Zanzibar, Tanzania
Region: Zanzibar is located in the Zanzibar Urban/West region of Tanzania
Geographic Coordinates: -6.165000, 39.199000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
Population: 205870
Language: Swahili
Zanzibar is a stunning island located off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa. This exotic location is famous for its pristine beaches, Turquoise waters, And rich cultural heritage. For centuries, Zanzibar has been an important trading center that has attracted traders from all over the world who came to buy spices such as cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, And black pepper. The capital city of Zanzibar is Stone Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a fascinating maze of narrow streets and alleyways with traditional Swahili houses made of coral stone that date back to the 19th century.
Visitors can explore the old slave market where slaves were once sold or visit the House of Wonders which was once used as a palace for the Sultan. One of Zanzibar’s most popular attractions are its stunning beaches that offer crystal clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Some popular beaches include Nungwi Beach on the northern tip of the island and Paje Beach on the east coast which is known for kitesurfing due to its strong winds. Zanzibar also has some incredible wildlife experiences including Jozani Forest Reserve which is home to colobus monkeys found nowhere else in Tanzania.
Visitors can take guided walks through this lush forest reserve while spotting these playful primates swinging from branch to branch. Another must-see attraction in Zanzibar is Prison Island which was once used as a quarantine station but now serves as a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises that roam freely around this small island paradise. Foodies will love exploring Zanzibari cuisine with its fusion of African, Indian, And Arabic influences resulting in unique dishes such as pilau rice (spiced rice), Biryani (rice dish with vegetables or meat), Samosas (stuffed pastry), Chapati (flatbread), And seafood curries made with locally caught fish.
Zanzibar is also known for its vibrant nightlife with beach parties, Live music events, And night markets where visitors can find local crafts and souvenirs. Overall, Zanzibar is a fascinating destination that offers something for everyone from history buffs to beach lovers to wildlife enthusiasts.
- Stone Town is the historic center of Zanzibar City, boasting narrow streets, colorful buildings, and a rich cultural heritage.
- Jozani Forest is a nature reserve that provides shelter to the endangered red colobus monkey and other exotic wildlife.
- Prison Island was once a prison but now attracts tourists with its giant tortoises and snorkeling opportunities.
- The island’s spice plantations offer tours where visitors can see and learn about various spices like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Nungwi Beach is a popular white sand beach located on the northern tip of Zanzibar with crystal clear waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
- Mnemba Island is a private island off the coast of Zanzibar famous for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and excellent diving opportunities.
- Forodhani Gardens Night Market in Stone Town serves up traditional Zanzibari street food like grilled seafood skewers and samosas in an evening market setting.
- Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century; now it houses a cultural center with exhibits on Swahili culture and history.
- House of Wonders (Beit-el-Ajaib) is an impressive palace constructed by Sultan Barghash in 1883 that operates as a museum showcasing Zanzibari culture and history today.
- Changuu Island (Prison Island) features an old prison colony converted into a turtle sanctuary where visitors can observe giant Aldabra tortoises up close!
- Tourism: Zanzibar is a well-known tourist destination that offers visitors beautiful beaches, cultural experiences, and historical sites.
- Agriculture: The island is famous for its agriculture industry that cultivates crops like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Fishing: Due to its location on the Indian Ocean, fishing plays an essential role in the economy of Zanzibar.
- Handicrafts: The tradition of handicrafts including woodcarving, weaving, and pottery making has been passed down through generations in Zanzibar.
- Construction: With the growth of tourism on the island comes an increase in construction activities with new hotels and resorts being built.
- Trade: The port of Zanzibar serves as a hub for trade between East Africa and other parts of the world.
- Banking and finance: Several banks operate within Zanzibar providing financial services to businesses and individuals living on the island.
- Education: There are several universities and colleges located within Zanzibar offering education opportunities to students from Tanzania as well as beyond its borders.
Historical Events:
- The establishment of the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1856 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan.
- The abolition of the slave trade in Zanzibar by British forces in 1873.
- The revolution of 1964, which overthrew the Arab-dominated government and established a socialist government.
Notable People:
- Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, was born in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
- Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and former Prime Minister of Tanzania, was born in Zanzibar.
- Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu was a Marxist revolutionary and one of the leaders behind the 1964 revolution that overthrew the Sultanate government.
Other notable figures associated with Zanzibar include Princess Sayyida Salme (also known as Emily Ruete), who wrote an autobiographical account about life as a member of the royal family; Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury’s birth name), who has a street named after him in Stone Town; and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, who led political movements for independence from British colonial rule before becoming President after Tanzania’s unification with Tanganyika.
