Zanzibar description. Stone town of Zanzibar: photos, attractions, impressions. Zanzibar: a brief description
Russian tourists are just beginning to discover Zanzibar, although many have heard about it in childhood. Remember Chukovsky: “We live in Zanzibar, in the Kalahari and the Sahara...”? To tell in detail about this small corner of our vast Earth, one article will not be enough, but the charming island of Zanzibar can be described in just two words - “Hakuna Matata!”, which translates roughly like this: “live, enjoy what you have, don’t think about problems." This is the whole meaning, spirit, way of existence of the islanders and the very atmosphere of Zanzibar, into which everyone who comes here plunges.
Zanzibar Island: where is it?
If you visually imagine Africa, its eastern part, washed by the Indian Ocean, and then even the well-known island of Madagascar for children, and move slightly from it in a northerly direction to the mainland, you will just find yourself in the water area where the island of Zanzibar is located. Next to it on the northwestern side there is a slightly smaller island of Pemba and many very small, mostly uninhabited. Another landmark for those who travel a lot - Zanzibar is located approximately in the same place as the Seychelles, only to the west, closer to the mainland, from which it is separated by only 40 km of water. Previously, Zanzibar was called Unguja, but even now many locals call it that way.
How to get there
You can get to the island of Zanzibar from the continent by air and water. There is a small airport here that receives planes from Tanzania and some African and European countries. Of course, there are no direct flights here from Moscow. You need to fly to mainland Tanzania to the capital's international airport. Flights are carried out by several airlines, including Swiss, Qatar Airways, and Emirates. In Dubai, a stopover is required for a connection, and Emirates airline offers overnight accommodation, while others simply wait for the desired flight at the airport. A flight from Moscow to one of the two capitals of Tanzania - Dar es Salaam - lasts from 10 hours, a ticket costs from 45 thousand rubles (with discounts it can be cheaper). Dar es Salaam has a second local airport from where flights to Zanzibar operate. A ticket, according to the latest data, costs $65. The journey from one airport to another takes about an hour. In addition to planes, there are passenger ferries to the island from the mainland, starting at the capital's port.
A few words about history
Once upon a time, the island of Zanzibar was the outskirts of the continent, but in the Miocene, part of the land subsided, and the outskirts became “independent”. The local tribes who lived here were engaged in fishing, hunting and other harmless crafts, until the Persians appeared on the island in the 10th century. They introduced the local population to Islam (it is still the dominant religion in Zanzibar) and actively engaged in the slave trade, catching their live goods in the jungle. In the 16th century, the Portuguese ruled the island, taking over the slave trade baton from the Persians. A brutal war began against the new colonialists in the 17th century. By the middle of the 19th century, a sultanate was established in the country, which existed until 1964, when long-suffering Zanzibar declared its long-awaited independence. In the same year, it became part of Tanganyika, which changed its name to Tanzania (so that it would have something of Zanzibar in it). The island remained autonomous, has its own flag, its own customs, its own way of life, even its own president.
Neighbor Islands
In this area of the Indian Ocean, the island of Zanzibar is the largest, but not the only one. The second largest and most competitive island in tourism is Pemba, located approximately 45 km north of Zanzibar. It is rich in interesting sights and excellent beaches. There is also a small airport here, but getting here by water is more convenient. There are only a couple of inhabited islands in the water area - Uzi and Tumbatu, located 2 km from Zanzibar. The islands are quite small, up to 10 km long. Their isolation is largely due to numerous corals, which make the path to them difficult. For the same reason (sharp corals around), other islands in the water area remain undeveloped. The island of Pnemba (Mnemba), which has a very similar name to Pemba, is also located just two km from Zanzibar, only on the ocean side. It is tiny in size - only 5 hundred meters in diameter, but very interesting for divers. Being a private property, Pnemba is open only to elite tourists.
Climate
The island of Zanzibar is located just south of the equator. The climate here is subequatorial, with distinct rainy seasons. There is no heat, which in theory should be at the equator, in Zanzibar. This is facilitated by fresh breezes that bring pleasant coolness. In the African summer, the air temperature during the day averages +30 +32, at night +24 +25. The temperature of the ocean water off the coast is + 24 + 26, that is, for a holiday from November to March here is a paradise. But during the rainy season (from March to May and from September to November) sometimes it rains so much that it is impossible to stick your nose outside. In Zanzibar this time is called low season. Many hotels and restaurants then close, and the remaining ones reduce their prices by half or more. But there are years when during the rainy season there is quite a bit of rain from the sky, and the rest is quite comfortable.
