The island of Zanzibar (also known as Unguja) is known as the “Spice Island” because of its long-standing association with the clove industry. A low-lying stretch of land, approximately 37 km off the coast of Tanzania, it has always exerted a powerful fascination over the imagination of the world, out of all proportion to its size. Zanzibar Town, on the western side of the island, is the main settlement, the best-known part of which is Stone Town. Directly east of Stone Town is the growing section of Ng’ambo whilst to the north of the town are a number of pristine beaches. At the northern tip of the island the dhow centre and tourist resort of Nungwi, whilst some of Zanzibar’s best beaches are to be found along the eastern shore. The Zanzibar archipelago also includes the neighbouring island of Pemba and numerous small islands offshore to include Changuu (Prison Island), Bawi, Cahwani (Grave Island), Tumbatu, Mnemba, Chumbe and the sandbanks of Nyange, Pange and Murogo.
Stone Town
Stone Town is the oldest section of Zanzibar Town and is made up of a labyrinth of winding lanes, ancient stone houses, Arabian arches, heavy carved wooden doors, circular towers, narrow latticed windows, overhanging balconies and a fascinating selection of bazaars, curio shops, art galleries and spice troves. Considered by many to be the heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town is the only functioning historical city in East Africa and remains much the same today as it was 200 years ago – alive with a bustling crowd of bui bui veiled women, travelling tea sellers, banks of old men chatting on the baraza (benches) of the alleys, skulking cats and laughing children. In amongst its tortuously twisting lanes is also a fascinating cross-section of history the Portuguese Fort, the SultanÂ’s Palace, the old Dhow Port, the Old Slave Market, the House of Wonders, the Old Dispensary and the home of the arch slaver, Tippu-Tipa, to name but a few.
Other cultural sights in and around Stone Town include:
- The Livingstone House
- The Hamamni Baths
- The National Museum
- The Chukwani Palace
- The Jozani Forest – the last red colobus monkey sanctuary
- The Mtoni Palace ruins
- The Maruhubi Palace ruins
- The Persian Baths of Kidichi
- The Mangapwani slave caves