Starter-kit for Zanzibar Island 
An awesome tourist destination awaits you!!
Zanzibar islands lie off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It is known as a jewel of the Indian ocean, and once, a city ruled by sultans, Zanzibar has been as connected to Arabia and other regions along the Indian Ocean as it has to Africa, Zanzibar is an archipelago, consisting of Zanzibar Island (locally, Unguja), Pemba Island, and many smaller islands.
What is Zanzibar Island- Zanzibar- Pristine beaches, Arabian Dhows, colorful bazaars, a mystifying network of narrow alleyways - Zanzibar evokes images of mystery and romance.
The picturesque paradise is a holiday destination for discerning travelers from across the globe.
On Zanzibar Island there is much to be Discovered.. and amazing Beaches.
The name Zanzibar conjures up exotic and romantic images.
Zanzibar Island is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean, about 40 km. from the Tanzanian coast and 6° south of the equator.
Zanzibar (is known locally as Unguja, but as Zanzibar internationally) is 96 km long and 32 km wide, occupying a total area of approx. 1040 square km. Zanzibar Island has beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs and the magic of historic Stone Town - the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.
Zanzibar Island is one of the world's most beautiful islands. From the shores of Zanzibar Island the great European explorers Burton, Speke, Krapf, Reubman, Stanley and Livingstone set out on their voyages of discovery into the hinterland. The narrow streets of the old Stone Town are just some of the vivid reminders of the Island's long and colorful history. It's a fascinating place to wander around and get lost in.
Wildlife- there is no large wild animals on Zanzibar Island and forest areas such as Jozani are inhibited by monkeys, bush pigs and small antelopes, Civets- and rumor has it the elusive Zanzibar leopard!!
Various species of mongoose can also be found on the Island.There is a wide variety of bird life a large variety of butterflies in rural regions. The coral reefs that surround the Coast are rich in marine diversity, and make Zanzibar Island an ideal location for snorkeling and diving.
Economy- Fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities of the local people.
Zanzibar Island was once the world's largest producer of cloves.
Although cloves are still a major export along with coconut products and spices, tourism has been ear-marked as the primary foreign exchange earner, with more visitors coming to Zanzibar Island each year.
At this stage, the numbers are less than 100,000 annually, and the potential for tourism is relatively untapped.
Getting there: International Flights
The main gateway airports to East Africa and Zanzibar are:
Dar es Salaam International Airport (DAR), a short flight to Zanzibar & Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit- Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha, Saadani
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) used for Arusha & Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit- Ngorongoro, sererngeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Arusha, Kilimanjaro.
Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
Other good alternatives are Nairobi, Mombasa and Entebbe .
From Europe
Main flight partners from Europe are: Swiss Air, Qatar, Air India, Emirates, Ethiopian, Oman Air, British Airways (via London) and KLM (via Amsterdam) into Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International and Entebbe.
Other charters also offer flights such as Condor to Zanzibar from Europe!!
From the UK
British Airways and Kenya Airways in corporation with KLM operate direct daily services from London Heathrow into Nairobi.
British Airways also has 3 flights weekly direct into Dar Es Salaam and Entebbe.
Kilimanjaro International can be reached via AMSTERDAM on the services of KLM and Kenya Airways daily.
Kenya Airways offers excellent connections via Nairobi to Kigali and Entebbe for those wishing to make a stopover in Nairobi.
From the USA & Canada
Clients flying in from the USA and Canada can do so via London with British Airways or Amsterdam with KLM. Please bear in mind that due to high demand, these services should be booked well in advance.
East Africa is also accessible on SAA via Johannesburg. This route might entail a stopover, but offers an ideal opportunity to combine an East African Safari with a southern Africa side-trip.
SAA operates a daily service between the following main gateway airports:
Atlanta/Johannesburg and New York (JFK)/Johannesburg. There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International (scheduled on 4 days a week only) with Kenya Airways in cooperation with KLM, Air Tanzania and SAA.
Worldwide Scheduled Flights to Zanzibar: Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM and Kenya Airways.
Worldwide Scheduled Flights to Dar es Salaam: (which is only a short trip by air or sea from Zanzibar):
Swiss Air, British Airways, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, KLM.
Zanzibar flights
African Scheduled Flights to Zanzibar: Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
African Scheduled Flights into Dar es Salaam: (which is only a short trip by air or sea from Zanzibar)
Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air. Air India, Air Malawi, South African Airways, Royal Swazi Airlines and others.
