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GETTING TO ZANZIBAR
Presently Ethiopian Airlines, KLM (in partnership with Kenya
Airways) and Emirates offer international scheduled flights
to Zanzibar.
Dar Es Salaam is also served by British Airways, Emirates Airlines,
South African Airways, Air Tanzania, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian
Airlines as well as Air Zimbabwe, Egypt Air, Air India, Air
Malawi, and others. Dar Es Salaam is only a short trip by sea
or by air from Zanzibar and there are regular scheduled daily
flights (app. 70 US$ one way), small charters and fast boats
(35 US one way)
Italy, Spain and Germany have charter flights directly on Zanzibar
during the high seasons (July to Sept and December/January).
There are particularly frequent rapid direct flights from Italy,
both from Milan Malpensa and from Rome Fiumicini. Both these
airports are well connected to other cities in Europe by charter
and scheduled airlines and may offer a viable alternative to
scheduled flights with stop overs. |
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FACTS ON ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is an island partner within the United Republic of Tanzania,
located in the Indian Ocean about 35 km off the coast of mainland
Tanzania at six degrees south of the Equator. Zanzibar is made up
of many islands, the main two being Unguja (sometimes called Zanzibar)
and Pemba. The highest point is 390 feet above sea level.
HISTORY
Zanzibar has lured traders, adventurers, plunderers and explorers
to its shores for centuries. The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians,
Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs,
Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Some,
particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle
and rule. With this influence, Zanzibar has become predominantly
Islamic (97%) - the remaining 3% is made up of Christians, Hindus
and Sikhs. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who
are said to have arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building
that remains on Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi, which dates
from 1107, and is a present-day tourist attraction.
For centuries the Arabs sailed with the monsoon winds
from Oman to trade primarily in ivory, slaves and spices. The two
main islands, Unguja (normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba,
provided an ideal base for the Omani Arabs, being relatively small,
and therefore fairly easy to defend. Indeed, in 1832, Sultan Seyyid
Said, of the Busaid dynasty that had emerged in Oman, moved his
Sultanate from Muscat to Zanzibar, perhaps making it easier to protect,
where he and his descendants ruled for over 130 years. Most of the
wealth lay in the hands of the Arab community, who were the main
landowners at that time. They kept themselves to themselves, and
generally did not intermarry with the Africans.
This was not true of the Shirazi Persians who came
from the Middle East to settle on the East African coast. The story
goes that in AD 975, Abi Ben Sultan Hasan of Shiraz in Persia (now
Iran) had a terrible nightmare in which a rat devoured the foundations
of his house. He took this as an omen that his community was to
be devastated. Others in the Shirazi court ridiculed the notion,
but Sultan Hasan, his family and some followers obviously took it
very seriously and they decided to migrate. They set out in seven
dhows into the Indian Ocean but were caught in a huge storm and
separated. Thus, landfalls were made at seven different places along
the East African coast, one of which was Zanzibar, and settlements
began.
Widespread intermarriage between Shirazis and Africans
gave rise to a coastal community with distinctive features, and
a language derived in part from Arabic, which became known as Swahili.
The name Swahili comes from the Arab word sawahil, which means 'coast'.
The Zanzibar descendants of this group were not greatly involved
in the lucrative slave, spice and ivory trades. Instead, they immersed
themselves mainly in agriculture and fishing. Those Shirazi that
did not intermarry retained their identity as a separate group.
Two smaller communities were also established. Indian traders arrived
in connection with the spice and ivory trade, and quickly settled
as shopkeepers, traders, skilled artisans and professionals. The
British became involved in missionary and trading activities in
East Africa, and attempting to suppress the slave trade centred
in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar was once one of Africa's most prosperous
countries. The spices that it grew, so desired by the rest of the
world, made it so. The wealth derived from the spice trade was augmented
by the slave trade, indeed the spices and the slaves went hand-in-hand
as Zanzibar's spice plantations depended on slave labor, and there
are still sad relics of this trade in human flesh to be found on
the island. Furthermore, Zanzibar was one of the most important
ports in Africa.
