Zanzibar Activities

Stone Town also known as Mji Mkongwe Swahili for “old town” is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar, in Tanzania, as opposed to Ng’ambo (Swahili for ‘the other side’). It is located on the western coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Former capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate, and flourishing centre of the spice trade as well as the slave trade in the 19th century, it retained its importance as the main city of Zanzibar during the period of the British protectorate. When Tanganyika and Zanzibar joined each other to form the United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar kept a semi-autonomous status, with Stone Town as its local government seat.

Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, with a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 2000.

Changuu Island also known as Prison Island, was once owned by an Arab who used it for ‘rebellious’ slaves. Some years later in 1893 it was sold to general Mathews, a Briton who converted it into a prison. However it has never actually been used as such and was later converted to serve as a quarantine station for East Africa in colonial times. Some structures of the prison are still intact, besides Changuu Island makes for good snorkeling, wind surfing and sailing grounds.

The British first Minister of Zanzibar, Lloyd Mathews, purchased the island in 1893 and constructed a prison complex there, though no prisoners were ever housed on the Island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. Now the Island is a government- owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles.

This tour can either be full day or half day depending on the wishes of the guests. It also involves a snorkelling trip too.

A Spice tour is probably the best way of seeing the country side outside Stone town where spice farms are located at Kizimbani and Kijichi. Picking and sampling bunches of leaves, fruits and twigs from the farms and taste them to have a fill of what each of their flavours and what they are.Most of the ingredients are of average kitchen rack and are represented by; turmeric, chilies, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg and vanilla etc. Also included in this tour is a visit to a Persian baths built by sultan Sayyid for his harem.

The Zanzibar’s only National Park and is centered on Jozani forest, the forest lies in a shallow trough in the fossil coral bed between the mangrove filled bays of Chwaka and Uzi. Seasonal flooding, and a high water table, gave rise to a unique groundwater forest. On the high ground to either side is dry coral rag forest and thicket. The most famous and the endearing residents of the Jozani Chwaka Bay National park is the Zanzibar’s Red Columbus Monkey. A visit to Zanzibar sir not complete without seeing one of the rarest monkeys in Africa, with less than 2000 remaining in the world.

Discover the best of the Zanzibar! The Menai Bay Conservation Area, to the south of Zanzibar, is an area of out-standing natural beauty.

The most popular dolphin spotting location in Zanzibar is in Kizimkazi Village located on the southern coast of Zanzibar Island where you can see both the bottle- nose and the humpback dolphins.

The shallow coastal waters around Kizimkazi are a favorite hangout for dolphins that come here for the reliable food supply, to nurse their calves, rest and to socialize too.

Safari blue starts from the village of Fumba a 35 minute drive from Stone Town. Fumba is the most convenient location for exploring the wildlife, isolated sandbanks and rugged island scenery of Menai Bay Conservation Area. This is full day tours that involves snorkelling, swim with the dolphin if they are in a mood to socialize and lunch plus drinks. Alcohol is not permitted.

The Seaweed center is a social business that provides local women the opportunity to earn a living by harvesting seaweed and creating beauty and spa products. The range is 100% organic , using the highest-quality ingredients ,loving handmade on the shores of Paje.

During the tour you will;

• Learn to make natural beauty products from raw seaweed.
• Immerse yourself in local culture.
• Have a go at making the soap yourself.
• Be pampered with a tradition Zanzibari welcome.
• Enjoy fresh seaweed juice, a super food drink.