By Air
There are several flights from Dar to Zanzibar. Air Excel, Regional Air, Coastal, Precision Air and ZanAir, run at least a dozen flights between themselves each day. Flights are often late but rarely canceled.
As of March 2007, Coastal was charging 87,000 Tsh for a return flight from Dar with a 15kg baggage limit preferably in soft bags. The planes are small so luggage can be an issue if you're doing a lot of shopping. A Precision Air ticket will cost 116,000 Tsh, but with a more generous baggage allowance.
Zanzibar has two (2) departure taxes. Domestic flights: 5,000 Tsh (or $5) and International flights: $30 (see GET OUT below).
By Boat
There are many ferries and catamarans that can take you between Dar es Salaam and the Island. Azam Marine,Sea Express, Sea Star, Seagull and Sepideh Megaspeed Liners are among the nicest available. Azam runs at 14h30 and 16h15 on weekdays and Sea Express at 07h30 daily. Fares range $35 to $40 for non-residents, including a $5 Port Tax. First class is only $5 more expensive than economy and certainly worth the money. Most ferries schedules allow you to do the return trip the same day. For instance leave Dar es Salaam at 07:30 and return from Zanzibar on the 16:30 ferry.
That leaves plenty of time to explore the Stone Town, the museum and have a nice lunch. The trip is beautiful and lasts about two hours approximately. However, if the weather is bad it can take much longer and the trip can be very unpleasant. If you suffer from seasickness you are advised to take some anti-seasickness pills prior to boarding. The on board personnel hands out free sickness bags at the start of the journey.
You may be able to hire a private boat for cheaper, but the trip will take considerably longer and unless you know something about boats, you could be on a vessel that is not equipped for bad weather conditions or an emergency. Remember: you get what you pay for.
Be aware that the "porters" at the Dar ferry terminal will hassle you for money and expect tips for referring you to "the best boat." If you don't want their help, be forceful. The dock is a zoo -- a prime hangout for pickpockets.
Passport. Although Zanzibar is part of the Union it maintains its own immigration service and you need to have a valid passport to enter, even if you come from mainland Tanzania.
Taxi
There are a number of taxis waiting for passengers when you exit the terminal. Despite having a "list" of prices for the various tourist destinations on the island, prices are negotiable. Although you can arrange a pick up at the airport with your hotel or tour company, even a little negotiating will get you a better price than the inflated one quoted by most hotels. However, some Stone Town hotels do offer free shuttle service from the airport.
To See: * Zanziabar Island, a.k.a., The Spice Island, was an important stop in the Spice Trade centuries ago. Today, it is one of the few places in the world where saffron is produced, and many other Middle Eastern/Asian spices (cardamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, etc.) are grown here. For about $10, you can go on a spice tour, which winds you around the island, showing you how anise (licorice) grows; letting you sample some of the exotic fruit grown on the island; and allowing you to tour the beautiful plantations.
* Jozani Forest has excellent nature trails, featuring some very exotic (and large) trees. Even more interesting, though, are the Red Colobus Monkeys that live here. Native to the Island, these monkeys are now nearly extinct. They are very curious and playful and will likely pose for a picture.
* There are a number of historically important (and frankly, just plain beautiful) buildings in Stone Town, like The House of Wonders and The Arab Fort. It is easy to arrange a simple walking tour with a local guide who can teach you some history.
* The market in Stone Town is one of the largest, most vibrant open-air markets anywhere. Here, you can find several varieties of bananas, "elephant garlic" unique to the island, the largest avocados you'll probably ever see, and more. Prices are extremely reasonable. Even if you have no intentions of purchasing food, the spectacle alone is worth a visit.
There are a lot of things to do on Zanzibar Island. It just depends on where your interests lie.
* Stone Town, recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most unique cities in the world. Blending Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African traditions and architectures, it is possible to spend days winding through Stone Town's labyrinthine alleys; shopping; drinking tea; and visiting the city's historic sites. Be sure to take sun screen, a hat and lots of water since your tour through Stone Town can be quite tiresome.
* Visit Slave Market, The site of the old Slave Market is quite an experience. Go into the holding chambers to see how this wretched piece of history played itself out in small dark dungeon-type cells. Priced at $3 or TS3.5 its well worth it.
