Zanzibar for a Beach, Marine, Cultural & Historical Vacation, that affords superlative historical, cultural, and exploratory and eco-tourism beach experiences in East Africa. It seems to have everything that any like-minded sightseer might look for. It has a distinct, ethnical history that is a remarkable amalgamation of the many travelers that passed through it for centuries.
Arabs, Indians, Persians, European and even a trace of Chinese, each left an indelible mark in the form of architectural styles and culture that now contribute to its charm. Side by side is the rise and fall of many empires that left behind ruins and other remnants, but their presence is still felt in the blood of the traditional Zanzibarian.
Along with strong Swahili influences, the Zanzibar you see today is unique in every respect from their cuisine to semantics, fruit and spices, furniture styles, the fabrics, the gorgeous hand-crafted artifacts and jewelry you find in their small duka stores and of course, the natural wonders that set it apart from any other island seaside destination in Africa.
Think Zanzibar and you cannot help but ponder of the virgin beaches with their unspoilt, pristine white sands, scintillating turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean and the lush tropical vegetation that create a spell of beauty and tranquility.
A Discerning Turquoise Beach Vacation; On your holiday in Zanzibar, stretch out on a quaint sisal daybed or get rocked to sleep in a hammock strung between two palm trees facing the turquoise Indian Ocean. The warm tropical sun peeks down at you from gaps in the leaves while the soft breezes scented with the unique fragrance of the spices growing on the island mingling with the aroma of organic coconuts, fruit and other flora surround you.
There is an alluring freshness in the air, and as you slip into a languorous siesta, only the sounds of the gentle waves twirling on the unbelievably white sands and the rustling of the trees create a serene harmony. Though, you might detect the tunes of birds adding to the melody. As you awaken, the scintillating azure of the Indian Ocean greets your eyes with the sun rays skimming on the waves that are subdued by the reefs and coral formations under the surface. There is a mystical ambience all around that is pleasurable and tranquil.
Bathe in the tropical sunlight or take a dip in the waters that feel a pleasant tepid on the skin. Emerge from the ocean to a delectable spiced meal of the scrumptious seafood, meats, vegetables and succulent fruits. As the tide goes out, you can walk along the natural pools on the shore to spot the tiny marine creatures stranded in them waiting for the next tide to come in. These are only some of the dream-like experiences you will have on your seaside vacation with African Mecca.
Enlightening Historical and Cultural Experiences Of Stone Town; Stone Town is the capital of the island of Zanzibar and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Walk through its narrow labyrinth alleyways while on your Swahili cultural tour and you will see why. This ancient metropolis has preserved traces of most historical events that occurred in it.
The Anglican and Catholic churches remind you of the colonial advent on the island while the mosques, Omani palaces, the old fort and cannons talk to you of the yesteryear Sultan’s statehood presence.
The intricate carved doors and latticed windows bring to mind the Swahili essence of the island while the fresh spices selling in the stalls talk of the island’s ancient significance on the spice route. Zanzibar’s Stone Town has preserved most of its wonders and fiercely clings to the tranquil, laid-back pace of everyday life.
Even today, you will find old men drinking coffee on the town squares Barraza while kids play around happily along the alleys and around the gardens of Fordham.
World class snorkel and scuba dive reef sites; As you will appreciate when traveling in Zanzibar, it is not a single island, but an archipelago made up of many small and large islands. Some of the smaller islands are actually ancient coral formations over which vegetation has formed a green cover and now house many unique creatures. But it is the underwater marine realm that is captivatingly beautiful.
The underwater shipwrecks around Zanzibar Island have been adapted as reefs, and experienced divers can explore the wondrous nooks and crannies of the craft. Few of the islands are now protected marine reserves, and there are many pristine sites that are as yet undiscovered. Mnemba Atoll is a superlative dive site located on the northeastern zone of the island near Matemwe. You can also snorkel here.
