ZANZIBAR

Zanzibar, a part of the United Republic of Tanzania, is a series of many islands, the main ones being Unguja and Pemba. The more populated of the two main islands, Unguja, is better known as Zanzibar Island and is home to Stone Town (also known as Zanzibar Town or Zanzibar City), an historic, bustling city of narrow alleyways and stone coral buildings. In addition to the two main islands, there are many other islands and islets in the Zanzibar archipelago which stretches from the top of Pemba to the south point of Unguja.
Unguja is in the Indian Ocean about 40 km east of Bagamoyo on the Tanzanian mainland. The slightly hilly island itself is about 85 km long and between 20 – 30 km wide at its widest points. Most of the population lives in the more fertile regions of the north and west. The eastern part of the island is arid and covered in coral rag (rock made of coral)making it unattractive for farming, but the beaches and the reefs on the eastern coasts make them ideal for fishing villages, tourist guesthouses, and resorts.

Pemba, located about 50 Kms north of Unguja, is far less populated. Known also by its Arabic name, Al Khundra meaning Green Island, Pemba is covered in steep hills full of palms, clove and rubber trees, rice paddies and the Ngezi Forest in the north. There are many pure, beautiful beaches in and around the numerous inlets and coves. Tourism is not as developed on Pemba as it is on Unguja but resorts are being built and the infrastructure will undoubtedly improve as tourism increases.
The name Zanzibar came from a combination of two Arabic words, 'Zinj', meaning black, and 'barr', being the Arabic word for land, the result meaning 'Land of the Blacks'.
People

GATT301 • 3 HoursStone Town Tour
Departs Daily from Stone Town Hotels at 0900 & 1400
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the old town, visiting the historic buildings, places and shops.

GATT302 • 3 HoursStone Town at Dusk
Departs Daily from Stone Town Hotels at 1630.
As the sun sets and the city is called to prayer, walk through the old town and see the city from a different perspective.ST33 •


GATT303 • 2 NightsStone Town Gateway
Departs Daily from Zanzibar on Arrival Flights Excluded

Once used to hold "rebellious slaves", Changuu Island was purchased by a Briton in 1893 and converted to a prison (although it was never used). Enjoy the excellent swimming and snorkeling.

Along a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach lies a hidden cove said to be used for hiding slaves after their export was forbidden in 1873. Enjoy lunch and time to swim or relax on the beach.

The fragrance of cloves is always in the on Zanzibar and this tour takes you to of the famous spice plantations. Also N the remarkably preserved Persian Bath built by Sultan Seyyid Said in 1850.

Local boats take you from Fumba into the waters off the island in search of dolphins. With luck, you'll find a pod be able to swim amongst these curious gentle creatures. Enjoy a Swahili barbecue lunch on a nearby desert island and have time to relax before returning to the mainlan