In the tourist areas around the waterfront, Kenyatta Road and Shangani Road, you will be beset by all manner of papasi, touts and others wanting to offer you taxis, spice tours, music, gifts, etc. A polite but firm No, thanks usually does the trick, but it can get exhausting. Best thing to do here is wander into the more residential alleys where you won't be disturbed.
* Be certain to have dinner on the wharf near Blue's Restaurant in Stone Town. Every evening, for just a few dollars, you can sample local fish, food, drinks, and hear local music.
* Visit Forodhani Gardens If you are not scared of local food, then this place is definitely worth a visit. It is possibly the cheapest food you will find on the island, and value for money too. Ranging from crab claws, calamari steaks to plain old chips done in big woks. You are well advised to try the local sugar cane juice. The curio market can be found next to the food market. Here you will find all the gifts you may want to take back to friends and loved ones. DO NOT buy the first thing you see. First take a walk through the market, and you will see prices get progressively less. You must ALWAYS haggle and bargain with the vendors or try to set the prices off against each other. This is their way of doing business and it also ensures that you get the best price.
* Spice tours are being offered by many companies, they take you out to a spice farm, where your guide will show you how things like cinnamon, jack fruit and kukurma are grown, and will let you taste most of them.
* The East Beaches are popular among travelers. The sand is brilliant white, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean are a deep teal. Here, you can:
* find plenty of opportunities for scuba diving; taking divers out onto the beautiful (and un-touched) reefs.
* swim with the dolphins
* arrange for a ride on a local's dhow (a carved, wooden boat)
* sit and stare at the water for hours on end
* Kendwa Beach on the North Western coast is beautiful. Here you can swim during low and high tide, which is not always possible on the East side of the island. Just beware of the "Sea Archers" that gives a powerful sting if stepped upon during low tide. Kendwa offers lots of beach bars and restaurants serving everything from pizza to local curries.
Kendwa Beach is also known for the Full Moon Party, arranged Saturdays just before or after a full moon. While not as big or extreme as those arranged in Thailand, the parties on Zanzibar attract quite a large group of people, especially when the full moon coincides with public holidays in Europe and North America (i.e. Easter and Christmas).
Buy: Zanzibar currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH), which is exchanged at a rate of around 1EUR = TSH1600. On the beaches, US $ and TSH are accepted. However, $1 = TSH 1000, which is much less than the official exchange rate.
Best would be to trade some of your dollars or Euro for Tanzanian Shillings, and use that to buy food.If you buy curious with dollars and Euro you will get a better deal, since the hawkers are more prone to bargaining when buying with foreign currency. Remember! You get a better exchange rate on large $-notes i.e. $ 50,100 than on smaller $-notes i.e. $20, $ 10. There are four ATM's on the island, all in Stone Town. A store that accepts credit card payment is a rarity. Don't rely totally on your bank card. Take extra cash or traveler's checks.
Stone Town is a one-stop-souvenir-shopping for the traveler. You can find beautiful textiles, handmade jewelry, intricate wood or stone carvings, spices, knick-knacks, and the list goes on and on . . .
Buy a cookbook and spices. Take the trip home with you! Beware that many of the vendors sell fake saffron (appears waxy like a shredded red crayon).
Eat Lobsters, king fish, calamaris - prawns, octopus, crabs and squid are just a few of the many types of seafood on offer.
It is not surprising that Zanzibar's specialties are centered around what is available locally, so take full advantage of the variety of spicy seafood dishes on offer and to suit every taste.
Coconut also features in many dishes. Meat, Vegetarian and International Cuisines are also readily available across the Island.
Drink While predominantly a Muslim community, small bars can be found everywhere in Zanzibar. Try the ginger beer - tangawizi. The sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk are not to be missed.
On the beaches you will find beach bars who will supply you with good local beer and cocktails. You must try a Dawa-cocktail!
An average meal on the Island cost
from around: $2.- USD (a Local meal) and $10.- USD. + (an International meal)
Mineral Water - 50cts to $1.- USD.
Soft Drinks- Coke, Fanta,Sprite,.33Lt. 30 to 60 cts.
Beer - Safari, Kilimanjaro, Ndovu, Tusker .50Lt. 60cts to 1.50.- USD.
Wine (0.75Lt.) 5 to 10.- USD.
Liqour, Whiskey, Gin, Vodka (0.75Lt.) 7 to 20.- USD.
Cigarettes 20pcs. 70cts to 1.- USD.
