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Specialist in: Wildlife Safaris, Mountain
trekking, Beach Holidays, Cultural tours, Walking safaris, Hiking
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CALL NOW +255 (27) 250 8448
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We offer best Tour & Safaris in
Tanzania and Kenya to:
Tune into
Call us now
+255 (27)2508448/49/50/51
Classic Tours & Safaris
"Your best friend in Tanzania"
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I TANZANIA I
KENYA I ZANZIBAR I
MAFIA I
KILWA I MOMBASA
l DAR l
ARUSHA l
It
is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral
reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only
functioning ancient town in East Africa.
Stone Town.
Stone Town old city and cultural heart of
Zanzibar, has
changed little in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding
alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose
original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their
dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the
brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500
different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours
and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow
streets and alleyways.
Historically, the Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians,
Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and
English have all been to Zanzibar at one time or another. Some,
particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle
and rule. With this influence,
Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic (97%) - the remaining
3% is made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The earliest visitors
to
Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have
arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building that remains on
Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi, which dates from 1107, and is a
present-day tourist attraction.
For
centuries the Arabs sailed with the Monsoon winds from Oman to trade
primarily in ivory, slaves and spices. The two main islands, Unguja
(normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, provided an ideal
base for the Omani Arabs, being relatively small, and therefore
fairly easy to defend. From here it was possible for them to control
1,000 miles of the mainland coast from present day
Mozambique
to Somalia. Indeed, in 1832, Sultan Seyyid Said, of the Busaid
Dynasty that had emerged in Oman, moved his Sultanate from Muscat,
which was perhaps more difficult to protect, to Zanzibar where he
and his descendants ruled for over 130 years. Most of the wealth lay
in the hands of the Arab community, who were the main landowners,
kept themselves to themselves, and generally did not intermarry with
the Africans.
This was not true of
the Shirazi Persians who came from the Middle East to settle on the
East African coast. The story goes that in AD 975, Abi Ben Sultan
Hasan of Shiraz in Persia (now Iran) had a terrible nightmare in
which a rat devoured the foundations of his house. He took this as
an omen that his community was to be devastated. Others in the
Shiraz Court ridiculed the notion, but Sultan Hasan, his family and
some followers obviously took it very seriously because they decided
to migrate. They set out in seven dhows into the Indian Ocean but
were caught in a huge storm and separated. Thus, landfalls were made
at seven different places along the East African coast, one of which
was Zanzibar, and settlements began.
Widespread
intermarriage between Shirazis and Africans gave rise to a coastal
community with distinctive features, and a language derived in part
from Arabic, which became known as Swahili. The name Swahili comes
from the Arab word sawahil which means 'coast'. The
Zanzibar
descendants of this group were not greatly involved in the lucrative
slave, spice and ivory trades. Instead, they immersed themselves
mainly in agriculture and fishing. Those Shirazis that did not
intermarry retained their identity as a separate group.
Two smaller
communities were also established. Indian traders arrived in
connection with the spice and ivory trade, and quickly settled as
shopkeepers, traders, skilled artisans, and professionals. British
missionaries also set up on the Island.
After the death of
Said the Great in 1856, the royal house was left with numerous power
struggles. Faced with the advent of slavery abolition and jealousy
within the family, the British managed to gain control of much of
the island. whilst attempting to abolish the slave trade centred in
Zanzibar, on which they were largely unsuccessful. They were limited
to intimidating slave traders and effecting quotas. The British
managed to pressurise Said's successors into stopping the trade, but
many treaties were ignored. In 1890, Sultan Ali, the last of Sultan
Said's successors, finally honored his treaty in declaring all
slaves free, and freeing any slaves that entered the area.
In 1896, Sultan
Hamed bin Thuwain died, leaving the throne vacant. Hamed's cousin,
Khaled saw an opportunity and crawled through the palace window,
gained a few supporters and announced he was the new Sultan.