- The Zanzibar Museum of History and Culture
- The House of Wonders
- Stone Town
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
- The Old Fort
- Forodhani Night Food Market
- Palace Museum (Beit al Sahel)
- Prison Island (Changuu Island)
- Mnemba Atoll Conservation Area
- Nungwi Beach
- 1.5 million people and is not known for its sports teams. However, there are still some notable sports teams and their histories in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Heroes – This is the national football team of Zanzibar that has been competing since the 1940s. They have won several regional tournaments such as the CECAFA Cup.
- Jang’ombe Boys FC – This is a football club based in Stone Town, Zanzibar and was founded in 1935. They have won several local tournaments and are one of the most popular clubs on the island.
- Malindi SC – This is another football club based in Stone Town, Zanzibar that was founded in the 1950s. They have also won several local tournaments.
- KMKM FC – This is a football club based in Mombasa, Kenya but has roots in Zanzibar as it was founded by Zanzibari students studying in Mombasa during the colonial period.
- Overall, although there aren’t many sports teams with long histories on the island of Zanzibar, football remains one of its most popular sports with several clubs competing at both local and regional levels.
- Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is an annual event that showcases African and international films.
- Mwaka Kogwa Festival is a four-day celebration by the Shirazi people of Zanzibar to mark the start of the Persian New Year.
- Sauti za Busara Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Stone Town that features traditional and contemporary African music.
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are two major Islamic festivals celebrated in Zanzibar with prayers, feasting, and family gatherings.
- Lamu Cultural Festival is a week-long celebration of Swahili culture held on Lamu Island, which can be accessed from Zanzibar by ferry or plane.
- Jambiani Cultural Tourism Day is an event organized by the Jambiani community to showcase their traditional way of life through dance, music, food, and craft displays.
- Spice Tour Festival celebrates Zanzibar’s spice industry with tours of spice farms, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances.
- Karibu Music Festival brings together musicians from across East Africa for live performances in Stone Town’s historic venues over three days.
- Mwezi wa Mwaka (Moon Month) celebrations are a series of events held during Ramadan to mark the end of fasting including feasting, dancing, and fireworks displays.
- Nungwi Fishing Competition – A fishing competition held annually at Nungwi beach where fishermen compete for prizes based on their catch weight.
- Zanzibari pizza – a popular street food that is a cross between a pizza and a crepe, filled with various ingredients such as egg, vegetables, and meat.
- Seafood – being an island nation, seafood is abundant in Zanzibar. Some popular dishes include grilled fish, octopus curry, and prawn skewers.
- Pilau rice – spiced rice cooked with vegetables or meat.
- Ugali – a type of maize porridge that is eaten with stews or curries.
- Chapati – a type of flatbread that is similar to Indian roti.
- The Rock Restaurant – located on top of a rock formation in the ocean.
- Emerson Spice Rooftop Tea House – offers panoramic views of Stone Town while enjoying tea and snacks.
- Forodhani Night Market- offers various street food options at night including seafood skewers and samosas.
- Terrace Restaurant- located on the rooftop terrace of the Africa House Hotel offering views over the Indian Ocean.
- Lukmaan Restaurant- serves traditional Swahili dishes at affordable prices.
- Forodhani Gardens is a public park located in Stone Town, famous for its night food market.
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a nature reserve covering 50 square kilometers and home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
- Prison Island is a small island off the coast of Stone Town with a beautiful beach, coral reefs, and giant tortoises.
- Nungwi Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Zanzibar with crystal clear waters and white sand.
- Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve is a protected marine area that offers snorkeling and diving experiences to see colorful fish, dolphins, and turtles.
- Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort is an upscale resort with a private beach that offers water sports activities like jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
- Spice Tour is an educational tour where visitors can learn about different spices grown on the island like cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg among others.
- Kite Surfing in Paje Beach: This spot provides one of the best kite surfing experiences on the island due to its shallow waters and constant winds throughout the year.
- Dhow Cruise Sunset Tour allows visitors to take traditional dhow boat rides during sunset while enjoying drinks and snacks onboard while watching dolphins play in their natural habitat.
- Safari Blue Tour- This all-day excursion allows visitors to swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi village before heading to Menai Bay Conservation Area for snorkeling or diving experience followed by lunch at Kwale Island before ending their day at Sandbank beach.
Popular restaurants in Zanzibar include:
