ZANZIBAR General Information
The very name Zanzibar conjures up exotic and romantic images. There are two main islands making up Zanzibar : Unguja and Pemba. Zanzibar Town is on Unguja Island, which is generally referred to as "Zanzibar". A jewel in tranquil coral waters of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is one of the world's most beautiful islands. From the shores the great European explorers Burton, Speke, Kraph, Reubman and Livingstone and set out on their voyages of discovery into the hinterland. The narrow streets of the old Stone Town are just some of the vived reminders of the island's long and colorful history. It's a fascinating place to wander around and get lost in.

Zanzibar is an island about 23 miles off the East African Coast. Its very name evokes romantic association - smell of spices, images of narrow streets, Arab chests, carved doors and coral reefs. It is a tourist paradise with tranquil, warm tropical water, many miles of beautiful sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.

This island has rich and ancient past, having been the center of travellers sailing from distant lands of the middle east by dhow. Zanzibar was once the main trading center for the whole East Africa. Due to the generally slower pace of life, its tranquility has survived.

Zanzibar - Exurcsions and places to visit:

STONE TOWN TOUR: among the select places to visit are :

THE CENTRAL MARKET (Built in 1904 )
The busiest place in town where fish, fruits, vegetables and spices are sold seven days a week. It is fascinating to watch the "shamba " lorries - trucks with locally constructed wooden bodies - being loaded and unloaded.

ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL ( 1874)
Zanzibar was the hub of the slaves trade in East Africa . Until 1873 when abolished. On this site now stands a church.

NATIONAL MUSEUM (Opened in 1925 )
Here can be found a collection of potraits of past Sultans and their documents and relices of early explores - Including Dr Livingstone's medicine chest and local arts and crafts.

TIPPU TIPS HOUSE
With its outstanding carved: the residence of Africa's most notorius ivory and slave trade.

BEIT-AL-AJAIB HOUSE OF WONDERS ( 1883 )
Sultan Bargash's Famous palace on the seafront admired for its high ceilings and towering pillars, this used to be the Sultan Palace until 1911.

PALACE MUSEUM
Former residence of the Sultan ( 1911 - 64 ).

PORTUGUESE FORT
The oldest structure in the Stone Town.

LIVINGSTONE HOUSE
This house was once placed by the Sultan Seyyid Majid for the use by the European explorer David Livingstone, while in preparation for his expedition tp the mainland in 1866.
The walk from Tippu Tips house to the old fort at the seafront takes 15 -25 minutes passing through Kenyatta road, past the old post office and along Gizenga Street.

Walking down the narrow lanes of the stone town tour gives the guests an opportunity to see some splendid architecture like miniature samples of the famous Arab doors and chests with their studded brass decorations, also fascinating glimpses of life as black shrouded women pass silently back and forth. There are also a variety of spices, antique and gift shops along the way.

SPICE TOUR:
As the name suggests this is a tour to some wonderful gardens and farms around the island containing exotic and endemic spices and fruit tree. Many of these have medicinal properties and are still commonly used. The visitor can taste a variety of fruits from rose apple to guava, carambola to tamarind! Savor different spices in their most aromatic state: cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, black pepper and many others.

The spice Tour also includes stops at historical monuments which are not in the stone town; the Muhurubi Palace ruins and the Kidichi Persian baths. Most importantly the visitor will see much more of this lush tropical island and learn a great deal about the climate and lives of the people and agriculture.

JOZANI FOREST RESERVE:
Jozani is the largest area of mature indigenous forest remaining on Zanzibar Island. It stands on the isthmus of low - lying land, which links the northern and southern parts of the island, to the south of Chwaka Bay. The water table is high which results to green forest throughout the year. It is thirty-five Kilometers from stone town. The forest is very famous for red colobus Monkey. The best time to visit the forest is during the afternoon time.

PRISON ISLAND - HISTORICAL SITE
This Island was once owned by an Arab who used it for "rebellious" slaves. Some years later in 1893 it was sold to general Mathews, a briton who converted it into prison. However it has never actually been used as such and was later converted to slave as quarantine station for East Africa in colonial times. The best way to enjoy the site is to take a day trip.

DOLPHIN TOUR
Dolphins can been seen in Zanzibar in its unique habitat at Kizimkazi. This is a day excursion which normally starts in the morning were by you will be picked from the hotel and transferred to Kizimkazi for boat safari to search for Dolphins. Boat trips to see the dolphins are carefully conducted by trained guides.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES: (ZANZIBAR)

1. Tour Code: ESL/Z/075: Zanzibar 7 Days

2. Tour Code: ESL/Z/078: ZANZIBAR TOUR 3 DAYS

• Day 1: Meet at the port or airport in the morning. A local boat brings you to 'Prison Island', a small coral island inhabited by giant tortoises. Take lunch in the island's restaurant. Spend the day on the small beach or snorkeling among the marvelous corals. Overnight in your hotel in Stone Town.
  
• Day 2: After breakfast transfer to Kizimkazi at the southernmost point of Zanzibar. A small boat brings you a bit offshore, where we can enjoy swimming and diving with dolphins. Lunch included. Afternoon on the beach in Kizimkazi. Overnight in your hotel in Stone Town. (B) (L)
  
• Day 3: Visit to the island's spice plantations until lunch time. It is remarkable to see how cloves, peppers, cacao, sweet potatoes, papaya's, bananas, lemons, groundnuts, coffee, and many other things grow. Lunch with local people included. Transfer to the port or airport in the afternoon. (B) (L)
  
  DEPARTURES ALL YEAR AROUND ( in case of bad weather you will be notified)