LOCATION AND SIZE
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago within the United Republic of Tanzania, located in the Indian Ocean off 25-50 kilometers (16-31 miles) from the east coast of Africa and it lies 6 degrees south of the Equator and 39 degrees east of the Prime Meridian. Zanzibar archipelago is composed mainly of two islands (Unguja and Pemba) but a number of small islets surround them having a total area of 2,643 square kilometers (1,020 square miles). The main town is called Zanzibar town which is divided into new town and old town (Stone Town, the ancient Arabic City).

POPULATION
There are mostly three main communities in Zanzibar but intermarriage is very common, the African make up the largest part of population where by Arabic community is the second whose origin is mostly from Oman. Indians from mostly the south have migrated to East Africa some few centuries ago, they engage mainly in trading and they are the third community in the archipelago. An estimate of plus one million people inhabit the archipelago currently with a wider base of children under 18 years.

CLIMATE
Zanzibar experiences warm tropical climate, with high temperatures and humidity all the year. The average temperature is 26.5 º C, but it can be as high as 39º C. Because of the ocean breezes during daytime and the continental wind in the night it makes the condition more comfortable. February is the warmest while August is the coolest. There are two rainfall seasons, the heaviest in March to June and lesser rains in September to November.

Zanzibar has become an all year round destination. The weather patterns have changed considerably in resent years and it is no longer true that the rainy season of the past will recur at exactly the same time or with the same force. Rains have become rather sporadic, and we have managed to conduct successful beach programs in the cheaper off-peak, rainy season. So don’t be deterred by the climate charts.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR ZANZIBAR HOLIDAY:
Zanzibar primarily is a beach destination; however we recommend that visitors spend at least 2 nights in historic Stone Town. If you plan to stay for more than a week then you should consider staying on Zanzibar Island as well as on Pemba, Chumbe and Mnemba. The diving, snorkeling and fishing off these islands are exceptional, although the accommodation can be pricey. Overall, Zanzibar is an excellent value-for-money beach destination with good quality accommodation, some of it out of this world.

HOW TO GET THERE
The only airlines that fly directly to Zanzibar are Ethiopian Airline, Oman Air and Kenya Airways, but other major international airlines like, British Airways, Swiss Air, KLM, Air France, Egypt Air, South African Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airline, Qatar Air, Aeroflot, Royal Swazi, Zambian Air and Air Uganda fly to Dar es Salaam. Connections to Zanzibar can either be made by local airlines or sea ferries from Dar es Salaam.

By air:
Local air lines operate regular schedule services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar around the clock, the main ones are, Precision Air, Coastal Air, Zan Air, Tropical Air, Regional, Safari Plus, Fly 540 and Tanganyika Flying Company.

By Sea
Reliable ferries provide regular scheduled services between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. You can choose from catamarans or hydrofoils, the trip take 2 hours. Some of popular ferry companies are Azam Marine, Sea Express Services and Sea Star.

LANGUAGE
Centuries back people from around the world traveled to Zanzibar for trading, the interaction from these people led to emerge a common language known as Kiswahili (Swahili). Zanzibar must be the only part of Africa where language barriers don’t exist among the people because to most Swahili is the mother tongue. The main basis for Swahili is the Bantu language enhanced by vocabulary borrowed from Arabic, Portuguese, German English and some Asian languages. Intonations of the speech vary from one area to another but Zanzibar town speak the most standard version of the language.

RELIGION
Arabs settled in Zanzibar in the 12th century, probably earlier, long before Christian Missionaries arrived hence their influence is the strongest. Islam is the only foreign religion Zanzibar has known before 19th century when Missionaries from Europe started preaching Gospel. Zanzibar population a little over than 90 percent is predominantly Muslim; other religion groups are Christianity and Hinduism.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Zanzibar being a part of the United Republic of Tanzania share immigration. All people other than Tanzania citizens need passports (valid for 6 months after date of entry) as well as visas to enter Tanzania. We recommend that you have the visa before you travel and have it ready when you arrive at the immigration counter at the airport.

HEALTH
A proof of vaccination for yellow fever is required of anyone who transited or spent time traveling within a yellow fever endemic zone (in Africa and South America) prior to entry into Tanzania. The Tanzanian health authorities require at least 10 days (the time it takes for vaccination to take effect) between the date of vaccination and the date of entry into Tanzania. Direct arrivals from non endemic countries in Europe and North America are not required to show the certificate but are highly recommended to take shots against yellow fever for their own safety.
It is also advisable to contact your doctor about malaria prevention and inoculation because Zanzibar being in low land is favorite to mosquitoes, so be sure to take enough malaria pills to last for the rest of your trip.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 220 volts, AC 50 Hz. You may need adaptors and plugs. Most hotels have 110/220 outlets for shavers.

CURRENCY
The Tanzanian shilling (TZS) is divided into 100 cents. The Bureau de Change offers favorable exchange rates. Credit cards such as Access, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Eurocard and Dinners at major hotels, restaurants and shops. There is an additional charge for credit cards and traveler’s checks.

IMPORTANT MONEY MATTERS
For the sake of protection from counterfeited American dollars, Tanzanian banks and businesses are currently only accepting newer dollars. So there is a need to only bring U.S dollars that were issued in 2001 or later (these are sometimes referred to as “big face bills” because they have noticeably larger portraits than the older versions.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES
At the end of your program in Zanzibar, you will be given an Evaluation Form. You will have an opportunity to rate the hotels, your guide, driver and the condition of the transportation vehicles used during your travel in Zanzibar. We ask for your cooperation and candor in this matter, since we take these evaluations seriously and act on the suggestions made.