Tanganyika Travels Ltd. The best of wildlife sataris & Camping in East Africa

ZANZIBAR AND MAFIA ISLANDS

Zanzibar is known throughout the world as the jewel of the Indian Ocean and has a romantic, colorful history of seafarers and explorers, of riches and tragedy and the dark stain of slavery.

Once the trading Centre of the whole of East Africa, Zanzibar attracted Sumerians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Arabs and Malays, the great explorers. Burton, Speke, Livingstone and Krapt continued their journeys from these shores.

A walk through the narrow, twisting streets of Stone Town plunges you into the past, the houses here are over 150 years old and are constructed from the island's coral stone. Built by Arab and Indian merchants in the nineteenth century, this is the only functioning historical city in East Africa.

A spice tour is a specialty of Zanzibar and involves a walk in the western and central regions of the island through plantations, private gardens and forests. There are over 50 different spices and fruit cinnamon, pepper, pimentos, ginger, tamarind, coffee, lyand-lyand, cocoa and sugar cane. Coconuts are another main produce of the archipelago.

The East coast of Zanzibar island is ideal for those who wish to get away it all. Picturesque villages fringe white beaches and crystal waters.

Ruins of Zanzibar

The ruins of Zanzibar convey something of mystery, intrigue and eroticism of the island's past and they are well worth a visit.

In the north of Zanzibar, the Mtoni Palace, accommodating 1,000 people, was built in the 19^th century by an Arab merchant, today the courtyard with a row of stone baths at one end and the aqueduct that supplied water to the house remains.

The Marahubi Palace was built between 1870 and 1888 by Sultan Barghash for the harem, it burned down in the 1899 and only a few rooms and arches remain.
Built by Sultan Said for his second wife at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Persian Baths of Kidichi are remarkably preserved series of domed bathhouses with deep stone baths and massive seats.
The Shiraz Ruins on Tumbatu Island are those of a large ancient town dating from the 12^th century that contains 40 stone houses.

The Dunga Ruins are on the main road heading out of Zanzibar town towards Chwaka. The Palace that once stood here was built by the last and most feared of the long line of Chiefs.

Islands Off Zanzibar

There are tiny deserted islands a few kilometers off the western tip of Zanzibar town. Changuu Island, also known as Prison Island was owned by an Arab who used it to imprison slaves. A prison was built there in 1893 but never used. The ruins can still be seen. Grave Island is famous for its beautiful beaches, swimming, snorkeling and sun bathing. The island has been used as a Christian cemetery for many years. Other islands include Bat Island and Snake Island which is not frequented by visitors.

Mafia Island

160 km to the south of Zanzibar lies Mafia, a favorite haunt of big game fishermen and scuba divers. Following the tradition of Ernest Hemmingway, sports fishermen specimens of kingfisher, marlin, horsemackera, sailfish and huge rock cad. The rare and exotic dungong breeds in the Mafia, during the northeast monsoon. There are ruins of a settlement at Ras Kisimani where a thirteenth century mosque has been excavated.

For more information and advise on costs please contact:

Tanganyika Travels Ltd,
Double Road (near Kahawa House),
P.O. Box 8357, Moshi, Tanzania
Tel/Fax # +255-27-275 1017

E-mail: tangan@tannganyikatravel.com OR tantravel@kicheko.com