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Zanzibar
This summer I'll fly to Dar es Salaam for a trip through Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. I'm considering a short side trip to Zanzibar, as I heard good things about it. However, I'm a bit in doubt about it because I'm not the beach type of person and Zanzibar seems rather geared towards that kind of tourism. - Do you think a trip to Zanzibar would be worth it? - Any recommendations on accomodations in Stone Town? I'm looking for not too expensive accomodations. As long as it's clean and safe I'm happy with it. - What's the best way to get to it from DAR? I've read about regular and fast ferries, but cannot find out prices and timetables. I know Precision Air also flies to it (short flight - only 20 minutes) but cannot find price quotes on their web site. Thanks a lot. Regards, David |
#2
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In message 01c51c54$ea2bd960$9600000a@mijn-computer
"David Eerdmans" wrote: This summer I'll fly to Dar es Salaam for a trip through Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. I'm considering a short side trip to Zanzibar, as I heard good things about it. However, I'm a bit in doubt about it because I'm not the beach type of person and Zanzibar seems rather geared towards that kind of tourism. Not at all: there are lots of things you can do. - Do you think a trip to Zanzibar would be worth it? I really like Zanzibar, and have about a ten-minute max boredom threshold on a beach, but like anything, it depends what *you* like to do. Even wandering around Stone Town is interesting. You're advised not to wander the town at night, but we got lost...for about three hours! When we stayed out of town at Mbweni Ruins, they were very careful about our security: when we walked along the beach, one of their staff followed us 'at a discreet distance', and when we went to New Emerson's they took us in and picked us up again at a pre-arranged time. This was a few years back - apparently someone had been mugged a couple of weeks before. Some things you can do: Visit the Red Colobus monkeys at Jozani Forest. Go snorkelling (e.g. Chumbe Island) Spice tours. Slave Tour. Dinner at Emerson's and Greens ("New Emerson") for the experience - you book this through your hotel/accommodation, which seems strange, especially if the place you're staying offers dinners, but it seems quite standard, and I presume they get a commission. There's a big festival in the south which is supposed to be worth visiting if you're on the island at the right time (we were, but we couldn't get transport!) I found the Bradt Guide very useful. - Any recommendations on accomodations in Stone Town? I'm looking for not too expensive accomodations. As long as it's clean and safe I'm happy with it. I've heard good things about St Monica's Guesthouse. Some pix starting at: http://www.v-liz.com/safari/tanzania...bar/zanhom.htm Soneone else will have to help you with the specific current transport prices.... Slainte Liz -- Virtual Liz now at http://www.v-liz.com Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos "I speak of Africa and golden joys" |
#3
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On 26 Feb 2005 22:45:31 GMT, "David Eerdmans"
wrote: - Do you think a trip to Zanzibar would be worth it? - Any recommendations on accomodations in Stone Town? I'm looking for not too expensive accomodations. As long as it's clean and safe I'm happy with it. Zanzibar is definitely worth a trip, On our way back from the East Coast we were advised to try (and stayed at) the Garden Lodge in Vuga Street last year. It had just been refurbished and has nice airy rooms with antique furniture at what we though was a very reasonable (and negotiable--try it!) price. The rooftop restaurant was only serving breakfast then but may be up to evening meals now. Stone Town is much safer than it appears at first look, if you go, be sensible but relax and enjoy what it has to offer, it's a unique experience you may wish to repeat. - What's the best way to get to it from DAR? I've read about regular and fast ferries, but cannot find out prices and timetables. I know Precision Air also flies to it (short flight - only 20 minutes) but cannot find price quotes on their web site. Zanair and Coastal also fly to Znz, Coastal have a website which allows you to check times etc though I expect their online booking to be not working still! If you email them they'll be really helpful. Expect to pay around $55 one way. Enjoy Zanzibar. -- .--~~,__ :-....,-------`~~'._.' Th*s s*g *s s*ff*r*ng fr*m *rr*t*bl* v*w*l syndr*m* `-,,, ,_ ;'~U' _,-' ,'`-__; '--. (_/'~~ ''''(; |
#4
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On 26 Feb 2005 22:45:31 GMT, "David Eerdmans"
