Zanzibar – Country and People
"Dreams are not an escape
from reality,
they are the way to get there"
Oliver W. Schwarzmann
Zanzibar - Country and People
Zanzibar – magical and mysterious – let us take you away!
Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean and with its miles of white sandy beaches is a true holiday paradise. Extensive coastal landscapes, swaying palms in the wind and turquoise lagoons with crystal clear water fascinate every visitor. One feels enchanted and transported into another world. It is probably the combination of Arabic, African and Indian influences that makes the island so special – Zanzibar awakens longings.
The tropical spice island Zanzibar is an excellent extension of a bath after a safari. With only one hour flight time the island is easily accessible from Arusha or Kilimanjaro.
Besides the main island Unguja, mostly called Zanzibar, the next bigger island is Pemba. Besides there are many small islands. The busier part of the island Zanzibar is in Nungwi in the north, which is little influenced by the tides and always makes swimming in the sea possible. The east coast is rather quiet with hotels of all categories. The south-east offers extensive white palm-fringed sandy beaches and is also very popular with kite surfers. This side of the island is heavily exposed to the tides, which limits swimming in the sea. At low tide, however, there is a lot to discover. Many hotels offer a guided “reef walk”. It is recommended to wear bathing shoes.
In the small fishing villages of Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani it is easy to get in touch with the locals and enjoy the local cuisine in small restaurants. The culinary melting pot is subject to African, Indian and Arabic influences and offers a variety of delicacies.
Climate
Due to their proximity to the equator, the islands are subject to a tropical climate. As on the mainland, the small rainy season is in November/December and the big rainy season in April/May. Nevertheless, the island can be visited all year round, because even in the rainy season the sun often shines and the showers are rather short and violent. Very stable dry weather prevails in the dry season from June to October. On the coast there is always a light breeze, which is why the climate is very pleasant there.History
As a semi-autonomous sub-state of the Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar is internally independent and culturally very different from the mainland. For centuries Zanzibar was a hub and trading centre for many countries. Islamic influenced by its changeful history and many strong influences, among others by Oman and the Arabs, one can still find many relics from the time of the slave and spice trade.
Attractions
A visit to the old town of UNESCO World Heritage Stone Town with its winding alleys, palaces, historic monuments and colourful markets is an absolute must. Go to where the pepper grows – very interesting and recommended is a “Spice Tour”, a guided tour of a spice plantation. In the interior of the island is the Jozani Forest nature reserve with its colobus monkeys and a mangrove forest. In the north there is a sea turtle rescue station which can be visited. There are also many different boat trips to neighbouring islands. Excursions can easily be booked through the hotels.