Unguja

Unguja Island

 Known as the ‘spice island’ for its abundance of spices and its strategic importance in the spice trade, Unguja Island became the jewel in the crown of many colonial powers; changing hands from the Arabs, to the Germans and British among others. The footprint of these empires are still visible today in the colonial offices, luxury colonial hotels and the haunting remains of a once eminent slave trade. Unguja Islasnd is the main constituent of Zanzibar which was key to the creation of Tanzania; Zanzibar Joined with Tanganyika (the mainland) in 1964 after a bloody, and very short, revolution. The islands cultural, material and geographical importance has given the island, and its people, a rich identity and culture that makes Zanzibar as popular and welcoming as it is today. 

The Capital city and cultural hub is Zanzibar City but Stonetown is the most well known part of Unguja Island and is famous for its architecture, culture & Street Food; the rest of the island is largely rural and the beautiful coast is lined with high end hotels, luxury accommodation and private beaches. These postcard perfect locations are what you are most likely to see when you google the island- after all, Zanzibar is the of the premier Tanzanian Beach Holiday destinations. However, there is plenty to do on the island beyond the hotel walls, and there is certainly plenty to see- including the famous Zanzibar Spice Tour .