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TANZANIA I
KENYA I ZANZIBAR I
MAFIA I
KILWA
I TERMS &
CONDITIONS I
OUR POLICY
I DAR l
ARUSHA
Zanzibar
Archipelago; Origin, History, People, Culture and Tourism.
Zanzibar archipelago comprises the islands of
Unguja (also called Zanzibar) and Pemba with a number of
islets adjacent thereto. It is part of the United Republic of
Tanzania but administratively there is an autonomous
government for matters that are not part of the union
agreement.
Zanzibar, Pemba, and
Mafia Islands are part of a coral reef barrier along the
Tanzania Coast. The resorts here are becoming recognized as
among the top in the world. The crystal clear water,
beautiful beaches and luxurious vegetation form a paradise
that provides a wonderful combination of Swahili culture,
superb diving and wonderful cuisine. A
visit to any of these islands is easily added to one of
our Tanzania or Kenya safaris.
Zanzibar is immediately accessible from the
mainland by ferry or by scheduled flights. Pemba is most
easily reached by ferry from Zanzibar, and Mafia is best
reached by charter flight from Dar Es Salaam. The island
of Zanzibar, also called
Unguja,
is separated from the mainland of East Africa (Tanzania) by a
channel which is at its narrowest part 36 km (22 1/2 miles)
across. It lies between latitudes 5° 40' and 6° 30' South; and
longitude 39° East. It is about 85 km (53 miles) in length and
39 km (24 miles) in breadth at its broadest point. Its area is
about 1 660 square km (640 square miles). It is the largest
island on the east coast of Africa.
The island
of
Pemba
lies about 40 km (25 miles) NNE of Zanzibar between latitude
4° 80' south and longitude 39° 35' and 39° 50' east. It is
separated from the main continent by a channel some 56 km (35
miles) wide. It is smaller than Zanzibar, being 67 km (42
miles) long by 23 km (14 miles) wide (maximum) and having an
area of 985 square km (380 square miles).
The name Zanzibar means "Land of the Blacks" and originates
from the Arabic words "Zinj" meaning black and "barr" meaning
land. The Island
of Zanzibar consists of two main islands, Pemba and Unguja
with some 50 smaller islands surrounding the archipelago.
Unguja is the main and most developed island. Many people
refer to it as Zanzibar, so please do not get confused when we
refer to it as Unguja. The population of Zanzibar is about
800,000 people, of which 150,000 are found on Pemba. The
majority of people inhabit Stone Town (which is the "capital"
of Zanzibar). Many of the rural people prefer the fertile
Northern section of the island, whilst the East Coast has
coral rag, and provides the most spectacular beaches and
holiday destinations.
These areas are so sparse
that at the right time of the year, you may even have a whole
stretch of beach to yourself. Portuguese invasion and
control of the Swahili Coast in the late 16th century ended
the golden age of the archipelago, although the Omani Arabs
returned to power less than a century later. Today, many of
the winding streets and high townhouses of old Stone Town
remain unchanged and visitors can walk between the sultan’s
palace, the House of Wonders, the Portuguese fort and gardens,
the merchants’ houses, and the Turkish baths of the old city.
Day-long spice tours to working plantations offer visitors the
chance to observe the cultivation of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg,
cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous.
Zanzibar’s coastline offers
some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary
depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east
coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore,
and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows,
and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less
susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand
make for dazzling days in the sun. The port
city of Stone Town dominates the west coast, and although the
beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves are visible at low
tide and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s drive
away, a night or two spent on the east or north cost is well
worth the extra hour it takes to drive there. That said, the
Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town – and nearby
Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands – make a refreshing day-trip
and a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the
old city.
On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the Menai Bay Conservation
Area, a sea turtle protection area for the endangered species
that come to breed on the island. Roads to the southeast coast
take visitors through the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s
rare Red Colobus monkeys and a number of other primate and
small antelope species Read more on
Zanzibar