Beaches
The Bounty advertisement was filmed in six places, but they could only choose one - the island of Zanzibar. The photos give an idea of how white the sand is on these beaches, but it’s hard to imagine how delicate and soft it is, like powder. The color of the water in the photo is turquoise blue, and this is actually true. Add to the silent picture the rustling branches of palm trees, a fresh ocean breeze, the unobtrusive chirping of birds - and here they are, the beaches of Zanzibar. There are no noisy water parks with water slides, jet skis, catamarans, banana boats and other leisure amenities typical of seaside resorts. Maximum entertainment - a volleyball net and a surfboard. But the beaches of Zanzibar, especially on the eastern side of the island, have their own peculiarity - ebb and flow. The ocean can “go away” from the shores for more than a kilometer, which is not very pleasant for vacationers, but it is used to the maximum by local citizens, who collect everything that can be used on the bare bottom. On the beaches on the mainland side, the tides are almost imperceptible, so holidays there are more popular. A good place where you can spend time without problems is the village of Kendwa. In addition to it, the beaches of Pongwe, Uroa, Jambiani, Nungwi, Kiwengawa, and Chwaka are popular.
Vegetable world
Tanzania is famous for its unique natural resources. The island of Zanzibar, separated from the mainland several millennia ago, boasts plants and animals that have long disappeared from other parts of Africa. That is why the island of Zanzibar, and with it the entire archipelago, is considered a natural reserve. What’s interesting is that virgin nature, represented by the Jozani forest, and man-made nature, which includes huge spice plantations, coexist peacefully on the island. What they don’t grow here! Cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, coffee, cardamom, pepper. These and dozens of other spices we use in the kitchen can be seen and tasted on tours organized at the plantation. And in the virgin forest grow date palms, dozens of vines and hundreds of other plants, large and small. To walk through this corner of nature, you must wear trousers and high shoes, because you will have to walk not along asphalt paths, but along paths barely visible in the thickets.
Animal world
For those who dream of getting to uncharted islands, Zanzibar is what you need. The fauna here is unique. In the hotel where you stay, as well as on the streets of the city and, of course, in the forest, you will be kept company by bright and leisurely lazy, large and small lizards. There are a lot of them on all the islands of the archipelago. Exotic butterflies fluttering over exotic and ordinary flowers will please the eye here. Dozens of birds can be seen in the treetops and along the coast, many of which are very rare and live only in Zanzibar. Among them are spotted pigeons with red plumage, Fischer, a total of 47 species. Among the animals we can name colobus monkeys - cute monkeys living in the Jozani forest, macaques - petty thieves who steal all the food that tourists left unattended for a while, leopards who try not to catch the tourists' eyes, antelopes, flying dogs living on the island of Mogil, cobras, black and green mamba, whose bite is 100% fatal, and, of course, large turtles. To see them, you need to take a trip to the cute island, where there used to be a prison and exile for yellow fever patients. The island is called Prison Island. An excursion here will cost about $100. Speaking about the animal world, one cannot fail to mention the dozens of coral fish that can be seen among the reefs. bonito are just a few.
Excursions
In addition to trips to spice farms and Prison Island, everyone who comes to the island of Zanzibar considers it their duty to visit Stone Town. The photo shows one of its main features - a carved door. Don’t be surprised, this amazing place is famous for its unique doors. In addition to them, the palace of one of the former sultans of Zanzibar, called the House of Miracles, is of interest in Stone Town. It attracts mainly by its appearance, and the “miracles” at the time of its construction were an elevator, a water tap, and electric light bulbs. In the Stone Town, you should definitely see the Persian baths, the museum located in the palace, the Malindi Mosque, and the Shakti Temple.
