AdVERT 1 Zanzibar 3 AdVERT GENERAL 05 Welcome 24 History 08 Essential Information 26 Ruins of Zanzibar 13 Map: Unguja, Zanzibar 28 Music & Celebration, Festivities in Zanzibar 14 Zanzibar, Enchanting Archipelago 34 Zanzibar’s Ten Best Things to See and Do 16 Map: Pemba 40 Out & About, Zanzibar Excursions 17 Pemba Island, The Green Isle 44 Watersports and More... 20 Map: Zanzibar Town 46 Weddings and Conferences 21 Zanzibar Town, Capital on Coral Rag FEATURES 50 Diamonds Dream of Zanzibar 55 Jafferji House & Spa 51 Daimonds La Gemma Dell’ Est 56 Mashariki Palace 52 Daimonds Star of the East 56 Z Hotel 53 Sandies Mapenzi Beach Club 58 The Original Dhow Safaris 54 Sandies Neptune Pwani Beach MEMBER LISTINGS 60 Zanzibar Association of Toursim Operators 6 Zanzibar Association of Toursim Investores Zanzibar Zanzibar Zanzibar Designed, published & printed by ZG Design PO Box 3181, Zanzibar T: +255 242232244 E: [email protected] www.zg-design.net Publication Founding Committee Ali Amour, Julia Bishop, Karen Castleman, Cesare Giacomelli, Eleanor Griplas, Adam Haji, Javed Jafferji, Maryam Olsen, Abdul Samad and Daniel Sambai Published in association with Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors PO Box 2578, Zanzibar T: +255 773193450 E: [email protected] / [email protected] Welcome to the 2nd edition of the Zanzibar with it separately. This is important as Pemba www.zati.org Travel & Tourism Directory. Within these pages continues to develop as an ideal destination Zanzibar Association of a wealth of information on the Zanzibar for international travellers. Tour Operators archipelago, from its idyllic beaches to its rich T: +255 2230322 / +255 773173456 / cultural history, can be found. As the official Zanzibar continues to grow as a tourism +255 777482293 guide to Zanzibar’s tourism attractions, this destination and has rapidly grown over the E: [email protected] directory will show you all you need to know last few years to become one of the foremost www.zato.or.tz to arrange the perfect holiday or business trip island destinations in the world. This growth for yourself, your family or clients. could only be made possible through the Marketing & Advertising mutual benefit seen between the public and Fatma Bwanakheri Mohammed Covering all forms of tourism – cultural private sectors, of which this directory is a tourism, eco-tourism, business & conference part. Hopefully this step, the establishment Photography tourism, and the like – The directory is aimed of an annual travel and tourism directory, is a Javed Jafferji at bringing you closer to understanding sign of further relationships between various the various attractions that Zanzibar has to stakeholders to keep Zanzibar growing and Editor offer to international and local travellers. This open for future generations of travellers & Craig Paterson year’s directory takes a small departure from friends. last year by incorporating Pemba into the Karibu sana, Text directory with Unguja Island (what is often Hon. Said Ali Mbarouk Craig Paterson, Kirsty Macdonald, called Zanzibar Island), rather than dealing Minister of Tourism, Zanzibar Inara Sim Design Robyn Shield © ZG Design Zanzibar 7 zanzibar east coast AdVERT AdVERT located along the breathtaking pwani beach, is the ideal choice for guests in search of a retreat that offers the “special touch”, matched with attention to the finest of details. relax and unwind in tropical harmony pampered by the all inclusive services and the friendly and welcoming atmosphere email: [email protected] tel: + 255 774 818898 or +255 774 253253 web: www.sandies-resorts.com Zanzibar 9 neptune znz directory.indd 1 24.03.12 09.14 MONEY The local currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). US COMMUNICaTIONS should bring an extra supply of any prescribed medication, stored and pocketknives also come in handy for all kinds of situations, dollar notes are also widely accepted as payment throughout International telephone calls can be made from the post office separately in case of loss or damage. Bring an extra pair of glasses from power cuts to missing bottle openers. Most hotels will the island. Travellers’ Cheques can be exchanged at banks, in Zanzibar Town, larger hotels and the numerous ‘international or contacts for the same reason. Drinking water should be boiled provide a mosquito net, but if you are planning to stay in budget bureau de change and some hotels, though rates are poor and communications centres’ which range from internet cafes to and filtered or bought in sealed bottles from most shops - check accommodation it is either worth bringing your own, or as one cash is preferable. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are shops with a phone. Internet cafes have sprung up all over the seal is unbroken. Finally, it is worth remembering that medical traveller suggested, a supply of plastic clothes pegs or safety pins accepted at larger establishments. There are ATM cash machines in Zanzibar Town and, despite being a little slow at times, provide facilities in Zanzibar are limited. Visitors are advised to have to deal with any small holes. Zanzibar Town. a cheap and easy method of communication. Mobile network comprehensive travel insurance to cover the unlikely event of a coverage is good in both Zanzibar and Pemba. GSM mobiles serious accident or illness. ETIQUETTE TIME phones enabled to roam will generally be able to pick up a Zanzibari’s pride themselves on their hospitality, and in turn Local time is GMT + 3 reception in all but the most remote areas. WHaT TO PACK visitors should take care to avoid offending the predominantly Clothes should be light, loose, washable and preferably made Muslim population. Visitors are requested to show consideration ELECTRIC CURRENT MEDICAL from natural fabrics. An umbrella or rain poncho may come in by dressing modestly and behaving with respect at all times. The local current is 220 - 240 V AC 50Hz. Most electric plug sockets Advice should be sought from a doctor at home, but vaccinations handy, particularly during the short rains from October to January Swim suits, mini skirts and other revealing clothing should not take the three pin British plugs, although some are wired for for typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, meningitis and hepatitis A or the long rains from March to June. Rubber flip-flops or sandals be worn outside hotels, beaches and resorts. Men and women continental European plugs. There are still occasional power cuts are usually recommended. Visitors are required to show a yellow are an excellent choice for wandering around villages and town, should keep their knees and shoulders covered while walking in Zanzibar, and although these are becoming less frequent, a fever certificate before entering Zanzibar, and the vaccination is but a sturdy pair of walking shoes will be normally be needed in towns and villages and avoid public displays of affection - working knowledge of kerosene lamps will come in handy in the advised. Malaria is common in Zanzibar and a suitable course of for sightseeingor walks through the forests. The tropical sun in holding hands is considered acceptable. Although alcohol is freely event of an unexpected black out. A battery powered torch is also prophylactics should be started before departure. Cover up after Zanzibar can be very strong, particularly at midday, so a good available on Zanzibar Island, loud, drunken behaviour and foul handy. Visitors are also advised not to leave expensive electrical sunset, and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin. HIV is a threat supply of sunscreen and a shady hat are essential. Flashlights language is considered extremely offensive. Mosques are sacred appliances plugged in when not in use, due to power surges. and protection should be used. Visitors with special medical needs 11 places. Non-Muslims should not enter unless invited to do so, and GETTIng AROUND ACCOMMODaTION ClIMaTE photographing the interior from the doorway is not allowed during Unguja and Pemba are small with a relatively good network of Zanzibar offers a variety of hotels, resorts and guesthouses and Laying a few degrees south of the equator, Zanzibar enjoys a prayer times. During the holy month of Ramadhan, while Muslims roads. The safest and easiest way of getting around is by arranging visitors should be able to find something to suit both taste and tropical climate, largely dominated by the Indian Ocean monsoons. are fasting, it is considered the height of bad manners to eat, drink transfers or tours with a reputable tour operator, but this can budget. Breakfast is usually included in the price. During low season Daytime temperatures remain fairly constant, between 21 and 29 or smoke in public. Ramadhan begins on the 1st of August, and sometimes be expensive if you are travelling alone. Another option most hotels and guest houses offer discounted rates. degrees C throughout the year. The long, masika, rains fall between continues until the 30th of the month in 2011. Ramadhan then is to ask tour operators and hotels about shared mini-buses which March and May, downpours are regular, but not constant, and begins onthe 20th of July and ends on the 19th of August in 2012. travel from Zanzibar Town to beaches on the north and east coast. langUagE AND PEOPLE often followed by periods of glorious sunshine. This is followed by All dates are dependant however on the sighting of the moon and Renting a car is fairly cheap, at around US$50 a day; drivers hiring Nowhere is Zanzibar’s rich history reflected more clearly than in a cool, dry period, Zanzibar’s high tourist season, until November therefore may change by a day or two. a vehicle will need an international driving licence, or pay a daily its people - a kaleidoscope of peoples and religions from across the when theshort, intermittent, vuli, rains arrive.