Stone Town Excursions.
MACHWE0 – (sunset) – (evening walk) –– Stone Town – (2hrs)
This 2hrs guided walk includes return transferred from hotel to hotel and takes you to a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the Stone Town where you mingle with almost every eastern race in their diverse attire attending to the many and exotic bazaars. Sunset is to be found at its best on the balcony of Africa House – formerly the English Club, - Calling of the prayers (muaadhin) is around 18h30 where more than 50 Mosques that are unpretentious by comparison with Minaret and domed places of worship in other Muslim countries blares, the Loudspeakers. Visit to the Forodhani Gardens, which adorns the House of Wonders and the Palace Museum, is a must to see the diverse culture of Zanzibaris in their True Colours. Return to your hotel.
MJI-MKONGWE – (stone town) – ½ day
Town Market, Slave Market, Slave Chambers, National Museum of Zanzibar, High Court
Building, Old German Consulate, Africa House (former English Club), Tippu Tip House, Kele Kele
Square, Old British Consulate, Orphanage Home, Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens, House of
Wonders, Sultan Palace (now Palace Museum), Custom House, Old Dispensary, Old Harbour,
Dr. David Livingstone House, Maruhubi Palace (Ruins), are among the interesting sites on this
guided tour of Zanzibar. The Three hour guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. The tour commences at the City Market and covers all above places. You are then driven or walk (optional) to the Natural Museum: a library that includes books on Zanzibar and East Africa. The exhibits also include stuffed specimens of local birds, a small but useful herbarium of native plants, and a collection of shells. You leave and head along the waterfront to Shangani – Old British Consulate (the late Dr. Livingstone body remained here and later sent to Britain), the Arab Fort (built in the 1700), the House of Wonders (built in 1883). From here, you proceed on a leisure walk through the Narrow Streets of Stone Town (old part of Zanzibar town) where most houses date back to more than one hundred and fifty years. In this part of the town, you will find a lot of small and exotic bazaars and curio shops. The tour continuous and ends with a visit to Maruhubi Palace Ruins (1880) en-route Dr. David Livingstone House (1866). Return to your hotel.
VIUNGO – (spices) – ½ day
Tropical fruits, Spices and other rare species of other plants are among the different vegetation to be seen on this guided tour. It is not only a tour but also a rare experience to prove why Zanzibar is referred to as the “Spice Island”. The four hour guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. We leave for Kidichi via Kibweni Palace (Sultan Rest House) to view the Persian Baths built in 1850 by Seyyid Said bin Sultan (first Sultan of Zanzibar) for his wife Princess Shehrzard – (grand daughter of Fateh Ali Shah of Persia) -. At Kidichi, you visit the Spice Farms to see varieties of Spices – Cardamom, Cinnamon, cloves black pepper, nutmeg, and tropical fruits like, - jack fruit, bread fruit, pineapples, bananas, coconut) – and other rare plants such as henna bush, the perfume tree, and lipstick tree. Return to your hotel.
GEREZA – (prison island) – ½ day (Temporarily NOT permissible)
A relaxing day in the channel of the Indian Ocean is achieved when you visit the small Isle off the western coast of Zanzibar. This half day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. A 30minute-boat ride (motorised) will take you to this exclusive island. The Island was formerly owned by an Arab and was privately used as a place of detention for recalcitrant slaves. In later stages, General Mathews bought it and the gaol, which still stands, was built in 1893, as a central prison for Zanzibar, hence the name “PRISON ISLAND”. It was however, never utilised as such. Whilst on island, you will be able to see the GIANT TORTOISE and have a delightful swim or snorkel. Return to your hotel.
MSITU – (jozani forest) – ½ day
This half day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. The forest has now been declared a reserve and holds the rare and Red Colobus Monkeys to be seen anywhere else in the world. This guided tour of three hours takes you to Jozani natural forest; the smaller trees and shrubs make several sub canopies under the highest canopy. You will walk through the nature trail of the forest, which is a habitat for many species of animals and is famous for its Red Colobus Monkeys – the rare specie. Return to your hotel.
VIUNGO + MAPANGO – (spices + slaves caves)– (ETS-06) – Full day
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and head towards north of Zanzibar for a day of adventure, thrills and excitement.
i) Spices: At Kizimbani, you visit the Spice Farms. (See ETS 03)
You proceed further north to Mangapwani to uncover the history of the Slave Caves –
ii) Mangapwani Slave Caves: Built around 1880 from the cave and connected to the seaside, the area is surrounded by indigenous trees such as breadfruit, Rambo tans and scenty shrubs. It was an important transit Point for the captured slaves to be sold to the outside world at the time of the abolishment of slave trade in 1873. In 1880 to 1905, the chamber was being used as a place of concealment of the human cargo pending their disposal. Lunch can be taken at Serena Mangapwani: Direct Payment. The area is good for bathing and relaxation. Return to your hotel What to take along – towels sunscreen, suitable beach shoes, etc.
