The Best of Zanzibar Program

A typical schedule of the Best of Zanzibar  Program is as follows:  

Day 1: Arrival: Meet and Greet at the airport at Zanzibar Airport – transfer to the hotel or host home for overnight. Day 2: In-Country Orientation in the morning, Introduction to Zaznzibar culture, do's and dont's. Afternoon: Stone Town Tour: Guided tour of the city of Zanzibar featuring the old town of Zanzibar, fondly known as Stone Town. The tour is covered mainly on foot, providing the guests the opportunity to stroll through the narrow winding labyrinth alleys and behold uniquely carved Arab doors with brass studs, carved balconies; the House of Wonders; the Palace Museum (People's Palace); Dr Livingstone's House; cathedrals and countless mosques; and Zanzibar's bustling market. Stone Town has excellent gifts shops with plenty of souvenirs handicrafts and splendid artifacts to choose from. Day 3-5: In the morning volunteers visit the project site, introduction to the needy and orphaned children and local projects staff; Volunteer work abroad begins and continues for two days. Weekends are free to explore the rich landscape of Zanzibar, travel to Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, take a ferry or boat to nearby Pangani, etc. Ask the program coordinator for advice. Day 7 - 13: Zanzibar, Pemba International Exploration Day 7: Guided tour of Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. Prison Island is an islet situated to the west of Zanzibar, about 20 minutes ride by motor boat. It measures about a half a mile long, and an eight of a mile wide. Changuu island was formerly used by slave owners as a private detention for disobedient slaves. It was later bought by General Matthews who constructed a jail on the Island, hence the name Prison Island But the prison was never put into use and still stands, abandoned. International volunteers and interns abroad will take a trip back in time by visiting the prison. The island is a famous tourist’s resort, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, relaxing or walking around to view the giant tortoises and beautiful peacocks. Africa volunteers in Zanzibar will be able to enjoy all these activities all part of the Jubilee Ventures Zanzibar Language program. Day 8: Tour the ruins of the Kidichi Persian baths. Then proceed to with a guided trip to the lush green spice farms and gardens of Zanzibar, Tanzania. View innumerable species of spices and tropical fruit trees, many of which have medicinal properties – they are still used by the local populace to cure certain maladies. Taste a variety of fruits ranging from the rose apple to the guava, savor different spices in their aromatic state, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, black pepper, you name it! You get to see rare plants used for their value in preparing cosmetics such as henna, lipstick tree, perfume tree and more. Day 9: Jozani Forest : Overseas volunteers and international interns will take a half day tour of this famous wetland forest, the only wetland remaining on Zanzibar island. The wetland is about 45 minutes drive from the city center. It is home to the only surviving members of the red Columbus monkey, an almost extinct species. A local guide will show visitors to small colonies of these unusual primates. The guide will also show the international volunteers, the delightful swamp in the middle of the wetland and small streams flowing into the ocean. There are lots of mangrove trees, alive with birds of the wetland ecosystem. Day 10: Dolphin explorations, Swimming, Snorkeling: International volunteers and interns abroad will have a full day tour on locally constructed sailing dhows, fitted with outboard motors, marine VHF radios, life jackets and other security requirements. The trip explores Menai bay a conservation area inhabited by humpback and bottlenose dolphins. Overseas interns and volunteers abroad can take the opportunity to do snorkeling. High quality snorkeling gear is provided. Lunch is provided for free as part of this trip and is served on a sand bank or on one of the many uninhabited island in the region. A traditional dish of barbecued fish, rice, lentils and fish curry is serves. After lunch overseas interns and volunteers abroad in the African city of Zanzibar can sail on an outrigger canoe carved out of a single mango tree, snorkel, swim or just relax. Interns and volunteers return to Fumba by sail, wind permitting, or by boat, then to the main island. Day 11-12: The Best of Pemba Island Day 11: Pemba Spice tour. Pemba is a spicy Island. This trip takes you to the clove plantations of Pemba Island, Zanzibar. International Volunteers and overseas interns in Zanzibar, Tanzania, will experience how the famous spice crop (cloves) is farmed. Zanzibar volunteers and interns abroad will then proceed to the oil distillery factory to examine how oil is extracted from the various plants to make spices and cosmetics. Day 12: Misali, Pemba Tour: Misali is the famous islet in the South west of Pemba, Tanzania. Misali is best known for calm and quiet snorkeling waters, expansive white sandy beaches excellent for sunbathing, fishing and Dolphin Recreation. International volunteers and overseas interns in Pemba will have time to participate in any of these activities. Zanzibar international explorer volunteers and interns will also take a tour of and marvel at the historical Pemba ruins and visit the biggest tomb and Mosque in the area. Day 13: Best of Zanzibar program evaluation in the morning, Afternoon is Free - End of the program. Day 14: Departure at leisure for those doing two weeks only. Those staying longer are introduced to the staff of the projects  they have selected and begin voluntary community service abroad or international internship work, in Zanzibar.  Please contact us to sign up for the jubileeventures.org Zanzibar international explorer program now.

The Best of Zanzibar International program’s minimum duration is two weeks. You can sign up for more than the minimum time - the rest of the time will be allocated to voluntary service work abroad or internship in Zanzibar.