Goods from Britain docked here before
they moved on to other parts of Africa. No longer very prosperous
in the fiscal sense, the island has a wealth of historical monuments
to visit which commemorate the African, British and particularly
Arab influences- sultan's palaces, cathedrals, mosques, fortresses
and old colonial houses. "Spice Tours" are the ideal way
to see the island's historic sites and spice plantations. There
is also a sanctuary for the rare Zanzibar duiker and the red colobus
monkey in the protected Jozani Forest, just twenty-five kilometers
from the town.
LANGUAGE
The main language is Kiswahili. Even if you only use a few words
whilst you are in Zanzibar you will make many friends. English is
widely spoken and many people also speak Arabic. Other European
languages such as French and Italian are known by some local people,
especially around the tourist areas.
POPULATION
The combined population of Zanzibar including Pemba is approx 1,000,000.
RELIGION
About 95% of the local population is Muslim. The remainder are Hindu
or Christian and some with traditional beliefs. As well as many
many mosques, Stone Town hosts an Anglican and a Catholic Cathedral
and a Hindu Temple.
TIME DIFFERENCE
3 hours ahead of GMT.
ELECTRICITY
Power system is 220-240 volts ac, plugs 13amp usually square pin.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The population of Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim with a rich Swahili
culture. Because of religious and cultural traditions dress code
is important, and men and women should dress appropriately when
away from the beach, ie covering shoulders and legs too below the
knees. Beachwear on the beach is fine, although nude or topless
bathing is not tolerated.
When in villages or in Stone Town wearing beach wear would (and
does) cause offence. Try to wear loose-fitting, non-transparent
clothing when in public.
Zanzibari people are generally very warm, open and hospitable, and
your respect for permission before taking photographs or filming
local people is appreciated. Do not take photos or film at sensitive
government sites including the State House, seaport, airport or
military sites. If uncertain, it is always better to ask.
Public consumption of alcohol is not permissible, except in hotels
and tourist areas, bars and some restaurants, where it is no problem.
Public displays of affection such as kissing are not customary and
generally considered offensive, unless behind closed doors.
Local customs should respected. Mosques are sacred places an there
is generally no entry to non-Muslims, unless accompanied by a person
of the faith who can show you around except during the times for
congregational prayer, which are five times daily.
When offering or accepting things, try and remember to offer and
receive with your right hand. This is the hand which should also
be used for eating.
CLIMATE
Zanzibar experiences ideal holiday weather for most of the
year, with the exception of April and May, which are seasonally
subject to the long rains. Short rains can occur in November but
are characterized by short showers, which do not last long.
The heat of summer is seasonally often calmed by windy
conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the
North and East coast. Being near the equator, the islands are warm
all year round but officially summer and winter peak in December
and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with an average of 7-8
hours of sunshine daily.
SEASONS
SUMMER - November to May Hot, some humidity with rains in November,
April and May.
WINTER - June to October warm and sunny.
BEST - December to March and July to October
MONEY MATTERS
The unit of local currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). 1
Euro=1.800 Tsh, 1 US$= 1,180 Tsh (July 2008). American dollars in
cash or travellers cheques are acceptable in many places around
town. We don't accept credit cards, but you can get local currency
at ATMs in Stonetown.
Bartering about prices is common in Zanzibar marketplaces. Hotel,
restaurant and tour operator prices are generally non-negotiable.
SHOPPING
A variety of locally produced crafts can be found in the shops
and bazaars of StoneTown. Buying such goods benefits the local community
so we encourage you to look out for such goodies.
PASSPORTS&VISAS
All visitors must have a valid passport and visa to enter Tanzania.
Visa fees vary according to the country you originate from. Visas
can be obtained from Tanzania Diplomatic Representatives abroad.
The easiest is to obtain the visa at arrival. Your passport must
be valid at least 6 month, and it costs 50 US$. Bring passport size
photos.
VACCINATION CERTIFICATE
Anti-malaria medication is recommended when traveling within
East Africa. Anti-malaria tablets are recommended to be taken a
few days prior to arrival, during your stay and for a short period
after returning home.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
Airport departure tax of 33 US$ per person on international flights
is to be paid in cash only. In some cases some airlines include
the departure tax in their ticket price. Please check with your
travel agent.
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