Zanzibar Archipelago

Zanzibar is an archipelago comprised of the two main islands of Zanzibar (also known as Unguja, the largest of the two) and Pemba (the smaller of the two).

Zanzibar, Swahili Unguja, Indian Ocean island is located 22 miles (35 kilometers) off the coast of east-central Africa. The island is a beautiful setting for sheer leisure and it offers a wide range of adventurous and cultural activities. Zanzibar, along with Pemba Island and a few other smaller islands, joined Tanganyika on the mainland to become the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

The island’s history is profoundly marked by hundreds of years of spice trade – nutmeg, cinnamon, and saffron, and more; with nomadic traders sailing by ship at sea from as far away as Europe, the Middle East, and even China. This trade was as valuable as gold at the time. Today, it has fueled and moulded the island’s cultural tastes.

With its white powdery sands, turquoise waters and palm-trees, you will love to spend your holiday in Zanzibar.

The Stone Town

Begin your exploration of Zanzibar’s capital, Stone Town, with its narrow alleys, stunning architecture, lively marketplaces, and small but intriguing museums. There are also many reminders of Zanzibar’s historical role in the slave trade, which was prohibited in these sections by the Sultan of Zanzibar in 1873.

Stone Town, Zanzibar’s renowned capital, is steeped in history and brimming with charm. Also known as Mji Mkongwe in Swahili,Mji Mkongwe in Swahili, Stone Town is the historic area of Zanzibar. With a population of 16,000 people, the old town is located roughly half way down Zanzibar’s west coast on a short point projecting into the Zanzibar channel.

Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its distinctive architecture, which is a blend of European, Indian, and Arab influences. This highlights the fact that Zanzibar was a part of the Portuguese, Oman, and British empires since the 1500s. In 1864, it declared independence from the United Kingdom.

Planning to visit Stone Town?