Peace Memorial Museum
Home to a wealth of Zanzibar's memorabilia, the Peace
Memorial Museum is a great place to discover the intriguing history
and culture of the islands. With exhibits including traditional
carvings and local wildlife displays covering reptiles and birds,
visitors can also view relics from the age of the Sultans and early
explorers such as Chinese porcelain, an old palm oil-powered
bicycle lamp, and David Livingstone's medical chest. Built as a
peace memorial by British architect J.H. Sinclair, the beautiful
spherical design of the museum acknowledges Zanzibar's Arab
influence and is reminiscent of the eastern architecture of
Istanbul and India. Look out for the cumbersome land tortoises that
inhabit the Museum's lush garden. Those looking for a touch of
education on their tropical beach holiday should find a visit to
this museum informative.
Address:
Benjamin Mkapa Rd, Zanzibar Town
Peace Memorial Museum, Zanzibar
Jonathan Stonehouse
Northern Beaches of Zanzibar
There are many superb beaches and picturesque villages around
Zanzibar ideal for those wanting to get away from the bustling town
life, particularly along the northeast coast. Modestly veiled women
make bright splashes of colour along stretches of white sandy
beach, dhows with curved sails drift along close to shore, and
fishermen offer their fresh catches of the day to the simple
seaside restaurants. Miles of pristine beaches are dotted with
pockets of guesthouses, particularly around Kendwa and the fishing
village of Nungwi, renowned for its tradition of boat building and
one of the most popular locations, particularly with the younger
crowd. There is excellent diving and deep-sea fishing off this
coast. One of the most beautiful and isolated beaches is at
Matemwe, and the small offshore island of Mnemba has a fine coral
reef offering some of Zanzibar's best diving.
Northern Beach
Judith Duk
Old Fort
The Old Fort was built at the turn of the 17th
century on the remains of a Portuguese church and crumbling Arab
garrison. It was constructed to protect the lucrative Spice Islands
from invading Portuguese seafarers and Mazrui Arabs of Mombassa.
The thick walls and castellated battlements later acted as a place
of incarceration, detaining local criminals and slaves. In later,
years the fort functioned as the depot for the Bububu Railway,
Zanzibar's first railway, which once wound from Zanzibar Town to
Bububu. Nowadays, the Old Fort houses shops and henna painting
stores and the Cultural Centre where visitors can marvel at the
fine artistry of local craftsmen at work. In the evening, local
music and dancing at the open-air theatre brightens up the night
and occasional film screenings are shown.
Address:
Mizingani Street, Stone Town
Old Fort, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Chen Hualin
Palace Museum
Illuminating the lifestyle of the Sultans of
Zanzibar, the Palace Museum became the official residence of the Al
Busid dynasty in 1911. Built in the 1890s, the extensive white
building is situated on a harbour road with breath-taking sea
views. It is the most recent of the Sultans' palaces and was
occupied till the revolution in 1964. The Palace Museum houses an
impressive collection of the Sultans' elaborate furniture and
possessions, as well as a room dedicated to the life of Sultan
Sayyid Said's daughter, Princess Salme. Renowned for her
manuscript, Memoirs of an Arabian Princess, this significant
autobiography is the only known written account of what life was
like for Arab women of the Royal court in the 1800s. Excerpts from
the book, family photographs, and samples of Princess Salme's
wardrobe are also on display. Outside the museum is the Makusurani
graveyard where some of the sultans are buried. For those
interested in the opulent lives of Zanzibar's Sultans, this is a
fascinating attraction.
Address:
Mizingani Road, Stone Town
Palace Museum, Stone Town
Xlandfair
Anglican Cathedral and Slave Market
The colossal Anglican Cathedral in Stone Town is located on the
grounds of the island's largest former slave market. The
cathedral's altar stands on the exact location of the former
whipping post, a tree where slaves were brutalised to show their
strength and resilience to potential slave owners. Building began
in 1873 to commemorate the end of the slave trade and was conducted
by Edward Steere, third bishop of Zanzibar and a fervent
abolitionist. The cathedral has a combination of Gothic and Arabic
styles and is noted for its Basilica shape and barrel vault roof,
which the populace believed would never hold. Taking ten years to
build, Edward Steere died of a heart attack during construction and
was buried behind the altar. Look out for the stark memorial
outside the cathedral, a sculpture of a slave family bound round
the neck by a chain.