The British were
obviously not impressed with this, as Zanzibar was a British
protectorate. The British ordered Khaled to lower his flag by 9a.m.
on the 27th of August 1896. Needless to say this was not done, and
the shortest war in history ensued (it is still listed in the
Guinness Book of World Records). The British opened fire on
Stone Town, destroying the Palace, the Harem, the Sultan's ship and
the lighthouse. The House of Wonders was slightly damaged. 40
minutes later, the war was over and Seyyid Hamoud bin Mohammed was
declared the new Sultan.
The British
protectorate continued until constitutional independence was granted
to Zanzibar on 10 December 1963. On
12 January 1964,
John Okello, a Ugandan President on Pemba, began what was to be the
bloodiest revolution ever seen in
Zanzibar.
Okello began by gaining support amongst the black population, then
started to capture strategic police and government buildings. Okello
based himself in the building of the radio station, to help him
broadcast his message to the now hungry revolutionaries. Within a
couple of days, 17000 Arabs and Indians were killed and those that
survived fled, their land confiscated and nationalised. Abeid Karume,
leader of the Afro-Shirazi party, was declared the new president and
proceeded to form the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
This was a new beginning for the people of Zanzibar that had
witnessed centuries of oppression.
SOUVENIRS FROM ZANZIBAR.
Would you go home without an inexpensive souvenir
which is likely to become a treasured memory of the trip? May be a
precious stone or just a wall hanging, wood carving.
The fragrance of spice is deliciously strong and
its everywhere and you know you are in Zanzibar, the spice Island
with its cloves and cinnamon, lichee nuts, cocoa beans, and coconut
This is definitely the best place to buy spices. Most souvenir shops
stock a limited supply of spices.
While you are strolling along the winding roads of
the stone town you will come across many shops for antiques and
souvenirs mainly wooden carvings, pottery, paintings etc. If you
walk along Kiponda street you will find textile and jewelers shops.
Hardware is at Mchangani street, and at Darajani you get most items.
Cosmetics and Textiles are on the Malindi Street .
In Sokohuhog Street you can see many shops, this area is opposite
Old Post Office and along Gizenga Street.
There are two shops just after the main entrance
of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. A drive through the country side will
provide many interesting experiences.
Walk through the narrow streets and visiting the
market place. Also there is Food Market filled with plenty of
vegetables and fruits.
ZANZIBAR TOUR EXCURSIONS AND
OTHER ACTIVITIES.
STONE TOWN TOUR
The
three and half-hours tour starts at the House of Wonder (the first
long building and had had Electricity in east
Africa). We then proceed to the Sultan’s Palace which now is a museum
then to the Old Indian Dispensary, Livingstone House and Market
(opened 1904), Where local fruits and vegetables are sold. The
Anglican Church, (1873).Which was built on the site of the old slave
market), State House, and We pass
Zanzibar Museum
(1925) no longer used. On our way, we pass, the High- court of
Zanzibar, Tip tipu House, the first British High Commission,
Jamituri garden, and we end our tour the old fort building (1698 –
1701).
Narrow
Street of Stone town and House of Wonder
TOWN TOUR-on foot.
Similar to the normal town tour, without the Zanzibar museum, High
court and Livingstone house, but including Sultan’s Palace .
Also chance to explore the shops in the company of a local
knowledgeable guide which reduces the possibility of exposure to the
more aggressive sales techniques!
SPICE
TOUR
A wonderful opportunity to see spices like cloves, Cinnamon, Black
pepper, Nutmeg, turmeric root, actually growing in the plantations.,
Other tropical fruits such as jack fruit, custard, apple, Rambutan,
Carambola can also be seen and tasted. Furthermore you will see
plants like the Henna bush, Lipstick tree and Lemongrass. Finally
you will visit the Kidichi Persian Baths that were built by the
first Sultan of Zanzibar named Sultan Said Said bin Sultan in 1850
and Maruhubi Palace Ruins built by the third Sultan of Zanzibar
named Sultan Said Baraghash Bin Said in 1880 which were built
especially for housing 99 of his harem. Sensible shoes and hats are
advisable.
