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7 Days from$1500 p/p in USD -
DeparturesJan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec
Destinations
Tanzania,
Tour Type
Guided
Safari Standard
Luxury
Tour Overview
Explore the remnants of the ancient Swahili kingdom and the melting pot of cultures (Persian, Arabic, Bantus, European) in Zanzibar. Discover historical Stone Town, Prison Island and Jozani Forest as well as head out on a dolphin boat trip. Zanzibar is magical: the spice-scented, quintessential Indian Ocean idyll. Tropical, turquoise waters lap miles of palm-fringed, sandy beaches. For hundreds of years, traders and travelers have eulogized about Zanzibar’s intoxicating aroma of spices, its beautiful beaches and the bustle of its Moorish capital, Stone Tower. Its name alone – as evocative as Timbuktu, Casablanca or Kilimanjaro – is alluring enough for many to dream of visiting.
General Information
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Safari types:Beach Safari, Coastal Safari, Guided Safari
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You will visit:Zanzibar, Jozani Chwaka NP, Stone Town
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Wildlife:Birds, Colobus Monkey, Dolphin, Marine Life, Giant Tortoise
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Activities:Boat Cruise, Snorkelling, Sightseeing Tour, Optional Activities, Cultural Experience, Swimming
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Getting around:Transfer Vehicle
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Start/end:Start/end in Zanzibar Airport
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Minimum age:3
Price Per Person – USD
From USD 1,500 per person
What's Included
- All accommodation on bed, dinner & breakfast basis
- All transfers and return airport transfers
- All tours & excursions
- All entries fees as listed in the itinerary
- Lunch during tours & excursions
What's Excluded
- Flights & visas
- Airport departure tax
- Travel insurance
- All items of a personal nature
Disclaimer
- This itinerary is owned and delivered by ‘Shiri Adventures and Safaris‘
- All prices are ‘From’ and may vary at the time of booking
- Display price is usually based on two people sharing
- ‘Shiri Adventures and Safaris‘ reserves the right to change the content and price of the itinerary
- All itineraries are subject to availability
Day by Day Overview
Arrival at Abeid Aman Karume International Airport (Zanzibar airport) where you will be picked by our Shiri Adventures representative for the transfer to the hotel. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cosy rooms, hot water, polite staff, swimming pool and internet access.
Afterwards we will officially start exploring what our beautiful island has to offer with a Stone Town tour. Stone Town is the cultural heart of the island and the old city area of Zanzibar City, located on the western shore. The city got its name from the many big multistory buildings made of stone which form the landscape of the old town part. This buildings are actually not made of stone, but with mortar and corals. Our first stop will be the local fruit market, which opened in 1904, with its variety of tropical fruits and spices. This will be followed by visiting the Anglican Cathedral at Mkunazini, which was built in 1874 on the site of the former slave market. Our guide will tell you about the cities slave history and show you the place where slaves were auctioned. Stone Town is a World Heritage Site, a destination a visitor to Zanzibar won’t forget.
Depending on the time of arrival, we can also have a general exploration of the culture and history of the ancient Swahili kingdom, and indeed it would be a great first day to taste the flavors of the famous spice island where we will prepare you a special welcome dinner consisting of the best local dishes in Zanzibar.
On this day we will start with a cultural visit at the House of Wonders, which shows the cultural and architectural influences of Zanzibar, Britain, Portugal and Oman over the centuries. When it was built it was the most modern building in East Africa: it was the first building to have electricity and an elevator. The House of Wonders hosts a historical exhibition and offers insight into Zanzibar and Swahili culture. It is a very important and visually stunning historic building in Stone Town, the grandest and tallest building in all of Stone Town.
After lunch we will depart from Shangani by 15.00 hrs and set sail along the shore of Stone Town. Depending on the weather and wind, sail northward toward Grave Island or southward along the coast enjoying the beautiful evening light. Return to Stone Town as the sun sets and witness the arrival and departure of commercial dhows entering or leaving the port area. Listen to the call of prayer over this magical old city, enjoying it all from the luxurious comfort on board SUR.
Today is the day we go deep into Zanzibar gastronomy and afterwards you will be able to prepare yourself several Swahili dishes. We will go on an excursion to the spice and fruit plantations close to Stone Town for the famous Spice Tour. We have developed a special spice tour with in-depth information not only about spices but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description of their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After the tour, we invite for an opulent lunch at our guides’ home, where you can taste the spices and fruits. After lunch, we take you to your beach resort.
On the way, we will pass Jozani Forest, the last habitat of the rare endemic Red Colobus Monkey. With a local guide, you stroll through Jozani Chwaka National Park and look at the rare monkeys. If you wish you can even wander down the boardwalk to the fascinating Mangrove Ecosystem.
Prison Island provides visitors a glimpse into the island’s dark history. It is located about a half-hour boat ride from Zanzibar. This land was once used as a place where slaves were detained. Once slavery was abolished, it functioned as a quarantine camp for people with deadly diseases. Today the island is a nature reserve for giant tortoises and a place to see the ruins that once functioned as the prison.
We’ll sail the Indian Ocean for about 20 minutes to the island and see one of its biggest attractions: the giant tortoises, which were imported from Seychelles at the end of the 19th century. Next, we’ll go snorkeling to discover the marine life. Did you know the island was a coral mine? Afterwards we’ll get back on the boat and sail off to Nakupenda beach. Here we’ll have some time to relax in the Tanzanian sun or go for a swim in the turquoise waters. What’s more, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch of fish and tropical fruits.
Today we will visit two major historical places: the Sultan’s Palace and Old Fort. The Palace Museum is perhaps the most historic building in Stone Town and is a must-see for any visitor. The Palace Museum is located along the waterfront overlooking the ocean. It was built in the 19th century as a home for the Sultan and his family. After the 1964 revolution, the palace was used as a Government building and was renamed as The People’s Palace. Today it serves as a museum of the past Sultan families.
The oldest building in Stone Town, the Old Fort, is also located along the waterfront. It is in front of the famous Forodhani Gardens. It was originally built in the 17th century with the purpose of defending the island from attacks from the Portuguese. Sellers have local produce and souvenirs for sale. An old amphitheater still hosts events and functions in the fort.
Your adventure starts from the fishermen village of Kizimkazi and you will see fishermen on the shore while you are on the motorboat heading out to view and snorkel with dolphins. Several bottle-nose dolphins stay in the Kizimkazi area year round. The dolphin trip starts very early in the morning because as the day heats up and the sea water warms, dolphins dive deep down to escape the heat. Although dolphin spotting is a popular activity, sightings cannot be guaranteed and actually managing to swim with dolphins is a rare occurrence as it requires time and patience. The dolphin trip may last around two to three hours with the further opportunity to explore on land thereafter. Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th century mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa and is therefore worth a visit for both cultural and historical objectives.
Depending on your flight schedule and departure point you will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport. If you are flying out of Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, we will arrange a connection flight for you to catch your flight back home.
This is the end of your 7 Days Exclusive Zanzibar Experience. Thank you for choosing Shiri Adventures. Hopefully it’s the first of many more expeditions and adventures together in the future, best wishes.
