Description

Zanzibar’s history stretches back to when the first dhows from Arabia and India discovered its natural harbor. Using the island as a stopover point for caravans that journeyed deep into the African interior, the permanent settlement soon created the beginnings of what became Stone Town. Merchants from Oman, Gujarat, and around the Indian Ocean moved their families from across the ocean to start a life in Zanzibar. Some families made great fortunes with which they built the high stone houses so indicative of Stone Town today.

Although Swahili civilization in the area of Kilwa Kisiwani further south peaked in the 14th century, Zanzibar’s prosperity came much later, with the arrival of the Omani sultans in the 18th century. From this tiny island, slaves relinquished their last hopes of freedom, mighty empires were built, battles were waged, and merchants amassed vast fortunes on the strength of the fragrant clove bud. Today, life in Zanzibar has settled down to a more sedate pace, but the legacy of its tumultuous past remains.

Despite its tiny size and obscure location, Zanzibar holds an almost legendary status among travellers as an exotic island paradise blessed with palm fringed shores, timeless fishing villages and lush spice plantations. Although a mere stone’s throw from the mainland, Zanzibar has an identity all of its own, shaped by a turbulent history which abounds with a colourful cast of characters, from slave traders and sultans, to pirates and princesses.

Zanzibar stands as an attraction of Tanzania that is an extensive group of islands in the Indian Ocean. The Zanzibar city is laced with idyllic resorts, hotels and number of facilities that make it a one of the best attraction and holiday destination. The beaches at Zanzibar bring a sense of tranquillity and calmness adding to the serenity of the Islands. The destination makes a perfect gateway for leisure seekers, honeymooners and travellers with the immense beauty of crystalline beaches. The city of Zanzibar opens up a list of adventure and entertainment all from cruising in the clear waves, to relax in the beach amidst the gleaming sun and the pale shades. Coming to the history of Zanzibar, the city was known as the birthplace of the Swahili and the palace of the Sultans. The Portuguese invaded the city of Zanzibar Africa in the 16th century that ended the era of the Sultan. The city offers many historical sites for sightseeing at Zanzibar all starting from House of Wonders, Turkish baths of the old city, merchants’ houses and the Portuguese fort and gardens. Today the Zanzibar tour in Africa is renowned for this attraction and the sandy beaches enclosing the habitat of the vibrant coral reefs, the Islands and the vegetation of species adding more to the tourism in Zanzibar.