SleepZanzibar Coasts are one of the most ideal place for beach holidays and honeymoons.
Zanzibar has a large number of beach and Stone Town hotels of different categories to cater for all classes of travelers.
This may be basically divided into:
1. Stone Town Hotels, which have few sporting facilities and rarely have a garden but are steeped in character.
2. Out of town beach hotels: these are more modern, generally set in fine gardens by the beach, and offering a variety of water sports. As a rule the east coast beaches are more beautiful but they face the prevailing winds and as a result the seas here are rougher.
The best hotels in Zanzibar will be found in the North East, South East and some in the North whilst Pemba island, has a fantastic lodge, Fundu lagoon Pemba island which you have to check out.
A night or two in Stone Town will complete your trip to Zanzibar, and might be a necessity, depending on your flight schedules. If you are into cultural activities, you might want to spend more than a night in Stone Town, as this is where it all happens.
The north coast, the east coast and the North East coast of Zanzibar offer the best places for relaxation and water sports.
The east coast of Zanzibar is famous for its pristine palm fringed beaches,-miles and miles of it as far as the eyes could see.
Respect Zanzibar is largely a Muslim community. Although they are used to Western ways, you should try to be respectful. This means:
* Women and men should make an effort to cover their legs and arms.
* Be discrete when drinking alcohol.
* During Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- travelers should avoid eating and drinking during the daytime.
What to wear-
In Zanzibar it never gets really cold and light clothes are advisable. Located close to the Equator, so bring a sun hat/cap, suntan lotion and sun glasses.
Getting around: Although taxis are available, you will probably want to walk through Stone Town. After all, most of the alleys are barely wide enough for a bike to pass.
Journeying outside Stone Town is most comfortably done with a taxi or a private car, however a network of dalla-dallas, small minivans, exist which service all the major villages on the island. The adventurous, armed with a phrase book and map, will experience a wonderful side of Zanzibar life, which all too often is just another photograph to the typical tourist zooming past. A private car is of course a lot more expensive than a dalla-dalla, $15 compared to $3. It will take you about 2 hours to get to Nungwi, on the northern tip of the island.
Many hotels are happy to arrange a taxi for a transfer to the harbor, airport, spice tour or to another hotel. Beware, however, as they get commissions from taxis and so the prices tend to be higher. For example, your hotel might say that an airport transfer is $10, while out on the streets of Stone Town there are so many taxi drivers needing business you'll probably be able to negotiate the price down to $6.
Car Hire is a possibility - but remember to bring an International Driver's Permit, as this will be required.
Tourists hiring motor-cycles should ensure that they wear a crash-helmet for safety purposes.
Taxis and minibuses are available from good tour operators and can also be found at most major arrival points and around town.
Local buses (known as daladala's) span the entire island.
Zanzibar General Information
Travel Requirements: Visa, Passport to be valid for 6 month after the travel period.
Languages: Kiswahili & English
Electricity: 220 - 240 V AC, 50 Hz.
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) = 100 cents.
International Dialing code: + 255 24, followed by 7-digit local number.
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
CURRENCY-The Tanzanian Shilling is the local currency. There are 100 Cents in 1TZ. Shilling.
$1USDolla r= 1200 Tshs.
€1- EURO = 1900 Tshs.
1BritishPound = 2300 Tshs.
Health Requirements: REINSTALLATION OF "HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DESKS"
''HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DESKS" have been reinstalled in all BORDERS, PORTS AND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS.
As Tanzania is among countries which are at risk of been infected by yellow
fever, Health Officials have been instructed to deal with the control and
prevention of YELLOW FEVER for international travelers coming from
infected countries and other emerging and re-emerging International
notifiable diseases.
Yellow Fever Endemic Zone in Africa includes Senegal, Gambia, Guinea
Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria,
Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome, and
Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, United
Republic of Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi,
Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.
Yellow Fever Endemic Zone in America includes Panama, Venezuela, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Bolivia.
Health precautions- Zanzibar is a malaria area and communication with your doctor at home regarding which malaria pills to take is essential.
It's also a good idea to bring a good mosquito repellent for use in the evenings.
Your chances of getting malaria are dramatically reduced if you sleep under a mosquito net.
It may also be advisable to get some immunizations prior to visiting Zanzibar, and your doctor at home will be able to help you with this.