Food
Stone Town cannot be avoided not only because of its relics, but also because of the best catering establishments on the island. Of course, they exist in other places, but experienced tourists and guides know that in cafes and restaurants in Town the food is tastier, the food is more satisfying, and the dishes, whether European or local, are much more digestible for the stomachs of Europeans. The most common dish in Zanzibar is pilau rice, which is eaten with leek salad. It is also worth trying sorpotel (pork, beef tongue, heart, liver stewed with seasonings), ugali porridge, mchicha salad, lobster, lobster, fish and meat, prepared in an unusual way with the addition of spices in the most fantastic combinations.
Hotels
Holidays on the island of Zanzibar necessarily involve accommodation in a hotel. Their choice is unusually wide - from modest “guest houses”, for example, “Beit al-Chai”, to high-class hotel complexes that provide recreation at the European level, for example, “Hilton Resort Zanzibar”. Hotels are located along the entire coastline, as well as in Stone Town. In the high season, it goes without saying that prices are twice as high as in the low season. Prices also depend on the location of the hotel and the category of rooms. The Coffee House hotel is interesting, where each room has the unusual categories “standard”, “luxury”, “deluxe”, and the names of the coffee varieties - “espresso” (the simplest from 75 dollars per duck), “mocchiato” (more spacious and more expensive) and so on. You can book a room in any hotel through a travel agency or on your own, which is much cheaper.
Additional Information
The islands of Zanzibar belong to the Republic of Tanzania, but are part of the autonomy of Zanzibar. Although 60% of Tanzanians are Christians, Islam predominates on the island, which brings its own characteristics to the lifestyle and behavior of Zanzibaris. For example, most of them do not welcome photography. It is also undesirable to wear too revealing outfits in public places (markets, shops, just on city streets). In terms of crime, Zanzibar is a relatively calm place, but walking alone at night away from public places is not recommended. It is also not recommended to flaunt jewelry and show off your good financial situation in every possible way. When entering a mosque or a private house (if you are invited), you must take off your shoes. Smoking in public places in Zanzibar is prohibited, and kissing and hugging is disrespectful to others.
A few more features of the island:
Swahili (everyone) and English (not everyone) are spoken here;
Money needs to be changed only in official institutions (bank, hotel, airport);
Payment by credit cards is accepted here only in some hotels and shops; they do not issue cash;
Those arriving from Russia do not need to be vaccinated against yellow fever;
Tap water should not be used even for washing and brushing teeth;
Spices, clothes, paintings, crafts, jewelry are brought from here as souvenirs, and tanzinite is especially valued.
Zanzibar Island: reviews
Those who were lucky enough to be here consider the long flight to be a minor disadvantage of their holiday.
Noteworthy advantages:
Gorgeous nature;
Fabulous beaches;
Good weather (during high season);
Pleasant, hospitable locals;
Interesting excursions;
Cozy hotels of different price categories;
Real exotic.
Zanzibar is a place famous solely for the diversity of cultures that shaped it, the beauty of its preserved coastline, the quality of coastal waters and the habitat of marine fish and animals. Zanzibar is one of the islands of the archipelago of the same name, which includes another island, Pemba, and approximately 50 small islets. The word “Zanzibar” is of Arabic origin and means “land of black people” (“zanj” - people of black color and “barr” - land). According to the definition of the eastern sorcerer al-Fazari, people with black skin are the descendants of one of the sons of Noah - Ham. Before the Arabs came to this territory, the local population did not disdain to eat human flesh. Such “exoticism” is now a thing of the past. Now Zanzibar is one of the luxurious tropical resorts in the Indian Ocean, as well as the best place for diving: bizarre coral reefs, an amazing variety of marine and ocean inhabitants, the lagoons have not lost their pristine beauty. The fabulous abundance of growing spices gave another name to the island - “spice island”. More than half of the island's land is occupied by plantations of cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and a host of other spices, because this constitutes the real wealth of the island. The old town of Stonetown is a network of charming narrow, winding streets with traditional Arabic stone houses with turrets, semicircular tops, ornate gates, balconies and verandas that look more like small palaces, mosques, many small shopping shops, bazaars where tourists are offered a lot of local souvenirs . Built by the Arabs, the old fort today hosts African and Arabic music and dance performances, as well as an annual July festival. A trip through the countryside plantations of aromatic spices will be no less interesting. Don't forget to visit the ruins of the Marakhubi Palace, which is surrounded by mangrove plantings brought from India, as well as the Mtoni Palace, built in the early 19th century, and the only wild forest on the island, Jozani, where the fat-bodied monkeys live. No less interesting are the other islands of the archipelago, the exceptional diving on Pemba, the delightful beaches of the finest white sand of Changuu, which is also famous for the giant turtles that were brought from the Seychelles, the amazing caves and marine animal sanctuary of Bongoyo, the preserved ruins of Persian settlements of the early 20th century, Tumbatu and bohemian luxury of Mnemba.
