Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a majestic island off the east coast of Tanzania, and its historic Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with palaces, bazaars and history. I travelled there by Azam Ferry from Dar es Salaam, explored Stone Town with a friendly local driver and joined a spice tour. Here is my Zanzibar trip, with ferry times, a driver contact and the sights not to miss.

Getting to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam

It’s 4 in the morning and the alarm starts buzzing. It feels terrible to wake up, then I quickly realise: “I am off to Zanzibar!”

Moments later there’s a knock at the door of my lousy hotel in Kariakoo, the so-called centre of Dar es Salaam. It’s my cabbie, waiting to take me to the ferry terminal.

Azam Ferry Timings

Azam Ferry is the most trusted and recommended operator, with a daily service from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar at (0700HRS / 0930HRS / 1230HRS / 1545HRS).

Arriving in Zanzibar

After an hour’s ride from Dar es Salaam, the Kilimanjaro IV vessel docked in Zanzibar bay. Just outside the terminal a flock of taxi drivers had gathered, and I made the right choice by hopping into a cab driven by Iddi Hussein.

He was very friendly, and on our way to the hotel he took me through the history and importance of Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for “Old Town”).

Contact Iddi Hussein on: (+255) 655 464378 / 777 464378 / 686 293638 / 762 407686.

Stone Town, Zanzibar: The Old Town

Zanzibar is an island of wonders. Its historic centre, Stone Town, which locals call the “Old Town”, is a World Heritage Site. Its closeness to the major attractions, the airport and the seaport makes it the centre of the island, and it offers everything from hostels and budget stays to places to splurge.

Stone Town is a maze of narrow alleys lined with houses, shops, bazaars and mosques. Most roads are too narrow for cars, so the town is crowded with bicycles and motorbikes. The seafront has wider streets and larger, more regularly placed buildings.

It was a perfect afternoon to start my journey on the island by exploring the narrow alleys. Iddi drove me to some of the major sights, including the House of Wonders, Tippu Tip’s House, the Palace Museum, David Livingstone’s House and the Anglican Cathedral.

Top Sights in Zanzibar’s Stone Town

House of Wonders

The House of Wonders holds an iconic place in the island’s history. It was the first building in Zanzibar to get electricity and the first in all of East Africa to have an elevator.

Formerly the Sultan’s residence, it became the seat of the Afro-Shirazi Party after the revolution, and from 2000 it was dedicated as a museum of Zanzibar culture.

Tippu Tip’s House

My second stop was the house of the infamous slave trader Tippu Tip. Zanzibar was notorious for slave trading in the past: it was the main slave-trading port of Africa’s Great Lakes region, and in the 19th century as many as 50,000 slaves passed through its markets each year.

The Palace Museum (Beit el-Sahel)

The Palace Museum served as the Sultan’s residence until 1964, when the dynasty was overthrown, and is now devoted to the era of the Zanzibar sultanate. It is a large building with castellated battlements overlooking the Indian Ocean on Mizingani Road. At the time of my visit it was open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Incredibly, a significant collection of the Sultan’s furniture and possessions survived the revolution and is on public display. Of particular note is a room dedicated to Princess Salme, daughter of Sultan Said, who eloped to Hamburg with a German merchant in 1866.

She is renowned for her autobiography, ‘Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar’, the only known written account of life for Arab women of the royal court in the 1800s.

Spice farm tour in Zanzibar — Spice Farm

Take a Zanzibar Spice Tour

Spice Tours are guided walks through Zanzibar’s spice farms. The spice industry is one of the island’s best-known industries, and a tour is a great way to learn about one of its major sources of income.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar?

Take the Azam Ferry, which sails daily at 0700, 0930, 1230 and 1545. My crossing took about an hour.

Is Stone Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Stone Town, the historic “Old Town” of Zanzibar, is a World Heritage Site.

How many nights should I spend in Zanzibar?

At least 2 nights, to absorb everything the island has to offer.

Can you recommend a taxi driver in Zanzibar?

Iddi Hussein was friendly and knowledgeable about the Old Town. Reach him on (+255) 655 464378 / 777 464378 / 686 293638 / 762 407686.

Conclusion

From the ferry ride and the maze of Stone Town to palaces, slave-trade history and fragrant spice farms, Zanzibar is truly an island of wonders. It’s highly recommended to spend at least 2 nights on this incredible island and absorb everything this majestic place has to offer.