- Address Manyara Tanzania, East Africa
- Phone Number +255 622 696 989
- Email Address info@africatopguidetours.com
A visit to Tanzania is not complete without a visit to the Zanzibar Archipelago, which is famous for its soft coral beaches and rich history. Zanzibar offers pristine beaches for relaxing after your safari or mountain climb. You can also enjoy a variety of activities including incredible snorkeling and diving, water skiing, and windsurfing.
If you visit the southern point of the island, you will have the chance to go on a tour to swim with bottle-nose dolphins and maybe even see a Humpback whale.
The Zanzibar Archipelago has been focal of maritime trade in East Africa for centuries. Stone Town, a spectacular town with winding alleys, bustling markets, and houses with intricately carved wooden doors, is the cultural heart of Zanzibar Island. Scattered with mosques, churches, and temples, Stone Town is representative of the melding of various cultures in East Africa.
We highly recommend a full walking tour of Stone Town with an experienced guide to learn more about the long and rich history and culture of Zanzibar. On the walking tour, you will learn about a variety of different historical sites including the House of Wonder and the Former Slaves Market. Don’t forget to visit the Night Market for some incredible seafood!
The Zanzibar Archipelago was one of the world’s largest producers of cloves in the 19th century. The thriving spice trade on the islands led to the archipelago’s nickname “Spice Islands” to which they are known as to this day.
The Zanzibar Spice Plantation tours take you through spice plantations with a knowledgeable guide, who shares information about each of the spices. You will walk through farms filled with cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, mint, various medicinal plants, and more. The tour is fun and educational and takes about 1-2 hours. You can even buy spices at the end of the tour if you would like.
Famous for its rare Red Colobus Monkeys, the Jozani Forest occupies nearly 3000 hectares. The forest is an example of what the island might have looked like before the spice trade.
You can enjoy an educational walk through the forest’s diverse vegetation, learning about the various trees, monkeys, and mangroves. The Red Colobus monkeys are easy to spot and photograph while you are on your walking tour. The forest is stunning and offers a nice break from the beach.
The Chumbe Island Marine Park can be reached in about 45 minutes by boat and is located about 8 miles southwest of Zanzibar town. It is an uninhabited island with beautiful forests, coral reefs, and over 400 species of fish. You might also have the chance to see sea turtles or dolphins.
Prison Island or Changuu Island is a small island visible from Stone Town that was used as a prison for rebellious slaves prior to selling them. Prison buildings were built in 1894 but the island never operated as a prison. Eventually, the buildings were turned into a quarantine hospital in 1923 to protect Stone Town from disease. If you visit the island, you can enjoy a self-walking safari of the whole island in 1 hour, relaxing on the beach, and snorkeling with giant tortoises from the Seychelles.