For many of us, the most incredible place to go on holiday is Africa. The island of Zanzibar, for example, is visited annually by several tens of thousands of tourists. And they all return home madly in love with this stunning corner of the planet, where you can make almost all your dreams come true. So what is this magical place? What's so special about you, Zanzibar Island?
Zanzibar: a brief description
In fact, the island of Zanzibar is just part of a vast archipelago consisting of seventy-five large and small islands. The largest are three islands:
- Pemba;
- Mafia;
- Unguja.
The last name is not very well known, because almost all Europeans, and even local residents, call Ugunja “Zanzibar”. On this large island there is the capital of the entire archipelago and numerous hotels providing services of the highest class.
Many people mistakenly believe that the beautiful island is part of the state of Tanzania. The island of Zanzibar, of course, is part of Tanzania, but has semi-autonomous status. The capital has its own government and president, and any resident of the island, if asked about his nationality, will proudly say that he is a Zanzibari. And only secondarily do the islanders consider themselves Tanzanians.
The total area of the island is just over two and a half thousand square kilometers, where more than one million Zanzibaris live. However, to this number of the local population it is necessary to add several thousand more tourists who come here on vacation at any time of the year. After all, the average air temperature on the island fluctuates within twenty-five degrees above zero. This allows you to relax in Zanzibar in any season, which is very convenient for the development of the tourism industry of the autonomy.
Zanzibar Island: where is the African paradise
The Zanzibar archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean. It stretches off the east African coast and is only forty kilometers away from Tanzania. It is worth noting that millions of years ago Zanzibar was part of the African continent and, as a result of the movement of the earth’s crust, was separated from the mainland.
Population of Zanzibar: features and national composition
The island of Zanzibar belonged to the Persians, Portuguese and Arabs in different historical eras. This affected the religious beliefs of the islanders and the national composition of the population. More than eighty percent of Zanzibaris are Muslim, a religion that took hold on the island during the period of Persian rule. They gave the island their culture, the foundations of their worldview and, of course, religion. Approximately fourteen percent of the islanders consider themselves Christians or adhere to local cults.
It is worth noting that Christian missionaries were unable to win the respect of local residents and convert them to their faith. Currently, most Zanzibaris are descendants of Shirazi, Swahili and African immigrants who were once brought here in large numbers for slave markets. There are few Europeans in Zanzibar; they mainly work in the tourism industry or come as volunteers to teach and treat local residents.
History of Zanzibar Island
Scientists believe that the first settlers from the African continent settled in Zanzibar approximately four thousand years ago. Very little is known about this stage of the island's history; historians claim that the first islanders spoke the Bantu language and were engaged in agriculture. About two thousand years ago, local residents began to contact Arab traders who showed interest in these lands.
In the ninth and tenth centuries, several colonies of immigrants from Persia settled in Zanzibar; they brought Islam and their cultural traditions to the island, which, however, quickly merged with the local customs of the islanders.
By the fifteenth century, Zanzibar had become a powerful power, ruled by Arab settlers from Oman. They developed trade in slaves, spices, glass, gold and ivory. Many inhabitants of the African continent were brought to the slave markets of the island, from where they were transported by ship to the plantations of their new owners.
In the sixteenth century, the Portuguese came to Zanzibar and took over the slave trade, but were quickly driven out by the Arabs from Oman. For some time they had to cede power on the island to the British again. But the Europeans were unable to gain a foothold in the archipelago for long, and by the nineteenth century the Arabs had turned Zanzibar into a reliable stronghold of the sultanate’s economy. This was evidenced by the development of the main city of the island - Stone Town, to which the Sultan even moved his government. It was during this period that spices began to be actively cultivated in Zanzibar, and clove plantations were especially large. This spice brought fabulous wealth to the Sultan, who invested it in the development of the island. Most of the buildings from that period are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are carefully protected.
