ZANZIBAR

GOOD TO KNOW:

	Zanzibar is an island dictated by the tide; here turquoise water recedes and returns in approximately 12hr cycles, so high tide changes to low tide every 6 hrs and the sea depth has a range up to 4 meters, depending on the phases of the moon.
	The currency is Tanzanian Shilling, but US dollar and Euro are also very common to use, BUT don't forget to check the issue date on your US dollars... bills older than 2006 are not accepted here. Howevere we incourage our guests to get some Tanzanian Shillings as this will facilitate shopping around local shops.
	Zanzibar is a Muslim country, although bikinis, slips and swimming trunks are well accepted along the beach but please it makes good sense to cover up when walking through the villages and in town. Toplessness and nudism is illegal.
	Nowadays malaria is not widespread.. however, we recommend that you protect yourself with mosquito repellants and consult your doctor for prophylactics. Our beds and all our windows have mosquito nets there already!
	If you want to bring a gift for the photogenic children of Zanzibar, then we advise responsible gifts such as pens, pencils, books or even second-hand clothes. Please avoid candies or other sweeties.
	If you are interested in renting a bike or car, apart from an island map you'll need an international driving license, but a temporary license is also available here and usually arranged by the vehicle renter. Remember that in Zanzibar we drive on the left side.
	Tourist visa is usually issued at your arrival at Zanzibar airport under a cost of 50 US dollars, for most nationality, (one exception is USA citizens pay 100$), Exit the country can also have its cost, which may vary to a max of 50 USD according to the airlines chosen. Charters flights are more common not to include this tax in the ticket cost.

 

 CULTURE  TIPS

Zanzibar island, better called Unguja, is part of the Zanzibar archipelago, situated in the Indian Ocean close to the Tanzanian coast, only few degrees south of equator. Because of its latitude the archipelago benefits from wonderful tropical weather, with high temperature all year long and two rainy seasons, April to June host the long rainy season and October to December the short... The coolest months are July and August and the hottest December and January. We believe that as it is always warm on Zanzibar and usually sunny, it is an all year round destination.
Zanzibar, though it is part of Tanzania has its own political and administrative system, with its own government. Traveling between Zanzibar and the mainland requires you to produce your passport and produce your entry visa.
Zanzibar is a showcase for Swahili culture, a fusion of Bantu heritage from Africa with Middle Eastern and Asian civilizations, Omani, Persian and Indian in particular. People speak mainly Swahili, but English is also frequently spoken and taught in schools.
Most of the architectural, historic and artistic points of interest are concentrated in Stone Town, the only city of the island. Here ancient, sumptuous sultan palaces live side by side with picturesque Portuguese buildings, Omani forts and colonial glimpses. Dozens of mosques announce the call to prayer and time almost stops for the predominantly Muslim population.
Among the historic sites found around the island, the most emotive are those that remind us of the slave trade. This trading of human life started under the Omani sultanate and was abolished by the English. The sultanate was then forced to find other commodities to trade and this led to the creation of the spice plantations and Zanzibar’s entry into the spice trade.
Zanzibar’s spices are still world famous and it is commonly known as The Spice Island.
Stone Town is also home town of Taarab, the most traditional Swahili musical genre, where Swahili texts and rhythms, melodies and instruments from Indian and Arabic folklore are fused together.
Zanzibari cuisine is known for its unusual combinations of flavors, which reflects the rich history of the archipelago, mixing Arabic, Indian and European recipes often modified to meet the local ingredients, mainly sea food, tropical fruits, vegetables and spices.
Stone Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

 

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