Exploring the Beautiful Sites of Zanzibar

Let's hear from our amazing Year 8 students as they tell us all about their adventures in Zanzibar!

Prison Island (by Joan N and Emily):

We had a fun time at Prison Island. We saw some tortoises, some peacocks, and explored the rooms where the slaves were once kept. We also witnessed the cliff where slaves were pushed off for treason. A fascinating fact we learned was that the oldest tortoise on the island is 197 years old! Additionally, the name of the island originated from the prison established there in 1860 for rebellious slaves.

Spice Tour (by Joan G and Baylor):

During our spice tour, we had the pleasure of seeing and tasting various fruits and spices. Among the fruits, we encountered sour cucumber, star fruit, jackfruit, and coconut. As for spices, we observed cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, turmeric, and vanilla. An interesting highlight was the local lipstick fruit, which is sometimes used as lipstick. Furthermore, we discovered that lemongrass served as a natural mosquito repellent. We also saw how vanilla is grown and saw Arabica coffee.

Forodhani Gardens (by Nathaniel, Nadia C, Johnson):

Our visit to Forodhani Gardens was a fun culinary adventure. We indulged in different cuisines such as shawarma, squid, bass, octopus, catfish, chips, ice cream, and more. It was exciting to watch Forodhani divers perform their diving skills from 6 pm to 6:30 pm. We have so much fun enjoying the food and entertainment.

Kuza Caves (by Daniel and Jeriel):

Kuza Caves is a stunning attraction located on the Southern coast of Zanzibar. It’s a unique cave that features a natural pool of crystal clear water, surrounded by a lush jungle. There we enjoyed delicious food and a live music performance from local musicians. We also had a peaceful swimming session in the caves.

Butterfly Centre (by Hafsa and Jasper):

At the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre, we got to chase around and play with butterflies. We were shown the cocoons and caterpillars before they turned into butterflies. It was interesting to learn that butterflies have a short lifespan of around four weeks. We were also amazed to discover that the shining cocoon was a defence mechanism against predators.

Dhow Countries Music Academy (by Jin and Lily):

Visiting the Dhow Countries Music Academy was a wonderful opportunity to explore the traditional music of Zanzibar. We had the pleasure of playing various instruments like the accordion, qanun, and violin, while learning about the unique sounds and techniques of Zanzibar's traditional music. A fun fact we discovered was that the music they play is called Taarab.

Slave Market (by Kristien and Lara):

Our visit to the Slave Market was a moving experience. We witnessed a statue representing slaves from diverse backgrounds. The statues portrayed slaved bound with chains, a technique the slaves masters used to ensure the slaves could not communicate freely with other salves or plan an escape. We also got to see and enter the chambers that the slaves were held in after being captured. It was a poignant reminder of the historical struggles faced by many.

Jozani Forest (by Farhan):

We walked in and out of Jozani forest to see different sights. We were fortunate to encounter the red-colored monkeys that are unique to Zanzibar. Additionally, we saw the mangroves. A interesting thing we learned was that during the full moon, the water covers the mangrove trees, and fish leave their eggs on the branches.

Article by Jesha Kihampa