In the sixties of the last century, Zanzibar signed an agreement with Tanganyika to create a unified state of Tanzania. Its name became a combination of the names of both states. In 2005, Zanzibar got its own flag and parliament, although since the formation of Tanzania, Zanzibar has been part of it on semi-autonomous terms.
Zanzibar through the eyes of tourists
Every year more and more travelers include the island of Zanzibar in their itinerary. Reviews from tourists who have already been here literally encourage others to take this trip and finally get to know Africa better. What is it that attracts Europeans here who are far from understanding the culture and way of life of the Zanzibaris?
First of all, these are, of course, the magnificent beaches that literally surround the island of Zanzibar. Reviews of these magnificent multi-kilometer coastal areas, as if powdered with fine snow-white sand, evoke an incredible longing for the sea and inspire a trip to a travel agency. The beaches in Zanzibar are truly magnificent, and many five-star hotels have their own slice of coastal paradise, which is very convenient for European tourists who prefer to relax in some privacy.
The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean hide a rich underwater world, which can be seen with the help of professional diving instructors. There are more than twenty diving schools in Zanzibar, where tourists are offered training or simply hire an instructor who knows the best places to dive.
Many tourists talk with admiration about spice plantations, a turtle nursery and much, much more, which together make up a list of attractions on the island of Zanzibar that deserve a separate story.
Sights of Zanzibar
The main pride of Zanzibaris, which they highly recommend to tourists, is Stone Town. This Stone City was founded by the first Arab traders and is a fabulous labyrinth of streets, houses and squares. The main thing is not to get lost in this mixture of wealth and poverty, because while walking around the city, you can see the luxurious palaces of the Sultan and the small shacks of local residents, which resemble cells in stone houses. Many tourists say that walks around Stone Town are always very colorful.
The most visited building in the city is rightfully the House of Miracles. This was once the residence of Sultan Said ibn Bagash, who hired a Scottish architect to build the palace. The building rises three floors above the city and has a tall beautiful tower, but all the wonders of the palace will not seem incredible to modern people. After all, it was at the end of the nineteenth century that water supply, electricity and elevators seemed incredible magic to ordinary people. Currently, the House of Wonders houses museums where you can get acquainted with the culture of Zanzibar.
The slave trade square, where the monument to slaves is located, reminds us of the sad pages of the island’s history. Tourists can plunge into those times when the life of a black slave was worth absolutely nothing to his masters. During the tour, guides talk about the slave trade, show the slave market itself and the cellars where unwanted slaves were thrown.
All tourists should definitely go to Prizon Island; in fact, on geographical maps it is designated as Chang, but everyone calls it “prison”. For a long time there was a prison here, where cholera patients were taken in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Now Prizon is a real paradise for divers and beach lovers; every day several dozen boats with tourists land on the shores and spend the whole day on the island. The turtle nursery located on Prizon causes a storm of emotions. You can hand feed these adorable animals and take photos with them. The age of some has already crossed the border of one century, while other individuals are still very tiny, having lived in this world for only a couple of decades.
It is difficult to leave Zanzibar without visiting the Jozani Game Reserve. Here tourists are invited to walk along barely noticeable paths and admire wild animals. Most of all, tourists are delighted with the colobus monkeys, which live only in this archipelago. In the reserve you can find more than a hundred species of exotic birds, most of them are not at all afraid of people. But keep in mind that the jungle is full of various crawling creatures, so you should wear closed clothing on the excursion.
If you choose the island of Zanzibar for your holiday, be sure to purchase a tour to the spice plantations. The pleasure and benefits of spending time on the plantations can hardly be overestimated, because tourists will be able to cut coconuts themselves, learn how to cook breadfruit, and even try to cut cinnamon for themselves. In addition, here you can buy a lot of spices, the aroma of which you will not get anywhere else in the world.
Beaches of the island
Most tourists interested in a beach holiday often choose the island of Zanzibar. Where is the best beach on the coast? This is a very difficult question, because the island has a huge number of amazingly beautiful and suitable places for relaxation.
For example, in the north of the island there is Mangapwani Beach. It is suitable for couples who dream of privacy. And Fuji and Chuini, located near the Stone Town, are the most equipped and suitable for water sports.
