Visit Zanzibar

Visit Zanzibar Welcome means KARIBU in the Swahili vernacular. We welcome you to Zanzibar,the majestic spice island

21/05/2020

Volunteers Experience Story – Sabrina Link & Zala Park – Teaching at Muungoni school -Zanzibar Islands read her three weeks story......

Arrival in Zanzibar
I arrived in Zanzibar quite early at the 13.02.2013. I was picked up by Josh, my co-ordinator from World Unite. We went to Stone Town to grab food and he provided me with all the necessary information about my stay and gave me a Tanzanian SIM card, which proved more than useful. Then we headed to Muungoni, a little village in the south of Zanzibar, approximately 36 km from Stonetown. I was welcomed by Mohammed who once build Muungoni private school where I was suppose to work for the next three weeks. On my first day he showed me the school and around the village and introduced me to some people. Hence, all in all it was a smooth first day and I was welcomed warmly in Muungoni.
The first few days
During the first few days Mohammed took me to Stonetown a couple of times and showed me around. I quickly learned how to use the Dalladalla and to find my way around Stonetown and therefore it was, after a couple of days no problem for me to leave the village alone and got either to Stonetown or to nearby beaches and therefore explore the island. Nevertheless, I also had to struggle with a couple of things during the first few days. Since Zanzibar is nearly 100 percent Muslim I was suppose to wear a headscarf, as well as a skirt which covered my ankles. Furthermore, I had to get used to the fact that no one tells you what is going on (if you are with someone in town they won't tell you where you are going you have to ask every detail to get information about what will be happening) as well as to the extended family structures which also include that I did not only sleep at Muungoni, but was dropped at a cousins place to stay the night without having known about it before. Staying at a stranger's house without even giving the person something for it was quite bewildering for me in the beginning but I soon got used to it and accepted it as part of their culture. It is also very difficult to arrange meeting there since usually people are not on time or do not show up at all. Further, you can not plan things properly yourself since for example you never know how long a Dalladalla ride will take or when the next Dalladalla is actually coming. Hence, there are a couple of things which were quite shocking or unexpected for me, but I soon became used to the ways things work there.
School and teaching in Muungoni
Muungoni school is a private Muslim school where 15 teacher are working and which was built in
2008. When I was teaching there, there were four different classes: Nursery I + II (about 5-7 years
The nursery schoolbuilding The schoolbuilding for Standard I + II
old) and Standard I + II (about 7-8 years old). School starts at 8 am and is finished at 4 pm, during that time the children are provided with breakfast (breakfast break from 10-10.30) and lunch (break from 12.30-14.00). One lesson lasts 40 minutes, or sometimes 80 minutes. In contrast to most other schools, the days off, and therefore weekend is Thursday and Friday.

Classroom Nursery I Classroom Standard I
The teachers are all really friendly and try to integrate you. However, I had to face the problem that only one of them could speak a little bit of English and even she did often struggle to understand me. The other teachers tried to communicate with me in English as well, but since they only knew phrases learnt by heart like 'how are you', proper conversations weren't possible. Despite the low level of English, the school aims to teach all subjects in English which is also the reason why I was expected to also teach the teachers a little bit of English, which proved to be hard since I could only explain things with hands and feet. The teachers also tried to teach me some Kiswahili and after a while I knew quite many words and phrases but since I was lacking any knowledge about grammar, communication stayed pretty basic. Therefore, I would highly recommend everyone who goes to Muungoni to learn at least a bit of Kiswahili before going there.
The school kitchen Some pupils of Standard II

Teaching itself was quite different from Europe. The amount of hours I taught varied from day to day. When I wasn't teaching I was watching other teachers giving their lessons and made notes of what could be improved. Most of the time the teachers just came to me a couple of minutes before or even after the lesson started and told me that I should be teaching English now. Hence the lessons can not be planed properly. The children, however, have books which makes it quite easy to teach spontaneously. They also have exercise books and pencils, so writing down things and making notes is not a problem either. A big part of the teaching consists still of repeating phrases (usually all students together) and learning things by heart (the students learn no grammatical structures at all). Some teachers, however, already start to integrate pupils more in their lessons and ask them individually to answer questions. Nevertheless, it became obvious to me that the process towards a more open and student orientated teaching is slow and still in a quite early phase. When I was teaching I tried to show the teachers how they could integrate the pupils more in the lesson, for example through games. Although the pupils spoke nearly no English, communicating with them was quite easy, especially since there is usually at least one teacher in the classroom who always tried to explain what I meant if they understood it. Despite the big differences to the European education I, all in all, really enjoyed teaching the pupils at Muungoni school........


