Zanzibar
More Maps
The Zanzibar Archipelago is only 25 miles from the Tanzanian mainland. Its heady lure has tempted travelers, traders, slave-traders and colonists for centuries, and the archipelago continues to reflect this tumultuous past.
Zanzibar Facts & FiguresZanzibar lies twenty-five miles off the coast of mainland Tanzania, inthe Indian Ocean. It is comprised of the archipelago of Unguja and Pemba, and is surrounded by about fifty smaller ones.
Zanzibar is an island state of Tanzania, and throughout its trading history attracted Sumerians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Arabs, Chinese and Malays.
Zanzibar is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands, excellent reefs for snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing and water sports activities. The historic Stone Town with its narrow winding streets, vivid markets and colorful bazaars makes for an interesting cultural visit.
Zanzibar is commonly known as the Spice Island, and is famous for spices such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, peper and others.
about Zanzibar
Attractions
Zanzibar is an island partner state of Tanzania. The Zanzibar archipelago is set in the Indian Ocean and made up of the larger islands of Pemba and Unguja (also called Zanzibar Island). Zanzibar is also known as The Spice Island due to the delicious variety of spices grown on the island. Attractions on Zanzibar include the historical town of Stone Town, the exclusive island of Mnemba Island and Zanzibar's prisine and untouched East Coast.
 Zanzibar |
Zanzibar Island The king of the archipelago, Zanzibar island is an unusual melange of the Africa of the imagination, conservative Muslim tendencies and coastal glamour, and will enthral most travellers. The most interesting part of Zanzibar Town, on the western side of the island, is Stone Town. The name may be unimaginative, but Stone Town is an enticing place to spend a languid afternoon. Meander through the narrow alleyways and marvel at the town's unique architecture that fuses Arabic, Indian, European and African influences (and rest assured not all the buildings are made of stone). |
 Stone Town |
Stone Town Recently declared a World Heritage Site, Stone Town is Zanzibar’s main attraction, with its white-washed, coral-rag houses, quaint shops and mosques, courtyards and squares and beautiful old buildings. It is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the city over the past 200 years. Situated on the western coast of Zanzibar, Stone Town is regarded as an architecturally unique place with many of the historical old buildings boasting beautifully carved wooden doors. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses. |
 Mnemba island |
Mnemba Island The East Coast of Zanzibar offers endless palm tree-lined beaches, fringed by one of the most diverse and untouched coral reef systems in the world. Visit small fishing villages and enjoy a tranquil, friendly atmosphere away from the mainstream and large tourist-type resorts. Mnemba Island is an exclusive island just three miles off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites. |
Accommodations
From classic tented camps, to mobile safaris, to luxurious lodges, Zanzibar offers a wide range of accommodations.
| Mnemba Island Lodge Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 2.8 miles off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites. Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline. |
|
 The Palms |
The Palms Situated along a pristine white beach on the east coast of Zanzibar, The Palms is the ultimate private get-away retreat. Nestled between tropical gardens and a white beach, The Palms provides a range of beautifully appointed facilities, which include a swimming pool, evening bar, dining room and pool bar. Additional facilities such as a fitness center , tennis court, windsurfing, snorkelling and diving are available at extra cost. |
 Ras Nungwi |
Ras Nungwi Located on an expanse of beach wilderness on Zanzibar’s northern tip, Ras Nungwi is a small and friendly beach hotel with a difference. The proximity and variety of the surrounding coral reefs makes Ras Nungwi the perfect diving destination and the hotel has an on-site fully equipped PADI dive center and swimming pool. Deep-sea fishing, water-skiing and snorkelling are other activities on offer. Water sports are subject to an additional cost. |
Zanzibar at a Glance
 Background |
Background The port city of Zanzibar is the island’s principal urban center and is located on Zanzibar’s sheltered western shore. Smaller Zanzibari towns include Chwaka on the eastern shore, Kizimkazi in the south, and Mkokotoni in the northwest. The Arab influence on Zanzibar and Pemba islands is evident in the people, who are a mix of Shirazia (from Persia), Arabs, Comorians (from the Comoros Islands) and Bantu from the mainland, though the latter predominate. Asians are a significant minority especially in the towns and cities. Europeans (either by descent or expatriate) are a smaller minority. The island of origin of the locals pretty much determines what tribe they belong to. The Waunguja would emanate from Unguja Island, with Wapemba tribe from Pemba Island and Watumbatu from Tumbato Island. The Hadimu and Tumbatu tribes were the indeginous people of Zanzibar, most Hadimu live in the southern part the Island while the Tumbatu are predominantly found in the North. |
 Economy |
Economy Agriculture is the dominant economic activity of Zanzibar. Major products include food crops and cloves. Zanzibar once led in clove production, supplying more than 90 percent of the world’s supply, but at present it supplies only 10 percent. Tourism is important to Zanzibar’s economy, and the island receives tens of thousands of visitors each year. The Stone Town section of Zanzibar city reflects the port's past importance and is a prime tourist attraction. The city of Zanzibar is linked to the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam by regular ferry connections, and the city also has an international airport.. |
 Geography |
Geography The island’s once prevalent forests have largely been replaced by cultivated crops, including cloves, bananas, and coconuts. Animal life is limited to small mammals and abundant birds. |
 Government |
History By the 15th century Zanzibar was a minor member of a series of Arab and African commercial centers that stretched along the East African coast. Portuguese explorers and colonists arrived on Zanzibar, which soon came under Portuguese influence. The Portuguese established small settlements on the island and maintained a major base at Mombasa on the coast of Kenya. However, by the mid-17th century, influence in the region began shifting to other European powers and to the Arabs of Oman. Zanzibar's rise to importance within the sphere of East Africa and the Indian Ocean began during the reign of Sayyid Sa‘īd ibn Sultan. Sa‘īd instituted a loose form of control over much of the nearby mainland through commercial domination and a strong military presence on Zanzibar. By the time of Said's death in 1856, Zanzibar was a leading producer of cloves; a major commercial hub for the exchange of African, Indian, European, and American merchandise; and a primary disseminating point for new influences into east central Africa. Zanzibar's increasing importance drew the attention of the United Kingdom. The British government opposed slavery, and after Said’s death, his successors faced increasing British pressure to end the slave trade. In 1860 the British oversaw the division of Zanzibar and Oman into separate sultanates. Although the British administration encouraged trade in Zanzibar, the island gradually lost its commercial importance as the European colonies in mainland East Africa became more economically developed. |
Questions About Zanzibar
- How do I get to Zanzibar?
- What types of wildlife will I see?
- What should I wear?
- How safe is Zanzibar?
- What kind of medical precautions do I need to take?
- Which is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
- When is the rainy season?
Africa Guide
Comprehensive country information, travel advice and climate charts.
Lonely Planet: Destinations
Your guide to unfamiliar places on the African continent.
Lonely Planet: Traveler Reports
Useful advice from travelers who have visited Africa.
World Wildlife Fund: Global Ecoregions
Fourteen major habitat types showing diversity of life on land.