Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar, an archipelago in Tanzania, East Africa. The town is also often known as “Mji Mkongwe,” a Kiswahili term meaning “old town.” The name of the town was later changed to Shangani fishing village and then eventually became known as Zanzibar.
The first inhabitants of Zanzibar were the local Bantu people, with remains dating back to the 6th century found at Fukuchani. Evidence indicates that early inhabitants were agriculturalists and a fishing community. The town later became a center for the East African slave trade, attracting different ethnicity to the islands for hundreds of years.
One of the unique features of Stone Town is its architecture. Almost all doors in Zanzibar have different designs influenced by Indian, Persian, African, British, and Arab styles. The streets of Stone Town are very narrow, requiring visitors to explore on foot or with a donkey.
There are many activities to enjoy while in Stone Town, including:
- Arab Old Fort: One of the historical sites in Stone Town is the Arab Old Fort, built by Omani Arabs in 1699 after expelling the Portuguese from the islands. The fort was later used as a prison in the 19th century and then became a Zanzibar railway terminal. Today, tourists visit the Arab Old Fort to learn about its history, and locals sell various items in the courtyard.
- House of Wonders: The House of Wonders, also known as the Palace of Wonders, is the largest and tallest building in Stone Town. Built by Barghash Bin Said, it was the first building in Zanzibar with electricity and the first in East Africa to have an elevator. The sultan ensured the main door was wide enough for him to ride an elephant through it, and animals were once chained in front of the building for display.
- Forodhani Gardens: Forodhani Gardens, also known as Jubilee Gardens, is located in Stone Town. These gardens may look ordinary during the day but come alive at night. If you enjoy delicious cuisine, this is a must-visit spot, where both locals and tourists gather in the evenings to enjoy a variety of continental dishes. Don’t forget to try the famous Zanzibar pizza!
- Visit the Old Slave Market: The old slave market of Stone Town is now a UNESCO-funded World Heritage Site. Stone Town was a center for slaves brought from different parts of East Africa. From the 18th to the 19th century, over 50,000 slaves were sold in this market every year. Today, the slave market site has been transformed into an Anglican Cathedral.
- Palace Museum: The current palace replaced the old one that was destroyed during the Anglo-Zanzibar War. It later served as the Sultan’s family residence and was used as a government seat in 1964. Now a museum, it exhibits the royal family’s artifacts, offering tourists insights into life in Zanzibar in the 19th century.
- Freddie Mercury’s House: Freddie Mercury, a famous singer and songwriter, was known worldwide for his talent. Although he relocated to Europe, he was born and raised in Zanzibar. Fans of his music can visit his childhood home and learn about his early life.
- Prison Island: Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is about 6 kilometers from Stone Town. In the 1860s, it was used for rebellious slaves. A British minister later built a prison complex on the island, but no slaves were ever imprisoned there; instead, it served as a quarantine site for yellow fever patients. Today, it is home to giant tortoises.
- Spice Tour: Zanzibar has long been known as the “Spice Islands” due to its thriving spice industry. Spices have been grown on the islands for many years, and visitors can tour spice plantations to learn about different kinds of spices. The island produces nutmeg, cloves, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, black pepper, red pepper, and more.
- Coastal Beaches: Zanzibar’s white sand beaches and turquoise waters provide the perfect place to relax after a Tanzanian safari or for honeymooners. Stone Town is close to several beautiful beaches and resorts for a relaxing getaway.
- Persian Baths: Built between 1870 and 1888 by Sultan Barghash Bin Said, the Persian Baths in Stone Town were public baths with rooms, restaurants, and shaving areas. These baths were accessible to both men and women, though only wealthy Zanzibaris could afford the entrance fee.
- Old Dispensary: The Old Dispensary in Stone Town was built in the 19th century to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. An Ismaili Indian started the construction, but he passed away before it was completed. His widow resumed work, but it was later completed by a prominent Indian who converted the lower floor to a dispensary and the upper floors to apartments.
- Snorkeling: Snorkeling in Zanzibar is a popular activity, with many spots available in the Indian Ocean. Visitors can see diverse marine life, including green turtles, seahorses, crocodile fish, octopuses, humpback whales, trumpet fish, porcelain crabs, white-tip reef sharks, mantis shrimp, frogfish, dolphins, cuttlefish, and more.
- Scuba Diving: Divers visiting Stone Town shouldn’t miss the opportunity to scuba dive around the Zanzibar islands. Some diving spots can be accessed by boat, while others are near the shores.
- Sunset Dhow Cruise: Zanzibar is known for its breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean. One of the best ways to experience this is on a traditional dhow cruise, where you can enjoy the sunset while sipping a drink.
- Souvenir Shopping: Stone Town has many local shops selling handmade African crafts. Support the locals by buying these items as souvenirs or gifts to take home to your loved ones.
Getting There
Tourists can reach Stone Town via boat or ferry at one of five ports. Alternatively, flights to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport from Nyerere International Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport are also available.
Best Time to Visit
Stone Town can be visited year-round, although the best time may depend on the activities you plan, such as visiting Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, scuba diving, or snorkeling. Exploring the town’s historical sites can be done at any time.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is the only national park in Zanzibar, covering 50 square kilometers. The park is home to around 40 species of birds, 50 species of butterflies, and several animal species. The Zanzibar red colobus monkey, also known as Kirk’s red colobus monkey, is endemic to the islands and was named after Sir John Kirk, who introduced it to zoological science. The Zanzibar leopard, once considered extinct, was seen in footage from an American documentary, indicating it may still exist.
Jozani was first established as a forest reserve by the colonial government in 1952, later becoming a nature reserve and finally being designated a national park in 2004. Visitors can take nature walks or a mangrove walk in Jozani Forest. Walks typically last 45 minutes to 2 hours, making it ideal for a day trip. Entry fees are paid at the entrance, after which tourists are assigned a guide who will lead them on a walk, providing insights into birds, plants, and wildlife.
Birding in Jozani
Jozani has been designated as a birding area by BirdLife International. Bird enthusiasts can spot species like the long-tailed cormorant, African jacana, African darter, crested francolin, fulvous whistling duck, lesser flamingo, greater flamingo, white-backed duck, helmeted guineafowl, African palm swift, ring-necked dove, little swift, emerald-spotted wood dove, African pygmy goose, square-tailed nightjar, African crake, golden plover, Madagascar cuckoo, water thick-knee, African swamphen, black-bellied plover, Senegal lapwing, Pacific golden plover, African wood owl, black-headed heron, white-headed vulture, African sacred ibis, cattle egret, squacco heron, masked booby, white-tailed tropicbird, and broad-billed sandpiper, among others.
