Tour of the island of Zanzibar: from Stone Town to the spice plantations, some ideas for enjoying the island beyond the white beaches, the sun and the crystal clear sea
welcome to Zanzibar, where the scent of spices blends with that of the sea and coral creates magnificent architecture in and out of the water. A place full of wonders, where the pleasure of exploring the narrow alleys of the city center is equal only to that of discovering the fantastic backdrops and tasting traditional spicy dishes.
Bathed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, about 30 kilometers from the coast of Tanzania, of which it is part, the island of Zanzibar (known locally as Unguja) is the largest of the archipelago of the same name which also includes Pemba and numerous other small islands. With its kilometers of beaches with very fine white sand, clear waters with shades ranging from green to blue and a tropical climate, the area is among the most desired by tourists from all over the world, lovers of the sea and relaxation.
But there is much more. The historic center of the capital, known as Stone Town, teems with life and offers glimpses of rare beauty, and not far from the city there is the evocative Prison Island, with a breathtaking coral reef. And then it is possible to visit the spice plantations and learn about the processing of seaweed, strong points of the Zanzibar economy, and immerse yourself in the intoxicating colors and scents that fill the bazaars.
The beaches: from east to west without forgetting the smaller islands
The widest and deepest beaches of Zanzibar are located on the east coast, characterized by very fine White sand and palm groves, and are subject to the tidal phenomenon, which can cause a difference in altitude of up to 4 metres. While the north-west is the area most frequented by tourists, because it slopes more quickly towards the sea and the effect of the tides does not limit bathing. To the south, however, the coast mostly ends with beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea.
Sea lovers should not miss Chumbe Island, a private marine reserve, Mnemba Island, entirely surrounded by coral reef, and the small protected islands of Pungume and Komonda within the bay of the Fumba peninsula. For the more curious, it may be interesting to take a walk in the natural coves in front of the fishing villages of Kizimkazi Mtendeni and Dimbanisisi, frequented by the villagers and fishermen whose life is still marked by the rhythm of the tides.
An underwater look
Zanzibar is also perfect for those who want to sunbathe and relax beach prefers the charm of the underwater world. Water at 25 degrees, excellent visibility, coral reefs and over 300 species of fish are in fact a perfect mix for snorkeling and diving. Even beginners, equipped only with a mask and snorkel, can easily find themselves face to face with butterfly fish, parrot fish, clown fish and, with a bit of luck, especially in the Prison Island area, giant turtles.
More experienced divers, however, will be able to browse through the remains of magnificent ones wrecks, including that of the Royal Navy Lighter which, at 30 meters deep, occasionally hosts reef sharks, and that of the Penguin, or explore the fantastic caves of the so-called big wall, in the waters around the island of Mnemba, populated since October in December, by harmless whale sharks, which can reach up to 12 meters in length.
Among the alleys of Stone Town
The most curious travelers certainly do not remain indifferent to the charm of Stone Town, the historical and cultural center of Zanzibar City, recently declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. The "stone city" owes its name to the local coral stone, usually used as a building material, which gives the buildings of the old city the typical "warm" color that characterizes them and is unfortunately determining their decline, due to extreme friability.
Lose yourself in the labyrinth of very narrow and winding alleys, which can only be explored on foot or by bicycle, among lively bazaars, mosques, temples and buildings in Arabic, Persian, Indian and colonial style. Characteristic of the houses in the center are the splendid ones wooden doors dark, finely carved, often enriched with large brass studs, of Indian origin. This too is Zanzibar: an incredible blend of styles and traditions, unique in its kind, testimony to the numerous influences suffered over time, and the center of Swahili culture, deriving from the fusion between the Persian and the indigenous ones.
The colors and scents: from the Darajani market to the cultivations of spices and seaweed
Il Darajani market it is a concentration of perfumes and colours. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Benjamin Mkapa Road, one of the main streets of the city, which also marks the edge of Stone Town. Here you can buy (or sell) anything. What catches the traveler's eye are above all the large bags of natural fabrics and the rough wooden boxes, in which all types of spices grown in the surroundings of the city and many varieties of exotic fruit are displayed.
It's impossible not to try the traditional foods, very spicy, freshly cooked and sold for a few dollars. Among these are boku-boku, a spicy meat stew cooked in wheat, with ginger, cumin, chili pepper, or pwewa wa nazi, octopus cooked in coconut milk together with curry, cardamom, cinnamon, garlic and lime juice.
The rich crops that earn Zanzibar the nickname of Spice Island or Perfumed Island are located a few kilometers from the city, in the innermost part of the island. A single visit to the expanses of lush vegetation is enough to be intoxicated by the colors and scents of cloves, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, mixed with those of pineapple, coconut, bananas and passion fruit.
In the coastal areas, if you pay a little attention, it is possible to see the colorful clothes of the women, bent for hours in the water or on the rows, cultivating and collecting seaweed, taking advantage of the low tide. In fact, seaweed represents Zanzibar's second most exported product, which is processed and transformed into organic soap and other beauty products.
