OVERVIEW
In
addition to the marvelous diversity of the African continent,
travelers may choose to sample the idyllic life of a tropical
island just a short distance from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on
the Spice Island of Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is comprised of the islands
of Unguja and Pemba, both of which are surrounded by many smaller
islands. The Stone Town, on Unguja Island, is just 37 km from
the mainland coast, but most travelers fly directly to the island
from Kilimanjaro or Arusha. The flights cost about $200 each way
and are generally run each day (though at different times). There
are also many flights to and from Nairobi. Immigration requirements
are the same as for mainland Tanzania and the Tanzanian visa is
all that is required for entry.
Zanzibar's fascinating history
carries forward and has resulted in a unique mixture of cultures,
offering the chance to experience living history in a modern world.
Long sandy beaches and clear blue waters provide the setting,
letting you relax amongst the swaying coconut palms.
These islands must be visited
in order to understand the feelings they inspire; the architecture
and sense of history, the smiling people, the range of cuisine,
the smell of spices - these all combine to culminate in a spectacular
explosion of the senses.
Following is a sampling of the
available ACTIVITIES
which can be pre-booked or arranged upon arrival. The prices listed
are subject to fluctuation. The actual price will be set when
arrangements are made.
Additionally, there are many places
to stay in Zanzibar. We have listed a few of the hotels with short
descriptions to help you decided which HOTELS might suit you best.
ACTIVITIES
Zanzibar offers
many outstanding diversions. From relaxing on the beach to exploring
a tropical forest or swimming with dolphins, Zanzibar's activities
are varied and unique. Below are some of available activities.
- Prison (Changu) Island: Whole or half day
trip. See the ruins and the giant turtles, then relax in the
Indian Ocean, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing
- City Tour: Whole or half day visiting the
Slave Market and Anglican Cathedral, Zanzibar and Palace Museums,
the Old Dispensary and Livingstone's House, Maruhubi and Mtoni
Ruins.
- Spice Tour: Whole or half day exploring gardens
and plantations of spices and fruit trees.
- Jozani Forest: See the orchids and indigenous
Red Colobus monkeys in the only remaining forest on Unguja Island
- Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Scuba
Diving can be arranged for both beginners and experienced divers
The estimated
prices for these excursions range from US$40.00 per person to
US$70.00 per person.
ACCOMODATIONS
There are several
place from which to choose to stay on Zanzibar. Below is a selection
of some interesting hotels. The prices shown are guidelines. As
mentioned above, we will need to get present pricing if you desire
to visit the island. The prices shown do not include the
Tanzanian sales tax (10%).
- Emerson's House Hotel in the Stone Town is an old Omani palace carefully
restored to its original style. Because the architectural integrity
of the building is of uppermost importance, only two of the bedrooms
have private baths. This usually presents no inconvenience to
the guests as there are five toilets and baths shared among the
remaining seven rooms. Two of these shared baths are rather special.
One is a small private open-air roof-top area, festooned with
plants and flowers, the other is a stone tub embedded with some
antique tiles. Emerson's offers two uniquely atmospheric restaurants.
The Teahouse provides sumptuous dinners and hearty breakfasts
in an intimate aerie nestled on the top of a nearby building,
offering the best views of the town. The cafe on the ground floor
invites you to recline beside the lily pond while enjoying light
lunches and rich desserts. Please contact us for the current
prices for this option.
- Dhow Palace Hotel in the Stone Town is in an old, impressive Arab house
with all the 10 rooms facing into a central courtyard. The hotel
is decorated with rare, unique and tasteful Zanzibar antiques.
The rooms all have high ceilings and are therefore cool. The
courtyard is a peaceful retreat to read and drink tea. Breakfast
is available but no other meals at present, however there are
many restaurants in the town, offering a wide variety of food,
although the best option is local seafood. Please contact us
for the current prices for this option.
- Mbweni Ruins Hotel is on the coast halfway between the airport and the
Stone Town. Although just five minutes drive from the airport
it is a time world away. The hotel has just 12 suites, all with
bathrooms and verandahs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each room
has air-conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities. It
is set in spacious grounds which contain a historical ruin from
the time of the first Anglican missionaries. The gardens are
landscaped into a Botanical Garden with many labeled species
of exotic and tropical plants. Special requests can be arranged;
barbecues on the beach, picnics on an island or dinner on an
Arab dhow. There are also trips to nearby Chumbe Island
- Tanzania's first Marine Park. Please contact us for the current
prices for this option.
- Matemwe Bungalows is situated on the north east coast. The journey
of about one and a half hours from the Stone Town gives you an
excellent opportunity to get an impression of rural and scenic
Zanzibar. Enjoy the small villages, intense green landscape and
the wide open valley with rice paddies when you reach the escarpment
on the east of the island. Accommodation is in your own banda
of which there are only 12 (eight of which have en-suite bathrooms),
all directly overlooking the Indian ocean. There is no electricity
or hot water but lamps are provided in the evenings and the local
temperatures make hot water unnecessary. Instead of speedboats
or water skiing, sailing is offered with the local 'ngalawas',
the traditional wooden fishing boats, there is also snorkeling
at the colorful coral reef where you may see dolphins and sometimes,
in August, whales. The food consists of fresh catches of the
day and has been praised for its superb quality. Please contact
us for the current prices for this option.
- Tamarind Beach Hotel on the south east coast, about 30 miles from the
Stone Town. The drive from the town is pretty through plantations
of coconut palms and fruit trees, dotted with mukuti thatched
houses and small villages. The lush vegetation becomes slightly
more scrubby on the more arid east coast. The Tamarind is on
a beautiful sweep of gleaming white coralline beach and situated
next to a fishing village. There are 12 bungalows built using
coral blocks and decorated with local materials. The design of
all the buildings is simple but effective and relaxing. Much
of the seafood served in the restaurant is caught by fishermen
from the neighboring village. Please contact us for the current
prices for this option.
If its clear blue water, swaying
palm trees and slower pace make Zanzibar sound like the place
you would like to unwind after spending time in Africa's interior,
give Jambo! Travels a call. We will be happy to assist you in
any way possible.