Port guide: Zanzibar, Tanzania

3 months ago 17

This article is part of Traveller’s ultimate guide to cruise ports.

A handful of travel destinations have legendary names that evoke adventure, and this colourful, lively and historic port is one of them.

Who goes there

Zanzibar isn’t the busiest of cruise ports, but African and Indian Ocean itineraries are gaining popularity. Azamara, Crystal, Emerald, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Oceania, Regent and Viking are among cruise lines that call in, either on world cruises, East African cruises, Indian Ocean cruises (which usually take in Madagascar and the Seychelles) or repositioning itineraries that link Africa to India.

Sail on in

Unguja Island’s landscape is flat and Zanzibar low rise, so you won’t get much by way of scenic drama. However, the colour of the tropical water is wonderful, and your ship has to manoeuvre around sand islands jaunty with coconut palms and fringed by white beaches. Who wouldn’t be seduced by the romance of sailing into Zanzibar?

Berth rites

Zanzibar’s cruise docks are at various locations on Kivukoni waterfront or piers in Zanzibar town. Facilities are basic, but you can walk into Stone Town in about 15 minutes – although given the heat and humidity you might want to consider a taxi. Be sure to agree a fare beforehand.

Going ashore

Stone Town is an old trading port with Arab, African, Indian and European influences in its architecture. Plunge into its narrow streets to admire ornate mansions, Persian bathhouses, the interesting Old Dispensary, mosques, Hindu temples and the Palace Museum, which is full of royal knick-knacks from Zanzibar’s days as a sultanate. The sultans’ tombs lie outside. The House of Wonders has fine architecture guarded by brass cannons. The disturbing Slave Museum at Christ Church Cathedral is one of those sobering must-sees before you cheer yourself up in the markets and along the waterfront, where kids leap and splash.

Don’t miss

Old Fort, also known as the Arab Fort, in Stone Town.

The impressive Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs in 1699, is the oldest surviving building in Stone Town. The sea-facing building served as both fort and jail but has been converted into an arts and festival centre where there is always music, dance or some other event happening, and often a craft market, too. Below the ramparts is Forodhani Gardens, popular with strolling locals and busy with vendors selling grilled fish.

Get active

Stone Town, thanks to humidity and narrow streets, isn’t the best of places for exercising, so get up early and hit your ship’s gym instead. You need to look beyond Stone Town for good beaches, to destinations such as Nungwi and Matemwe. Across on the island’s east coast, Paje and adjacent Jambiani beaches are great for kite surfing. The journey to any of the beaches will take about an hour.

Retail therapy

Darajani Bazaar, also known as Estella Market, is piled with colourful mounds of tropical fruits and vegetables and hung with hunks of meat. One section is devoted to pungent sacks of spices. Locals shop for much more, from mobile phones to plastic toys. For souvenirs, explore the small shops that surround it, which sell traditional goods such as wooden carvings and chests, antiques (perhaps not as antique as claimed), and textiles and jewellery.

Further afield

Jozani Forest Reserve has boardwalks through the mangroves from which you might – if you’re lucky – spot antelopes, bush babies and Africa’s rarest primate, the red colobus monkey. You’ll enjoy the colourful confetti of butterflies. Another excursion to Changuu Island highlights giant tortoises. You can also opt for a dhow cruise or visit spice plantations to discover more about the production of cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom.

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