| Zanzibar
is where 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 kilometres 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 honoured 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 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 flavouring and preparation, cosmetics,
dyes and medicines
Dolphine 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 you’re 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 repellants, wear
long sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening and
utilise the mosquito net over their beds.
Code
of Conduct:
Majority of Zanzibar residents are
muslims and this is reflected in their lifesyles and
culture.
Visitors are advised that :
-
Swim suits, mini
skirts and other revealing clothing should be
worn in hotels
and
beaches only
- Alcohol
drinking in public may offend residents
- Nudity
on the beaches is not acceptable
- Kissing
in public is not customary in Zanzibar
- Not
to eat or drink in public during the
month
of Ramadhan
- Non
muslims are not usually permitted to enter
Mosques
and photographing of Mosque interior
from
the doorway is not allowed during prayers
- Ask
residents for permission before photographing
them.
Military and other sensitive Government areas should not be photographed
|
