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. For this is where Arabia meets 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 waters of the
Indian Ocean beckon swimmers, divers, fishermen and
watersports enthusiasts alike.
Breathe in the fragrant scents of cloves, vanilla,
cardamom and nutmeg, and discover why Zanzibar is called
“The Spice Islands.”
Explore the forests, with their rare flora and fauna. Or
visit some of the ancient, archeological 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. To its shores came
Summerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians,
Chinese, Malays, Persians, Portuguese, Arabs, Dutch and
the British, each leaving behind a legacy of their stay.
From the island the great European explorers - Burton,
Speke, Livingstone, Stanley - set off for their voyages
of discovery into the vast, uncharted wilderness of the
great African hinterland.
Bantu tribes from the mainland were the first
inhabitants of the island, but by 700 AD the Indian
Ocean trade winds had brought Persians and Arabs to its
shores. It was the intermarriage of the Arabs with the
native inhabitants that gave birth to a new people and
language, the Kiswahli (Swahili).
From the beginning of the 16th century, for 200 years,
Portuguese raiders dominated this part of the East
African coast. Then, in 1652, Zanzibar was invaded by
Arabs from Oman, signalling the end of Portuguese
domination. Sultan Sayyid Said moved his capital from
Muscat to Zanzibar in 1840 to exploit the flourishing
slave trade and the island grew in power, wealth and
population.
David Livingstone strongly protested against this
inhumane activity and the treatment of slaves creating a
groundswell of opposition in Britain which led to action
by the Royal Navy. Under pressure the Sultan outlawed
the export of slaves in 1873. Zanzibar became a British
protectorate in 1890 and in 1913 power was transferred
to the British.
Independence was achieved, under Sultan Jamshid bin
Abdulla in December 1963 but the sultanate was toppled
in favour of a People’s Republic a month later. On April
26, 1964 the republic joined Tanganyika to become the
United Republic of Tanzania.
Where Arabia Meets Africa
It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone
Town, is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar,
little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of
winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab
houses whose extravagance is reflected in their
brass-studded, carved, wooden doors.
The National Museum is a good starting point for finding
out more of the history and culture of Zanzibar. It
opened in 1925 and contains relics from the time of the
Sultans and the early explorers, as well as traditional
carvings and exhibits of local wildlife, including a
good collection of birds and reptiles.
Visitors can also see Livingstone House, where the
Scottish explorer lived for three months in 1866
gathering supplies for the expedition which was to turn
out as his last.
Another “must” is the House of Wonders, with its
pillars, fretted balconies and intricately carved doors.
It was built by Sultan Barghash in 1883. and was
occupied by the British in 1911 when the Sultan moved to
the less pretentious palace, now called the People’s
Palace on the other side of the street.
Next to the House of Wonders is the Old Fort, built on
the site of a Portuguese church when the Arabs took over
the island.
Another impressive, ornate building is the Itnaasheri
Dispensary which has recently undergone much needed
restoration work.
At the centre of Stone Town are the Persian-styled
Hamamni Baths, built at the command of Sultan Barghash
at the end of the 19th century.
Nearby is the Cathedral Church of Christ, completed in
1879 on the site of an open slave market, it contains
much of historical interest.
Echoes of Zanzibar’s more sinister past are to be found
in Tippu Tip House, built for a notorious slave and
ivory trader, Hamad bin Muhammad el-Marjab. The site of
a former slave pit is to be found nearby in Kelele
Square.
Touring
Tours of Zanzibar island are a rewarding experience.
Visitors will travel past fragrant plantations of
cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices on their way
to a number of places of historical interest.
To the south of the island is the walled city of
Kizimkazi, where the ruins of Shirazi Mosque, part of
which dates back nearly 900 years, are found. A coral
stone inscription provides evidence of its age, making
this one of the earliest Islamic buildings in this part
of Africa.
Head north from Zanzibar Town and visitors will
encounter the palace ruins of Maruhubi and Mtoni. The
ruins of Maruhubi, offer a tantalising 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 kilometres south-east from the city is the
Jozani Forest Reserve, an area of 10 sq 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, or 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.
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 cool and comfortable retreats.
The beaches are a paradise. Here are picturesque fishing
villages where the people live a simple way of life,
unchanged through the years. Just south of Zanzibar Town
are Fuji Beach and Chuini Beach, which both offer
facilities for a range of watersports, while to the
north there is Mangapwani where the only noise is likely
to be the sound of the ocean.
On the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, where
visitors can watch fishermen’s boats being built here or
swim in the coral lagoons. On Zanzibar’s north-east
coast are the beaches of Matemwe, Mapenzi, Kiwenga and
Uroa, with their wide stretches of uncrowded sands and
opportunities to explore the underwater world.
Other well-developed resorts - Pingwe, Bwejuu and
Jambiani - are to be found on the southeastern coast. As
well as watersports Dolphin Tourism Dolphins are marine
mammals that spend their entire lives in the water.
Like other mammals, they are warm blooded and breathe
air. The most commonly seen dolphins around Zanzibar are
the bottlenose and humpback varieties although spinner
dolphins are also seen north of the island.
Watching, and swimming with dolphins in their natural
habitat can be exciting and educational. However care
must be taken to avoid disturbing the animals as this
could have a negative effect on their daily life.
Guidelines for dolphin tourism in Zanzibar are issued by
the Department of Fisheries and Marine Products.
The Islands
Fifty kilometres north of Zanzibar main island is the
highly fertile Pemba Island which, although smaller than
Zanzibar, grows three times as many cloves. The Pemba
Channel, which runs between the island and the mainland,
offers some of the best game-fishing in the world. The
island also boasts some excellent beaches.
Pemba has its own distinct character with more
historical monuments, particularly ruined mosques and
tombs, than on the main island. In the centre of the
island is Chaka Chaka, the main town, where there are
remains of a 200 year old Arab fort. Nearby, at Ras
Mkumbuuare, are the ruins of a 14th century mosque, some
elaborate tombs and the foundations of several houses.
Also in this area are the remains of a 15th century
fortress.
Interesting ancient sites can also be seen around Wete
to the north. In this region is the Ngezi Equatorial
Forest, containing rare trees, some not found anywhere
else in the world. The wildlife includes indigenous
flying foxes, blue duikers and several varieties of owl.
Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast of Zanzibar main
island, basks in its own tranquil lagoon. Boasting
splendid beaches and spectacular coral reefs, alive with
fish, it is renowned as the ultimate in ‘barefoot
luxury’.
Chumbe Island is a rare example of a still pristine
coral island. A UN Protected Area, it carries the
accolade of “one of the most spectacular coral gardens
to be found anywhere in the world”. Tanzania’s first
marine park, and the first privately managed marine park
in the world, Chumbe offers visitors the opportunity to
snorkel through the shallow water Reef Sanctuary, scuba
dive the nearby reefs, or explore the Forest Reserve and
historical monuments that include a hundred year old
lighthouse and the only ancient mosque with Indian
architecture.
