Tanzania Safaris
The Spicy Island of Zanzibar
Zanzibar Island is the most well known of the islands in this area, but the archipelago also consists of the lush Pemba to the north and numerous smaller islands and islets poised in luxuriously turquoise seas in the south. The beauty of this area has tempted travellers, traders, slave-traders and colonists for centuries, but there are still many areas on these islands that remain unexplored, pristine and untouched!
Zanzibar is famous for once being the commercial centre of East Africa and has been known as "the Spice Island" because of its many spice plantations and spice tours. It combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches and coves.
The ocean offers warm clear blue waters with excellent reefs for; snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing, water sports and delicious fresh fish! The activities available on Zanzibar include: spice tours, dhow trips, diving, deep sea fishing, sailing, walking safaris, ballooning, bird watching, dolphin-watching, and visiting a number of interesting sites such as Jozani Forest, Chumbe Islands, or the historical ruins of Mbweni Palace.
Beach Activities
Diving and snorkelling can be extraordinary in this part of the world. The seas around Zanzibar, Mafia, Chole Bay and the Pemba Channel are considered among the best waters for diving in the Indian Ocean. Chole Bay is part of a protected marine park, with an unbroken reef running the length of the Mafia Island.
The diving here is spectacular and includes colourful coral gardens, walls at various levels and many shelves and coral heads. The coral keeps many colourful fish, including hawksbill and sea turtles - for exceptional diving opportunities and experiences. Mafia is a perfect destination for divers seeking adventure and beauty, or for those who just want to relax in this idyllic tropical setting.
Head north from Zanzibar Town and visitors will encounter the palace ruins of Maruhubi and Mtoni. The ruins of Maruhubi, offer a tantalizing glimpse of the former grandeur of this palace, built by Sultan Barghash in 1880 to house his harem, but burned down in 1889. The palace of Mtoni suffered a similar fate. Dating back to the early part of the 19th century, it once housed 1,000 people.
These are a few examples of historical ruins that are dotted throughout the island. Others are to be found at Chuini, Dunga, Kidichi, Kizimbani and Bungi.
Thirty - five kilometers south east from the city is the Jozani Forest Reserve, an area of 10sq km whose thick forests, with trees over 100 years old, are one of the last remaining sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey.
Another popular option is a trip to Changuu, prison, Island. The island was used to contain awkward slaves and a jail was built in 1893 but never used. Today the island's most famous inhabitants are giant tortoises and it is a popular place for a swim, a stroll or a picnic.
2) Stone Town Tour
Departure: 0900 hrs.
Yes in deed it is a spice tour, it entails a visit to small private farms where different types of spices and fruits are grown. Zanzibar is famous for spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and many more, one gets a chance to taste tropical fruits such as Zanzibar Apple (Tufah), Dirupes (coconut), Rambutans (lychees) and many others and a glimpse of rare plants like henna, perfume tree and lipstick tree.
Stone Town
The spice tour ends with a visit to a visit to some historical places such as Persian Baths at Kidichi built in 1850.
Zanzibar Chumbe Island
Chumbe Island marine Park is an inhabited island 12 km South of Zanzibar. It was gazetted in 1994 and is Zanzibar's first marine sanctuary.
Transfer in the morning to the Mbweni ruins beach for a 40 minutes boat ride to Chumbe Island.
Chumbe Island
A full day visit to this island enables one to walk along the exceptional shallow water of its western shore, noted for its diversity in corals and fish life. The island is also a haven for the endangered Hawks bill Turtles and home to over 50 species of birds.
Jozani Forest Tour
A drive 35 km South East of Zanzibar Town gets us to the largest area of mature forest left on Unguja. It hosts the rare Red Colobus monkey as well as Sykes monkeys, bushbabies, Ader's Duikers, dassies, over 50 species of butterflies and 40 species of birds.
There is a nature trail in the forest, which enables for the better viewing of these various species of fauna and also the flora.
More Itineraries
