The stone town on Zanzibar Island on the mainland of Tanzania is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. This is a maze of faded grandeur, carved wooden doors and stone alleys that hummed with centuries of trade, music and culture. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was born here in 1946, here in Farovbursala, and was a British guardian in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania), who spent his childhood in the winding streets. His modest former home on Kenyatta Road attracts dedicated fans from all over the world.
It reached it via flight connections in Istanbul, Doha and Nairobi, but there is no shortage of ways to explore Stonetown's layered past. Once a prosperous hub of the Omani Sultan and a major player in the Indian Ocean spice and slave trade, the unforgettable history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is engraved in every alley. Wandering along the maze of the streets, you will come across the ornate Arab mansions, the faded grandeur of the old British consulate, and the echo chambers of the old slave market, which closed in 1873 and now become a deeply moving museum.
Visiting an old fort built by the Omani Arabs in the 17th century, it is now a cultural hub with artisanal food stalls and live music. Wandering around the Hamani Percien Bass or drinking strong coffee in Jaw's Corner, the town's social mind.
The aroma of cloves, nutmeg and cardamom spills out of the market stalls. Muezzin's call mixes with the creaks of Dow Boats at the port. In the evening, Forodani Gardens will be a east banquet of sensation. The vendor flips the Zanzibar pizza, grills the octopus and juics the sugar cane under the golden street lights.
Beyond town, Spice Farm offers guided tours through savory groves of vanilla, turmeric and cloves. You can find rare red corobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, just a short drive away, or boat rides on prison islands, and there are huge turtles and coral-covered beaches perfect for snorkeling. Challenge the beach of white powder of Nunwi or Paje, where you glide across a sea of glass. Snorkel coral reefs live with electric coloured fish. Or trek through the Jozani forest where the Red Colobs monkeys jump over the mangroves.
For those looking for even more adventures, Zanzibar is also the launch point for safaris in mainland Tanzania. On a short flight, whisk you into the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater for big game sightings and views of the sweeping savanna. This contrasts with the island's relaxing ham.
The dry seasons from June to October and December to February are ideal times to visit. Dress casually, especially when visiting religious sites, and consult your doctor about vaccinations and malaria before your trip.
