A History in Spices and Stones.
Zanzibar’s history cannot be separated from the ocean. For hundreds of years, traders from Arabia, Persia, and India would use monsoon winds to bring their dhow ships to this haven of safe anchorage. Zanzibar would become the heart of commerce in the Swahili coast, transporting millions of tons of ivory, gold, and worst of all, human slaves. This practice was only ended in 1873 when the slave trade was abolished.
Meanwhile, the sultans of Oman ruling Zanzibar turned the island into one of the world’s largest producers of spices. Cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper were grown on plantations throughout the island, thus giving Zanzibar the name “Spice Island. “The sultans built grand palaces, bathhouses, and mosques, many of which still stand in Stone Town. When the Sultan of Oman moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar in the nineteenth century, the island briefly became one of the most powerful city-states in the Indian Ocean world.
This layered history is visible everywhere. The carved wooden doors of Stone Town tell stories of their owners. A door with a straight lintel suggests Indian origins. An arch door with chains that have been carved on wood brings about an indication of the safety issues that might arise for an Arab merchant with wealth. The experience of going around Stone Town gives one the feeling of being in a live museum full of history.
Stone Town: The Heartbeat of the Archipelago.
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it deserves every accolade it receives. The old city is a maze of narrow alleys too tight for cars, where the stone buildings rise three or four stories high, their balconies nearly touching above your head. The best way to experience Stone Town is to get lost. Without a map, without a destination, you simply wander. You pass children playing football in a dusty square. You catch the scent of fresh bread from a window in the wall. You emerge suddenly at the ocean, where fishermen mend their nets beside a dhoni, a traditional wooden sailing boat, rocking gently on the tide.
The major sights can be visited in a day. The Palace Museum, once home to the sultans, displays the lavish lifestyle of Zanzibar’s rulers. The House of Wonders, with its grand verandas and the island’s first elevator, dominates the waterfront. The Old Fort, built by the Omani Arabs at the end of the seventeenth century, now hosts cultural events and a craft market. The Forodhani Gardens come alive at night, when vendors set up stalls selling grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, sugarcane juice, and the island’s famous coffee.
But the most moving experience in Stone Town is the visit to the Anglican Cathedral, built on the site of the former slave market. The altar stands exactly where the whipping post once stood. A memorial outside lists the names of European explorers, including David Livingstone, who campaigned against the slave trade. The contrast between beauty and terror, between redemption and remembrance, is potent.
The Beaches: Sandy White and Crystal Blue.
Outside of Stone Town, what defines Zanzibar is the coast. Zanzibar has beaches that can be either busy or peaceful and isolated, depending on the preference of the tourist.
The northern coast, centered on the villages of Nungwi and Kendwa, offers the most famous stretches of sand. Here, the water is calm and turquoise year-round because a protective reef blocks the strong currents found elsewhere. The tides are less extreme than on the east coast, meaning you can swim directly from the beach at almost any time. Nungwi is lively with many places to eat and drink, while Kendwa is not as busy but provides wonderful spots for swimming and relaxation.
The eastern coastline, which starts at Paje and runs all the way to Bwejuu via Jambiani, is a bit calmer. It is directly exposed to the Indian Ocean; hence, there are great conditions for kitesurfing. There are huge tides. Low tides expose hundreds of meters of the Indian Ocean floor where people go collecting seaweed, as well as swimming only being possible during high tides. There’s a boho feel about the island, with lots of eco-lodges, yoga retreats, and boutique accommodations.
The southern part of the island near Kizimkazi is the most peaceful and traditional part. The top draw here is dolphin watching; boat tours leave every morning in search of bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Visitors should be aware, however, that some tours are more responsible than others, and ethical operators maintain a respectful distance from the animals.
Spice Tours and Beyond.
The classic Zanzibar excursion is the spice tour. You visit a working plantation where you see, smell, and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and black pepper. Your guide will cut open a jackfruit, crack a cocoa pod, and perhaps demonstrate how to weave a basket from palm fronds. The tours are educational and often include a traditional Swahili lunch.
Jozani Forest is the only habitat for the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, which is unique to Zanzibar. There is a walkway that takes one through the forest and where one may encounter these animals as they are accustomed to visitors. In addition to these animals, there are many birds, butterflies, and leopards in this forest.
Prison Island, which can be reached by ferry from Stone Town within minutes, provides visitors with an alternative tourist attraction. Originally planned to become the site of a prison which never materialized, the island eventually became a quarantine station before acquiring fame as a home to gigantic tortoises, some of which date back a century ago.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is in the dry periods, which extend from June through October and from December to February. During this period, the climate remains clear and comfortable with no clouds in the sky, no rains, and lower humidity. This period marks the height of the tourist season in Zanzibar.
The rainy seasons of March to May and November to December have more rainfalls. However, March to May is considered the difficult season for rainfalls, characterized by heavy rainfalls and high humidity. Most businesses usually offer reduced hours or skeleton staffs. November’s rainfalls are less disruptive; the rains occur in the afternoon, which makes them disappear faster than usual. If travelers are ready to tolerate adverse weather conditions, they can get reduced costs.
In conclusion; Zanzibar is not merely a beach safari destination. It is a place of history, of culture, of spice markets and tall ships and winding stone streets. This island can hold its own when compared to the land safaris with much more to offer than the sun and sand. Whether you are diving in the clear blue water at Nungwi Beach, meandering through the streets of Stone Town, or sampling the fresh cloves from a local plantation, Zanzibar will stick with you with WildApes Safaris.
