Stone Town Tours:

Pearl Guest Houses welcomes you to take a stroll down old Stone Town of Zanzibar, where you can spend many idle hours roaming in the vast and excentric labrynth of narrow cobbled streets and alleys enriched with Zanzibar history engraved on every isle.

House Of Wonders ( Beit-el-Ajaib ):

Known as the Beit el-Ajaib or the house of wonders, was built around 1883 as ceremonial palace for the ruling sultan, ie. Sultan Barghash. This is one of the most prominent buildings in Zanzibar and East Africa,and one of the first to have electricity and electric elevator !
This building appearance brings a unique looks to Zanzibar and can be seen from a distant while approaching Zanzibar islands from several islands across the Indian ocean.

When first built, The House of Wonders didn't present such a stately appearance,however during the 1896 war that caused a heavy damage on the structure, The Sultan ordered and extensive repairs and moved the clock tower in the light house that was originally built in front of the Palace to incorporate into the Palace renovations. The result is a truly magnificent building which is now acts a symbol on almost every postcard and history books.

Zanzibar Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe):

The old Fort, situated on the waterfront of the Zanzibar Stone town next to the Bait-el-ajab (House of Wonders) was built around 1700 by Omani Arabs. This massive structure was a defence against the invading Purtugese seafarers. In the late 18th century, this fort was used as a prison mainly for the local as well as slaves. The Old fort underwent several changes in early 19th century after the slavery abolition, to become a railway depot for the line ran across the Zanzibar over a 7 mile stretch.

In the recent years, the Old fort had been used as tennis court, hosting East and Central Africa basketball tournaments and presently a centre of cultural performances and as film studios.
On July 10th 2005, The Old Fort, also known in Swahili as "Ngome Kongwe" hosted 8th International Film Festival.

Palace Museum ( Beit el-Sahal):

This palace, was the residence of the Sultan until 1964, at which point the degarity was overthrown. It is currently a museum showing the era of the rule of Sultans in Zanzibar. The Sultan's Palace also known as Peoples' palace was originally just a large rectangular building, in the 1870's an ornate 'Sultan's Pavilion' was added on the west side. This building housed more women than men and was therefore sometimes referred to as 'the Harem.'

The beauty and grandness of the building, its splendid view of the sea from the upper floors can only be experienced and has been well explained by Sayyida Salme (Emily Ruete),(1844-1924), Princess of Zanzibar and Oman.

Ancient Mosques:

Scattered all around the town, and all impressive and with a rich history, the oldest is the Msikiti wa Balnara ( Malindi Mosque), built in 1831. The city has over 80 mosques and several mosques date back to 17th and 18th century. The minerates of these mosques can be seen from a distance and present a peculiar view of the spectacular nature of the buildings.

One of the oldest mosque lies 3km northwest of Kizimkazi in a smaller settlement called Dimbani. This mosque is thought to be the oldest Islamic building on the Eastern Coast of Africa, having been originally constructed by the early Shirazi (Persian) settlers in the year AD1107. The Kufic inscriptions (in the floriate style), which can still be clearly seen to the left of the mirhab (front of the mosque).

Anglican Church of Christ:

Zanzibar was the hub of the slave trade in East Africa, until 1873 when it was abolished. The Anglican Church of Christ was built in 1887 on the main slave trade market to commemorate the end of slave Trade in East Africa.

The altar is built somewhat incongruously, directly over the site of the Slave Whipping Post, which was, in reality, a tree. Outside there is a somber monument to the memory of the countless number of slaves who passed through the islands' markets. The life-like stone statues of male and female slaves, attached with iron shackles and chains, stand in a pit symbolizing not only their inhumane incarceration but also depth of their despair. The church was the first Anglican Cathedral to be built in East Africa and is still in use today. Nothing remains of the Slave Market except beneath the nearby St. Monica's Hostel, are some underground chambers or holding cells, a small but terrible reminder of the dark side of humanity.

Zanzibar Museum:

Zanzibar Museum is located on the south west of the stone town. This museaum overlooks several large soccer(football) grounds known as Mnazi Mmoja.
Of the few outstanding landmarks on the island of Zanzibar, the museum is no doubt a remarkable structure. Very simple in construction yet very eye catching, the building was designed by a British architech and was opened as a Peace Memorial Museum on Armstice day. Today, the building still provides a shelter to a wealth of artifacts from Zanzibar's intruiging past.

Most of the exhibits in the museum are protected in glass showcases. They include David Livingstone's medical chest, a letter from Cairo written by J. Speke (dated 31 May 1863) and photos of the last page of Speke's testimony against Tippu Tip (1889).

Never miss a glance to the three live, Giant Aldabra Tortoises in the campus, brought from Changuu (Prison) island.

Are you ready for a memorable Zanzibar StoneTown Tour? Contact Us and see what Zanzibar has to offer you !