The historic Stone Town with its narrow winding streets, vivid markets and colorful bazaars makes for an interesting cultural visit.

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1 The Clove Island - Zanzibar Brief Description Situated in the Indian Ocean, 36 km off the coastline of mainland Tanzania lies Zanzibar. Zanzibar officially refers to the archipelago that includes Unguja and Pemba, surrounded by about 50 smaller ones. Covering an area of 1464 sq km, Zanzibar is a mainly low lying island, with it's highest point at 120 meters. Commonly known as the "Spice Island"; famous for spices such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, peper and others). Spice tours are a popular excursion. The Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa. It retains its urban fabric and townscape virtually intact and contains many fine buildings that reflect its particular culture, which has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe over more than a millennium. The historic Stone Town with its narrow winding streets, vivid markets and colorful bazaars makes for an interesting cultural visit. Geographical Location Zanzibar lies on the east cost of Africa and the Island of Unguja is separated from mainland Tanzania by a shallow channel 37 km across at its narrowest point. It is 73 km from Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian coast and 219 km from Mombasa on the Kenyan coast. The capital of Unguja Island is Stone Town; Pemba has three major towns, Wete, Chake Chake and Mkoani. Language: The main language is Swahili. Unlike Tanzania Mainland; Zanzibar has no tribes Other Languages: You can also find people speaking English, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic Climate Zanzibar is a year round destination. The coolest months are June through to October when the temperature averages 26 degrees Celsius. This can soar to well over 30 degrees in the hot season from December to March. During November (the short rains and between April and June (the long rains), rainfall is higher. Rain in Zanzibar comes in short, sharp showers in the morning or afternoon followed by return of the sunshine.

2 High season is June, July and August, and mid November to early January. During these periods many of the more up market hotels may increase their prices, but smaller establishments and local guest houses keep their prices constant throughout the year. Zanzibar s predominantly Muslim population observes the fasting of Ramadan for a month when it is forbidden to eat, drink or smoke between sunrise and sunset. As a result, many smaller restaurants and snack bars are closed during the day. Offices and shops are also closed in the afternoons. Tourist resorts and hotels are unaffected, but local discos, clubs and musical shows remain closed throughout the whole period. If you plan to arrive during that time, stay for the end of Ramadan and enjoy the huge feast and party (Eid el Fitr) the most festive time on the isles. Culture The Stone Town of Zanzibar is an outstanding material manifestation of cultural fusion and harmonization. For many centuries there was intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated in an exceptional manner by the architecture and urban structure of the Stone Town. Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaign. Important Cultural Considerations Zanzibaris have a long history of religious tolerance and although the islands are 95% Muslim, alcohol and tobacco are freely available. Visitors are, however, requested to show consideration for the Zanzibaris culture by dressing modestly and refraining from public displays of affection. When walking in towns and villages, women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees,. Men should not walk bare-chested or wearing swimming trunks. Many visitors refuse to cover up and this causes offense and often outrage amongst the local population, even though these feelings may not be directly expressed. As one sign says. Short skirts are like nude. On the beaches swimwear is acceptable, but topless sunbathing is not. During the fast of Ramadan, it is considered the height of bad manners to eat and drink in public places or while walking down the street. Non-Muslims should not enter mosques unless specifically invited to do so. Only take pictures of people if you have their permission, and don t peer too obviously through the doorways of private houses in Stone Town.

3 Exchange Rates 1 USD is approximately equal to Tanzania shillings (T.Sh.) 1,650, subject to change from time to time. Visa Requirements Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous state within Tanzania. Therefore, visitors from most countries are required to have a Tanzanian visa to enter. Please check with the Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission in your country before departure, Visas are valid for three months and cost varies depending on nationality. Multiple entry visas, allowing you to leave and return to Tanzania as many times as you like can only be issued from within Tanzania. Transport By Boat. Frequent ferries make the crossing between Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. The fastest journey time is around 75 minutes on the hydrofoils operated by Azam Marine, Sea Star, etc. The slowest trip is the overnight trip made by the Flying Horse. Ferry tickets can be bought on the spot or in advance from the row of booking offices next to the port in Dar es Salaam. Non-residents must pay in US dollars rater than shillings. Timetable and prices are displayed on boards outside each office. By Plane The principal carriers to Zanzibar include Precision Air, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and 1Time. Several airlines including Emirates, South African Airways, Qatar Airways and KLM fly to Dar es Salaam, from where you can catch a ferry or flight to Zanzibar. Charter flights from Europe, especially Italy, fly into Zanzibar almost daily, Precision Air, Coastal Travel, Air Excel and ZanAir all provide scheduled charter flights from the mainland. The flight from Dar es Salaam takes around 20 minutes. By Road Traveling around Zanzibar is quite easy. The options on Unguja include renting a vehicle, which is cheap and easy. You must have an International Driving Permit which can be purchased on arrival as police checks are regular. Hired cars with a driver are also available. A host of tour companies and freelance guides offer group transport to and from the coast and arrange trips to other areas of interest on Unguja and Pemba. Price reliability and condition of vehicles vary so if you are concerned it is recommended to use a reputable tour company. For those on a tight budget or for shorter distances,

4 dala-dalas (trucks converted into passenger vehicles) and local buses run all over the island. Zanzibar, and especially Unguja, is an ideal place to explore by mountain bike due to its flat terrain. Mountain bikes can be rented from several tour companies in Stone Town. Money and Communications The unit of currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling. US Dollars are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and bars. By law visitors have to settle hotel bills in US dollars or other hard currency, but this can be waived in smaller establishments. Internet and communications are excellent in Stone Town, with many cheap Internet cafes. Outside Stone Town communications have vastly improved, and it is usually possible to find an facility in the bigger villages on the coast. Telecommunications in Zanzibar has also improved dramatically with a host of difference companies (with TTCL taking the lead) offering good services at reasonable rates. Tanzanian postal system is fairly reliable. Health and Safety Visitors to Zanzibar are required by law to have Yellow Fever vaccination certificate when they enter the country. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended. See your travel doctor for other recommended inoculations and further details. Drink bottled water and avoid uncooked foods that may have been washed in untreated water. Sunstroke and heat exhaustion are common, so drink enough water and wear protective clothing and high factor sunscreen. Zanzibar is a safe country, and most locals are friendly and honest. But avoid flaunting wealth by wearing expensive jewelers or waving camera equipment around. Don t walk with all your valuables on you in Stone Town. Avoid walking alone on beaches; especially at night.

5 ZANZIBAR MAP