Address:
Near the junction of New Mkunazini Road and Creek Road,
Stone Town
Slave Memorial, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Vito Cirielli
House of Wonders (Beit el-Ajaib)
The first building in Zanzibar to have electricity and the first
building in East Africa to have an elevator, Beit el-Ajaib (which
translates into the House of Wonders) was the former ceremonial
palace of Sultan Barghash and was built in 1883 on the site of the
16th-century Queen Fatuma's residence. A striking white building,
the House of Wonders has housed many influential tenants, used by
the British as their local offices and as the headquarters of
Tanzania's political party CCM. While the building is now in
disrepair and not open to the public, one can still admire the
architecture. The multiple verandas, Arabic arches, heavy wooden
door, and embossed cannons are all a fascinating.
Address:
Mizingani Road, Stone Town
House of Wonders, Zanzibar
Moongateclimber
Central Market
A vibrant array of colours and spicy scents lures visitors to
the vibrant Central Market in Stone Town. Opened in 1904, the
numerous stalls run over with tropical fruits, exotic spices,
brightly coloured khangas (worn by local women), and rare
provisions such as pomegranates and red bananas. Locals come daily
from the surrounding areas to display their subsistence wares, and
fishermen display their catch of the day with a pungent array of
fresh fish from huge marlins to salty sardines. The market is
chaotic and can prove a bit overwhelming for some people, but it is
an exciting, colourful cultural experience and worth a quick stroll
at least. Foodies will enjoy sampling the rare fruits and local
specialities. Speaking of food, the best place for a sampling of
traditional street food is the night market by the waterfront of
the Forodhani Gardens.
Address:
Benjamin Mkapa Road (Creek Road), Stone Town
Stone Town market
Tom Pitman
Jozani Chwaka Bay Conservation Area
The largest conservation area in Zanzibar and the only remaining
natural mangrove forest on the island, the Jozani Chwaka Bay
Conservation Area is renowned for its hairy ape residents, the Red
Colobus Monkeys. Endemic to Zanzibar, these entertaining creatures
attract visitors from far and wide. The species is highly
endangered, now numbering only about 1,500. Due to large-scale
cultivation, firewood collection, harvesting building materials and
charcoal and lime making, Zanzibar's forests have been largely
depleted, making the Jozani Chwaka Bay conservation area a
significant natural landscape and well worth protecting. Nature
lovers can walk through the 100 different towering tree species and
marvel at the rich variety of birds and other small wildlife that
inhabits the cool woodland area. Exploring the mangrove forest is a
refreshing break from the sunny beaches.
Address:
23 miles (37km) south of Stone Town
Colobo Red Monkey
marcveraart
Mtoni Palace Ruins
If you are looking for a place to escape the bustle of Stone
Town for a few hours, head north to the peaceful Maruhubi and Mtoni
Palace ruins. Sultan Said bin Sultan first built Mtoni between 1828
and 1834 after he left Muscat and made Zanzibar his throne. It was
also the childhood home of Princess Salme. The decadent Maruhubi
Palace was built later in the 1880s by Sultan Barghash as a harem
for his 99 concubines and wife. The structure was mainly wooden and
one of the most beautiful of its time, but was gutted by a fire in
1889 and left in ruins. The rolling lawns, bathhouses, and water
lily ponds are reminiscent of the affluent lives enjoyed by the
palace residents over a century ago. To view a well-preserved
Hammam from the 1850s continue north to the Kidichi Persian Baths,
constructed by Sultan Seyyid Said for his Persian wife. Local buses
stop near the palace ruins and there is no cover charge to explore,
unless there is an event underway. The site is used for concerts
and lectures and travellers should find out if anything interesting
is happening during their stay in the area.
Mtoni Palace Ruins, Zanzibar
Jonathan Stonehouse
Old Dispensary
An architectural symbol of Zanzibar's diverse
cultures and histories, the elaborate Old Dispensary was so named
because it once housed a pharmacy, dispensary, and doctor. An
affluent Ismaili Indian merchant, Tharia Topan, who financed the
building project, laid the first brick 1887 and the building was
completed in 1894. One of the most decorative buildings of the
time, the Old Dispensary is adorned with ornate carved balconies,
stuccowork, and stained glass windows. Restored in the early 1990s,
it had a small museum which displayed old photographs of Stone
Town's waterfront, but the upper floors are now mostly empty. For a
stunning view of the harbour, visit the upper veranda, which is
open for visitors. There are also some curio shops on the ground
floor. The Old Dispensary is a beautiful building and worth passing
by and photographing at the very least.
Address:
Malindi Road, Stone Town
Old Dispensary, Zanzibar
Moongateclimber
Mafia Island
Mafia Island, along with Pemba and Zanzibar, form the famous
Spice Islands off the coast of Tanzania. While the name conjures
images of shady criminals and glamorous heists, the real riches of
Mafia Island lie underwater in its magnificent coral reef system.
Mafia Island is a top diving destination for those in the know.
