Zanzibar is an island in the Indian ocean . Total area of the island is 2462 sq km with population over 1.5 million . This island is an autonomous region in Tanzania . It consists of two major island Unguja island (where actually the Zanzibar city situated ) and Pemba Island . It is almost 50 km distant from the mainland Tanzania . Most of the people Here are Muslim and rest of them are Christian and Hindu . Though lots of different religion and Ethnics people live here still they coexist with one another in peace . This city has very rich culture because Arabs , omanis , Indians , European and African people come to this island and live here . They enriches it’s culture . If you want to see culture of Zanzibar , then you must visit the famous Stone Town .
Here Majority of the revenue comes from the tourism sector . You can enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches , different cuisine , scuba driving , visiting Zanzibar archipelago , different local fruits and lots of friendly people . I must say fruits here are very tasty and unique , lots of them you will not found in mainland Tanzania . It is famous for spices cultivation . Cardamom , cloves and pepper are the major spices to cultivated here . In this island of Africa little saffron is also produced . Durians , passion fruit , pawpaw , Zanzibar special Lichi(Rambutan Fruit) , Nutmerg , breadfruit are the best fruit available here . You can taste also big bananas (almost size like a hand ). This banana’s were only found in here . It also have a local fish market where you will find different types of sea fish , octopuses and many more sea animal .
Slave Market
Before independence of 1963 it was controlled by Omans . In this time it was a major port in the world for slave trade . Mainly the Arabs , Indians and Europeans made the slave trade . This slaves were brought from the mainland Africa to sell here . In1873 omani sultan banned the slave trade . British pressurized omani sultan to stop slave trade .
This slave trade mainly flurished in the 19 th Century . Mainly from the Lake victoria , Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika region they brought those slaves in this island and sold in further country . The process of bringing them here were very painful and lots died in the process . Here at that time 10,000 slave were living in the island or passing through which is 2/3 of the population of the island at that time . They are forcefully transformed to slave .Their villages are burned and they were put in a cage to carry them here .
How to reach to Zanzibar ?
There is two way you can reach here . one by flight and another by ferry
Air :
This island has its own international Airport Abeid Amani karume international airport . From Most of the europe , asia and Africa have flight towards Zanzibar which will stop at Dar-es-salam and then reach here . In my view it is better option to come to here rather than Ferry .
Ferry:
From Da -es- Salam to Zanzibar there was ferry after every 30 mins .It will take two hour to reach Zanzibar city . In the ferry seats are air – conditioned and have upper and lower deck . Ferry condition is good but It will charge you $30 USD.
Road transport inside Zanzibar
Unguja island is the biggest island in Zanzibar archipelago .Unguja island is 90 km in length and 40 km wide . For traveling inside the island there is Dala Dala available . It is the only transport available here . You can also take taxi or use cycle and bike to maneuver the island .
What to see in Zanzibar ?
Historical Places: You can see lots of historical places in stone town .(It is actually the oldest place in the Zanzibar city and it was called stone town because the older buildings in this places are made of coral stone) . The major places to visit are
- The House of Wonders(It was the first building in Zanzibar to be electrified)
- old Fort (This is build by the omanis in 1700 to protect the city from Portuges attack )
- Marhubi palaces
- slave market
Natural Beauty :
Zanzibar has some of the wonderful white sandy beaches with crystal clear water of Indian ocean . It has very low wave in the island makes the place perfect for swimming and snorkeling . some of the beautiful places here are
- Nungwi beach
- Kendwa beach
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
It also have some caves to see . In older time this island was top in clove export but after 1970 there spice production dropped but still it produces 7% of world’s clove .
Flora and Fauna :
Here you can see some of the rare species of animals like Red colobus , Zanzibar leopard , Zanzibar servaline genet , African palm civets . Specially Zanzibar leopard and red colobus are some endangered species animal.
Things to know before coming to Zanzibar
- Though Zanzibar is more safer than Mainland Tanzania still you should not go out after 10 in the night . As in stone town internet does not work well and there is such a alley you often forget the road. This alley are very confusing . After 10 you don’t find people to guide you .
- Here most of the people are conservative Muslims. so always give respect to their culture and dressed moderately when visiting religious spots .
- You should always bargain when buying items in stone town .
- You must visit Fruit market in slave market area . Here you find different types of delicious fruit .
- You should visit the slave Museum . Here all the details of the History is well described . Here also see the underground slave chamber where usually slaves are stayed before Auction .
- In the night you must try the street food beside the main beach road . It is cheap and also you can have the taste of Zanzibar . They are very flexible with the payment means you can pay them in USD , KSH or in Tanzanian shilling . In this place also I made money exchange . They will do what ever a tourist need . You must come this place in night it is very vibrant place in night in zanzibar
