Stone Town Morning Walk Through History, Markets, and Rooftops
Stone Town 4 Hours - 8 AM to 12 PM morning tour.
I pick you up at 8:00 AM from your hotel lobby. Morning is the best time - cool, markets are fresh, and there are no crowds.
8:00 - 8:30 AM Pickup & Old Fort:
I pick you up in an AC car with the sign THE MONSOON and drive to Forodhani Gardens. Visit the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), dating from 1698, and learn about its Portuguese and Omani history.
House of Wonders & Forodhani:
See Beit Al Ajaib, built in 1883 and known as the first building in East Africa to have electricity. Hear its history from outside, then continue to Forodhani Gardens, where I show you the site of the evening seafood market. In the morning, fishermen bring in their catch.
Slave Market & Cathedral:
Visit the former slave market and learn about this dark history. Around 15,000 slaves passed through here yearly. See the cathedral, built in 1873 on the site of the whipping post, and the underground chambers where 50 people were kept in a small room.
Darajani Market & Spice Streets:
The morning market is fresh - fish still jumping and fruits freshly displayed. I show you the real market atmosphere. Taste cloves, vanilla, and cardamom for free at my friend's shop, and try Zanzibar coffee.
Freddie Mercury House:
See the house where Freddie Mercury was born in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara. Then walk through the narrow streets, where you will find 50 mosques and carved doors that are 200 years old, decorated with brass spikes.
Rooftop Panorama:
Visit my favorite rooftop - Emerson Spice or Africa House - for views over Stone Town and the ocean. Tea or coffee is optional for $3. Alternatively, visit the Old Dispensary, built in 1894, to admire its Indian architecture.
Shopping time:
You will have a chance to do some shopping, so please bring cash if you would like to shop.
Around 12:00 PM, end of our tour.
