Destination: Zanzibar
Zanzibar - an African-Arabian mixture of colour and passion
Zanzibar is semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, consisting of Zanzibar Island (locally, Unguja), Pemba Island, and many smaller islands. Zanzibar Island is approximately 90km long and 30km wide.
In 1896, Zanzibar was the world's shortest war — they surrendered to the British Army after 38 minutes.
Capital: Stone Town
History
Zanzibar comes from the Persian word "Zangi-bar" (Zangi=Black and Bar=the Place of); later in the history the "g" sound was replaced by "z" sound due to the lack of the sound "g" in Arabic language of the invading Arabs. The islands became part of the historical record of the wider world when Persian traders discovered them and used them as a base for voyages between the Middle East, India, and Africa. Unguja, the larger island, offered a protected and defensible harbour, so although the archipelago offered few products of value, the Persians settled at what became Zanzibar City (Stone Town) as a convenient point from which to trade with East African coastal towns.
During the Age of Exploration, the Portuguese Empire was the first European power to gain control of Zanzibar, and the Portuguese kept it for nearly 200 years. In 1698, Zanzibar fell under the control of the Sultanate of Oman, which developed an economy of trade and cash crops with a ruling Arab elite. Plantations were developed to grow spices, hence the term Spice Islands.
Zanzibar came into the hands of the British Empire. The islands gained independence from Britain in December 1963 as a constitutional monarchy.
Religion
Zanzibar is per definition Islamic, though the religion is practiced in a more liberal form than in other parts of the region
Wildlife
The main island of Zanzibar, Unguja, has a fauna which reflects its connection to the African mainland during the last Ice Age. Endemic mammals with continental relatives include the Zanzibar red colobus, one of Africa's rarest primates, the Zanzibar red colobus may number only about 1500. Isolated on this island for at least 1,000 years, the Zanzibar red colobus (Procolobus kirkii) is recognized as a distinct species, with different coat patterns, calls and food habits than related colobus species on the mainland.
Rare native animals include the Zanzibar leopard, which is critically endangered and possibly extinct; and the recently described Zanzibar servaline genet. There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas such as Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs, 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 birdlife, and a large number of butterflies in rural areas. Pemba island is separated from Unguja island and the African continent by deep channels and has a correspondingly restricted fauna, reflecting its comparative isolation from the mainland. Its best-known endemic is the Pemba Flying Fox
Fast Facts
Language: Kiswahili and English
Drinking water: Visitors should show caution concerning drinking water and buy sealed water bottles only.
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Credit cards: A convenient cash balance is recommended as the two only cash dispensers on the island might be out of order. Credit cards are usually accepted by the major hotels.
Tipping: Normal in hotels & restaurants
Visa: Yes, but you can buy it at the airport for 50 USD.
Vaccine: Consult a doctor as to which vaccinations you will require, but they will most likely include Hep A, Hep B, and Typhoid.
Driving: Zanzibar has adopted the British traffic system and abiding to international regulations. International driver’s license required or your national driver’s license to be endorsed for an extra $10.- USD.
Time zone: 3 +GMT