Sightseeing

Tours and Sightseeing can be arranged at the resort.

Guests can travel the islands in a luxury air-conditioned bus, while a qualified guide describes the sights of Stone Town, Zanzibar's capital and largest city. Tours may also include a visit to Jozani Forest and Zala Park.
The spice tour is highly recommended, as guests enjoy sampling the spices of Zanzibar, which grow wild around the island.

Spice Tour:
The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, saffron and many other spices that brought the Sultans of Oman. They can be visited in the private plantations just outside Zanzibar town, and our tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. The Concierge Team can arrange a special Spice Tour with in depth information not only about spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After the tour we invite for an opulent lunch at our guides' home, where you can taste the spices and fruits of the region. As a bonus, the Zanzibar Spice Tour is also the cheapest place to purchase spices and spice oils.

Historical Tour:
This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr Livingston's House and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar's bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques.

Jozani Forest:
As the only remaining natural forest on Unguja / Zanzibar Island, this haven for nature lovers is one of the most unique sites in Zanzibar. This Nature Reservation with Mangrove Forests features a rich variety of bird species and other small wild life. Jozani also offers the unique opportunity of seeing the very rare Red Colobus Monkey, which is indigenous to the Island of Zanzibar. Jozani is also home to other species including Sykes monkey's, small buck, chameleon and bush pigs

Zala Park:
The goal of ZALA Park zoo is to have living examples of all the reptiles of Zanzibar.  There are now about twenty-five species of snake and lizard kept in enclosures putting the animals in their natural habitat.  The snake collections include pythons, a Mozambique spitting cobra, boomslangs, and a green mamba as well as samller species.  Chameleons and monitor lizards are on view as well.

Stone Town Old Fort:
The Old Fort is also known as Arab Fort or Ngome Kongwe and is located near Beit el-Ajaib. Built as a fortified structure in 1560, the Old Fort is the oldest structure in Stone Town. Omani Arabs constructed the Old Fort to defend against attacks by the Portugese. The remains of an old Portugese church can be seen within the internal walls. During the 19th century, it was used as a prison and later as a depot for the railway. Today a partially renovated portion houses the Zanzibar Cultural Center with an open-air theatre and art gallery. Traditional dance and music are performed here several times each week.

Prison Island Boat Tour:
Earning its name as a former prison for slaves and a quarantine station for Zanzibar and the mainland, prison island now provides tourists with the chance to escape for some peace and quiet. The island lies just off the Old Stone Town and is home to giant tortoises that were imported from the Seychelles in the late 19th century. It is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sunbathing. The island is ideal for a day trip with refreshments available throughout the day. It also has a small restaurant where you can enjoy freshly caught fish.

Hamamni Turkish Baths:
The Hamamni, which means simply 'the place of the baths' from the Arabic hammam (bath-house) is located in the centre of Stone Town.  It was the first public bathhouse in Zanzibar.  The project was commissioned by Sultan Barghash and built by an architect called Haji Gulam Hussein. It is one of the most elaborate on Zanzibar, and is constructed in the Persian style. Today the baths are no longer functioning, but it is still possible to go in and look around. Inside, the bath-house is surprisingly large, with several sections including the steam room, the cool room and the cool water pool.

Maruhubi Palace Ruins:
The Maruhubi Palace is about four kilometers from Zanzibar Town. Sultan Said Barghash constructed the palace between 1880 and 1882 as a harem to accommodate his concubines; in 1889, however, a large fire gutted the palace and it was left derelict. Two bathhouses remain intact, although somewhat neglected, and one may enter and walk around inside. Outside, surrounded by undulating lawns, there are many remains of the buildings, including some massive stone pillars, which once supported a large overhead balcony and aqueduct.

Other options include sightseeing at Mtoni Palace, Kidichi Persian Baths, Kizimbani Baths, Fukuchani Ruins, Tumbatu Ruins, Dunga Palace of the Mwinyi Mkuu, Mangapwani Cave and Cave Chambers, Bi Khole ruins and the Kizimkazi Mosque.