If your typical vacation destination is a tropical island where all you’ll get to do is lounge by the beach, why no try going on an East African adventure for a change? Tanzania is the largest country in this part of Africa which is bordered by Kenya, Congo, Malawi and Mozambique.
Made up of six regions, Tanzania is where you can bask in a view of plateau with grasslands, majestic mountains, see some of Africa’s great lakes, go nature-tripping in some of the most amazing natural parks in the world, and take in a wide array of natural and man-made sights.
Having a Tour of Zanzibar Island in Tanzania
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Specifically, there’s the Zanzibar coastal island in the Indian Ocean that you can have a tour of. It’s actually a semi-autonomous archipelago consisting of Unguja or the main Zanzibar Island, Pemba Island and many smaller isles.
To experience all the local flavors of Zanzibar, it’s good to check out Stone Town which is the capital. Some of the highlights of visiting this central area in Zanzibar include having a tour of the Palace Museum, the House of Wonders, the Arab Fort and the Anglican Cathedral. The main island is also called Spice Island, being the center of the Spice Trade hundreds of years ago. Currently, it’s a chef’s paradise to visit Zanzibar Island because it’s one of the few places in the world where saffron is produced, as well as other exotic spices.
For the history buffs, you can check out Stone Town which was recently dubbed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a unique city which blends Indian, African, Moorish and Middle Eastern traditions as well as architecture. There’s also the Slave Market where you can get inside a holding chamber of small, dark, dungeon-type cells.
Red Colubus Monkeys are a Draw for Tourists
More importantly, those who would like to experience the real tourist-drawer in Zanzibar should definitely check out the Jozani Forest. This part of Tanzania has exquisite nature trails where you can really be one with Mother Nature.
Aside from the flora and fauna, there’s the experience of mingling with the Red Colobus Monkeys. These primates are natiev to the island and they nearly extinct. For less than $10, you can get into the Jozani forest to take pictures of the Red Colobus Monkeys, and you can also grab the opportunity to explore mor eof the mangrove forest in Jozani.
The Red Colubus monkeys are not necessarily the main draw for tourists who are visiting Zanzibar – based from the previously mentioned information, there’s definitely a lot more to the place than interacting with the nearly-extinct monkeys.
But the site of these primates as they munch on tree leaves while grooming each other’s coats with colors ranging from red to black is definitely an unforgettable experience. There are only about three thousands of these monkeys left in three different forests in Tanzania, so getting up close and personal with them is an absolute treat for hike-weary travellers.