A teacher and me with some school children during sports lesson

Living in Muungoni

Living in Muungoni was quite nice. I was, like mentioned, welcomed warmly and everyone in the village greeted me. I felt very safe and in good hands in the community. I had my own little house.

The house at Zala Park from outside and inside
It is a small building with bedroom, living room and bathroom (shower and toilet are according to western standard, runing water is, however, only available every second day). Next to the house is Zala Park, a little park with reptiles which are in enclosures, so no reason to worry about them. Therefore, the house is in quite a nice, scenic neighbourhood. Unfortunately there was no electricity in my house, but I had the opportunity to charge my things at the neighbours' place and I was also given rechargeable torches so that I had light even after sunset in my house. My neighbour was also responsible to cook my food and provide me with meals three times a day. Breakfast usually consisted of Chapati or bread, lunch and dinner of rice (or bananas or cassava) and fish, sometimes chicken and fruits as well. Similar to the school nearly no one in the village speaks English which made it once more hard to communicate. While I was at Muungoni a guy called Ramadan worked as a tour guide at Zala Park. He spoke excellent English and therefore evolved into my contact person who I could address with all my questions and problems and who also helped me through translation to communicate with the inhabitants of the village. I was really glad that he was around, especially since Mohammed was, after showing me around the first couple of days, too busy and did mainly stay in town. Hence, I did not see him very often but I also could text him when I had

problems or questions and he tried to help me and figure something out. Same applied for my co- ordinators from World Unite. Nevertheless, it was nice to have someone around, especially since he was the only person I could properly talk to due to the language barriers.
Since I had two days off during week I could also undertake some trips like snorkelling, taking part in a spice tour and so on. Therefore, I did not only get an insight into the village I lived in but also the touristy bit of Zanzibar.
I really enjoyed staying in the little house next to Zala Park and felt comfortable and welcomed there. It is however, like mentioned above, in my opinion extremely important to know Kiswahili before going to Muungoni since it makes everything, especially integrating yourself in the community, so much easier. Nevertheless, living and teaching in Muungoni was doubtlessly one of the most intense, unique, informative, interesting and formative experiences I ever made and I can only recommend everyone to go there and make the same wonderful experiences I've made......

21/05/2020

HISTORICAL CITY TOURS (STONE-TOWN).
This three & a half-hour tour commences with a visit to Zanzibar's colorful market. Alive with the buzz of locals bartering fresh vegetables and baskets of tropical fruit, amongst the heady smell of Jack fruit (and many other exotic fruits) we continue on to the site of the cathedral built in 1874. The cathedral signifies a potent time in Zanzibar's history and stands on the sight of a past slave market, its high altar standing on the exact site of the whipping post. Slavery was abolished in 1873 through a decree passed by the then current Sultan of Zanzibar. From here we visit the residence of the late Sultans of Zanzibar, 'Tip Tip House', the Old Fort, 'Peoples Palace' and the House of Wonders', full of intrigue and vivid history from a bygone era. The tour ends with a stroll through the narrow streets of the old stone town, the heart of Zanzibar's vivacious history.......

Included:
(2.30hrs - Minimum 2 peoples)/Bottle of water,Transport, Permit, Guide & Entry fees....

21/05/2020

SPICE TOURS (FIRM & SHOP VISIT).
Guaranteed to waken your senses, we visit spice plantations w here you will have the opportunity to pick, smell & savor fruits & spices that you have probably never seen on the supermarket shelf. Commencing at the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, via the site of David Livingston's house (one of Africa's greatest explorers) the journey continues north of town towards the Kidichi Persian Baths. From here we continue to the rural areas were local farmers live & produce some of the world's most exotic fruits and spices. Cloves, star fruit, 'bulls heart', tangerine trees, lemon grass, mango's trees and lip-stick trees to name but a few are what you can we expect to see - according to the seasons. Perhaps you will fancy buying a basket of freshly picked spices to take home with you......

21/05/2020

JOZANI FOREST (RED COLOBUS MONKEYS).
Jozani Forest is the only remaining natural forest on Unguja Island (which, along with Pemba makes up the islands of Zanzibar). To have a complete your forest tour, you must visit all 3 sections that make up the forest. Parts of the forest have been re-planted with species of trees from across the world (most of which hold medicinal qualities) and are over 100m long. A large section of the forest sustains a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare Red Colobus Monkey, whilst a 10 kilometer section is swamp forests and evergreen thickets that provide a unique glimpse into a Secretive world. The third section of Jozani takes you through natural bush, also home to red Colobus monkeys before you meander onto a twisted wooden bridge in the shadows of huge varieties of mangrove species. Ask your guide about the close association between the witch doctors of Jozani & leopard found in the forest's thickest recesses, and mystical tales that have surrounded this Forest Reserve, dating back to when tigers (imported by the Sultans) inhabited the forest.
DETAILS:
Per Person - (2hours - Minimum 2 peoples) / Included Transport, Permit, Guide & Entry fees.