The purest coral lagoons are located in Nungwi, where you can admire the underwater world simply by wearing a snorkeling mask.
Diving on the island
There are two underwater reefs suitable for divers in Zanzibar:
- Range;
- Boribi.
The first will be an excellent base for beginners, its depth does not exceed fourteen meters, but the second will make the hearts of even experienced divers who have already scuba dived in many parts of the world beat faster.
Interestingly, in addition to natural coral reefs, the place where a British liner sank at the beginning of the last century is suitable for diving. Over time, it became home to stingrays, moray eels and lobsters, so diving here is extremely interesting.
Selection of hotels in Zanzibar
A few decades ago, mainly lovers of wild holidays with tents and sleeping bags came to Zanzibar. They were located on the beaches and enjoyed the natural beauty in almost privacy. But now practically the most comfortable place to relax in Africa is the island of Zanzibar. Hotels here are built mainly on the coast; the most common are hotel complexes with four and five stars. They provide high service, but the prices for accommodation here cannot be considered affordable. For example, a double room in a mid-level hotel (three or four stars) will cost one hundred dollars per day. But a luxury hotel on the very shore will cost about five hundred dollars per night.
But in addition to luxury hotels, Stone Town has many decent guesthouses priced at fifty dollars per night. Such houses have air conditioning, a kitchen and often a swimming pool. Living in them is extremely convenient.
Zanzibar Island: prices
If you're heading to Zanzibar, keep in mind that it's not the cheapest holiday. First of all, you will encounter certain difficulties even at the time of purchasing air tickets. The fact is that there are no direct flights to Zanzibar, and you will have to look for connecting flights through Dubai. The cost of such a one-way flight can reach thirty thousand rubles.
We have already clarified the cost of hotel accommodation, so excursions and meals remain among tourists’ expenses. The excursion program on the island is rich, and you can enjoy a trip to the plantations or Prizon Island for fifteen to twenty dollars.
It is better to eat in Zanzibar in the hotel restaurant or in proven places that the guide can indicate. The average check in restaurants does not exceed thirty dollars. Moreover, local cuisine is always very tasty and aromatic.
Of course, Zanzibar is an amazing place, so you can collect a lot of interesting information about it. Some of this can be found in our article:
- the famous Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar, now his house has been turned into a mini-hotel;
- in the seventies of the last century, Zanzibar became the only place in Africa where color televisions appeared;
- on the island they managed to completely exterminate the tsetse fly, which caused serious damage to livestock;
- The Guinness Book of Records records the war in Zanzibar, which lasted less than half an hour.
There is also a signature cocktail on the island, identical to the name of the archipelago, consisting of... No, no, we won’t tell you this secret. Go on holiday to Zanzibar and experience the magic of this place. And at the same time, be sure to try a delicious cocktail with the taste of sun, sea and tart spices.
: Rich and diverse cultural heritage, carefully preserved coastline, pristine coastal waters and many species of marine life. The best beaches are located in the southeast of the island, while entertainment and nightlife are in the north.
Cuisine and restaurants of Zanzibar
The national cuisine of Zanzibar contains few vegetables and traditional meat. But rice and coconut milk, dishes made from the meat of antelope, crocodiles, elephants, and ducks are popular. When it comes to seafood, the island is a true paradise. Octopus, squid, shrimp, lobster, as well as all kinds of fish - from sea bass to barracuda - are served fried, stewed, baked with an intricate accompaniment of spices. Place them in dishes and drinks carefully, without turning eating into an ordeal. The selection of fruits is the same as in all southern countries: papaya, pineapple, coconuts, mangoes, bananas. The latter are boiled, baked and fried.
The most popular food on the island is spicy pilau rice, onion salad with lime juice, pepper and sugar, ugali porridge made from corn flour, and mchicha salad made from several types of spinach.
There is no fast food as a class, but French fries are respected here and offered as a side dish for almost everything. They also cook something like pies with eggs and meat right on the street, and wash them down with a drink made from sugar cane.
Zanzibar is a Muslim territory, so alcohol is sold in rare shops, and not all cafes have it, you need to check.
It is better to leave establishments “for locals” to locals: in restaurants there is a larger choice of dishes, compliance with sanitary standards is at the same level. An iconic place is the picturesque restaurant The Rock in the east of the island. The average bill in a good establishment for dinner with alcohol is 100,000 TZS, a daytime snack in a village eatery is 15,000 TZS for two.