Tour the spice farms to appreciate the zests of taste, Health & Trade; Even in modern times, like it did in the ancient world, Zanzibar’s spices attract aficionados from all over the globe. The incredible habitat of the island is ideal for growing many spices such as cinnamon, chilies, nutmeg, black pepper, ginger, cloves, bulls heart, turmeric, lemon grass and many more. Visit the spice plantations when vacationing in Zanzibar and enjoy viewing them as they ripen on the trees.
Luxury Experiences Of Unique Boutique Beach Lodging; If you are looking for the ultimate accommodation experience on your beach vacation in Tanzania, you can choose from the some of the authentic, distinctly luxury options the archipelago of Zanzibar has. When staying at these accommodations, you can expect a serene time to yourself with only the incredible beauty of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, powdery-soft white sands, verdant tropical vegetation and fascinating avian, terrestrial and marine fauna.
Angling Excursions In The Vast Deep Seas Of The Indian Ocean; The boats are well-equipped and carry all the supplies you could possibly need. The experienced skipper on board will help beginners with the intricacies of casting while the experienced guests can receive the assistance they need to raise and land their catch. Positively, conservation and sustainable sport fishing regulations require that you tag and release your catch. Under special circumstances, you might be allowed to keep you catch.
Although, you can you can take a pleasure a deep seas fishing trip in Zanzibar during all the months of the year, there are some specific months such as from November to March when you can try raising billfish including blue marlins, sailfish, black marlins and also striped marlins. You could spot large tunas, Wahoo, barracudas, trevally and many more.
Diverse & Bespoke Island Tours; Zanzibar offers a range of thrilling customizable activities aside from Stone Town, spice farm, diving, snorkeling and fishing excursions that you can sample when on your seaside vacation in Africa. For instance, picture yourself riding a beautiful, well-trained horse on the gorgeous white sands of Kiwengwa Beach with the warm sun on your face and the breeze swaying your hair.
Quad biking is yet another adventure you can go on, and both children and adults are welcome to try. Perhaps, the most interesting part of this adventure is the visit to little Zanzibar hamlet that you can only reach by quads. Relax your mind, body and soul by taking yoga classes with Jo Fox. You can choose from the diverse sites around the island and also opt for private lessons. Other distinct excursions are biking, yachting, jet-skiing, fly-boarding, water-skiing, wake-boarding, parasailing and many more.
Trustworthy & Sustainable Ecotourism; To sample the most authentic eco-tourism experience in Zanzibar, the incredible experience at Chumbe allows you to appreciate the wonders of living in an environment that is completely in tune with nature.
You will be staying in spacious pastoral chalets that are entirely constructed with naturally occurring materials while the furniture is crafted by hand out of wooden poles. Captivating African motifs are drawn on the floors of the rooms furnished with swinging daybeds hanging from the ceiling on the lower floor. Rainwater is harvested and later filtered by eco-friendly methods for use. After use, the water is once again filtered and directed towards the watering of plants.
Primate Experience At Jozani Forest; Hidden away in the heart of Zanzibar, covering 50 square kilometers of incredible natural beauty of a must visit on your tour of this Indian Ocean Island. This reserve was designated as a protected area in the 1960s. Thanks to its establishment, the rare and endangered kirk’s red colobus monkeys have received a new lease of life and are slowly recovering from the brink of extinction.
There are now an estimated 2500 of this beautiful mammalian life in the reserve. You can see them swinging in the trees or foraging in the bushes, and since they are forbearing of human presence, you can take all the pictures you want.
Your walks along the trails in the forest will treat you to the sight of Sykes’ monkeys, chameleons, bush babies, lizards, frogs, varied birds, the shy Adder’s duiker, suni antelope and more.
Private Island Escapades; There are small islets around Zanzibar such as the Mnemba, Chumbe, Chapwani and others. These isles offer you the rare experience of living on a private island for the duration of your Indian Ocean holiday in Tanzania. These islands host only a few rooms for like-minded guests and you can spend your detox vacation in complete seclusion from the outside world.
