Stone Town Highlights
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Port
Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$150
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
If Zanzibar town is the archipelago's heart, then Stone Town is its soul.
A panoramic drive brings you to the City Market in Stone Town -- the Old Town section of Zanzibar. Experience the hustle and bustle of the activity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site Swahili coastal trading town that is steeped in Afro-Asian history.
See and smell the tropical fruits piled high and the freshly-ground spices neatly packed for sale. For many centuries, there was intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated admirably in the architecture and urban structures of Stone Town.
Zanzibar was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa; it was also the base from which abolitionists such as David Livingstone conducted their campaigns. At its peak, up to 60,000 slaves passed through the market each year. Experience a somber visit to the underground chambers where slaves were held before being taken to market.
Visit the Anglican Church built in 1874 by Bishop Steer on the site of the huge Slave Market -- once a hub of slave trade for the whole of East Africa. The site currently hosts the East African slave-trade exhibition.
From the church, your guide escorts you on a short walking tour through the narrow alleys that lead to Jaw’s Corner -- A unique square where men gather in the evenings to socialize, strengthen their community, bond together and drink cups of black Zanzibar coffee. From here, proceed to Hamanmni Persian baths passing some extraordinary Zanzibar doors and glimpses of typical Zanzibar life.
Walk to Forodhani Gardens for a photo shop - from here you can view the outside of the House of Wonders and Palace Museum (currently under renovations) Your guide will provide some insight into the Zanzibar Sultan's life. Stone Town was the scene of the shortest war ever fought in history, when the British Army descended on the Sultan’s Palace, 114 years ago to stop a Sultan whom they considered unfriendly to their interests. The war lasted 40 minutes during which the sultan palace was damaged.
Take a short walk to visit the Old Arab Fort. Overlooking a small square and the ocean, the fort was established by the Portuguese as a trading depot in the 16th century. It has been recently restored and now houses a number of craft and souvenir shops around the inner courtyard. At Old Fort we will have some free time for browsing and photographic opportunities - or just enjoy the atmosphere of the place. Then proceed to Zanzibar Serena (or similar) for a refreshment stop.
After a refreshment stop, you will board your coaches and return back to the pier.
Please notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour requires walking on uneven surfaces. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. In the tropics, the temperature and humidity can be quite high. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water from the ship. (Bottled water are provided on coaches) Zanzibar is a very special place and keeping it so means that change will happen only at the pace that suits the people that live here. You can show your respect for local custom by dressing conservatively. The local people are very appreciative when visitors are respectful of this dress code: bare shoulders, midriffs and thighs are not acceptable; wearing long sleeves and minimum of capri-length pants or skirts is optimal. Photography of police officers or persons in uniform is not allowed. Please obtain permission before taking photographs of the local people. Your guide will assist you with this. The order of sights visited may vary.