wrote: - Do you think a trip to Zanzibar would be worth it? - Any recommendations on accomodations in Stone Town? I'm looking for not too expensive accomodations. As long as it's clean and safe I'm happy with it. Zanzibar is definitely worth a trip, On our way back from the East Coast we were advised to try (and stayed at) the Garden Lodge in Vuga Street last year. It had just been refurbished and has nice airy rooms with antique furniture at what we though was a very reasonable (and negotiable--try it!) price. The rooftop restaurant was only serving breakfast then but may be up to evening meals now. Stone Town is much safer than it appears at first look, if you go, be sensible but relax and enjoy what it has to offer, it's a unique experience you may wish to repeat. - What's the best way to get to it from DAR? I've read about regular and fast ferries, but cannot find out prices and timetables. I know Precision Air also flies to it (short flight - only 20 minutes) but cannot find price quotes on their web site. Zanair and Coastal also fly to Znz, Coastal have a website which allows you to check times etc though I expect their online booking to be not working still! If you email them they'll be really helpful. Expect to pay around $55 one way. Enjoy Zanzibar. -- .--~~,__ :-....,-------`~~'._.' Th*s s*g *s s*ff*r*ng fr*m *rr*t*bl* v*w*l syndr*m* `-,,, ,_ ;'~U' _,-' ,'`-__; '--. (_/'~~ ''''(; |
#5
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As a previous writer commented, it depends on what you like to do. I have
been there twice, so going back speaks for itself. I like it very much. The most interesting thing is the Arab influence. The combination of Arabic and African is interesting. I think you also find it in Dar but I never spent much time there, so I'm not so sure. www.allaboutzanzibar.com is a good resource. A stay at Emerson & Green encapsulates nicely what I hoped to discover. A meal at their top floor restaurant is a must. I never went to the south og the island where one can swim with dolphins. Another argument for me to go back. I am not connected to allaboutzanibar.com in any way. I used them for my travels and they did an excellent job. They deserve some free advertisement. "David Eerdmans" wrote in message news:01c51c54$ea2bd960$9600000a@mijn-computer... This summer I'll fly to Dar es Salaam for a trip through Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. I'm considering a short side trip to Zanzibar, as I heard good things about it. However, I'm a bit in doubt about it because I'm not the beach type of person and Zanzibar seems rather geared towards that kind of tourism. - Do you think a trip to Zanzibar would be worth it? - Any recommendations on accomodations in Stone Town? I'm looking for not too expensive accomodations. As long as it's clean and safe I'm happy with it. - What's the best way to get to it from DAR? I've read about regular and fast ferries, but cannot find out prices and timetables. I know Precision Air also flies to it (short flight - only 20 minutes) but cannot find price quotes on their web site. Thanks a lot. Regards, David |
#6
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"David Eerdmans" wrote:
This summer I'll fly to Dar es Salaam for a trip through Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. I'm considering a short side trip to Zanzibar, as I heard good things about it. Hi David, I have just come back (last night) from Zanzibar, where I have spent the last 4 days of my Tanzanian journey and I can definitely say it is worth the trip. As for the transportation from Dar-Es-Salaam, we went by ferry boat. It takes about two hours and costs $ 35 one way for a second class seat and $ 40 for a first class one (which just means you're going to seat in the upper deck). On the island you can get almost everywhere by dala dala (sort of collective taxi) which are quite cheap and give you the opportunity to spend some time with local people which is, in my opinion, the best part of every journey. Stonetown is quite safe. We walked all day through the narrow "Suq-style" streets and had a delicious lunch at a restaurant called Monsoon. If you need any further information, do not hesitate to ask! Have a good journey! Francesca |
#7
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My wife and I also wish to visit Zanzibar, but how long we might stay is
something we cant decide on. We enjoy a bit of night life, sidewalk bars and cold beer in the afternoon...I have no idea how the issu of alcohol may be treated in Zanzibar as it seems to have a large Islamic. Reni and Elliot. |
#8
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Sorry...I meant "A large Islamic culture which may prohibit or restrict
the sale of alcoholic beverages." |
#9
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