The coast of Tanzania is perhaps most famous for the Zanzibar Archipelago, a cluster of islands that saw the growth and survival of Swahili civilization and trade until the mid-twentieth century
ZANZIBAR’s historic Stone Town is a fascinating maze of narrow streets with overhanging balconies and huge intricately carved wooden doors. The place is full of pungent perfume of exotic spices. It was the ancient trading port of the sultans of Oman in the 19th century. This city is a medina: the only of its kind south of the Equator. Zanzibar Island can boast kilometers of golden beaches. Inland the island is garden of Eden offering the most exquisite tropical species.
PEMBA is fast becoming a unique destination in its own right. For centuries, Pemba’s clove plantations and spice fields provided the Omani sultanate in Zanzibar with money for trade and military dominance over the surrounding areas.
MAFIA Island is a popular destination for visitors to relax after their safari and the island’s relaxed and secluded beaches offer privacy and comfort for discerning travellers. Mafia’s incredible and unspoilt dive sites have remained a well-kept secret of diving aficionados and beach recluses for years, but now the island is fast becoming a preferred destination.
For centuries, the island was a trading stop for Shirazi merchants travelling up towards Persia and under the rule of the Omani sultanate in Zanzibar, vast coconut and cashew plantations flourished. Today, all that remain of the island’s prestigious past are the coral ruins on Chole Mjini, the small island just off Hore from Mafia where the Arab landowners lived a sumptuous life removed from their plantations and slaves.