Guides in Zanzibar
Entertainment and attractions
The capital of Zanzibar is Stone Town, founded by Arab traders back in the 9th century, one of the most impressive places on the coast. It is a chaotic collection of labyrinthine streets with many shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards and fortresses. The city is decorated with two former sultan's palaces, two huge cathedrals, colonial mansions, abandoned ancient Persian-style baths and a whole collection of quaint foreign consulate buildings. Not far from the city are the ruins of several palaces, the “slave cave” of Mangapwani and the unique Khosani forest.
One of the hallmarks of Zanzibar is Turtle Island or Prizon Island (an abandoned prison is attached). Here tourists can look at magnificent specimens of giant tortoises, which cannot be found even in the best zoos in the world, take a walk in a forest rich in exotic plants, and look into the building of a former colony. Trips to the island are organized by agencies and numerous barkers, but some tourists go on their own: at the Small boat ferry to prison station in Stone Town, they rent motor boats with a captain who takes them to the place, waits for them and delivers them back.
It is not for nothing that Zanzibar was nicknamed the island of spices - it once supplied half the world with spices, and to this day plantations of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and other spicy herbs and plants are its property. To explore the spice map of Zanzibar, special “spice tours” depart daily from Stone Town. Agencies and hotels offer them for an average of 112,00 TZS, but it is almost 10 times cheaper to go to the spice farms on a regular “dala-dala” minibus without intermediaries - the entrance price starts from 12,000 TZS.
The most famous farms are Kidichi Spice Farms (office site in English) and Tangawizi Spice Farm (office site in English). During your trip, you can climb trees to your heart's content in an attempt to pick a coconut, learn to cut cinnamon and distinguish breadfruit from jackfruit, and at the same time taste it all.
november
December
Since Zanzibar is located in the Southern Hemisphere, here winter is in summer, and summer is in winter. In temperature they differ from each other by an average of 10-15 degrees, so you can go to the archipelago all year round, but the best time is at the end of February and from June to October: at this time there is almost no rain, it is not very hot, the wind is cool breeze from the ocean.
From October to November and from the end of March to May, Zanzibar is not welcoming to guests - the islands are so flooded that some hotels close. In addition, it is during the rainy months that malaria mosquitoes become more active.
Zanzibar is an entire archipelago in the Indian Ocean with the main island of the same name, located northeast of Dar es Salaam, 35 kilometers from the coast. The main advantages of this place are its rich and diverse cultural heritage, carefully preserved coastline, clean coastal waters and many species of marine animals.
Zanzibar has white, clean sandy beaches along which picturesque fishing villages stretch. Not far from the capital there are Fuji and Chuini beaches with a rich selection of water sports, and to the north there is a very quiet and secluded Mangapwani beach.
One of the main attractions of Zanzibar is its capital, the city of Stone Town, founded by Arab traders back in the 9th century. The city is decorated with two former sultan's palaces, two huge cathedrals, colonial mansions, abandoned ancient Persian-style baths and a whole collection of quaint foreign consulate buildings.
Pemba Island
Pemba Island is a coral island. It became part of Tanzania in 1964 as part of Zanzibar. Its length is only 75 kilometers and its width is 10 kilometers.
It was known in ancient times among Arab traders as the "Green Island". It was described as an earthly paradise and a land of plenty. It was famous for the production of various spices, especially cloves.
Friendly local people, wide white sand beaches, untouched nature, warm sea, coconut palm groves and rubber plantations. Suitable for lovers of an authentic holiday - while the flow of tourists here is small. A visit to Pemba Island allows you to enjoy peace, solitude and the beauty of unspoiled nature.
The island is surrounded by corals and is an excellent place for diving and deep sea fishing.
Pristine coral reefs, a huge number of fish, diverse marine flora, vibrant colors of the underwater world, a lush mix of cultures - all this will make you dream of returning here again and again.
Local cuisine is distinguished by spicy spices and a large selection of fish dishes.
What attractions of Zanzibar did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
House of Miracles
The House of Miracles is the main architectural ensemble of the city of Stone Town, located on the island of Zanzibar. For a long time, the House of Miracles was the residence of local sultans, this continued until 1964, until the unification of Zanzibar and Tanganyika took place.
