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Source: Zenjishoppazz

Release date: 2020-03-19

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Duty Station: Zanzibar
28800 visits!... Deadline: 2020-12-31 00:00:00

Ten essential places to visit in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. It is also nicknamed as Spice Islands or Paradise islands, it is famous of its long white sand beaches, unique culture and rich history. It is a home to one of World Heritage Sites, a historic center - Stone Town, known locally as “Mji mkongwe (Old Town)”. 

It forms one part of the Union Republic of Tanzania (the other one being Tanganyika also known as Tanzania mainland). It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometers (16–31 mil) off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on Unguja island. 

Zanzibar's main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism and fishing. In particular, the islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. For this reason, the Zanzibar Archipelago, together with Tanzania's Mafia Island, are sometimes referred to locally as the "Spice Islands" (a term borrowed from the Maluku Islands of Indonesia).

The following areas are very crucial, important, appealing and memorable places to visit in Zanzibar.

1. The House of Wonders or Palace of Wonders ( Beit-al-Ajaib). Ever heard of the shortest war in history? Well, it’s not actually the reason for the name (House of wonders) but adds up to its wonders. That was back in 27th August 1896 when Zanzibar fought England for 38 to 45 minutes marking the shortest war in history. The war destroyed Beit al Hukum and severely damaged Beit al Sahel palace which were also connected to the house of wonders but House of wonders was lightly affected.

It was named a house of wonders due to being the first building in East Africa to have electricity, an elevator and somehow later on due to its war survival.

It is a landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the largest and tallest building of Stone Town and occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old town's seafront, in Mizingani Road. It is located between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum (and former Sultan's Palace). It is one of six palaces built by Barghash bin Said, second Sultan of Zanzibar, and it is said to be located on the site of the 17th-century palace of Zanzibari queen Fatuma. The House of Wonders currently houses the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.

2. The Sultan's Palace. Bait As-Sahel was destroyed in the Anglo Zanzibar war of 1896, is one of the main historical buildings of Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is a 3-story building with merlon-decorated white walls, located in Mizingani Road, on the seafront, between the House of Wonders and the Old Dispensary.

The palace was built in late 19th century to serve as a residence for the Sultan's family. After the Zanzibar Revolution, in 1964 it was formally renamed to People's Palace and used as a government seat. In 1994, it became a museum about the Zanzibari royal family and history.

3. The Roman Catholiccathedral of St. Joseph. Is one of the most important historical buildings in Stone Town, Zanzibar, as well as one of its main visitor attractions. The church is regularly used by the local Catholic community, with several masses being held each Sunday and occasionally on weekdays. 

The church is located in Mkunazini Road, in the centre of the old town, and occupies a large area where the biggest slave market of Zanzibar used to be; the construction of the cathedral was in fact intended to celebrate the end of slavery. The altar is said to be in the exact place where the main "whipping post" of the market used to be. In the square there is a well-known monument to the slaves (a few human figures in chains emerging from a pit) as well as a museum on slavery.

4. The Darajani Market (or Bazaar). Looking for nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon black pepper and their cousins?!. then this where you should go!. It is also where you can find a lot of sea food meat, groceries and of course mingle with the locals.

It is the main bazaar in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is also known as Estella Market (after Countess Estella, sister of Lloyd Mathews, Prime Minister of Zanzibar) and informally as Marikiti Kuu (in swahili, "main market"). The market is located in Darajani Road, in the surroundings of the Anglican Cathedral of Christ.

The main structure of the market was built in 1904 by Bomanjee Maneckjee, for SultanAli bin Hamud. It was later extended and restored. Darajani Bazaar is mainly a food market (seafood, meat, fruits, grains, spices), but there are also shops selling a number of different goods, from consumer electronics to clothing.