21/05/2020

DOLPHIN ADVENTURE (KIZIMKAZI).
This half a day tour takes you to Kizimkazi along the south-west coast of Zanzibar. Upon arrival at the fishing village of Kizimkazi listen to a briefing about the behavior and species of dolphins indigenous to the area before proceeding to the dolphin’s location (with a 80% success rate of spotting them). There is a fair chance you will get to play and swim with them. Return to the sea shore in the afternoon.

DETAILS:
Per Person (minimum 2 peoples) - Half Day / Included Transport, Permit, Boat, Guide & Entry fees.

21/05/2020

PRISON ISLAND TOURS (GIANT TORTOISE).
A boat ride to the island in a small traditional dhow is a must when visiting Zanzibar. Earning its namesake as a former prison for slaves, and a quarantine station for Kenya, Uganda and then Tanganyika, nowadays the island gives you the chance to escape for some peace and quiet! Hundred year old giant tortoises act as unlikely vigilants over the island and you cannot not help but wonder what tales they would tell if only they could only talk! Approximately one kilometer long and a quarter of a kilometer wide, the location is perfect for swimming & snorkeling after a stroll round the island. It really is like diving into champagne the water is so clear.

DETAILS:
Per Person (minimum 2 peoples) - Half Day / Included Transport, Boat, Permit, Guide & Entry fees.

21/05/2020

MANGAPWANI VILLAGE (OLD SLAVE CAVE & PRISON).
This excursion puts together all elements of slave trade to form a package. The most interesting are the Anglican Cathedral, built at the site of the former slave market, visiting various slave chambers, the Archives and cemetery of those who died in the attempt to stop slave trade,This trip leads you through a spice farm at Mangapwani Village where, in addition to touching and smelling an array of colourful spices and herbs, you will have the chance to visit the famous slave caves in the area; a potent chapter in Zanzibar's vivid history. Continue onto the famous village of Nungwi (on the North East Tip of Zanzibar) where the beautiful white sandy beaches awaiting you......

21/05/2020

ZALA PARK: Is the small nature reserve and field study centre set under the shade of variety of trees, including, orange, lime, grapefruit, nutmeg and banana, Ginger, chilies, black pepper and cinnamon are all grown too. The captive animal exhibits include tree hyraxes and variety of reptiles, such as green tree snakes, mambas and some big pythons, chameleons, geckos, tortoises, striped lizards and monitor lizards are included amongst the legged reptiles . The park is approximately 5kms southeast from Jozani forest reserve (home for red Colobus monkey).

21/05/2020

ZANZIBAR ISLANDS TOURS & EXCURSIONS

GUARANTEE SERVICES:

Sunnyside tours & safaris specialize in providing services such as Camping/Luxury safaris, Hotel bookings, and executive transportation including shuttle and airport transfer’s services. The services are competitively priced to give the best satisfaction for your input.
As all of our programmed are tailored for the educational groups, eco-tourists and holidaymakers wishing to explore the Zanzibar culture, aquatic wilderness, herbs or just relax on the sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean.

TRANSFER : The “sunnyside tours & safaris” got prime position in Zanzibar islands so feel free and gives us an unparalleled advantage to make your holiday more unforgotten “choose sunnyside”, sunnyside will provide you with quality, dependable, possible and reliable transfers services as others services so please make your choice which vehicle will suites for your routes while in Zanzibar islands, we have all type of vehicles for self drive or with our experiences guides and drivers that means you get reliable and guarantee airport transfer or anywhere on the islands, all vehicles with air-conditioned with 4 X 4 , Please check our prices list document for more routes details.

HISTORICAL CITY TOURS (STONE-TOWN).
This three & a half-hour tour commences with a visit to Zanzibar’s colorful market. Alive with the buzz of locals bartering fresh vegetables and baskets of tropical fruit, amongst the heady smell of Jack fruit (and many other exotic fruits) we continue on to the site of the cathedral built in 1874. The cathedral signifies a potent time in Zanzibar’s history and stands on the sight of a past slave market, its high altar standing on the exact site of the whipping post. Slavery was abolished in 1873 through a decree passed by the then current Sultan of Zanzibar. From here we visit the residence of the late Sultans of Zanzibar, ‘Tip Tip House’, the Old Fort, ‘Peoples Palace’ and the House of Wonders’, full of intrigue and vivid history from a bygone era. The tour ends with a stroll through the narrow streets of the old stone town, the heart of Zanzibar’s vivacious history.

