ZANZIBAR
Located in the Indian Ocean, 36 km off the coastline of mainland Tanzania lays Zanzibar officially referred to as an archipelago that includes Unguja and Pemba islands, and surrounded by about 50 other smaller islands.
On visiting Zanzibar in the 18th Century, Oman’s Sultan was amazed by the favorable climate that cloaked the island. Comparing with his homeland’s climate, the Sultan decided to stay in Zanzibar. As a result of his decision to settle in Zanzibar, he brought and planted spices, traded slaves, gold, and ivory.
Covering an area of 1464 sq km, Zanzibar is mainly a low land island, the highest point being at 120 meters. It is an island state within the United Republic of Tanzania, with its own semi-autonomous government made up of a Revolutionary Council and House of Representatives.
Once the Trade Centre of East Africa, Zanzibar attracted Sumerians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Arabs, Chinese and Malays and it is from these shores that great explorers like, Burton, Speke, Livingstone and Krapf continued their journeys to the mainland.
Hosting the famous historic Stone Town with its narrow winding streets, vivid markets and colorful bazaars Zanzibar ranks among the most interesting cultural heritage destination in Africa and the world
Famously known as the “Spice Island” with famous spices like cloves,cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, pepper and many others, Spice farm tours are a among the most popular excursions in Zanzibar. On visiting the Island, The Stone Town Cultural Centre (Old Dispensary) located along the Mizingani Road, the four storey building originally built as a private residence, but later used by colonialists as Dispensary are among the most important sites to visit on your voyage to this beautiful Archipelago.
PEMBA
Located about 80km North of Unguja Island, about the same distance east of Tanga on the Tanzanian mainland, Pemba Island is smaller than Unguja with some hilly landscapes, the highest point being less than 100 metres above sea level.
Arab sailors once named Pemba as “El Huthera”, meaning the Green, due to her dense and lush vegetation with more natural forests and plantations than on Unguja Island.
Pemba grows more cloves than Unguja. Today, earnings from the clove crop are supported by other agricultural products, cattle raising, and by fishing, which is an important source of livelihood. Pemba is also popular for its voodoo and traditional healers.
MAFIA
Mafia Island lies off Rufiji River delta about 120 Kilometers south of Dar es Salaam and 160 Kilometers south of Zanzibar with the same distance east of the Selous. It is reachable in 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam, one hour from Selous and Zanzibar, by light aircraft. The island was an important trading post from 11th to 13th centuries.
Today the island is known as a Resort Island for deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. With 40,000 inhabitants, Mafia is an archipelago ringed by pristine coral reefs offering ideal conditions for diving, snorkeling, big game fishing, surfing, sailing, windsurfing scuba diving, swimming and boats excellent cuisine. The park also offers bird watching and picnic excursions