5. The Old Fort (Swahili: Ngome Kongwe), also known as the Arab Fort and by other names, is a fortification located in Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. It is the oldest building and a major visitor attraction of Stone Town. Look at a two thousands Tanzania shilling note and you will see it!. It is located on the main seafront, adjacent to another landmark building of the city, the House of Wonders (former palace of the Sultan of Zanzibar), and facing the Forodhani Gardens.

It was built by Omani Arabs after expelling the Portuguese in 1699. It was used as a garrison and prison in the 19th century, and as a terminal of the Zanzibar railways 1945-28. A new guardhouse was built in 1947 and used as the ladies' club, and an amphitheater was added in the 1990s. It is now the headquarters of the Zanzibar international film festival.

6. The ruins of Maruhubi/Palace. Are only four kilometers north of Zanzibar Town, just a few steps from the beach. The palace is named after its former owner, an Arab from the Al-Marhuby tribe. The palace was built by Sultan Barghash, the third Arab sultan of Zanzibar between 1880-1882. Sultan Barghash used the palace to house his wife and up to 100 concubines, while he himself lived in a separate palace in Zanzibar Town. Maruhubi Palace was destroyed by a fire in 1899, leaving few remains including the large stone columns which had once supported a large wooden balcony that circumnavigated the upper floor. In the old Persian-style bathhouse, the separate bathrooms for the women and the Sultan's own large bathroom can still be viewed. The grounds are spotted with shade trees, large lawn areas, and the original water reservoirs now overgrown with water lilies and large mango trees once imported from 

India. When viewing, it is not hard to imagine a magical garden where the royal elite would entertain their guests.

7.The Kizimkazi Mosque: is a mosque situated on the southern tip of the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania and is one of the oldestIslamic buildings on the East African coast. According to a preserved kufic inscription, it was built in 1107 by settlers from Shiraz. Although the inscription and certain coral-carved decorative elements date from the period of construction, the majority of the present structure was rebuilt in the 18th century.

8. Swimming with Dolphins: Yes you are reading it right, apart from its historical sites, Kizimkazi is also a famous tourist destination in Zanzibar due to its thrilling experience of swimming with the most friendly aquatic mammals known to man. 

9. The Forodhani Gardens (also known as Jubilee Gardens and more recently as Forodhani Park) is a small park of the historical city of Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. The gardens are located along the main sea walk of Stone Town, just in front of the most famous buildings of Stone Town, i.e., the House of Wonders and the Old Fort.

10. Among the essential places to visit in Zanzibar is Mapinduzi square. This square consist a number of historic items about Zanzibar revolution and also you can see the beauty of Zanzibar when you are at the top of the Mapinduzi Tower.

11.Mkama Ndume Ruins. Mkama Ndume (Pemba Island) ruins at Pujini village (south of the airport) within easy reach by road from Chake-Chake in Pemba island. These ruins show the reality life of a person known as Mkama Ndume who had two wives who never meet among them on his life but they lived in same room.

The Gardens are especially busy after sunset, when tourists and local alike gather in a popular food street market in the main square, to have dinner enjoying Swahili and Zanzibari cuisine delicacies such as grilled seafood, samosas, cassava and sweet potatoes

Bonus places

12. The Changuu Island (Prison Island). A home to century old giant tortoises is an island located about 5.6km north east of Stone town. It got its famous name “Prison Island” after the British first minister of Zanzibar Lloyd Mathews bought the island and built a prison complex. 

13. Misali Island (in Pemba): Whether you are in for snorkeling in crystal clear waters, diving, beach going or just a natural view, Misali gives one of the coolest destinations in east Africa. Don’t plan for camping here, the place is conservational, and no buildings are allowed but you could sure enjoy to your best.

14. The Underwater Room (Pemba Island). If you are one of those who like the extra ordinary (which I bet you are), then sleeping nearby the fishes can add up to your extraordinary list. Operated by Manta Resort, the underwater room welcomes you to a secluded luxury embroidered with serenity, it’s an escape to a peace of mind, friendly people and natural unpolluted air.