The island of Zanzibar, with its markets, shops and restaurants, has a lot of offer travelers.
Zanzibar was a Persian outpost for many years ruled by Omans who left their imprints on the local architecture. Empty palaces with overgrown gardens pepper the island leaving proof of its sultanic history.
The Muslim influence is more obvious here than other parts of Tanzania and we see more and more women in various degrees of head coverings. There are also more Maasai tribes people – the men easily distinguishable by their tall and proud demeanour and their red checked kikoys (blankets used as shawls) – although their grazing lands are a long distance from here: inland in Tanzania and Kenya.
Traditional Dhow Trip: at the very northern tip of the island is Nungwi where ocean sports are a very popular occupation including snorkeling and scuba diving. Cruises in a traditional boat called a dhow are pleasant as wind pushing through the sails provide a quiet ride broken only by the sound of sea birds.
Island Spice Tour: One of the most popular activities on Zanzibar is the spice tour at local plantations. There is a lot to learn about the spices that made Zanzibar a favorite stopping point of sailors and traders for centuries. Visitors can taste, smell and feel many plants in their natural states while a guide explains the process of making dry spices to be shipped all over the world.
Visitors are also given the opportunity to taste the unusual Jack fruit with its mushy but sweet pulp.
The children at the plantation school welcomed visitors with smiles and calls of ‘Jambo’ (hello in Swahili) and Karibu (welcome) – perhaps they are aware that many of the tour groups contribute to their schools.