Zanzibar Vacation Holiday – Enjoy Its Pristine Beaches & Cultural History

Posted at January 8, 2010

From an aerial view Zanzibar archipelago may seem as a tiny rock amidst the vast waters of the Indian ocean but a closer look reveals an intricate insight to the beauty and history of this one of a kind Island whose first recorded history dates back as far as 60 AD appearing in “The Periplus of the Erythaean Sea”, written by a Greek merchant who was living in Alexandria and later in the works of Claudius Ptolemy, the famous Greek geographer living in Egypt recorded in 150 AD.

This island is a partner state of the republic of Tanzania and comprises of 2 islands namely Zanzibar island known to the locals as Unguja which lies 40 km east of Bagamoyo on the Tanzanian mainland and measures 85km long with the widest width being 30km wide.

The largest populations on the island is found on the northern and western parts as that’s where the land is most fertile with the rest of the land being arid and is covered by coral rag making it unsuitable for farming, the only plus found hear is the unspoilt beaches and coral reefs which are quite ideal for fishing, tourist guest houses and resorts.

The second Island is Pemba and several other small islets. Pemba whose Arabic name is Al Khundra which translates to mean Green Island is located about 50 Kms north of Unguja and is far less populated. The landscape is however breathtaking boasting of a cover of steep hills full of palms, clove and rubber trees, rice paddies and the Ngezi Forest in the north.

There are many pure, beautiful beaches in and around the numerous inlets and coves. Tourism is a developing progress as it has not yet reached the standards of Unguja, though with the on going construction of resorts and improvement of the infrastructure this will soon cease to be the case.

The first ever inhabitants of this island are believed to be the Bantu people of an African descent settling here around the 4th century AD and 2 centuries later the Arabs and Persian immigrants arrived.

This factor has contributed richly to the history of Zanzibar the first being seen in the name formation where the name Zanzibar is derived from a combination of two Arabic words, ‘Zinj’, meaning black, and ‘barr’, being the Arabic word for land, consequential in the ancient title ‘Land of the Blacks’.

The Arabs intermingled with the local African population a result which saw them not only trade goods but traded words as well eventually resulting into the widely spoken East African language known as Kiswahili.

Since becoming an independent state Zanzibar has developed to become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations boasting of Pristine beach with numerous holiday locations some of which include areas such as: Mangapwani, a rather remote but peaceful rarely visited beach location endowed with golden sands fringed with Palm trees and Screw Pines producing the most tranquil of atmosphere in a tropical paradise.

Further up, on the northern tip of the island, is the popular Nungwi Peninsular, with its boat building industry, coral lagoons and Turtle Aquarium. On the northeastern coast are the ostensibly endless crystalline shores of Matemwe and Mchangani.

It is along this eastern coastline that most of the luxury resort hotels are located, with more superb locations further south at Michamvi, Bwejuu and Jambiani. On the Southern tip of the Island are some remote and rugged beaches, very adventurous with activities like dolphin watching.

Stone Town Zanzibar’s capital and the oldest city is quite unique with an unsurpassed beauty clearly witnessed by a walk through its winding alleys leading you to its graceful waterfront, busy bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners were known to compete against each other over the lavishness of their homes most of which are characterized by the brass-studded, carved and wooden doors that are a part of the Swahili culture greatly influenced by Arab and particularly the Indian motifs.

Being one of the most important trading centers along the Indian Ocean region most of the houses present today were built in the 19th century using the coral line rock of Zanzibar a good building material though easily eroded, this is evidenced by the numerous numbers of houses in dire need of renovation. All major hotels image from old rehabilitated buildings some of which include Zanzibar Serena inn, Tembo house hotel, Mbweni ruins among others.

The people of Zanzibar are predominantly Muslim, with a small minority being a mix of Christians, Hindus and followers of various other religions. The official and national language of Zanzibar is Swahili though English and Arabic are also spoken. The population of about 984,625 comprises of a multiracial and multicultural community of different ancestries which include African, Persian, Omani and other Arab states, and Asian. Their main economic activities include agriculture and fishing.

Zanzibar is a few degrees south of the equator and enjoys a tropical climate averaging at a temperature of 260 C. The Indian Ocean monsoons largely dominate and are characterized by the kasikazi winds from the north and occur in the winter months bringing the short rains. The long rains, known as mwaka, arrive in March and last until late May or June. January through March is generally hot and dry with little rainfall.

April through June is wet because of the long rains which start to peter out in May. July through October are ideal months for visiting Zanzibar because the average temperature is 25 C, the air is dry and breezy and there is little rainfall. November and December are when the short rains appear.

Top of the list places to visit on a Zanzibar vacation tour include the Spice Plantations abundant with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices serving as a great part of history which brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade. They can be seen in the plantations just outside Stone Town.

A good spice tour is at hand, for the opportunities to dazzle your sense of smell with fresh spices while gathering knowledge through detailed description of the variety of spices and their uses in cooking and cosmetics.

Kizimkazi is a little village about one hour South of Stone Town endowed with a beautiful beach. The local fishermen organize themselves and take visitors on trips to see the dolphins and on occasion afford you the chance to be able to swim amongst them.

The once vast Jozani forest now gazetted to become a natural park due to it high rate of diminution, is home to an endemic species of Colobus Monkey as well as Sykes Monkey. Nature trails have been set up and a visit to the forest is well worth while for those who enjoy wild-life.

Mangapwani beach located some 15 miles North of Stone Town boasts of beautiful unspoilt beaches fringed by flamboyant trees making it a spectacular place to soak up the east African sun. To add more spice to your trip at stopovers to the near by ruins of the various Sultans Palaces along the coast are recommended; the closest being Maruhubi Palace built for Sultan Barghash at the end of the 19th Century and was destroyed by fire at the turn in 1899.

Others include Mtoni Palace, Beit el Ras Palace further up the North Road out of Zanzibar near the teacher training School, the Persian Baths at Bububu, The Maruhubi Palace about 4 kilometers from Zanzibar Town, Dunga Ruins formally a palace located on the main road to Chwaka Bay about halfway across the island, Beir-el-Ras Palace Ruins, The Slave Chambers and Coral Caves of Mangapwani Just north of Mangapwani Beach

Check out the offers we have for Zanzibar tours and contact us for all your vacation needs to Zanzibar.

The Ancient Mosque At Kizimkazi almost at the southern tip of the Island, is the site of a Shirazi Mosque dating from the early 12th century and considered to be one of the oldest Islamic buildings on the East African coast, Chuini Palace Ruins, Bi Khole Ruins At Bungi, Kidichi Persian Baths located about 11 kilometers northeast of the town on one of the Spice Tour routes, Fukuchani Ruins and Mvuleni Ruins to mention but a few.

The accommodation on offer varies by location, pricing, architectural design not to mention the interior décor. Depending on your taste and budget you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for ensuring a comfortable, relaxed and adventurous holiday.

Some of the activities available at most resorts include snorkeling, big game fishing, scuba diving, dhow sailing, swimming, wind surfing, kite surfing among others. The amenities are modern and meet the international stands, they include gymnasium, swimming pool, spa, conference centers, business center, bars and restaurants with a tantalizing menu which combines traditional favorites with innovative contemporary creations and the exotic flavors of Zanzibar capturing the very essence of gourmet cuisines.

Truth be told, it would be a great disservice to anyone who passes out on the opportunity to visit this exotic island for the chance to experience not only the unsurpassed beauty of the place but the warmth and culture of the local people.