Limited accommodation means it's a great place to hide from the
tourist crowds on Zanzibar, and provides additional opportunities
for fishing and swimming with whale sharks. There are also
land-based activities, including trips to the bustling village on
tiny Chole Island and the ruined one on Juani Island.
Mafia Island
Gill Penney
Pemba Island
The small and unspoilt Tanzanian island of Pemba is
becoming a popular alternative for visitors seeking a quieter and
less developed alternative to Zanzibar, located approximately 31
miles (50km) to the north. Pemba is known as the 'Green Island' in
Arabic and is one of several islands that make up the Zanzibar
Archipelago. The island trio consisting of Pemba, Zanzibar, and
Mafia is traditionally referred to as the Spice Islands. This
undulating, fertile island hosts a number of small and large scale
farming enterprises. This backdrop of cultivated countryside makes
for some interesting and fragrant sightseeing. Pemba offers some
great dive sites with abundant marine life, untouched corals, and
dizzying vertical drop-offs. The towns of Chake-Chake (the
capital), Mkoani, and Wete have some interesting cultural and
archaeological attractions influenced by the local Arab and
Waswahili peoples; the island is recognised as a national centre
for traditional medicine and witchcraft. There are also
bullfighting events to watch, a throw-back of the island's 16th
century Portuguese colonisation. Getting to Pemba Island isn't too
much of a problem - there are regular domestic flights from
Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to Pemba Airport (also referred to as
Wawi or Karume Airport), located 4 miles (7km) from Chake-Chake on
the east coast of the island. There are also ferries to Pemba from
Zanzibar.
Pemba's Underwater World
Bernard E. Picton
Zanzibar is warm throughout the year. The heat at the coastal
resorts on the north and east coast is tempered by sea breezes.
Stone Town and the centre of Zanzibar Island have showers
throughout the year. There are heavy showers throughout the island
in April and May when most tourists avoid the island and hotels
close. Temperatures consistently average between 72°F (22°C) and
92°F (33°C) throughout the year.
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
Location: The airport is located three miles (5km) south of Stone
Town
Time: Local time is GMT +3.
Getting to the city:
Taxis are available at the terminal. Some hotels in Stone Town
offer shuttle services from the airport.
Car Rental:
While car rental companies are not located at the airport, most
are only a short distance away and easily accessible from Arrivals
by a short taxi transfer.
Airport Taxis:
There is a taxi rank at the terminal. Taxis will have a set list
of prices, though you can negotiate them down.
Facilities:
The airport has limited facilities, with small shops selling
souvenirs, gifts, snacks, and beverages.
Parking
There is limited parking space at the airport.
Public transport on the island of Zanzibar is
limited. Daladalas are cheap crowded minibuses that operate
extensively on the island. Taxis are quite affordable but
travellers are advised to negotiate a price before starting a trip
as very few vehicles have a functioning meter.
Motorcycle taxis are a cheap and speedy way to get
around the island, but passengers are advised to always wear a
helmet. A fun way to explore the island is by bicycle. Bicycles can
be hired throughout the island at a very low rate.
Travellers can also hire cars, motorcycles, or 4x4
vehicles (ideal for off road adventurs) and these offer greater
independence when it comes to travelling around Zanzibar. Drivers
will find that most roads in Zanzibar are fairly well maintained
and driving is relatively safe on the island.
Most travellers visit primarily for a beach
vacation and Zanzibar's beaches alone more than justify the trip.
The northern beaches of Zanzibar are particularly celebrated for
their beauty, and excursions to Pemba Island and Mafia Island are a
treat for beachgoers.
Other tourist favourites include Kendwa Beach and
Nungwi Beach, close together on the northwestern tip of the island,
with good resort facilities; Uroa Bay, in the middle of the east
coast, which still retains a pleasant local flavour; Paje Beach, on
the east coast, is said to be the best spot on Zanzibar for some
kite surfing; Nakupenda Beach, accessible by a short boat trip from
Stone Town, which is pristine and usually deserted, a true paradise
beach; and the beaches of Changuu Island (Prison Island) where
beach lounging can be combined with a visit to the old quarantine
centre and the resident giant tortoises. It is possible to arrange
many different water sports and boat trips, and the scuba diving
and snorkelling is world-class.
Zanzibar is more than just picturesque beaches.
However, with the Islamic heritage infusing the island with an
exotic, ancient atmosphere, and the legacy of the slave trade
ensuring some historical interest.
The dilapidated beauty of Stone Town is a big draw
card for travellers wanting a taste of culture. For those wanting
to explore into the interior of Zanzibar, 4x4 excursions are
popular, and the Jozani Chwaka Bay Conservation Area is the best
place to experience the surviving mangrove forests.