POMBOO (Dolphin Safari Blue Adventure) + BBQ LUNCH – Full day
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and head towards Far West of Zanzibar for a day of adventure with the Dolphins, sandbanks, and coral reefs of Menai Bay, a conservation area off Fumba village.
The Tour begins after breakfast when you are picked up from your hotel and transferred in minivans to the fishing village of Fumba. Here you will be given a life jacket demonstration followed by a briefing on the day’s excursion. You will then board the dhows and set off in search of the Dolphins (85% chances). The species frequently found at Menai Bay are Spinner and Bottlenose dolphins. You will be able to swim with the dolphins as long as they stay close to the boat, but is unlikely to be able to touch them, as they are of course wild animals. You will then go on to one of the selected snorkelling locations. Here you will snorkel while accompanied by a snorkelling guide to show you points of interest and to assist the beginners. Snorkel equipment will be provided. You will then move on to another island or sandbank for lunch. Lunch is traditional Zanzibar meal and typically includes a selection of BBQ fish, rice, lentils and fish curry. Chilled fresh fruit juice, mineral water and bottled soft drinks are available throughout the day. You will spend the remainder of the afternoon, relaxing, swimming or snorkelling. Return to Fumba by sail, if winds permit; setting off around 16h00 in your minivans and transferred back to your hotel.
KIJIJI – (village) – (Bush Tour) – Swahili Culture – Full Day.
Coconut Palms, Thatching, Baskets, Weaving, Pottery, Grinding Millets, Rice, Coconut Rope Making, Coconut Palm Climbing, Local Cuisine Cooking, Zanzibar Aroma and Incense, Construction of Local muddy Homes, Bread Making, Spices, Banana Plantations, Seasonal Fruits, Local Koranic Schools, etc.
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and head towards west of Zanzibar to FUONI Village. The elders of the village will welcome you to have a true Arabic coffee served from the original brass coffeepot. Here you will be able to capitalize on the village life while walking through the local homes and farms. The local inhabitants are always busy carrying on with their daily activities like; grinding millets with mortar pestles; thatching coconut palms; preparation of bread for evening meal – (guests are welcome to taste). - You see locals climbing Coconut Palm Trees – (guests may try it out); – coconut products – madafu milk; baskets; rope; poles; coconut palm caps. Further a field cassava plantations and bananas with their various products can be seen and tasted – cassava chips; grilled cassava; ripe banana with coconut, grilled banana; spices; weaving of baskets, floor mats, brooms, food covers etc.
A visit to Koranic school is part of this tour, where boys and girls are taught in separate areas. You proceed to the last stop to be welcomed by drumbeats where guests are requested to participate in the local dances. Refreshments and local cuisine will be served under a Mango Tree. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon.
MWAMBAO KASKAZINI – (North Coast) – Full day
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and head North towards Ras Nungwi, the most northerly part of the island.
There are interesting ruins dating from Portuguese (Barracks) times in the area. Those at Mvuleni are the best known. At Ras Nungwi there is a lighthouse and the village nearby is an important fishing centre; the white sandy beaches is said to be excellent for bathing, swimming, deep-sea fishing, diving etc. You will also visit a place where the traditional Dhows (boats) are built. Return late afternoon to your hotel.
DUNGA – (village) – (East Coast) – Full day
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and head East of the Island where history nature and unspoiled environment blends with each other. Dunga Palace Ruins which is found in the area, took 10years to construct – between 1845 – 1856 - by a great African Lord named Mwinyi Mkuu, the last of a long dynasty of Chiefs of Shirazian descent who ruled Zanzibar before the coming of Omani Arabs in the early 18 century. You proceed and head to Uroa or Pingwe where you stop for a swim, sunbathe or even snorkel in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean.
Lunch can be taken at any of local hotels in the area. Direct PaymentAfternoon at leisure – swim, sunbathe, snorkel. Return to your hotel around 18h00.
POMBOO (KIZIMKAZI) & MSITU – (DOLPHIN & JOZANI FOREST) – Full day
The full day guided tour begins and ends at your hotel. You leave after breakfast and drive to southeast coast to Kizimkazi Village. Visit some historical and heritage sites like The Old Mosque and Graves of Sherifs (Religious Spiritual Imams). Board your motorized boat and find the playful Dolphins out in the open waters. You will be able to swim with the dolphins as long as they stay close to the boat, but is unlikely to be able to touch them, as they are of course wild animals. Return to the shore and have lunch at the village Restaurant.After lunch return and drive to the home of “Red Colobus” Monkeys at Jozani Forest. The forest has now been declared a reserve and holds the rare and Red Colobus Monkeys not to be seen anywhere else in the world. You can walk through the nature trail of this wonderful forest, which is a habitat of many other wild species of animals and birds. Continue to the Mangrove Forest and discover how the locals try to keep the environment clean and habitable. Return to your hotel. |
