A guide to Zanzibar island destinations is a well detailed breakdown of the Best beaches, things to do where to stay and travel tips and activities to explore once in Zanzibar. If you are looking for a place that doubles down on history, adventure, and beach relaxation, then Zanzibar is the place for you. Zanzibar as a destination stretches far beyond the African continent by attracting visitors from across the world. It is a natural treasure nestled in the Indian Ocean off the East African coast. Zanzibar became known as the spice island during generations of Arab trade, a name that defined its trade ability. The island was one of the world’s leading spice producers. This was attributed mainly to the Arab population on the island, who were the main producers.
Zanzibar is a captivating archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is part of mainland Tanzania, though it has an independent economy and governance. This island is among the leading destinations in the world. It is a place where time seems frozen as the natural beauty blends with the history and ancient streets locked in civilization. This island takes you on a stroll through the historical times of the slave trade that defined and changed the world until today.
Brief history of Zanzibar
Zanzibar was not very well known before the introduction of trade in the world in the 15th century. It was still called Unguja Island through the evolution of trade until its independence and union with Tanganyika. These islands were a highly contested trade route that sat at the center of the world slave trade, connecting Africa to the world. The islands were first occupied by Africans as the indigenous people. Later, by the 15th century, the Persians arrived, integrated with the Africans, and introduced Islam. It spread like wildfire, and before long it was the dominant religion on the island.
By 1500, as the world was being shaped and mapped by the era of exploration, the islands fell under Portuguese rule. The Portuguese were interested in controlling the Indian Ocean trade route. At the end of 1600, the Omani Arabs arrived on the coasted overthrew the Portuguese to take over control of the islands. By the 1800s, the Omani Sultan Seyyid Said moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar. It was a massive move that changed the islands into one of the global trading destinations. The Omanis introduced cloves and controlled the ivory and slave trades, leading to the construction of Stone Town that still stands today, over 500 years later. By the 19th century, the British took over control of the island.
Zanzibar later gained independence from the British in 1963 but remained under the sultan’s rule. A year later, the Zanzibar Revolution broke out that ended the sultan’s rule. This war led to the unification of Zanzibar Island with the mainland Tanganyika. This gave birth to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Best places to visit in Zanzibar
The Spice Island, or Zanzibar, is a special destination with a variety of best places to explore. These best places to visit in Zanzibar are entangled in historical adventures that shaped the island. However, it is not all about ancient times on this island, as there are also exciting, relaxing places. Below are some of the best places to visit in Zanzibar.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the leading attraction of Zanzibar Island. It is popular for its cultural and historical artefacts that are dotted across the island. Exploring this town is like traveling back in time to the ancient years of the trade revolution. Stone Town was the main administrative city of Zanzibar Island. It was built by the 9th century and modernized during the sultan’s rule and became the center of the clove trade and slave trade.
This is because it sat at the center of the Indian Ocean slave trade route. This town features a variety of ancient artefacts and buildings that were built over 500 years ago. Stone Town is an architectural marvel with a mixture of the European, Persian, Portuguese, and Omani styles of buildings. Some of the landmarks include the slave market, the Old Fort building, and old administration buildings, among others. Stone Town was recognized by UNESCO in 2000 and became a World Heritage Site.
Prison Island
Situated on Changuu Island, Prison Island is a historic destination that dates back to the slave trade period. At the peak of the slave trade revolution, Prison Island was designated as a prison for slaves who were deemed dangerous and violent. It was later turned into a quarantine area for yellow fever. This disease was spreading contagiously and with no cure at the time.
Currently, Prison Island stands as a unique destination and a sanctuary of the giant Aldabra tortoises. Visitors from across the world explore this island, venture through the ancient city, and also encounter the giant tortoises. These tortoises are believed to have inhabited the island from the time of the slave trade until now. Tortoises are known for their longevity, and these tortoises on this island have been alive since the time of the slave trade. Visitors can also visit the coral stone building constructed by the British in 1894.
Pemba Island
Life flourishes on Pemba Island, one of the best places to visit in Zanzibar. This island offers incredible beaches surrounded by green hills that brighten with the blue waters of the ocean. This island also harbors the clove plantations that began the clove trade during the sultan’s rule. Pemba Island has a channel that is a hotspot for marine activity like fishing and snorkelling. The island also has a vast population of birdlife with some rare species, such as the Fischer’s turaco.
Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park
One of the best places hard to skip when visiting Zanzibar is Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park. This is the only national park on this island and offers shelter for a vast biodiversity of flora and fauna. It features a variety of ecological systems, ranging from wetlands to coral rag forests. Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park offers a glimpse of the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey. This is a recognized endangered primate species by the IUCN and endemic to Zanzibar Island.
Things to do in Zanzibar Island
With several of the best places to visit on Zanzibar Island, visitors have a variety of things to do while exploring this island. Some of these things include the following.
Explore Stone Town
Immerse yourself in history and ancient civilization as you explore Stone Town. Known for its historical slave and clove trade. Visitors can visit the popular slave market, which was the center of the slave trade in the ancient slave trade period. This is where the slave masters and traders exchanged goods and slaves. Explore the Old Fort building that was an administrative building of the town.
Snorkelling and diving
Snorkelling and diving are common activities done on Zanzibar Island. These activities are commonly done on Pemba Island. Snorkelling involves swimming underwater with a snorkel to breathe underwater as you explore the marine life. The Indian Ocean is rich with marine life, and snorkelling and diving are the best activities to explore this marine life.
Swimming in the ocean
Probably the most commonly done activity on Zanzibar Island is swimming. The Indian Ocean offers crystal-clear, pristine waters that yearn for a swim. The coastal tropical sun amplifies these desires, and many visitors don’t leave the island before swimming in the ocean.
Visit the spice plantations
Visitors can explore the spice plantations that make Zanzibar Island a prominent spice-producing island. Spice plantations were adapted from Arab and Persian cultures and are one of the remaining takeaways of this culture. The spice plantations don’t just beautify the island with incredible colors, but their aromas are also unmistakably rewarding.
Accessibility of Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island can be accessed by both air and water transport. Located a few kilometers from the mainland of Tanzania, traveling to the island by water means visitors take a ferry or ship from the coast. This is the most common and cheapest way for visitors coming from Tanzania. Visitors from the rest of the world and Africa can fly to Zanzibar. The island has a functioning international airport. Accessing the other scattered islands, such as Pemba and Changuu, is by boat.
Accommodation on Zanzibar Island
What Zanzibar Island has mastered is accommodation. Almost all the islands that make up Zanzibar have resorts and beach houses. The accommodation on Zanzibar ranges from luxury to midrange and budget. This allows visitors to choose their preferred option. Some of the resorts and hotels on this island include Tembo House Hotel, Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel, Zuri Zanzibar, Hotel Rui Palace Zanzibar, and Melia Zanzibar, among others.
Suggested itineraries to Zanzibar Island
Some of the suggested itineraries to Zanzibar Island include the following.
- 10 days Zanzibar Island
- 4 days Jozani Forest and East Coast – Paje/Jambiani
- 5 days Stone Town
- 7 days balanced Zanzibar tour
In conclusion, the guide to Zanzibar Island brings out a detailed way to understand the island’s potential as a destination. However, the best way to understand Zanzibar is to explore its best places and venture into the various things to do. It can easily be accessed by both water and air transport. Contact us at Epic Uganda Vacations for an epic time in Zanzibar, where we plan and organize your entire tour.
