Zanzibar: the perfect place to relax after an East African safari

Source: Wikipedia

After our nostalgic safari in northern Tanzania, Barbara and I flew to Unguja, the main island in the Zanzibar archipelago.  Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous state which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania.

Unguja is more commonly known as Zanzibar Island and is very much different from mainland Tanzania, reminding us more of South East Asia than Africa, with its tropical beaches, dense forests and predominantly Muslim population.

The forests are home to the native Zanzibar red colobus monkey

The capital, Zanzibar City, is located on Unguja and its historic centre, Stone Town, was the former capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate and is renowned as a flourishing trading centre, not only for spices but more infamously for the 19th century slave trade.

Sombre reminders of the 19th century slave trade.
The cramped and airless cells held around 70 captives for two days without food and water

Walking through the maze of colourful narrow alleys reveals many exotic sights and smells, and its architecture is a mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. Former residents include the explorer David Livingstone, who helped bring about the abolition of the slave trade, and pop music legend Freddie Mercury, who was born in Stone Town as Farrokh Bulsara in 1946.

Entering Stone Town

A very pleasant interlude before the long flight back to a nation in mourning.

En route from Doah to Heathrow on the magnificent Airbus 380