Travel To Zanzibar

This is a four hour guided tour, which starts at Maruhubi Palace Ruins through to Persian baths in Kidichi which was built by Sultan Seyyid Said for his wife Shehrzard, one of the family members of Shah of Persia. You will then proceed to Kizimbani spice plantations where you can see, touch, smell and sometimes taste a wide varietly of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin cloves ylang ylang and a tempting variety of tropical fruits, herbs and ornamental plants and flowers.

It is a relaxing excursion that takes a half-day on this beautiful island off the Zanzibar Town. The uses of the island have changed overtime. Although it was originally built as a prison it was never used for that purpose. Instead it was later used as quarantine for slaves for the whole of East Africa. The remnants of the buildings are still visible. The island offers a stunning view of the Town especially during the night; there is very beautiful small, sandy beach with marvelous swimming in the crystal waters. The coral reefs surrounding the island provide an opportunity for snorkeling. Here is also the home of the giant tortoise, which is now under strict conservation. A short-guided tour around the island will show all these areas of interest.

Situated on the southern point of the island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several schools of bottle-nosed dolphins and Humpback dolphins, which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village. If you are lucky, you may also have the special opportunity of being able to swim quite close to the dolphins. We are running this trip in the afternoons to avoid the early crowds of tourists who, in big numbers, can disturb the dolphins. Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th century mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa and well worth a visit.

This full day excursion brings you close to the most interesting and beautiful natural wonders of a tropical Indian Ocean Bay – the Kwale coral reef – offering an overwhelming abundance of corals and colorful fish. A snorkeling guide will show and explain interesting marine species and will also teach beginners how to snorkel. A short walk into the island’s tropical forest reveals a 500-year-old baobab tree that 70 years ago was bowled down by a storm and the former branches continue to grow like trees themselves on top of the huge laid-down former trunk. Enjoy a short sailing trip on a Ngalawa – a traditional outrigger canoe, carved of a single mango tree – and a swim in a mangrove lagoon.

The Jozani Natural Forest Reserve is located in the central east region of Zanzibar island and is home to the rare Red colobus Monkey, which is endemic to Zanzibar. These monkeys are full of character and roam freely. They can also be seen at very close quarters just outside the reserve’s perimeter and are incredibly photogenic. Jozani is home to other species including Skye’s monkeys, small buck and bush pigs. The elusive Zanzibar leopard (last sited several years ago) is said to feed here at night – perhaps this is why the reserve is only open during the day?! Jozani has an excellent nature trail and the guides are well trained and informative.