Information about Zanzibar

A Zanzibar excursion is where you find the museums themselves are the exhibits and the fishing boats sail right out of history books.

Location and size:

Lying some 39 degrees East of the Greenwich Meridian and 6 degrees south of the equator, Zanzibar is a small archipelago, consisting of Unguja (Zanzibar Island), with a total of 2,332 square kilometers with Pemba Island and some 50 smaller surrounding islands and islets.

This collection rises out of the Indian Ocean, a mere stone's throw from the East African Coast. Although part of Tanzania, Zanzibar retains its individuality with pride and time honored tradition.

The Zanzibar Archipelago has been inhabited for well over 200 years. Shiraz traders from Persia, made their way to East Africa and by the 10th century had established settlements at several places in the islands, including Pemba and Unguja.

Getting to Zanzibar :

The Zanzibar Islands are easy to reach as they are well served International Carriers ; including Kenya Airways; Gulf Air and Ethiopian Airlines. Other airlines like ; KLM, British Airways, Swiss Air and South African Airlines fly to Dar es salaam, where connections to Zanzibar are easily made by local airlines, air charters or by sea.

Climate :

A warm tropical climate, with an average temperature of 25 degrees centigrade and can go as high as 39 degrees centigrade. February is warmest and August the coolest. There are two rainfall seasons, the longest and heaviest occurring between March and June. The short rains in September to November.

Population:
About one million inhabitants.

Attractions:
Traditional music, dances, water sports, clear azure seas, sea food, marine life, modern discotheques in Stone town, ancient history, incredible coral reefs and rare terrestrial wildlife.
Visits to ancient ruins and buildings, trips to spice plantations and lazy days on the ocean , inviting beaches bordering the Indian Ocean all add to the magic that is Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Excursions include:

Spice tours
Take the clients to the coconut, spice plantations and small holdings. The spices are used to for food flavoring and preparation, cosmetics, dyes and medicines.

Dolphin Watching Tours
This takes place on the Southern tip of the Island at Kizimkazi.

Beach activities
Horse riding, wind surfing and scuba diving to observe the spectacular coral formations and the great numbers of marine life they offer.

Cave Visits
Zanzibar was a major slave market in the 19th century and a visit in the slave caves at Mangapwani is enhancing.

Travel Tips:
All the visitors are required to have a valid passport and entry visas. The visas can be obtained from Tanzania Diplomatic Missions abroad, or for some Nationals, at the point of entry. Please check your status before departing your home country.

Health and Safety:
Visitors may require a valid International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Please check in your home country the precise position. Malaria is common in Zanzibar and Malaria prevention drugs are recommended (Please consult you physician at home for precise advice). As a precautionary measure visitors are advised to apply insect repellents, wear long sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening and utilize the mosquito net over their beds.

Code of Conduct:

Majority of Zanzibar residents are Muslims and this is reflected in their lifestyles and culture.

Visitors are advised that:

Military and other sensitive Government areas should not be photographed