On meeting in the morning, you will drive to the Spice farm, for an opportunity to learn more about the various Zanzibar spices. You will see how they grow, taste, smell and touch them. Get detailed information about how the spices are used in the Zanzibari cuisines, plus their role in the cosmetic and medical field. Be assured of spotting the cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and many others.

Have a walk through the farm to see spices at the island that were introduced in the early 16th century by the Portuguese traders, though they failed to establish a spice trade market till the 19th century when the Omani Arabs came to Zanzibar and developed Zanzibar as a spice growing entity from then till now.

You will have lunch at the guides’ center to taste the Zanzibari spices and have more personal interactions with the local guides and farmers.

In the afternoon, you will drive back to the lodge or to the point from where you met with the guide in the morning. That will be the end of the one day Zanzibar Spice tour.

The post 1 Day Zanzibar Spice Tour appeared first on Roots Tours & Travel.

Meeting will be at 8:30 am and the trip will roughly take 5-6 hours, by 2 pm you will be back at the One Ocean Dive Center Stone Town. On meeting at the diving center, payments and paperwork are done. Have a simple briefing from the diving guide before depart on the boat. You will also receive the equipment rentals like the mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit.

The one day Zanzibar cruise gets you diving past the huge amounts of coral reefs, long plunging walls and underwater mountains that form a haven for numerous fish species. Remember snorkeling is in two sessions, 45 minutes each.

Now go for the first session, either diving or snorkeling for 45 minutes. Return to the boat for relaxation, drinking water, snacks, fruits or even local food. Go for the second snorkeling or diving for the 45 minutes and on return, sail back to the dive center in the early afternoon.

Other activities on this day

Sea food BBQ. The magnificent Kwale Island presents some delicious sea foods and side dishes as well as an opportunity to see beautiful nature of this island.

Sandbank. Visit the sandbank and enjoy some fresh fruits and swimming in the ocean.

The dhow boat. Cruise with a traditional dhow boat to the interior islands. A dhow cruise can be organized

The cruise will be made with a traditional sailing boat, the dhow. The boat will be for you only, unless you inquire the sharing tour.

The post 1 Day Zanzibar Cruise appeared first on Roots Tours & Travel.

Day 1: Arrival and Check in

You will meet our company representative on arrival at Zanzibar airport. He will briefly take you through the whole trip as he transfers you to the Stone town for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 2: Guided walk in the Stone town

On this day, wake up to a delicious breakfast and have a guided walk through the Historical stone Town. You will walk through the famed Stone town that still stands to showcase history. Walk through the bustling market of Zanzibar, the narrow corner streets passing by different historical buildings and places. Visit the historical cathedrals and mosques. Have local lunch in the local restaurants and in the evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 3: House of Wonders visit

On this day you will visit the House of Wonders. This was the most modern building in East Africa at the time of its construction. The House of Wonders exhibits the cultural and architectural facts of Zanzibar, Britain, Portugal and Oman over the past centuries. You will have insights into the Zanzibari and Swahili culture. It was the first town to have electricity and an elevator in East Africa. It is the tallest and grandest building in the Stone Town. Standing at the upper flows of the building gives you stunning views of the town and the surrounding.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 4: Spice Tour and Jozani trip

Have breakfast and go out for the Spice tour, exploring the spice and fruit plantations close to the Stone Town. This will be an in-depth Spice tour giving you detailed information, not only about the spices, but also the herbs that were originally grown here. You will have lunch at the guides’ home to taste the spices grown here.

After lunch you will head to the beach resort, passing by Jozani Forest; a habitat for the rare endemic red colobus monkeys and other monkey species. Then have some relaxation at the beach as you wait on returning back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 5: Prison Island and Palace Museum

Today you will wake up to a palatable breakfast and visit the Prison Island. Its located about 1-2 hours away from the Stone town. This island portrays the dark history of Zanzibar because it used to be a prison for the stubborn slaves, and when slavery was abolished, it became an isolation island for people with deadly diseases. Today the island is a reserve for East Africa’s oldest giant tortoises.

In the afternoon you will cruise back to the Stone town for lunch and visit the Palace museum. It was built as a home for the Sultan and his family so it serves as a museum for the Sultan families. It is the most historic building in the Stone Town.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 6: Old Fort and beach relaxation

This is the oldest building in the stone Town and it’s located along the waterfront. It was originally built in the 17th century with a purpose of protecting the island from the Portuguese attack. Visitors here admire the remains of the remains of the Fort. Here you can even buy souvenirs locally made by the natives.

Accommodation options:

Luxury – Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange – Sunshine Marine Lodge
Budget – Samaki Lodge and Spa

Day 7: Departure

In the morning, on waking up, have breakfast and be transferred to Zanzibar airport for a flight back home.

The post 7 Days Zanzibar Tour appeared first on Roots Tours & Travel.

Day 1: Arrival in Zanzibar

This day will be for arrival at Zanzibar airport, a simple briefing about the whole trip movements. Our driver guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the lodge in the Stone town for refreshments, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Emerson Spice Hotel
Midrange: Tembo House Hotel
Budget: Shangani Hotel

Day 2: Guided walk through the Stone Town

Wake up to an early delicious breakfast and head out for the Historical Stone town. Walk through the fabled Stone town to witness History standing still. It will be a full day tour taking you to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum also called People’s palace, and the Arab Fort. After lunch you will then visit the Cathedral, mosques and the Zanzibar market for souvenirs. Returning to the lodge will be in the evening for just dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Emerson Spice Hotel
Midrange: Tembo House Hotel
Budget: Shangani Hotel

Day 3: Spice Farm and Jozani trip

On this day, have breakfast and go out for the Spice tour, exploring the spice and fruit plantations close to the Stone Town. This will be an in-depth Spice tour giving you detailed information, not only about the spices, but also the herbs that were originally grown here. You will have lunch at the guides’ home to taste the spices grown here.

After lunch you will head to the beach resort, passing by Jozani Forest; a habitat for the rare endemic red colobus monkeys and other monkey species. Then have some relaxation at the beach as you wait on returning back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Emerson Spice Hotel
Midrange: Tembo House Hotel
Budget: Shangani Hotel

Day 4: Dolphin trip

Early morning after breakfast and have a Dolphin trip. Visit Kizimkazi fishing village to spot schools of bottle nosed dolphins and Humpback dolphins. Tourists enjoy sights of dolphins while on short boat trips from the village, some lucky travelers even get the chance to swim very close to the dolphins, a rewarding experience that cannot easily be attained. In the afternoon after lunch, you will just have a beach relaxation as you wait to travel back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Emerson Spice Hotel
Midrange: Tembo House Hotel
Budget: Shangani Hotel

Day 5: Departure

This will be the departure day. Depending on your flight time, the driver guide will take you to Zanzibar airport to catch up with your flight back home.

The post 5 Days Zanzibar Beach Holiday appeared first on Roots Tours & Travel.