With its romantic aroma of spices, memories of its extraordinary past of Sultans and Slaves,
colourful underwater garden and life, untouched shiny white sand beaches, lush plantations,
an incredible history and fascinating culture, and the magnificence of the Historical Stone Town, Zanzibar is an experience that will certainly be a highlight in your life.
Zanzibar is a unique coral island lying in the Indian Ocean a short distance from mainland Tanzania. With Pemba, Mafia and about 50 other islands, Zanzibar originally was an independent country until 1964 when it was united with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.
Going back many centuries, the country has a rich, fascinating history having been influenced by Arabs, Britons, Indians, Persians, Portuguese as well as Africans from the mainland. Its heyday came in the early 19th century when the Sultan of Muscat moved his court to Zanzibar.
Spice cultivation - particularly the clove tree - was developed, and the slave trade was at its height as Zanzibar became the most important town in East Africa. Today, many of the winding streets and high townhouses of old Stone Town remain unchanged and visitors can talk between the Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders, the Portuguese fort and gardens, the merchants’ houses, and the Turkish baths of the old city.
Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer visitors the chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous. Sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you are on. The east coast offers waves that break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones.
Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun. The port city of Stone Town dominates the west coast, and although the beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low tide, and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive away.
A night or two spent on the east or north coast is well worth the extra hour it takes to drive there. Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town and nearby Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands make refreshing day-trips and a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the old city.
On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for the endangered species that come to breed on the island. Roads to the southeast coast take visitors through the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus monkeys and a number of other primate and small antelope species.
From international standard hotels and resorts, to more humble but comfortable lodgings, Warrior Trails works with the best Zanzibar has to offer. Please Contact Us for more details.
At the point where the Pangani River empties into the Indian Ocean, lies Pangani, a village that has grown from its historical development as an Arabic settlement and slave trading centre, and is now known as the “Zanzibar of the Tanzanian coast”.
The Pangani River, flowing from the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, passes through the north side of the town, separating the old buildings and the present-day market on the north from the
farms and small houses on the south side. Pangani town elders serve as knowledgeable guides who can impart their vast knowledge of local history and culture going back to the 15th century.
Both Arab and German influences are evident in the colonial and Swahili architecture, giving the town a unique appearance. Many historical sites exist to commemorate various important
events in local history. In the streets, carpet makers, woodcarvers, basket weavers, painters and other artisans sell a wide variety of hand made items.
Pangani is truly a tropical and unspoiled paradise. Nowadays it is mainly a fishing town dotted with coconut trees, providing beautiful beaches for a quiet vacation. Maziwi Island is a newly designated marine reserve, and rests on a coral reef just of the shores of Pangani. It provides
snorkeling and deep sea diving opportunities, which can be arranged with local fishermen.
These Swahili fishermen, who spend 12 hours at sea seven days a week, are also more than willing to offer their services as a shuttle to and from the sandbanks offshore for a picnic in
the sun.
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