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zanzibar general information |
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Travel Requirements: Visa, Passport to be valid for 6 month after the travel period. |
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Languages: Kiswahili & English |
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Electricity: 220 - 240 V AC, 50 Hz. |
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Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) = 100 cents. *The general payment procedure on Zanzibar is particular; U.S. $ dollars cash is accepted but traveller cheques are deducted a commission of 4% & credit cards- Diners Club, Mastercard, Eurocard, Access & Visa are surcharged 10%. |
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International Dialing code: + 255 24, followed by 7-digit local number. |
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Time Zone: GMT + 3. |
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Health Requirements: Vaccinations are no longer required!! |
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Subject:
REINSTALLATION OF "HEALTH SURVEILLANCE DESKS" |
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What to wear- In Zanzibar it never gets really cold and light clothes are advisable. Located close to the Equator, so bring a sun hat/cap, suntan lotion and sun glasses. Getting Around- Taxis and minibuses are available from good tour operators and can also be found at most major arrival points and around town. Local buses (known as daladala's) span the entire island. |
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Health precautions- Zanzibar is a malaria area and communication with your doctor at home regarding which malaria pills to take is essential. It's also a good idea to bring a good mosquito repellent for use in the evenings. Your chances of getting malaria are dramatically reduced if you sleep under a mosquito net. It may also be advisable to get some immunisations prior to visiting Zanzibar, and your doctor at home will be able to help you with this. |
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Car Hire is a possibility - but remember to bring an International Driver's Permit, as this will be required. Tourists hiring motor-cycles should ensure that they wear a crash-helmet for safety purposes. Preserve Zanzibar's magic- Zanzibar is still unspoilt by the unpleasant effects of masstourism - the number of visitors to the island is still low, but has been on the rise throughoutthe 1990's. It is our hope that increases in tourism do not impact adversely on the magic of Zanzibar, and we humbly ask all visitors to follow a handful of guidelines, ensuring they will not offend the traditional values of the local people or harm the environment in any way. |
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It is typical of the Zanzibaris' friendly nature that they will not harass you for infringing these guidelines, but you should be aware that this is merely politeness, and is not an excuse for ignoring them!! |
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In Zanzibar, do as the Zanzibarians do!
- Please ensure that you dress modestly when off the beach. Women should not expose too much leg and chest, and topless sunbathing is also strongly discouraged.
- If you have children and are bringing them to Zanzibar, please make sure that they don't display their expensive toys in front of their Zanzibari contemporaries.
This may install a false sense of values in the local children, whose parents are unlikely to be able to afford such luxuries.
Its many uses makes the coconut palm one of the most versatile of all plants.
The rare Kirk's Red Colobus monkey is only found in Zanzibar, predominantly in Jozani Forest. More on this in tours.
Zanzibar had the first steam locomotive in East Africa. A tiny two foot gauge engine to haul the Sultan to and fro from his summer palace in the 1880's.
Zanzibar also boasted a 7 mile railway to Bububu, built in 1905, which became notorious for setting the countryside alight.
The House of Wonder in Zanzibar was the first house to be installed with a "lift" in Africa.
A large proportion of the world's population have heard of Zanzibar, and the name conjures up all sorts of exotic images.
Only a small proportion of the world's population know where Zanzibaris.
Put us on the map in About Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Magic currently takes bookings on: |
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- Zanzibar is an amazingly photogenic place, but if you want to take photographs of people, please ask their permission first out of courtesy.
- If you are diving or snorkelling, you may be tempted to collect some pretty shells from Zanzibar's many coral reefs. Please do not, as this kills entire reefs, the devastating effects of which can be seen in the well-trodden areas of East African coast.
Although there are shell sellers, you are asked not to buy shells from them, as it simply encourages this harmful industry. Did You Know?- The people of Zanzibar are known as Zanzibaris and their native language is kiswahili, commonly known internationally as Swahili. Zanzibar used to be the world's largest producer of cloves, and its history was heavily influenced by this activity. |
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Zanzibar's beaches are fringed by an abundance of coconut palms. Unlike most tourists, the local people see these trees as more than aesthetically pleasing flora!
Nothing goes to waste, and apart from the famous nut, the coconut palm yields an impressive variety of products, among them materials for weaving, building, eating and drinking.
The roofs of many houses in Zanzibar (particularly in rural areas) are constructed using "makuti" palm thatching, made from palm leaves. |
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At last count, there were 560 carved doors in Zanzibar. The oldest door discovered in Zanzibar is dated AD 1694.
When a house was built, the door was traditionally the first part to be erected. The greater the wealth and social position of the owner of the house, the larger and elaborately carved his front door.
Many doors are studded with brass spikes. This may be a modification of the Indian practice of studding doors with sharp spikes of iron to prevent their being battered in by war elephants.
In 915 AD, an Arab traveller recorded that Zanzibar island abounded in elephants, and around 1295 Marco Polo wrote that Zanzibar had 'elephants in plenty'.However, there are no elephants here now, and the brass studs seen today are purely for decoration!
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
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1 Jan |
New Years Day |
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12 Jan |
Zanzibar Revolution Day (Mapinduzi Day) |
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5 Feb |
CCM Foundation Day |
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Good Friday and Easter Monday |
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26 Apr |
Union Day |
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1 May |
Mayday Worker's Day |
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7 Jul |
Peasant's Day (Saba Saba which means 7-7) |
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9 Dec |
Tanganyika Independence Day |
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25 Dec |
Xmas Day |
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26 Dec |
Boxing Tag |
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Muslim festivals, including Ramadan, and the Prophet's Birthday, account for four days of public holiday |
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and their precise dates depend on the lunar calendar. |
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Home lodgings what is Zanzibar further info history special offers tours beaches & dive adventures dive map photos maps flights-getting there flight offers dining- food & drink culture ventures contacts links privacy policy safaris weather car hire who we are learn kiswahili employment terms & conditions site map Bookmark Zanzibar Magic! |
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Zanzibar Magic Booking Offices: Lauingerstr 57, 80997., Muenchen, Germany hotline:+255 (0) 777 844417 |
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| Zanzibar Hotline: +255 (0)747 844 417 | ||
