Zanzibar - Overview

Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja, but as Zanzibar internationally) is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

The Spice Island of Zanzibar is blessed with glorious beaches, coral reefs and fragrant clove plantations and steeped in reminders of a former wealth and splendour. Here you can stroll through the winding streets of the capital, Stone Town, where Arabic buildings are graced with intricately carved doors and admire the ruins of the Sultan's Palace built with the riches of the spice, ivory and slave trades.

Zanzibar has lured traders, adventurers, plunderers and explorers to its shores for centuries...

The coast is mostly white sand fringed by a coral reef, with rocky stretches here and there. Mangrove swamps line the water’s edge, while casuarina trees grow just inland. There are a few streams on both islands which swell to bursting during the wet season (April and May).

The Swahili people of Africa’s east coast are a mixture of black African (Bantu) and Arab (Omani or Shirazi). It is thought that the Bantu settled first in Zanzibar, splitting into three groups – Waunguja, Wapemba and Watumbatu - according to the 3 largest islands. The Arabs arrived later and, though initially there was little intermarriage, the Zanzibari of today range from dark Bantu black through to pale Arab brown, with almost every shade and appearance in between. The only distinction you might notice is that the Shirazi, who are focused in the south of Unguja, have higher cheekbones and a sharper nose.

Zanzibar has a host of smaller private islands situated within close proximity to the mainland. One of these beautiful islands is Mnemba Island which is home to Mnemba Island Lodge – your “barefoot luxury” holiday experience.

Images courtesy of &Beyond