Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
The Zanzibar archipelago, which lies just 40 km (25 miles) offshore from mainland Tanzania, is a semi-autonomous region with a vivid history and culture that blends African, Arabic and Indian influences into one mesmerizing masala. The masses love to visit for the famed beaches and watersports, but the islands are also home to World Heritage sites, bountiful spice plantations, memorable music, notable restaurants, and fantastic festivals.
Though most people associate the name Zanzibar with a single fabled island, it’s actually comprised of three main islands and several smaller ones: The main island of Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar, is home to most of the beaches, plantations, historical sites, and tourism; Pemba, about 50 km to the north of the main island, offers mostly secluded beach resorts; and Mafia island, which is about 150 km south of Unguja, is the least-travelled and least-developed of the three.
Stone Town, which is the name for the old section of Zanzibar City on the main island, is made up of ancient stone houses, palaces from the Omani days, intricately carved wooden doors, and a treasure trove of bazaars and galleries. Countless small shops offer a tempting array of textiles, carvings, and paintings that beg to be taken home as souvenirs. The blend of Muslim, Arab, Swahili and Indian cultures contribute to Stone town’s reputation as one of the most exotic and fascinating places in east Africa.
The cultivation of cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and other spices gave the Zanzibar archipelago its historical moniker of “the spice islands.” During spice tours you can visit plantations and see (and often sample) the spices at the source. Most plantations also offer the chance to taste some of Zanzibar’s many tropical fruits such as mangoes, jackfruit, and more.
Of course beaches and watersports are a huge part of why visitors come to Zanzibar. Matemwe and Paje are both popular kite surfing spots, while Kiwengwa features beachside horseback riding and fascinating underground caves. Nungwi is perfect for incredible snorkeling experiences, and is adjacent to the quaint town with bustling fish markets.
Safety: Zanzibar is safe for the most part, but the streets of Stone Town are where you want to exercise caution. In addition to pickpockets, rogue fundamentalist elements have been known to harass tourists whom they perceive to be immodest. Err on the side of caution and dress conservatively, and make sure to obey all other local customs.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Travelers spending time in Tanzania should make every effort possible to visit Zanzibar, the fabled island just 35 miles offshore from the mainland. Even if you only have a couple …