Day 1: Stone Town Tour
Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and has very little changed here in the last 200 years. A town of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. We will get a feel for the town on our walking tour visiting notable sites such as the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People’s Palace) and the Arab Fort amongst others. You can spend endless hours just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways, absorbing the years of history.
Day 2: House of Wander
The House of Wonders demonstrates the cultural and architectural influences of Zanzibar: Britain, Portugal, and Oman over the centuries. When first built this was the most modern building in East Africa. Indeed, the first building to have electricity and an elevator! The House of Wonders plays host to an historical exhibition which offers insight into Zanzibar and Swahili culture. A very important and visually stunning historic building in Stone Town. The House of Wonders, the grandest and tallest building in all of Stone Town, is found in a prominent location in front of the Forodhani Gardens on the old town’s waterfront along Mizingani Road.
Day 3: Prison of Island
Our trip today is to Prison Island and offers us a glimpse into the islands dark history. Located some thirty minutes’ journey from Zanzibar, the island was once the place of detention for slaves. After the abolition of slavery, the island acted as a quarantine camp for those with contagious diseases. In our time the Island has become a nature reserve and is home to giant tortoises. We can
get a look at the rugs that once made up the prison and enjoy the flourishing nature now working its magic after which we head back and make for our rest at the Hotel.
Day 4: Spice Tour
Today we head out for our trip to the spice and fruit plantations. We have designed a special spice tour which will edify you about the spices here famed, as well as the organically grown herbs, with details about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After this educational tour, we have a sumptuous lunch at our guides’ home, where you can taste the spices and fruits. We will pass by Jozani Forest, the last habitat of the rare endemic Red Colobus Monkey. With a local guide, you stroll through Jozani Chwaka National Park and look at the rare monkeys. You also have the option to wander down the boardwalk to the fascinating Mangrove Ecosystem.
Day 5: Dolphin Trip
Today we make for Kizimkazi at the southernmost tip of the island, a fishing village which plays host to several schools of bottlenosed and humpback dolphins. We spin out on the water on a sturdy vessel and enjoy our aquarian cousins interacting with us. If you are lucky, you may be able to swim quite close to the dolphins, a most rewarding and sublime experience. We take the trip in the afternoon avoiding the crowds of the morning when the large numbers of people disturb the dolphins.
Day 6: Snorkeling Tour
Today to the serious business of snorkeling! In Zanzibar one can still find parts of the coast that are even today relatively unexplored. With an abundance of coral types providing homes for a plethora of colourful and exotic species this is a delightful experience, blue ribbon tail rays, fire fish and for the “Finding Nemo” fans, clown fish, just some of our ocean dwellers we can hope to encounter. The Coral Beach Resort is again our place of rest for the evening where we can chill under the starry sky.
Departing Day
Our Indian Ocean adventure at an end we enjoy a hearty breakfast and our Signature representative will arrange airport transfers. We wave goodbye and fly off onward to further adventures in life!
Say goodbye Zanzibar!
