Zanzibar (Unguja Island)

Tour Details

Lying off Tanzania's coast, the Zanzibar Archipelago comprises of in excess of 50 islands, a large portion of which have a long history and a rich social blend. The best known is Unguja Island (or Zanzibar Island). The bigger islands in the archipelago are exceptionally rich, with small farming villages that produce an array of delicious fruits and spices. They're secured with little ranches and wherever the air is thick with the fragrance from the spices it conjures an intriguing climate. The shorelines on these islands are dazzling,many feature fine white sand and rows of palm trees, creating relaxing shaded spots to take in the calming atmosphere of the Zanzibari shores. The ocean is shallow and tropical, with reefs attracting an abundance of friendly marine life resulting in the most extraordinary swimming. Lesser known are the numerous different islands and islets around the middle of Unguja and Pemba, making up a veritable buffet of fascinating Tanzania Beach Holidaysdestinations.Toward the south of Unguja is Mafia Island, which isn't a partof Zanzibar, however, near enough to add onto your Zanzibar trip - a perfect destination for some island hopping!

For centuries the Unguja Island has been a center of slave and ivory trade, if not all trading, from central Africa to the rest of the world, it was the world's main producer of the highly valued clove spice. The first Europeans to encounter this vast trading network were the Portuguese, who arrived in the late 15th century. The Portuguese were ousted with the help of Oman, in the mid-16th century, whose vast trade connections had been severed. Zanzibar became the epicenter of the Oman Empire when sultan Seyyid Said declared the island his home, however this was only to last 50 years until the British, keen on expanding their colonial reach, declared Zanzibar a British Protectorate. This, in turn, only lasted until 1963, when the British handed power back to the sultan in a constitutional monarchy which was overthrown in early 1964 in a violent revolution which established the revolutionary government of Zanzibar, which rules the country to this day.

For those looking for the perfect balance of culture, history and relaxation book your Zanzibar Unguja Island Tour and experience this iconic land of Africa with Face Of Africa Adventures