Zanzibar Archipelago – Getting There
Overview
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of the Tanzania republic in East Africa. It embraces the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 km off the coast of the mainland, and as well consists of numerous other islands including the bigger two of Unguja and Pemba. Zanzibar characteristic of beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs – rich in marine diversity; and the historic Stone Town – said to be the only operational ancient town in East Africa. The coral reefs make Zanzibar an ideal location for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Location
Covering an area of 1464 sq km, Zanzibar is a small low lying island in the southern waters of the Indian Ocean, with its highest point at 120m. It is situated in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian mainland coast. Zanzibar Island occupies a surface area of approximately 650 sq miles with a width of 20miles and 60miles in length.
History of The Islands
Zanzibar has a long and unexpected history. Easily accessible for the people of the African mainland, the Zanzibar islands are believed to have been settled first by Africans, some 3-4 thousand years ago. Centuries afterward the island started a record of hosting outsiders from Egypt, Greece, Persia, Arabia, India, China and Europe. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century later starting up trade routes from Egypt, Roman Europe and the African coast. By the 7th century AD, Islam had made its way to Zanzibar by way of Arab and Persian immigrants who were fleeing political strife, war, and famine in their own lands.
The Arabs mixed with the local African population and along with trading goods, traded words as well, which ultimately culminated in a language called Kiswahili. The people referred to themselves and their culture as Swahili in regard the language. Extensive intermarriage between Shirazis and Africans gave rise to a coastal community with distinctive features, and a language derived in part from Arabic, which became known as Swahili.
For the following centuries the Arabs and Persians continued to trade with their homelands while incorporating into local society in Zanzibar and along the East African coast. Typical cargoes bound for Persia or Arabia consisted of gold, animal pelts, tortoise shells, ivory, ebony, and slaves; return ships contained porcelains, beads, and cloth.
The British became involved in missionary and trading activities in East Africa, and attempting to suppress the slave trade centered in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Today
Zanzibar is an island state within the United Republic of Tanzania, and has its own semi-autonomous government made up of a Revolutionary Council and House of Representatives. The present government is led by a Head of State – President Amani Karume and has an independent state-instituted body responsible for tourism promotion – the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism.
Economy of Zanzibar
Fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities of the local people. In particular, the islands produce cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper hence its usual name “Spice Islands”. Zanzibar was once the world’s largest producer of cloves, and her economy was based on large incomes thus derived. Mush as cloves and other coconut products are still major exports; tourism has been placed as the primary forex earner, with more visitors traveling to Zanzibar each year.
Places of interest- the Islands
Zanzibar takes pride in a series of islands, the key being Pemba and Unguja.
Pemba – located about 50km north of Unguja and known also by its Arabic name, Al Khundra, Pemba is covered in steep hills full of palms, clove and rubber trees, rice paddies and the Ngezi Forest in the north. There are several beautiful beaches in their natural state in and around the numerous inlets and coves.
Unguja Island –the more populated, is better known as Zanzibar Island and is home to Stone Town an historic city of stone coral buildings. This is the main island of Zanzibar situated in the Indian Ocean about 42km east of Bagamoyo. This 85km somewhat undulating island goes for 20 long & 30km in width at some sections. Inhabitants are concentrated in the more fertile regions of the north and west. The eastern part of the island is arid and covered in coral rag making it agriculturally unappealing. However the beaches and the reefs on the eastern coast make it ideal for fishing and other tourist amenities.
Zanzibar Wildlife
There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar. The few forested areas for instance Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. A range of species of mongoose however can be found on the island. There is variety of birdlife and butterflies in rural areas.
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, a full species; the Zanzibar leopard, which is critically endangered and possibly extinct; and the recently described Zanzibar servaline genet. Pemba Island is separated from Unguja Island and the African continent by deep channels and has a correspondingly restricted fauna, confirming its comparative isolation from the mainland. Pemba Flying Fox is its most popular endemic.
Zanzibar Annual Music Festival
July of every year is a season of this festival and runs for a week. It features artists and shows from around the world. Most of the performances are held at the Old Fort but there are other venues in town such as at Bwawani Plaza. Ngoma and Taarab are big sell-outs during this festival but you can also catch performances from Arabia, Asia, and Europe
People, Language and Religion
The local people of Zanzibar are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of her colorful history. Its population is estimated at 800,000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City with an approximate of 100,000 residents. It consists of people from African, Asian, Omani and Persian ancestries. The population of the archipelago is estimated at over 740,000 while that of Unguja is estimated at almost 450,000, forty per cent of which live in Stone Town.
The people of Zanzibar (Zanzibaris) speak Swahili a language which is spoken extensively in East Africa. This is the official and national language of Tanzania although English is also spoken. In fact many believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is the birth place of the language. A percentage of the population also has a working knowledge of Arabic.
Zanzibaris are predominantly Muslim, about 95% of the population being followers of Islam. The remaining percentage is a mix of Christians, Hindus and followers of various other religions.
Weather and Climate of Zanzibar
Zanzibar enjoys ideal holiday weather year-in year-out. The summer’s heat is often calmed by windy conditions, tending in pleasant sea breezes, principally on the East and North and coasts. Being near to the equator, the islands are warm all year round, but officially, summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with an average of 7-8 hours of sunshine daily. January through March is generally hot and dry with little rainfall. April through June is wet because of the long rains which start to taper off in May.
Short rains can occur in November but are characterized by short showers which do not last long. The long rains normally occur in April and May although this is often referred to as the ‘Green Season’ and it typically doesn’t rain every day during that time.
The perfect season for visiting Zanzibar runs from July to October since the average temperature is 25 C, the air is dry and breezy and there is little rainfall. Prolonged rains “mwaka” usually come in March and last peak in late May.
Travel Tips
Arrival by boat or by air will land you in the immigration line but sometimes, depending on time of day and day of the week, you may not have to go through immigration at the port. There the customs check is sporadic, but it is quick when required. Entering Zanzibar by air requires proof of a yellow fever vaccination. You will not be allowed on Zanzibar without this card, but it is not always checked at the port. You should have the vaccination if traveling in East Africa whether or not it is required.
Getting There
By Air; Traveling to and from Zanzibar by air is possible via Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines. These have regular flights to Zanzibar. Others are Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air, Air India, Air Malawi, South African Airways, Royal Swazi Airlines and others. Schedules vary from season to season, and some flights are only once or twice a week. If coming from Europe, it can be tough if not impossible to find direct flights. Direct flights are usually in the form of charters from Italy, except for the charters operated by Air Europe and Swiss Air that fly weekly during the high seasons. All other European-originating flights will get you as far as Mombasa, or Dar-es-Salaam or Muscat, Oman, from which you’ll need connecting flights to Zanzibar.
By Sea; There are several sea ferry companies that ply the waters between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. The largest of these is Azam Marine. You can book ferry tickets through a local tour operator.