises shuffle through the trees, with the patience that old age brings. We will slowly sail back to Stone Town, after a day of relaxation and fun. This excursion is suitable for anyone, from those who wish to completely relax to those who want adventure and excitement...Karibu onboard with us for a day!
Advisable
- Swim wear, towel and water resistant shoes for walking over coral.
- Water resistant bag for cameras and other valuables. • Sunscreen and Hat.
Pemba Island
Lying 40 km to the North-East of Unguja is Pemba or "The Green Island". The island consists of three main towns: Mkoani, Chake Chake and Wete.
It has many historical monuments which include three ruined tombs (Ras Mkumbuu), a fort at Chake Chake and the Mkumbuu mosque ruins. The East of the Island are the remains of the late fifteenth century "MKAMA NDUME" fortress at Pujini.
The Island has some of the best unspoilt beaches and is also very rich in underwater coral gardens. Misali - a small island on the east Coast of Pemba is unique for snorkelling and diving. The Pemba Channel is regarded as the best sport for game fishing.
To the northwest of the island is the Ngezi Forest Reserve covering an area of 14 sq km, the only remaining natural forest in Pemba.
Mafia Island
Big Game Fishing & DivingOnly 40 minutes south of Dar es Salaam, is one of the most exciting big game fishing and diving locations in the world.
The virtually unfinnished waters of the island, abound with a rich variety of fish of tremendous size and weight, many of them being great fighters. Catches include marlin, sailfish, shark, tunny, kingfish, barracuda, rock cod, dolphin, horse mackerel, wahoo five fingered jack and fimbo. The main fishing season is from September to March, although fishing is possible all year round, inside the reef and channel.
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