A Quick Tour of Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar is an archipelago of over 50 islands with the two largest are Zanzibar and Pemba Islands. Zanzibar is only 25 miles off the coast of Tanzania and has achieved a high speed ferry or flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha in the north. Zanzibar (known locally as Unguja) is relatively small [60 miles long and 20 miles wide]. The point of entry and the port of Stone Town, the name can not be more romantic, but it is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of narrow winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and the large Arab houses whose original owners competing for the extravagance of their dwellings. This exaggeration is reflected in the large carved wooden doors decorated with brass nails. E 'can spend hours wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys. Spice plantations are part of a trip to Zanzibar, the island would be incomplete without a visit to the plantations that grow cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman [and principles infamous slave trade]. The Jozani Forest Nature Reserve is located in the eastern central region of Zanzibar island and is home to the rare Red Colobus monkey. You can view it at very close quarters just outside the perimeter of the reserve and are very photogenic. Jozani is home to other species such as monkeys Syke, small and bushpigs Buck. Tours to the unspoilt north coast tend to end up in the fishing village of Nungwi on the northern tip of Zanzibar - approached by a road lined with banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees - is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar. Here you can see the traditional methods of dhow construction in action. This area of Zanzibar has some fantastic beaches and nearby coral reefs that are ideal for diving and snorkeling. Prison Island, once home to a prison for rebellious slaves, is located on the outskirts of Stone Town. It is bordered by a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a beautiful white beach for sunbathing. It is also home to a family of giant tortoises. The beaches of Zanzibar is a paradise, with a sprinkling of quaint fishing villages. There are over twenty-five great beaches of Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only sound breaking the silence is the ocean. Zanzibar [along with its sister island of Pemba] has a reputation for having some of the best diving in the world, there is good visibility (20 - 60 meters) and one year the average water temperature of 27 ฐ c sure that you enjoy your Zanzibar diving experience in Zanzibar is not limited to beginners. Experienced divers can enjoy exciting wall dives, night diving and current diving. In deeper waters, coral gardens often stretch as far as the eye can see, the game and large fish (barracuda, kingfish, tuna and wahoo) hunt together with large Napoleon fish, graceful manta rays and sharks. Surface waters are the playground of tropical fish, including a variety of Indo-Pacific marine fauna. Tanzania is a beautiful place to visit and offers more than Kilimanjaro Safari Tours and the game for more information see http://www.tanzania- and http://www.betheladventure.co.uk info.co.uk - Tourism used to life-changing.