Zanzibar Island ::
Designated as a World heritage Center by UNESCO, Zanzibar is an archipelago of tropical islands nestled in the Indian Ocean.
The two principal islands, Zanzibar and Pemba, plus the 50 or so surrounding smaller islands, are known affectionately as the "Spice Island", because of their history as producers of cloves and their position on the ancient spice routes.
Zanzibar's fascinating history and unique culture allows us to witness history in a modern world, offering tantalizing glimpses of a unique exoticism that makes this island seductive. Veiled women, white sailed dhows silhouetted against the sunset, and the ancient ruins of the Sultan's palace all convey a past exoticism of Arab, Swahili and Indian culture that defines Zanzibar as the Jewel of the Indian Ocean.
The Stone Town is Zanzibar's old quarter which started to prosper under Sultan Said of Oman (Said the Great). Around 1832, Sultan Said encouraged clove planting and slave trading. From 1850's to 1870's slave trading was at its highest. The slaves were transported to Arabia as well as used in clove plantations in Zanzibar Island until the British made the Sultan sign a treaty to abolish the trade in 1890. The wealth obtained around this time is found in buildings you will visit such as the House of Wonder, the Beit-al-Ajaib built by Sultan Burghash in 1883 and Sultan Palace's which housed the royal family and its harem. Zanzibar is steeped in a history that few people consider when they think about East Africa.
Zanzibar Island is also famous for its Spice. On your Spice Tour, you will pass through more palaces built by the Sultans of Zanzibar like the Marahubi Palace built by Sultan Barghash and the Mtoni Palace built by Said the Great. Some of them are burnt down to ruins but the grandeur is notable. The Spice Tour would not be the same without smelling and tasting the many spices Zanzibar Island still produces such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon.
Located in central Zanzibar is the indigenous Jozani Forest Reserve, a diverse sea water habitat with some rare species such as the Red Colobus monkey and the Ader's duiker.
Zanzibar also has over 50 miles of coraline reef, jade Indian Ocean lagoons and white, sandy, palm-fringed beaches. The warm,clear-blue waters are a paradise for snorkeling and the International PADI standard facilities entice scuba-diving enthusiasts. Snorkelers and divers can see species of coral and a myriad of tropical fish species to indulge their passion. If snorkeling and diving are not your type of activities, you can participate in deep sea fishing, water sports, photography, or just relaxing on the secluded beaches of Zanzibar. If lucky, you might even have the whole beach to yourself!
