Explore Unguja

Unguja is the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago, in Tanzania.

 

Unguja is a hilly island, about 85 kilometres long, from North to South and 30 kilometres wide, East to West, with an overall area of about 1,666 square kilometres. It is located in the Southern half of the Zanzibar Archipelago, in the Indian Ocean, about 59 kilometres South of the second-largest island of the archipelago, Pemba. Unguja and mainland Tanzania are separated by the Zanzibar Channel.

 

Unguja is surrounded by a number of smaller islands and islets, with only two of them, Tumbatu and Uzi, being inhabited. Other minor islands around Unguja include Bawe, Chapwani, Changuu, Chumbe, Kizingo, Kwale, Latham, Mautani, Miwi, Mnemba, Mwana wa Mwana, Nianembe, Popo, Pungume, and Ukanga.

 

Unguja is the only island of the Zanzibar Archipelago that has the most developed tourism industry. This accounts for a substantial part of Unguja’s economy. Agriculture (including the production of spices such as cloves) and fishing are other relevant activities. All along the east coast, most villages rely on seaweed farming.

Things to do

Diving / Snorkeling – Pemba Channel

Pemba Island is one of the top-diving and snorkelling locations off the coast of Tanzania with the entire island surrounded by coral reef.  Between the island and mainland Tanzania, Pemba Island Channel shelves off to depths of more than 2,000m. It is famous for its huge sea fish, which include barracuda, tuna, sharks, and even whales.  Pemba Island is a glorious playground for experienced divers. Visibility is generally good and there are even spectacular pinnacles. Even though currents are strong at Pemba, it’s ideal for advanced divers

Ngezi Forest Reserve

The Ngezi Forest Reserve is a forest reserve located in Pemba Island, Tanzania. It covers an area of 1,440 hectares (3,600 acres), mostly comprising of forest. The reserve was established in 1959. Ngezi Forest Reserve is located in the north-western tip of Pemba. It is the second largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. It borders on the villages of Kiuyu Kwa Manda in the South, Tondooni, Verani and Makangale in the North, Msuka in the East and Kipangani to the West.

Mkame Ndume Ruins

The ruined palace of Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman, who ruled Pemba prior to the arrival of the Portuguese (in the late 15th to early 16th centuries), is an evocative spot. Rahman had a reputation for cruelty and was known as Mkame Ndume (Milker of Men). Today the ruins’ primary feature is a large stone staircase that led from the channel (now dry) connecting the site to the ocean. The ruins are located 10km Southeast of Chake Chake, near the village of Pujini.

Stone Town, Zanzibar

Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for “old town”), is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar, in Tanzania. The newer portion of the city is known as ”Ng’ambo”, a Swahili word for the other side. Stone Town is located on the western coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Being a former capital of the Zanzibar Sultanate, and a flourishing centre of the spice trade as well as the slave trade in the 19th century, it retained its importance as the main city of Zanzibar during the period of the British protectorate.

 

When Tanganyika and Zanzibar joined each other to form the United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar kept a semi-autonomous status, with Stone Town as its local government seat. Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. It’s for this reason that the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Due to its heritage, Stone Town still stands as a major tourist attraction in Tanzania, and a large part of its economy depends on tourism-related activities

Prison Island

Prison Island might not sound like the most appealing place in the world, but this tropical paradise is the perfect place to escape the crowds from the main Zanzibar. Taking its name from the fact that it was a former prison for slaves, this patch of natural beauty holds all kinds of delights, not to mention the numerous giant tortoises that wander freely around the island.

 

The island can be accessed from Zanzibar in about 30 minutes by boat and once there you won’t be able to resist jumping in the water. It’s in order to come with snorkelling equipment in tow as the water there is crystal clear and teeming with exotic marine life. Once you’ve made the most of the shoreline, head to the interior of Prison Island and look out for butterflies before exploring the ruins of what was once supposed to be the prison building.

House of Wonders

The House of Wonders or Palace of Wonders (in Arabic: Beit-al-Ajaib) is a landmark building in Stone Town, Zanzibar. It is the largest and tallest building of Stone Town and occupies a prominent place facing the Forodhani Gardens on the old town’s seafront, in Mizingani Road.

 

House of Wonders is located between the Old Fort and the Palace Museum, former Sultan’s Palace. It is one of the six palaces built by Barghash bin Said, the second Sultan of Zanzibar. The house is said to be placed on the site of the 17th-century palace of Zanzibari, Queen Fatuma. The House of Wonders currently houses the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast.