What is Zanzibar Famous For? : The name alone conjures up images of spice markets, palm-fringed beaches, and white-sailed dhows cruising through a turquoise sea, and the reality does not disappoint. Zanzibar has always been at the heart of the Indian Ocean experience in East Africa, lying only a little distance off the Tanzanian coast yet at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and a Zanzibar holiday is a sensory experience par excellence. The beaches on Zanzibar’s coast are some of the best in the world, but the sand and surf differ depending on which side of the island you’re on. Waves wash over coral reefs and sand bars along the east coast, revealing little pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones at low tide.
Zanzibar is well-known for being a tourist destination rich in culture and history, which appears to be at odds with its ideal landscape of white-sand beaches and palm trees swaying gently in the oceanic air. As a result of all of this, Zanzibar is a fantastic area to explore as well as a wonderful spot to relax and unwind. Apart from its history, culture, and beautiful white sand beaches, Zanzibar is also known as the Spice Island, with spice being its primary source of wealth. The following are some of the things Zanzibar is famous for:
Famous for Spice plantations/ farms
Almost everyone who visits Zanzibar takes a spice tour. After all, this group of islands off the coast of Tanzania is known as the Spice Islands, so it’s bound to happen. Despite possessing stunning and bright beaches as well as coral reefs that provide a paradise experience for snorkelers and divers, Zanzibar has long been renowned as one of the world’s best spice exporter islands. Spices were first introduced in the 16th century by the Portuguese, who brought them across from their colonies in Goa and Brazil. The spice trade didn’t really take off until the Omanis came several hundred years later.
Every year, the Sultan brought 50,000 slaves through Zanzibar, forcing one-third of them to work in Tanzanian spice fields, where 30% of them died due to the deplorable conditions. Stone Town became one of Africa’s wealthiest cities as a result of the spice and slave trades. Because clove output is dropping and tourism is increasing, most of the spice industry is resorting to plantation tours to keep afloat.
Turmeric, ginger, black peppers, cinnamon, cardamoms, and cloves are commonly used in Zanzibar cuisine, so you’ll find them in abundance at local markets during your safari or tour of this amazing spice island in Tanzania.
Famous for Historical and cultural
Forget about the spice; Zanzibar has long been renowned as a historical and cultural tourism destination, with some of the island’s most significant cultural and historical sites dating back to the colonial era. Swahili culture in Zanzibar is the product of a combination of African, Asian, and European influences. Zanzibar was historically an important staging point for explorers and traders, as well as a vital spice trading center and a slave-selling center.
Zanzibaris come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Persian, Arab, and African. While Zanzibar is overwhelmingly Muslim (mostly Sunni, but with many minorities), the island is also home to many Christian sects, Hindus, and other minority religions. Unlike mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar has no tribes. Instead, local traditions are a synthesis of numerous ethnic groups that arrived on the islands, resulting in events such as the Portuguese-inspired Pemba bullfights and the Persian New Year celebration Mwaka Kogwa, What is Zanzibar Famous For?.
Zanzibar has a strong cultural and historical heritage, which can be seen in their main city, Stone Town, with people living different lifestyles and some historical buildings that are old and were built long time ago during colonialism, such as Beit al-Ajaib-The House of Wonders Museum in Zanzibar, Maruhubi Palace Ruins in Zanzibar, The Arab Fort in Zanzibar Town, the Old Indian Dispensary in Zanzibar. Zanzibar can never disappoint the visitors who are seeking a historical and cultural safari, and Zanzibar is the main safari destination in this aspect.
Famous for Fabulous/ marvelous beaches
It would be unfair not to include and remark that Zanzibar is famous and known for its spice and cultural past, and forgetting to mention its great and gorgeous white beach, because Zanzibar is bordered by the blue and pristine Indian Ocean Sea. On your picturesque Indian Ocean vacation in Africa, Zanzibar Island, once a bustling commercial town and vital port on the spice route, is now a calm, coastal area where you may spend long hours strolling along the beaches with soft, delicate white sands sinking beneath your feet.
The endless stretches of seashore that embrace its marine ecology appear to subdue the gentle waves of its crystal blue waters. It will take your breath away to look out over the huge ocean and the dazzling turquoise waters sprinkled with the white, triangular sails of the picturesque traditional fishing dhows. Take in the breathtaking sunrises on the east side of the island or the golden hues of the beautiful sunsets on the west. Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands that includes Unguja or Zanzibar, Pemba Island to the north, and nearby isles such as Mnemba, Chapwani, Chumbe, Bawe, Changuu, and others, What is Zanzibar Famous For?.
Zanzibar offers around 25 lovely, white, palm-fringed beaches. The sea is warm, and the atmosphere is laid-back, with Nungwi Beach on the northwest coast being the most beautiful and popular, lately making TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards 2018 list of the Top 25 Beaches in the World. Because of this, Zanzibar has long been known as the romantic island, embracing couples, honeymooners, families, and other groups of people.
Famous for Watersports/ water adventures
Because it is surrounded on all sides by water from the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is also renowned as the best place for watersports and water activities for those seeking adventure. Zanzibar is a barefoot beach getaway that will leave you sun-kissed and happy. There is something for everyone here, from diving with a pod of dolphins to snorkeling on a vibrant coral reef and sipping cocktails while sailing on a traditional dhow. This is why it is still one of the most popular island vacation spots in the world.
Examples of the water activities in Zanzibar to make your safari/tour one of no regret and more enjoyment include: paragliding/parasailing, deep sea fishing, Zanzibar, jet skiing, water skiing, wake-boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming with dolphins, sailing in Zanzibar, knee boarding, fly boarding, banana-boat rides, whale shark encounters, scuba diving, stand-up paddling, surfing/kiteboarding, etc.
Zanzibar safari holiday experience has always been unique and outstanding all over the world, and recently, many different types of visitors have been booking and visiting Zanzibar to test and experience what Zanzibar has to offer, such as participating in various types of watersports, relaxing on white sand beaches, exploring the cultural and historical stone town of Zanzibar, and going on scuba diving expeditions, What is Zanzibar Famous For?. Real Zanzibar, along with Tanzania, has a lot to offer in terms of safaris, and no one has ever regretted or failed to achieve their expectations by visiting these tourist destinations.