Preserve Zanzibar- Zanzibar is still unspoilt by the unpleasant effects of mass tourism - the number of visitors to the island is still low, but has been on the rise throughout the 1990's. It is our hope that increases in tourism do not impact adversely on the magic of Zanzibar, and we humbly ask all visitors to follow a handful of guidelines, ensuring they will not offend the traditional values of the local people or harm the environment in any way.
It is typical of the Zanzibaris' friendly nature that they will not harass you for infringing these guidelines, but you should be aware that this is merely politeness, and is not an excuse for ignoring them!!
In Zanzibar, do as the Zanzibarians do! - Please ensure that you dress modestly when off the beach. Women should not expose too much leg and chest, and topless sunbathing is also strongly discouraged.
- If you have children and are bringing them to Zanzibar, please make sure that they don't display their expensive toys in front of their Zanzibari contemporaries.
This may install a false sense of values in the local children, whose parents are unlikely to be able to afford such luxuries.
Its many uses makes the coconut palm one of the most versatile of all plants.
The rare Kirk's Red Colobus monkey is only found in Zanzibar, predominantly in Jozani Forest. More on this in tours.
Zanzibar had the first steam locomotive in East Africa. A tiny two foot gauge engine to haul the Sultan to and fro from his summer palace in the 1880's.
Zanzibar also boasted a 7 mile railway to Bububu, built in 1905, which became notorious for setting the countryside alight.
The House of Wonder in Zanzibar was the first house to be installed with a "lift" in Africa.
A large proportion of the world's population have heard of Zanzibar, and the name conjures up all sorts of exotic images.
Only a small proportion of the world's population know where Zanzibaris.
- Zanzibar is an amazingly photogenic place, but if you want to take photographs of people, please ask their permission first out of courtesy.
- If you are diving or snorkeling, you may be tempted to collect some pretty shells from Zanzibar's many coral reefs. Please do not, as this kills entire reefs, the devastating effects of which can be seen in the well-trodden areas of East African coast.
Although there are shell sellers, you are asked not to buy shells from them, as it simply encourages this harmful industry.
Did You Know?- The people of Zanzibar are known as Zanzibaris and their native language is Kiswahili, commonly known internationally as Swahili.
Zanzibar used to be the world's largest producer of cloves, and its history was heavily influenced by this activity.
Zanzibar's beaches are fringed by an abundance of coconut palms. Unlike most tourists, the local people see these trees as more than aesthetically pleasing flora!
Nothing goes to waste, and apart from the famous nut, the coconut palm yields an impressive variety of products, among them materials for weaving, building, eating and drinking.
The roofs of many houses in Zanzibar (particularly in rural areas) are constructed using "makuti" palm thatching, made from palm leaves.
At last count, there were 560 carved doors in Zanzibar. The oldest door discovered in Zanzibar is dated AD 1694.
When a house was built, the door was traditionally the first part to be erected. The greater the wealth and social position of the owner of the house, the larger and elaborately carved his front door.
Many doors are studded with brass spikes.
This may be a modification of the Indian practice of studding doors with sharp spikes of iron to prevent their being battered in by war elephants.
In 915 AD, an Arab traveler recorded that Zanzibar island abounded in elephants, and around 1295 Marco Polo wrote that Zanzibar had 'elephants in plenty'.However, there are no elephants here now, and the brass studs seen today are purely for decoration!
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 1 Jan New Years Day
12 Jan Zanzibar Revolution Day (Mapinduzi Day)
5 Feb CCM Foundation Day
Good Friday and Easter Monday
26 Apr Union Day
1 May Mayday Worker's Day
7 Jul Peasant's Day (Saba Saba which means 7-7)
9 Dec Tanganyika Independence Day
25 Dec Xmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Tag
Muslim festivals, including Ramadan, and the Prophet's Birthday, account for four days of public holiday and their precise dates depend on the lunar calendar.
A few Kiswahili words:
Welcome - Karibu
Hello - Habari
Goodbye - Kwaheri
Thank You - Asante
On Zanzibar there are internet cafes, when the national server works they're fine, if a little slow, but they can be down for long periods.
Bring cash or travelers cheques, ATM machines pay out a good exchange rate in Shillings
Well, that is just about it for now, but if you have any further questions just write me david@ZanzibarMagic.com and I'll do my best to help you.
Happy travels.
David Kiango
Zanzibar Island Tanzania Starter Kit
Jul 4 2008, 02:52 AM
