Zanzibar - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

Zanzibar: Africa Natural Tours

AFRICA NATURAL TOURS (The best tour company in Tanzania)

Specialized in: Mountain climbing, Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism and Beach holidays

Contact +255 653 679 958 OR +255 692 436 113

Email-info@africanaturaltours.com

Zanzibar

Where better to go after an action-packed safari or a tough climb? Zanzibar is a tropical paradise just off the coast from Dar es Salaam. Let us arrange for you a relaxing beach vacation on the Isle of Spice. Zanzibar beach the endless blue skies, stunning white sands beaches framed by whispering palm fronds. Dancing to an African drum beat long into the night. Cool water and hot sun on your skin. The bustle of the bazaars and the exquisite architecture of Stone Town. Your memories of Zanzibar will last a lifetime.,/p> 

The Spices, Tropical Warmth

The spice island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is famous for once being the commercial centre of East Africa and the last place to abolish the slave trade. Today it combines ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses with miles of white sandy palm fringed beaches and coves. The ocean offers warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands excellent reefs for snorkeling/SCUBA, fantastic deep sea fishing, water sports and of course delicious fresh seafood. You can also opt to go for an early morning boat ride to swim with the dolphins. And if you thought that wasn't enough, visiting the Spice plantations (cloves,cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and others) or haggling over the price of wood carvings in the Central Market is great fun too.

Indian Ocean Beaches

Brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect places to relax, soak up the busy sightseeing. Modern resorts nestle in the shade of coconut palms, providing cool and comfortable retreats. The beaches are paradise. Most indigenous people live in fishing villages where they live a simple way of life, unchanged through the years.

 Just south of Zanzibar town are Fuji Beach and Chuini Beach, which both offer facilities for a range of water sports, while to the north there is Mangapwani where the only noise is likely to be the sound of the ocean. On the northern tip of the Island is Nungwi, where visitors can watch fishermen's boats being built or swim in the coral lagoons.

On Zanzibar's northeast coast are the beaches of Matemwe, Mapenzi, Kiwenga and Uroa, with their wide stretches of uncrowded sands and opportunities to explore the underwater world. Other well developed resorts areas: Pingwe, Bwejuu and Jambiani are to be found on the south-eastern coast. As well as water sports there are also opportunities for fishing or for observing the activities of the local fishermen.

Old Culture

Tours of Zanzibar island are rewarding experience. Visitors will travel past fragrant plantation of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices on their way to a number of places of historical interest. In the south of the island is the walled city of Kizimkazi, where the ruins of Shirazi mosque, part of which dates back nearly 900 years, are found. A coral stone inscription provides evidence of its age, making it one of the earliest Islamic buildings in this part of Africa. Head north from Zanzibar town and visitors will encounter the palace ruins of Maruhubi and Mtoni. The ruins of Maruhubi offer a tantalizing glimpse of former grandeur of this palace built by Sultan Bargash in 1880 to house his harem, but burnt down in 1889. The palace of Mtoni suffered a similar fate. Dating back to the early part of 19 century, it once housed 1,000 people. These are few examples of historical ruins that dotted throughout the island. Others to be found at Chuini, Dunga, Kidichi, Kizimbani and Bungi.

Jozani Forest

35 km southeast from Zanzibar City is Jozani Forest Reserve, an area of 10 sq.km whose thick forest, with trees over 100 years old, are one of the last remaining sanctuaries of Red Colobus monkey.

Changuu (Prison Island)

Changuu is another popular destination. The island was used to contain disobedient slaves and jail was built in 1893 but never used. Today the island's most famous inhabitants are giant tortoise and it is a popular place for a swim, a stroll or a picnic.

For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com