SPICE TOURS (FIRM & SHOP VISIT).
Guaranteed to waken your senses, we visit spice plantations where you will have the opportunity to pick, smell & savor fruits & spices that you have probably never seen on the supermarket shelf. Commencing at the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace, via the site of David Livingston’s house (one of Africa’s greatest explorers) the journey continues north of town towards the Kidichi Persian Baths. From here we continue to the rural areas were local farmers live & produce some of the world’s most exotic fruits and spices. Cloves, star fruit, ‘bulls heart’, tangerine trees, lemon grass, mango’s trees and lip-stick trees to name but a few are what you can we expect to see – according to the seasons. Perhaps you will fancy buying a basket of freshly picked spices to take home with you.

JOZANI FOREST (RED COLOBUS MONKEYS).
Jozani Forest is the only remaining natural forest on Unguja Island (which, along with Pemba makes up the islands of Zanzibar). To have a complete your forest tour, you must visit all 3 sections that make up the forest. Parts of the forest have been re-planted with species of trees from across the world (most of which hold medicinal qualities) and are over 100m long. A large section of the forest sustains a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare Red Colobus Monkey, whilst a 10 kilometer section is swamp forests and evergreen thickets that provide a unique glimpse into a secretive world. The third section of Jozani takes you through natural bush, also home to red Colobus monkeys before you meander onto a twisted wooden bridge in the shadows of huge varieties of mangrove species. Ask your guide about the close association between the witch doctors of Jozani & leopard found in the forest’s thickest recesses, and mystical tales that have surrounded this Forest Reserve, dating back to when tigers (imported by the Sultans) inhabited the forest.


PRISON ISLAND TOURS (GIANT TORTOISE).

A boat ride to the island in a small traditional dhow is a must when visiting Zanzibar. Earning its namesake as a former prison for slaves, and a quarantine station for Kenya, Uganda and then Tanganyika, nowadays the island gives you the chance to escape for some peace and quiet! Hundred year old giant tortoises act as unlikely vigilants over the island and you cannot not help but wonder what tales they would tell if only they could only talk! Approximately one kilometer long and a quarter of a kilometer wide, the location is perfect for swimming & snorkeling after a stroll round the island. It really is like diving into champagne the water is so clear.

DOLPHIN ADVENTURE (KIZIMKAZI).
This half a day tour takes you to Kizimkazi along the south-west coast of Zanzibar. Upon arrival at the fishing village of Kizimkazi listen to a briefing about the behavior and species of dolphins indigenous to the area before proceeding to the dolphins location (with a 80% success rate of spotting them). There is a fair chance you will get to play and swim with them. Return to the sea shore in the afternoon.

MANGAPWANI VILLAGE (OLD SLAVE CAVE & PRISON).
This excursion puts together all elements of slave trade to form a package. The most interesting are the Anglican Cathedral, built at the site of the former slave market, visiting various slave chambers, the Archives and cemetery of those who died in the attempt to stop slave trade,
This trip leads you through a spice farm at Mangapwani Village where, in addition to touching and smelling an array of colourful spices and herbs, you will have the chance to visit the famous slave caves in the area; a potent chapter in Zanzibar’s vivid history. Continue onto the famous village of Nungwi (on the North East Tip of Zanzibar) where the beautiful white sandy beaches awaiting you.

ZALA PARK: Is the small nature reserve and field study centre set under the shade of variety of trees, including, orange, lime, grapefruit, nutmeg and banana, Ginger, chilies, black pepper and cinnamon are all grown too. The captive animal exhibits include tree hyraxes and variety of reptiles, such as green tree snakes, mambas and some big pythons, chameleons, geckos, tortoises, striped lizards and monitor lizards are included amongst the legged reptiles . The park is approximately 5kms southeast from Jozani forest reserve (home for red colobus monkey).

CULTURAL TOURS: These tours are suitable only to those who wish to experience the Swahili culture and art in their making. It involves visiting women groups at their work be it sea w**d and horticulture farming, mat making, hunting, fishing etc. and stay in accommodation owned and run by the community and so indirectly supporting them.

