Zanzibar – Vacation Tours In Africa
Article by Richard Dickson
Zanzibar: The romantic Islands.
Because of its fascinating slave trade history, Zanzibar is one of Africa’s top destinations. It is located in the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Tanzania) and it has been a natural trading centre since history. Well known for its spices, Zanzibar was also a slave trading centre.
Celebrated around the world for their beauty, beaches, and history, the Romantic islands of Zanzibar are under the influence of Arabs. One of the most attractive in stone town one of the island biggest attractions. Listed under UNESCO world heritage sites, stone town boasts beautiful traditional houses, the sultans palace, narrow alleyways, and plenty of mosques.
What to see and visit while in Zanzibar.
Stone Town
While in the fabled stone town, you get to see the house of wonders, the peoples’ palace (Palace museum), the Arab fort and Dr Livingstone’s House. The walk through this city gives you a clear picture of how history was. You also get to see bustling markets, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, the only two cathedrals and plenty of mosques. While visiting the islands, you should schedule the fascinating walk through stone town that is rewarding.
Spice Plantations
Visit the spice plantations of Zanzibar, as the history of the place would be incomplete without them. The island is known to have been at one time the leading producer of spices, like cloves, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and many more, which led to the Sultans of Oman and the beginning of slave trade. Plantations are just outside the towns of Zanzibar and visitors are treated with a detailed description of the spices and their uses.
Prison Island
Situated just off the old stone town, Prison Island is most known for its history as having been a site for misbehaving slaves. The site is ideal for snorkeling, with beautiful coral reefs and a lovely white sand beach for sun-bathing. The island is ideal for a day trip with lots of refreshment. It is also known to be home for a family of large tortoises, which were imported from Seychelles in the late 19th century.
Jozani Forest
Located in the central east region is the home of the rare Red Colobus monkeys in the Jozani Natural forest reserve. It is also a home to other species, like the small buck, Syke’s monkey’s and bushpigs. Also known to feed in this reserve, is the Zanzibar leopard and this explains why the reserve is only open during the day. A walk through this reserve can be very interesting and informative as the guides are well trained.
North Coast
The unspoilt north coast tours take you up to Ras Nungwi a drowsy fishing village on the northern end of Zanzibar. While in Ras Nungwi, you will be ale to see the local methods of dhow construction in action, as it is a dhow building capital of Zanzibar. The area has fascinating beaches with coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling. There is also a turtle sanctuary built by the local people to nurse the injured turtles and the marine animals before letting them back into the Indian Ocean. Kizimkazi Mosque & Dolphin Tour.
From the north, we move to the southern end of the island the Kizimikazi fishing village. The village is a site to the earliest evidence of Islam is East Africa, the Mosque which is worth a visit for both native and cultural reasons. The village is a habitat to many schools of dolphins and can be sighted following a boat trip from the village. You can also swim along with the bottle-nosed dolphin an extraordinary experience you can ever get.
About the Author
Richard Dickson is a freelance writer in Africa.For adventures,visit Kenya Safari Maasai, and Gorilla Safari Uganda or Chimpanzee Tracking.
