TANZANIA PDF 2007

Touring
Tours of Zanzibar island are a
rewarding experience. Visitors will
travel past fragrant plantations of
cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other
spices on their way to a number of
places of historical interest.
To the south of the island is the
walled city of Kizimkazi, where the
ruins of Shirazi Mosque, part of
which dates back nearly 900 years,
are found. A coral stone inscription
provides evidence of its age, making
this one of the earliest Islamic
buildings in this part of Africa.
Head north from Zanzibar Town
and visitors will encounter the palace
ruins of Maruhubi and Mtoni. The
ruins of Maruhubi, offer a
tantalising glimpse of the former
grandeur of this palace, built by
Sultan Barghash in 1880 to house
his harem, but burned down in
1889. The palace of Mtoni suffered
a similar fate. Dating back to the
early part of the 19th century, it
once housed 1,000 people.
These are a few examples of
historical ruins that are dotted
throughout the island. Others are to
be found at Chuini, Dunga,
Kidichi, Kizimbani and Bungi.
Thirty-five kilometres south-east
from the city is the Jozani Forest
Reserve, an area of 10 sq km
whose thick forests, with trees over
100 years old, are one of the last
remaining sanctuaries of the red
colobus monkey.
Another popular option is a trip to
Changuu, or Prison, Island. The
island was used to contain awkward
slaves and a jail was built in 1893
but never used. Today the island’s
most famous inhabitants are giant
tortoises and it is a popular place
for a swim, a stroll or a picnic.
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