HERBALIST TOURS: It involves visits to the famous spice producing area where you can see medicinal, cosmetics, ornamental plants and herbs. Most of the interesting items are cloves, nut Meg, rambutan, lipstick, iodine plant, lemon grass, vanilla, henna, shampoo plant etc.
PRINCESS SALME TOURS: Salme is a member of the Royal family of the Sultan dynasty, fell in love with a German, converted herself to Christianity and deserted her family altogether traveled to Hamburg to live with Rudolph Heinrich Route for the rest of her life

MARINE AQUATIC ADVENTURE: You can choose from diving in most wonderful sites of the Indian Ocean, visit the sandy banks or trekking through the mangrove swamps. Reef walking can be arranged. Dolphin excursion at Kizimkazi are often conducted in small groups

TERRESTRIAL ADVENTURE: If you are interested in eco-touring this is the option. All nature conservation areas can be visited in a way it suits you best. Most interesting are the Jozani Forest Reserve to watch red colubus monkey, Masingini Forest, Chumbe Island Coral Park etc. In these areas nature trails have been developed and it is worthily seeing the diversity of ecosystem.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS: Sunnyside also organises educational tours for small groups. These involve, lectures, briefings by the executive managers, directors and qualified people. It also involves interviews with local residents and community members. They are more useful to the researchers and students in their final year of their studies. The arrangement also includes accommodation and other services.

FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHING TOURS: Zanzibar is endowed with beautiful terrestrial and marine scenery, unique culture, way of life, historical places, monuments, a lot spices, herbs and also major annual traditional events, which are at your disposal.
These tours include domestic traveling, permits, clearance and accommodation. Other services such as local wedding can only be arranged well in advance if so required.

SWAHILI’S VILLAGE TOUR.
This Tour takes you through the central part of the Island where the Spices Villages of Zanzibar can be found, where you can best see the mixed Zanzibar cultures before continuing to the Western side of the Island, home to a mixture of African - Arab culture that practice a agricultural style of living. In the same area visit the old slave chambers that were still utilized in the last century after the abolishment of the slave trade the main market in Zanzibar’s old stone town (in the late 19th century). You can enjoy lunch at Serena Hotels and Lodge’s private beach in the area. Continue to a Fishing Village of Nungwi, after which you may relax the rest of the day swimming and sunbathing over a cool drink.

STONE-TOWN BY NIGHT TOUR (SUNSET WATCH).
Depart from your hotel at 17:00hrs or 17:15 from your stone town or any beach hotel, and start your tour in earnest with a sun-downer drink at the former British Club at 06h30, a hub of activity with superb sunset views over Zanzibar’s port, before commencing your guided walk through the narrow streets of Zanzibar’s historic and old stone town (voted the world heritage site). By night a whole different way of life transpires. Small shops open for trade after the evening’s prayers, selling their goods by candlelight, whilst the food venues along the pier sell sizzling dishes from freshly cooked and spiced seafood to meat and vegetarian meals. Afterwards proceed for dinner at a superb seafood restaurant of our choice in old stone town, finishing your tour with deserts at Serena Hotel. Situated on the edge of old stone town, along the water’s edge watch all the local fishermen sailing out to sea to fish overnight. Afterwards transfer back to your designated hotel.

FULL MOON FISHING TOUR.
This tour offers you the unique opportunity to accompany local fishermen on their night fishing trips on the Indian Ocean. At 20:00hrs depart by motorized boat from old stone with a picnic dinner on board. Under a full moon watch the local night fishing set their nets by lantern, singing and calling to each other as they drift on the Indian Ocean, just the sound of gentle waves accompanying their songs. This is how the local fishermen have been fishing for centuries, admittedly without the addition of a motor! Under the night sky look up and see the constellations and enjoy the experience of serene peace and quiet – the likes of which you won’t experience anywhere else during your Zanzibar visit. The tour lasts approximately 3 – 4 hours. After your fishing experience you will return to land and be transferred to your designated hotel.

PEMBA ISLAND TRIP.
Pemba is an Island sister of Unguja (Zanzibar), Island of Pemba is hilly. Gentle, undulating hills and deep verdant valleys are all covered with a dense cover of clove, coconut and mango plantations. Where you can enjoy whole day by visit many parts of an island like: Ngezi forest where you can found it’s natural attractive big rainforest trees and others living organisms like monkey, bats and the likes, plants used for traditional medicines, The most attractive things is powder white sand on untouched beach, Also you can get chance to visit local villages& peoples with their own way in traditional of Swahili.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US FOR BOOKING AND INFORMATIONS.

Address

1138-zanzibar Islands Indian Ocean
Stone Town

Opening Hours

Monday 00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday 00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday 00:00 - 23:59
Thursday 00:00 - 23:59
Friday 00:00 - 23:59
Saturday 00:00 - 23:59
Sunday 00:00 - 23:59

Website

https://www.

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