JOZANI
FOREST
Jozani forest is a natural forest located 35km from town; it is the
only natural forest in the world where you can find the Red Colobus
Monkeys, unique to Zanzibar. In the forest there are also different
types of animals like Civet cats, Bush baby, Leopard (very few
left), Jumping shrew, Red and Grey squirrels, an Elephant shrew to
name just some. At the present time the Red Colobus Monkeys are very
friendly and easy to see but the other animals are more difficult to
spot.
Sensible shoes and a hat are advisable.
PRISON
ISLAND
A relaxing day is to be had when you visit the small Island off
Zanzibar Town. Apart from the Ruins of the Jail that was built in
1893 which was used for quarantine instead, there are giant
tortoises of which some are over 100 years old. The Island is
excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
BAWE
ISLAND
Yet another of the Island off Zanzibar town, smaller Bawe also has
breath taking marine life and is also excellent for snorkelling.
UZI ISLAND
TOUR.
On the remote island of Uzi 6000 people are
living, despite the fact that it is hardly to access. Only during
low tide, on a path through mangroves or on boats you can reach Uzi.
But if you reach it, you will find a different Zanzibar. Untouched
nature and original African life make a trip to Uzi Island an
adventure: primary forest, monkeys, lonely beaches and curious
locals. It is really off the beaten track.
NORTH
COAST TOUR
This trip leads you through a spice farm, Mangapwani Slave Caves and
Chambers and on to the beautiful white sandy beaches of Nungwi, the
most wonderful place to relax and unwind after the dust and humidity
of Stone town.
Pack your swim wear and enjoy a cool drink in
Paradise!
DOLPHIN
TOUR
This tour takes you to the South coast of
Zanzibar
Island by road. Once you reach Kizimkazi village you will board a
boat that will take you searching for dolphins, you have an 80% of
seeing them and with a bit of luck might even swim amongst them.
ACTIVITIES;
SNORKELING TOUR. In the afternoon we will visit the Chwaka Bay, a
newly established National Reserve, famous for it's huge mangrove
forest and it's population of endangered seabirds. On a boat trip
through the mangroves you can sometimes see sea turtles.
The daytrip includes transport, guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch,
boat ride.
Forget fishing in a modern fishing vessel with the
latest in reels and rods and a fighting chair as well! We offer you
the unique opportunity to sail out to sea with a Zanzibari fisherman
and show you what 'fishing for a living' is really all about.
Setting sail from one of East Africa's oldest wafts, the horizon is
dotted with dhow's heading out to sea with full mast. These elegant
vessels have voyaged across the Indian Ocean for hundreds of years
and whilst the crew are busy preparing fishing nets the timelessness
of this tradition will carry you far from the modern world's pace.
We will equip you with simple fishing gear, with what locals are
even catching kingfish, yellow fin tuna, barracuda and grouper. A
real adventure!
The half-day or daytrip includes the boat ride, fishing guide, local
fishing gear, fruits and soft drinks.
SCUBA DIVING IS EXCITING AND REWARDING;
THE CLASSIC TOURS & SAFARIS LTD IS YOUR HOST, you can
explore with us Zanzibar's' amazing underwater world. Our experienced
dive instructors are speaking English and German, the equipment is
up to date.
Local sites are suitable for all levels of experience from beginner
to advanced, we dive inside the reef as well as outside.
We offer complete diving holiday package including all your scuba
diving and snorkeling needs.
Soft and hard corals, sponges and anemones abound can
be seen on the untouched reef, and whether you are a total novice,
snorkeler or keen diver, you will be amazed by the sheer range of
fish species to be found in these waters.
As at low tide boats can’t enter or leave the beach, our dive times
are changing every day. At low tide the shallow waters make the
perfect time to explore the lagoon.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Yatching
Professional
Fishing
Local fishing
Chumbe I
Stone Town I
Mombasa I Hotels and
Lodges in Destinations I
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