Table of Contents
What is the difference between Zanzibar & Unguja, Pemba & Mafia Islands?
What is the difference between Zanzibar and Unguja Island and the other Islands that make up the Zanzibar archipelago? This is a point of confusion for many travellers to Tanzania, and Zanzibar. The name Zanzibar is known worldwide for its association with beautiful pristine beaches, its historical significance, its abundance of spice, and more generally as a great place to holiday. It combines all the things that draws tourists; fantastic food, friendly and interesting culture, glorious sunshine and soft sand. For many people, Zanzibar is simply the name of an Island and are unaware that the name Zanzibar actually has multiple meanings and uses.
As simple as it gets: The name Zanzibar often refers to the Zanibar Archipelago, This is the collection of Islands that sit off the eastern coast of Tanganyika (Tanzanian Mainland). It can also refer to the biggest of the three islands, Unguja Island. It is very common for both locals and foreigners to refer to Unguja island as Zanzibar, or Zanzibar Island. All very confusing, right? To help you out, here is a little more information about Unguja Island, Pemba Island and Maria Island, and their parts in Zanzibar.
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 Island 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 .
Stone Town
Stone Town part of the capital city of the Island of Zanzibar and has a very rich cultural identity and the city is steeped in historical significance. At one point, the crowning jewel in the crown of colonial powers Stone Town was central hub for the Spice and Slave Trades in 19th century East Africa. Another name for Stone Town is Mji Mkongwe (Old Town in Kiswahili) and the rest of Zanzibar City is know as Ng’ambo (meaning ‘the other side’. The Mji Mkongwe has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Status since 2009 due to the abundance of 19th century buildings & the historical importance of the city.
The city itself is somewhat chaotic – it is a maze of very narrow and busy alleys fringed with houses, shops, stalls, bazaars & Mosques. The streets are too narrow for cars but you will still need to be careful to avoid the hordes of bicycles & motorbikes that nip between the narrow cracks between the dilapidated buildings towering above. Here you often see guides leading a line of flip-flopped tourists holding cameras and backpacks. The famous Zanzibari doors are abundant in the city centre; despite it being hard to determine whether or not the doors are original, or a recent replication, these beautiful structures attact stares and pictures. They are hand carved door frames that symbolize the history and culture of the island; Spices, The Lotus Flower (prosperity), Quoran Scripture & Chains. The rounded doors with Elephant Spikes symbolizes an Indian household, while a square door symbolizes an Omari Arab household. Although, these days the two styles are often combined.
Pemba Island
Pemba island is the second of the largest Islands in the Zanzibar Archipelago and is one of the most spectacular locations for a Zanzibar Beach Holiday; Pemba Island is a firm favorite with local holiday makers and veteran visitors to Tanzania. The booming tourist industry on Pemba’s neighboring island, Unguja, has lead to the more adventurous tourists heading to Pemba to enjoy quieter, untouched beaches and coral reefs. Pemba is an Island for those who are looking for a truly peaceful Zanzibar beach holiday that allows you to fully experience Swahili Island culture and feel at one with nature.
The one bit of advice that we would give any traveler is who are coming for the idlyic Zanzibar Beach Holiday, is to leave the hotel compound. In all honestly, the ride from the Airport or Ferry is no doubt not what you’re expecting (like all places in Tanzania, poverty is a serious issue) but it certainly pays off to be brave and go for an adventure.
Mafia Island
Mafia Island, also known as ‘Chole Shamba’, is the most southerly Island in the Zanibar Archipelago. The island is one of the six districts of the Pwani Region and, unlike Unguja Island, is governed from the mainland and is not a semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar. Mafia Island has never been considered to as politically significant to Zanzibar as Unguja Island for example. Mafia, much like Pemba and Unguja Island, attracts tourists mainly for beach holidays, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and sun bathing. Although the island is not as developed as Unguja island, it still makes for an amazing place to stay.
Thinking about a Zanzibar beach Holiday?
If you have made it this far, you may be interested enough to see Zanzibar with your own eyes. Have a look at the selection of Zanzibar Beach Holidays and accommodations that we have on offer.