Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein

Amanda Leigh Lichtensteinhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/amanda-leigh-lichtensteinAmanda Leigh Lichtensteinhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/tanzania/guide-to-zanzibarZanzibar, the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelago, is a melting pot of African and Indian influences. Discover what makes this destination unique.2018-03-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/tanzania/guide-to-zanzibarhttps://www.worldnomads.comZanzibar’s epic history of maritime trade, royal ruins, and political intrigue continues to draw travelers to its shores. Made up of many small islands and two larger, main islands, Unguja and Pemba, Zanzibar is the heart of Swahili culture in Tanzania. As a writer who specializes in East Africa, here are my tips for what to see and do here.  <ul> <li><a href="#culture">Swahili culture and tradition</a></li> <li><a href="#unguja">Getting to and around Unguja</a></li> <li><a href="#food">Food and nightlife in Zanzibar</a></li> <li><a href="#locals">Connect with the locals</a></li> <li><a href="#stone">Explore historic Stone Town</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="culture">Embrace Swahili culture and tradition</h2> Zanzibar prides itself on its pole-pole (which translates to slowly-slowly) philosophy, so slow your pace and get on island time. Respect the ubiquitous call to prayer from mosques that dot the predominantly Muslim archipelago. Learn about Zanzibar’s fascinating history, from the 10th-century Shirazi settlers to the Royal Sultans of Oman who ruled from 1698 to 1913, when the British took over administrative rule. Honor Islamic traditions and values by wrapping yourself up in a colorful kanga (traditional dress) or wearing a hand-embroidered <g class="gr_ gr_73 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="73" data-gr-id="73">kofia</g> (hat). Learning to greet playfully in Swahili, by using slang like mambo (which translates directly to 'things', but is slang for 'what's up?' or 'hello') and poa (which translates to 'cool'), can make you lifelong friends. <h2 id="unguja">Getting to and around Unguja</h2> Unguja, the main tourist island, is home to Zanzibar’s evocative capital Stone Town, a World Heritage city. Hop on a fast ferry from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling cultural capital, and take in Stone Town’s stunning cityscape of Omani and Indian architecture, with its dramatic tea houses and grand verandas, as you approach Unguja’s shores. Or fly over turquoise waters, onboard a propeller plane, to Abeid Karume International Airport, Zanzibar’s own airport with major airlines making frequent stops. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/beach-in-stonetown.jpg" /> <figcaption>Beach in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Photo credit: iStock.com/KucherAV</figcaption></figure> Explore Zanzibar the local way, by squeezing inside a packed dala (minivan) – it’s the cheapest adventure, riding along with babies, buckets, and chickens. Or rent a piki-piki (scooter) to roam off the beaten path. There’s also a range of taxis, but Bluebikes Zanzibar, a social enterprise of Kawa Training Center in Stone Town, makes exploration by bike a breeze. <h2 id="food">Enjoy Zanzibari food and nightlife</h2> From fresh-grilled fish to savory-spiced coconut curries, Zanzibari food is an eclectic mix of Arabic, Indian, Asian and African flavors. Nightlife often centers around the joy of eating and socializing, never too far from a sea breeze. Catch a spectacular sunset by rooftop-hopping from Emerson Spice, a historic, 19th-century townhouse, formerly the home of Mwenyi Mkuu (the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar) and now a hotel with rooftop restaurant, to the ornate Emerson on Hurumzi with its Rooftop Tea House restaurant, high above Stone Town, amongst the mosque minarets, temple towers, and church spires. Wander to Forodhani Park on the seafront to try something special at the nightly food market. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/street-food-stonetown-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption>Setting up street food stalls in Forodhani Park. Photo credit: iStock.com/JordiStock</figcaption></figure> Slurp on a bowl of the ubiquitous spicy <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="76" data-gr-id="76">urojo</g> (a flavorful soup with origins in India), an island favorite, or indulge in mouth-watering <g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="77" data-gr-id="77">mishakaki</g> (beef kebabs cooked over charcoal) and chips slathered with mango hot sauce. Wash it down with a glass of fresh sugarcane juice, with a dash of lime. For a great night out, stroll along the new palm-lined promenade to the Dhow Countries Music Academy for a weekly concert showcasing the local musical styles of Taarab, Kidumbak, and Swahili fusion. At Mustapha’s Place in Bwejuu, on the island’s southeast coast, sit around a communal fire under a star-filled sky, sip on a cold Kilimanjaro beer, and listen to old-school reggae beats. <h2 id="locals">Connect with the locals</h2> In Kizimkazi-Dimbani, at the southern tip of Zanzibar, visit the 12th-century mosque with its Kufic engravings, and explore the bay to glimpse traditional fishing dhows docked while fishermen untangle their nets. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of majestic dolphins in Kizimkazi-Mkunguni near Menai Bay, but avoid predatory, unethical dolphin tours. The Paje Seaweed Center runs tours to connect visitors with local women who rule the seaweed farming industry. Hang out at Mr. Kahawa Cafe and chill with kite-surfers while sipping iced espresso. Sail through the Blue Lagoon near Dongwe to snorkel in pristine waters, while your captain entertains you with local lore. <h2 id="stone">Explore historic Stone Town</h2> All roads lead to Jaw’s Corner, the city’s heartbeat, where locals lounge on the <g class="gr_ gr_72 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="72" data-gr-id="72">baraza</g> (stone benches) to sip coffee, play bao (a popular East African board game) and talk politics. Bustling Darajani market spills over with medicinal herbs, fresh spices, heavenly halwa (dessert), colorful textiles and scarves. For antiques, head to Al-Tamimi Curio Shop on Sokomuhugo. Check out local merchants Inaya Zanzibar for natural beauty remedies or Surti & Sons for handmade leather sandals and bags. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/stone-town-zanzibar-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption>Typical, narrow street in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Photo credit: iStock.com/miroslav_1</figcaption></figure> Take a walking tour <g class="gr_ gr_82 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="82" data-gr-id="82">with</g> Kawa Training Center or get lost on your own. Pop into Capital Art Studio to see Zanzibar’s history in pictures and ask Rohit, the owner, to glimpse that special baby photo of Farrokh Bulsara, (Freddie Mercury) who was born in Stone Town in 1946. <h4></h4>iStock.com/asmithers 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/tanzania/food-and-festivals-tanzaniaDiscover the foods and festivals that Tanzania is famous for; from spice farms and savory Swahili food to soul-stirring cultural events.2018-03-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/tanzania/food-and-festivals-tanzaniahttps://www.worldnomads.comWith more than 120 ethnic groups in 31 regions, Swahili is the lingua-franca of Tanzania, a country which takes immense pride in its food and cultural traditions. <ul> <li><a href="#coffee">Coffee and Spices</a></li> <li><a href="#savory">Savory Swahili Food</a></li> <li><a href="#festival">Festival Fever</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="coffee">The Aromatic Wonder of Coffee and Spices</h2> Tanzania runs on <g class="gr_ gr_54 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="54" data-gr-id="54">kahawa</g> (coffee in Swahili). As the nation’s largest export crop, it’s always brewing at bus stations, cafes and on street corners. Don’t hesitate to sit with locals and sip the strong black coffee which is served in small porcelain cups. Union Cafe in Moshi serves up fresh coffee grown by the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union, a collective of small-share farmers. Coffee curious? Book a walking tour through Chagga country, on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro with Kahawa Shambani Coffee Tours, and learn about coffee production from seed to simmer. Follow your nose to the so-called spice islands of Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of mainland Tanzania. An array of alluring spices and herbs, appreciated for their culinary and medicinal value, awaits. Take an intoxicating walk through Kidichi Spice Farms and wander through the ruins of the nearby royal Persian Baths, which date back to the 1850s. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/vegetable-market-zanzibar-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption>Vegetable market in Zanzibar. Photo credit: iStock.com/borchee</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="savory">Savory Swahili Food</h2> Dig your hand into a steamy heap of ugali (cornflour) before dipping it into <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="52" data-gr-id="52">mchuzi</g> <g class="gr_ gr_50 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="50" data-gr-id="50">wa</g> rosti ya <g class="gr_ gr_51 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="51" data-gr-id="51">maini</g> (roasted liver stew). Eating the ubiquitous staple, that keeps East African bellies full, feels like a warm hug. Tanzanians fiercely debate the best <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="61" data-gr-id="61">nyama</g> <g class="gr_ gr_60 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="60" data-gr-id="60">choma</g> (grilled meat); goat, cow, or chicken – the secret is in the pili-pili (hot sauce). Find out more at the quarterly Nyama Choma Festival, a celebration of barbecuing, held in Dar es Salaam. In October, the Stone Town Food Festival, in Zanzibar’s UNESCO World Heritage city, features the best of Swahili coastal food in a celebration of food and culture. While in the islands, don’t miss culinary classics including <g class="gr_ gr_55 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="55" data-gr-id="55">mzuchi</g> <g class="gr_ gr_56 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="56" data-gr-id="56">wa</g> <g class="gr_ gr_57 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="57" data-gr-id="57">pweza</g> (octopus stewed in coconut sauce), cardamom-infused, vitamin-rich <g class="gr_ gr_58 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="58" data-gr-id="58">kisamvu</g> (cassava leaves), and <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="59" data-gr-id="59">urojo</g>, a bowl of crispy, fried goodness served with a tangy mango broth and spicy coconut chutney. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/africa/women-fishing-zanzibar-istock.jpg" /> <figcaption>Women fishing in Zanzibar. Photo credit: iStock.com/Nicole Moraira</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="festival">Festival Fever: Mwaka Kogwa to Sauti za Busara</h2> Tanzania is home to many festivals to stir the soul. In Zanzibar, there are many festivals including Sauti za Busara (Voices of Wisdom) which bring thousands of visitors to Stone Town every February for four days of live African music. In July, the Zanzibar International Film Festival screens compelling films and holds workshops celebrating African filmmakers. July's Mwaka Kogwa (Year’s Cleanse), is a traditional Persian new year celebration held in the rural village of Makunduchi, Zanzibar. With communal ritual battles and a hut-burning, this festival dates back to Shirazi settlers who arrived on Zanzibar’s shores in the 10th century. On the mainland, head to Bagamoyo, home of the Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Institute, an hour north of Dar es Salaam. Soulful Bagamoyo hosts the Bagamoyo Festival of Arts and Culture every September, and the Karibu Music Festival held every November. In Dar es Salaam, the Nafasi Art Space hosts <g class="gr_ gr_53 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="53" data-gr-id="53">Wikiendi</g> Live, a series highlighting traditional beats and fusion is held bi-monthly at the sprawling art space. Check out MUDA Africa, in residence at Nafasi, presenting Time 2 Dance, a once-a-year contemporary dance festival. <h4>Want to find out more about Tanzania? Listen to the World Nomads <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/africa/tanzania/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-14-tanzania">podcast</a>. Hear about the wildebeest migration, rated as one of the world's most spectacular natural events, what it means to smell popcorn on safari, and traveling with a disability.</h4>iStock.com/EirikE 0