THE ROAD TO ZANZIBAR


Local flavor takes an exotic turn in Zanzibar, where fragrant spices combine with scenic beauty to make heads turn and mouths water.


THE SPICE OF LIFE An Omani sultan first introduced cloves to Zanzibar in the 1800s, after falling in love with the lush tropical islands and moving his court and palaces there. By 1860, the archipelago was the largest producer of cloves in the world when, it was said, sailors were greeted by its scent on the wind as they sailed into port. Soon, other spices, including cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, saffron, nutmeg and vanilla, added more flavor to the mix, and Zanzibar became known as the Spice Islands. A guided walk reveals the source for many popular spices as your local host digs up roots, opens nuts and scrapes bark fragrant with familiar aromas.


BY THE SEA The Swahili Coast has attracted sailors since 600 BC, and fast became a stop-off port for all of the great naval forces in the Eastern Hemisphere. But it was the Arabs who really made their mark in the Zanzibar archipelago. Traditional Arabian boats called dhows, characteristic lateen sails unfurled, dominated the Indian Ocean for two millennia, plying the water for fish and carrying all manner of goods onboard for trading, including mangrove poles, ivory, fabrics, whole cloves, and slaves.


The warm clear waters of the Indian Ocean are home to a dizzying array of tropical fish who feed among its coral gardens. A cruise to a lovely beach gives you the opportunity to spot dolphins and swim and snorkel near the stunning coral reefs.


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The locals will introduce you to some of their skills and traditions


one of the best places on the African continent to find prides of lions. Following lunch and time spent at leisure at the lodge midday, head off on another afternoon game drive before dinner and local entertainment at the lodge this evening. Meals BLD


6. KIRAWIRA TENTED CAMP Looking for wildlife as you go, travel to the Western Serengeti for a two-night stay at the luxurious Kirawira Tented Camp – styled after the hunting camps of the Edwardian era. Arrive in time for lunch, then this afternoon’s game drive with your experienced guide explores the open, undisturbed plains of the Serengeti for exclusive wildlife encounters. Be sure to capture the moment with your camera or sketchbook. Meals BLD


7. WESTERN SERENGETI SAFARI GAME DRIVES Awaken to glorious vistas of the plains from your classic Kirawira safari tent. Embark on an early morning drive into the bush to witness Africa’s circle of life firsthand. Return to camp for lunch, relaxation and reflection before heading out on another Serengeti game drive in the late afternoon. Meals BLD


8. THE SPICE OF LIFE IN ZANZIBAR Wake up early for a final morning game drive, before flying to the archipelago of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, a land of spices, exotic wildlife, and white sand beaches, for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, set off with a local guide on a walking “spice” tour of Stone Town, in the main port of Zanzibar City; you’ll learn where spices come from as your guide reveals aromatic secrets hidden in nuts, roots and bark. Meals BL


9. A DHOW ON THE INDIAN OCEAN Dhows – handcrafted sailboats – have plied the archipelago waters for millennia, trading and fishing from one island port to


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