GENENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Earth sea and sky, all seemed wrapped in a soft and sensuous repose”-mysterious-spice island of Zanzibar. The visitor to Zanzibar treads a path that has been worn by generation of travelers and sea adventurers for many centuries.
Zanzibar comprises of Unguja and Pemba and other smaller islets within the territorial water. The islands cover land area of around 2300sq.meters. Zanzibar is the second largest island on the East Africa coast and is roughly 53 miles long by 24
miles broad (maximum measurements) with an area of 640 square miles.it lies in latitude 6*,S. longitude 39*E. and is separated from Africa continent by channel 22.5 miles wide across at its narrowest part.
The highest point in Zanzibar is only 390 feet about sea level at Masingini-Dole also known as the “pink terraces”.
Pemba, the smaller of the two islands, lies about 25 miles to the northeast Zanzibar and 30 miles from the mainland. It is some 300 yards long by 170 yards broad and is only about 10 feet above tide level.
Zanzibar town is 135 miles from Mombasa , 45 from Dar es Salaam, 78 from Tanga, 1,607 from Durban and 6,323 from London. Through there are few records concerning Zanzibar, it is surmised that ancient races such as Sumerians, Assyrians, Hindus,
Egyptians, Phoenicians and southern Arabians must have visited the East African coast from earliest times.it is probable that the indigenous tribes of Zanzibar (Wahadimu, Watumbatu, Wapemba) are descended from Bantu peoples of the East African,
the Shirazis (a generic term applied to all non-Arab people of the Persian Gulf) and Arab, Swahili is a term originally applied by Arab to those of themselves who settled on the coast, and means of a man of the coastal region who is more African
than Arab.
The conversion of the coastal peoples to island probably dates from the beginning of the 10th century. Tawards the end of the same century people from the Persian Gulf and Southern Arabia established a number of outposts on the coast. Vasco da
Gamma visited Zanzibar in 1499 on his return voyage from India. Early in the 16th century the Portuguese made themselves masters of the East African coast and in 1503 Zanzibar itself become tributary to Portugal.in the latter part of the same
century, with the consent of the local ruler of the island, the Portuguese established a trading post, and later still erected a church of the peninsula where the town of Zanzibar now stands.
In the early years of the 17th century Portuguese domination was seriously threatened by the capture of Ormuz by the Persians and the capture of Muscat by the Arabs of Oman in 1650. In east Africa the coast towns and island of Pemba rose in rebellion
in 1631 and through that rising was ruthlessly suppressed in the course of the next few years, the Portuguese never really recovered from its effects. In 1698 the Arabs of Oman captured Mombasa, where the Portuguese had build a fort .thereafter
the whole of the East Africa coast as far south as cape Delgado, including Zanzibar and Pemba, passed from Portuguese hands into Arab hand.
Sayyid said bin sultan, the ruler of Oman and the founder of modern Zanzibar and of its French colonies of lle de France (Mauritius) and bourbon and the Spanish colonies in south America, Zanzibar had become a considerable depot for the great
African slave trade, but when early in the 19th century, public option in Britain began to demand the suppression of the trade, seyyid said entered into agreement with the English for its restriction in his dominion.
He also signed commercial treaties with the United States of America, Great Britain and France, for which country consulates were opened in the island in 1833, 1841 and 1844 respectively. In 1861, by a ward of lord canning, then governor –general
of India, the imam s possessions in Africa become independent of Muscat and from that date Oman and Zanzibar have remained political separate. The next year seyyid barghash agreed by treaty with great Britain to prohibit the export of slaves
from east Africa and to close all market in his dominions. Thereafter, the great slave market of Zanzibar (mkunazini) was abolished.
DIVERSITY AT ITS BEST
Zanzibar is a land of mysticism and beauty with a diverse landscape. It has bewildered the imagination of travelers throughout the ages of mankind. It is steeped in legend and mystery and known to be the last genuinely and unspoilt tourist destination
with hundreds of years old civilization besides having many interesting places to bear witness to, it boasts to traditional hospitality where the and the new interact.
Zanzibar has gained a respectable position among nations concerned with environmental protection, thus a case in point-eco- tourism. Thanks to the landscapes that offer many a touristic possibility-rich historical background, spectacular
variety of fauna and water sports. The friendly people and exotic atmosphere abound, will make your stay an unforgettable one,.. So why wait until you hear from someone else.
Let us to be your host and show you the splendor and exciting places on the island and to the world’s best game reserves that are found in the northern and southern Tanzania. Our carefully selected multilingual staffs portray courteous manner
with immense knowledge of this mysterious and wonderful nation. Let them inspire and make your dreams came true as you discover fascinating history, adorable culture, and a thrill of adventure at its best.