The name of the palace is explained very simply: it was the first building in Zanzibar where electricity and centralized water supply appeared. Local residents were surprised for a long time that water flowed through the pipes directly into the washbasin.
Today, the palace has lost its former grandeur, top officials of states no longer stay here, and the elevator, which served as a means of transportation inside the building, has not been working for a long time. However, in several rooms of the palace there is a museum that tells about local crafts and customs. And, of course, tourists are drawn here by the magnificent view of Stone Town, opening from the palace terrace.
Prizon Island is one of the most famous places in Zanzibar. This is a small island a few kilometers west of Zanzibar. You can get to the island in 15 minutes by boat, and in 30 minutes you can walk around the entire island. The island got its name because of the prison located on it, which at one time was built there, but was never used for its intended purpose. The island itself is interesting because of the giant turtles that live on it.
His appointment changed several times. Initially developed as a prison, it never became one. Slaves exported from East Africa were kept here, and in order not to spread yellow fever as an infection, there was a quarantine point at Prizon. Perhaps it looked like a prison due to the complete isolation of the sick and new arrivals to the island. Stone barracks with bars on small windows still stand.
Jozani Forest
Jozani Forest, despite its name being a national park, is a great place to diversify your leisure time and take a break from the beach.
Jozani Forest is located on the main island of Zanzibar and is declared a conservation area. Only in this place have the rarest animals been preserved - red colobus monkeys. This species is listed in the International Red Book.
In the park you can observe their habits in their natural environment. Red colobus monkeys are particularly playful and are not at all afraid of people. They may allow a person to stand next to them to take a photo. But we do not recommend trying to touch them, this can cause aggression.
The territory of the Jozani forest is divided into 3 zones - a tropical forest with rare, unique trees, a zone where red colobus monkeys live, and mangroves with wooden bridges between trees standing in the water.
In addition, tourists are delighted by the amazing plants that shrink when touched and the army of thousands of small frogs.
Jozani National Park
Jozani is Zanzibar's first and only national park and contains the largest area of mature forest. It is located in a shallow depression between the Chvaka and Uzi bays. Seasonal floods have led to a special microclimate, which has provided the basis for the growth of unique flora and fauna. Jozani has become a haven for wild animals, including rare, endemic and endangered species. The main goal of the national park is to preserve the forests and surrounding areas.
This is achieved through partnerships with local communities, for example, various replantings of valuable plants are initially funded by international donors. Currently, 80% of entry fees collected from tourists are retained and used within the park.
More than one hundred thousand tourists visit the Zanzibar park every year. The most unique animal in its forests is the leopard (Panthera Pardus adersi). Local legend has it that this species has been given mythical status. People believe that the animal, like a ghost, can evaporate into thin air.
Seagrass in mangrove forests is a prime breeding ground for microorganisms, including open species of marine fish.
Menai Bay Game Reserve, Zanzibar
The Menai Bay conservation area is located in the south of the island of Zanzibar, on the shores of the bizarrely shaped bay of the same name.
In Menai Bay, the state carefully protects sea turtles that swim to these shores to lay eggs. Tourists who are allowed to visit the reserve can see these mysterious reptiles up close.
Another attraction of Menai Bay is its magnificent nature. Tourists can enjoy the lush landscapes of Menai Bay, the richness of the local jungle and the clarity of the warm water. However, you won’t be able to swim - it’s prohibited in the protected area.
Are you interested in knowing how well you know the sights of Zanzibar? .
Dodoma Airport
Dodoma Airport is in eleventh place, out of fourteen, in the list of airports in Tuscany.
All flights from Dodomovsky Airport are domestic, so from Russia you will have to make a transfer to Dodoma with a transfer in Dar es Salaam.
Local flights take no more than an hour, and accordingly, air ticket prices are inexpensive, about $100.
The city of Dodoma itself is relatively young, founded in the 19th century. It was colonial several times, as evidenced by architectural structures and the local geological museum, which displays exhibits depicting the life of the city a couple of hundred years ago.
In 1993, Dodoma became the official capital of Tanzania.
The most popular attractions in Zanzibar with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Zanzibar on our website.
More attractions of Zanzibar
