Bwanamrm and I will be spending a couple of days on Zanzibar in early October on the front end of a fishing trip. Interested in taking in a bit of the history and culture of the island. Anyone have any recent recommendations regarding the resort/hotels on Zanzibar? There seem to be many, many options so some first hand feedback would be great. Thanks so much.

That sounds like a great trip. If you have not read The Last Slave Market by Alastair Hazel, consider grabbing it. Really interesting story about John Kirk and what it took to end the last open slave market. Would add to the overall Zanzibar experience I should think.

Look forward to a trip report - have fun.

You know I love a good book. So every book recommendation deserves a reciprocal recommendation. The Accidental President by A.J. Baime about Truman being selected as the VP candidate for FDR's third term and his stepping into the Presidency when FDR died. We could another Harry Truman today.

Freddy Mercury of rock band Queen was born in Zanzibar. I think the former family home is marked for tourist visits.
But, maybe that type of "culture" is not on your radar ...?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
You know I love a good book. So every book recommendation deserves a reciprocal recommendation. The Accidental President by A.J. Baime about Truman being selected as the VP candidate for FDR's third term and his stepping into the Presidency when FDR died. We could another Harry Truman today.

Copy that - thank you.

A couple of days is plenty Mike.

Just dont stay in Stone Town

Does anyone know how the name ZANZIBAR came about??

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Does anyone know how the name ZANZIBAR came about??

Only an Arab would know the full and correct meaning as they were once the rulers of what was then a Sultanate ruled by a Sultan.

If I recall my East African history that I was taught in school, the main attraction the island had to offer other than its spices were the slaves taken from the mainland to the main market in Zanzibar and Bagamoyo town was their assembly point from where they were ferried across in dhows.

The last Sultan to rule Zanzibar was ousted in 1964 through a rather bloody uprising known as the Zanzibar Revolution.

Most of the locals still call it Unguja.

The name Zanzibar comes from the Arabic Zanjibār (زنجبار), which in turn comes from the Persian Zang-bār (زنگبار), a compound of Zang (زنگ, “Black“) + bār (بار, “coast, land, country“), name given by Persian navigators when they visited the area in the middle ages. So, in essence, Zanzibar means the “land of the Blacks” or “the land of the Black people,” or “the coast where Black people live.

Quick google turned up this !

I would love to visit Zanzibar and fish in the Indian Ocean.

I stayed on the beach up north at the Nungwe Beach Hotel and went diving from there. Not sure if it’s still there.

I was lucky I had a friend used to run a dive shop there but closed just before I went there. Without her I would have been by myself. Better knowing people. Spanish Dancer dive centre was great.

I didn’t spend any time to speak of in Stone Town.

Not much at Bagamoyo. Jumping off point from the mainland for the unfortunate slaves.

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Originally posted by lavaca:
I would love to visit Zanzibar and fish in the Indian Ocean.

Not specifically Zanzibar but the Indian Ocean off the African Coast has some excellent fishing. I fished one day out of Dar in 2021 while staying at Sea Cliff. Fulvio’s son, Stef, runs a 26’ Parker out of Dar. Enjoyed a great day with Stef and then a delicious fresh fish dinner afterward at the hotel. Bwanajay actually joined me for that nice meal.

If fishing is the main priority, I’ll suggest Watamu, Kenya as an excellent option. They have a good fleet of fully rigged Sportfishing boats and the waters off Watamu have Blue, Black & Striped Marlin, as well as Sailfish & Swordfish. Lots of Yellowfin, Mahi-Mahi and Wahoo too. Tom Dames, a PH in Tanzania, lives in Kenya and is an excellent source for booking an Indian Ocean fishing trip. His father, Derek, is a partner in Ker & Downey Safaris and they are simply excellent in organizing these trips. If anyone would like Tom’s contact info, just PM me and I send it along.

The Sea Cliff did an excellent job preparing your fish Dan.

I am not a fan of Zanzibar, I think Pemba island is much more interesting, authentic, and less touristy.

If you go, I would stay up Matemwe side.

The Emerson Spice (Hotel) in Stone Town is quite an experience! Staying there for two nights is more than enough! On the east coast, Zanbluu is a good option! Not too far from Muyuni beach which is the launchhing point for Mnemba Island (Diving).