Zanzibar (Unguja, زنجبار)

Zanzibar is an archipelago that consists of several islands, of which Unguja and Pemba are the largest. Unguja is usually referred to as Zanzibar Island.

The archipelago is well known for its famous spices and has attracted travellers for centuries, some of them in search of cloves, others to plunder. Together with Mafia Island, the Zanzibar archipelago is known as the 'Spice Islands'.

The Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English all occupied the islands once, but it was the Shirazi Persians and the Omani Arabs who stayed to settle and rule.

The Arabs introduced cloves to the islands in 1818 and moved the sultan's court there. By the middle of the 19th century Zanzibar had become the largest clove and slave exporter on Africa's east coast. The Omani sultans continued to rule Zanzibar until the island's independence. It is no wonder that their influence is most noticeable on Unguja.

Nowadays, Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. The country became independent on 9 December 1961 (from the UK-administered UN trusteeship) and was then called Tanganyika. Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from the UK) and Tanganyika united with Zanzibar on 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which was renamed United Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.

Points of interest

Stone Town

The main town on Unguja (Zanzibar Island) is Zanzibar City. Its old Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fascinating, somewhat chaotic labyrinth of narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed coral-rag houses. Many houses have beautifully carved brass-studded doors, although they are becoming less frequent all the time.

There are numerous little shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards, fortresses, 2 former sultans' palaces, 2 huge cathedrals and numerous neglected colonial mansions. The Old Town is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
One of the largest structures in Zanzibar is the Bayt al-ʿAjāʾib (بيت العجايب), or Beit-el-Ajaib, which is also known as the House of Wonders. It was built in 1883 and it used to be Sultan Bargash's palace, until his successor built a new palace right next to it in 1911. The 3-storey buiding is located in Mizingani Road, on the seafront, facing the Forodhani Park.
The Palace Museum is housed in the former Sultan's Palace from 1911. It is adjacent to Bayt al-ʿAjāʾib.
The 'Arab' fort is on the other side of Bayt al-ʿAjāʾib, close to the seafront. The Portuguese built it in 1700 and nowadays it houses a craft gallery. It is also known as the castle of Zanzibar.
The Forodhani Park was formerly known as the Jubilee Gardens and as the Forodhani Gardens. It is a small park along the main seawalk of Stone Town, just in front of the House of Wonders and the Old Fort. In the evenings, a popular street food market is set up on the square in the park.
Christ Church is an Anglican cathedral and a landmark historical church. It was inaugurated in 1879, after 7 years of construction.
A visit to the Hamamni Persian Baths is a refreshing experience.
The Hindu temple.
The Maruhhubi Palace was built in 1882 by Sultan Barghash to house his harem, but now it is in ruins.
The National Museum is also in town.
The Old Slave Market is off Creek Road, but there is little of interest, as the area is occupied by the first Anglican cathedral in East Africa.
The old Persian-style public bathhouse is not being used anymore.
Saint Joseph's Cathedral is nearby. Its towers can be spotted from miles away when arriving by dhow, but once in the labyrinth of streets, it is hard to find. The church is located off Kenyatta road. It was built between 1893 and 1898.

Other points of interest

Other interesting places are scattered all over the island. You must most certainly take a 'Spice Tour', taking you to several palace ruins, the Mangapwani Slave Cave, but best of all, you will learn to know many of the different spices and exotic plants that are found on the island. There are plenty of guides offering such tours, so it is not difficult to join one.
24 km (15 mi) southeast of Zanzibar town is the Jozani Forest. It is a sanctuary for the rare red colobus monkey and the Zanzibar duiker (small antelope).
On Zanzibar's east coast, beautiful empty beaches are just waiting to be discovered by the main tour operators, but this hasn't happened yet, so you'll have plenty of space for sunbathing.
Bicycles and mopeds are for rent and the island is very much suited to explore by yourself.

Around Zanzibar

Changoo Island, or Prison Island, is just off the coast of Zanzibar Island. There are fantastic beaches and giant tortoises frequently come ashore there.
Three other small islands, including Chumbe Island, are nearby and can also be visited.

Air Tanzania flies daily between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, both ways, except on Thursday and Sunday. It is a lot cheaper to come by ferry though. Cargo ships, catamarans, hydrofoils and dhows are available in Dar es Salaam. Dhows and other private operated boats also make the trip between Zanzibar and Mombasa in Kenya once or twice a week in either direction.

There are numerous hotels, hostels and dormitories all over the island. Bars and restaurants are also widely available. Very good street food can also be obtained from the night market in Forodhani Park.

Zanzibar is located off Tanzania's east coast in the Indian Ocean.

Hotels in Zanzibar

Images

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