4 Days Unearthing the Slave Routes of Zanzibar

4 Days Unearthing the Slave Routes of Zanzibar

See the historical sites of Zanzibar’s slave trading past. Visit Dhow Harbor in Malindi, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. See the house of a notorious Arab slave trader - Tippu Tip and the site of the Old Slave Market/Anglican Cathedral, visit Mbweni Ruins, formerly a school for freed slave girls, Visit Dr. David Livingstone's House, Maruhubi Ruins and the last stop is at Mangapwani Slave Chamber where slaves were kept waiting for monsoon winded boats to fetch them and to be exiled.The larger cave also used to house slaves is still being used today as a source of fresh water for local villages. This tour highlights not only the depth of human misery but also the strength of endurance as these poor souls were trapped against their in horrendous heat and conditions awaiting transfer to foreign parts of the world.

Day 1: Check-In

On arrival at the airport or harbor, you will be met and transferred to Mizingani Seafront Hotel located in the heart of Stone Town. You will have an overnight stay at the hotel on Bed and Breakfast basis (BB).

Day 2: Stone Town City - Livingstone’s House - Mbweni Ruins

The excursion begins in Malindi, at the Dhow Harbor, where slave ships brought their human cargo from Bagamoyo to Zanzibar. Next you’ll visit the house of Tippu Tip, the notorious Arab slave trader. Tippu Tip's House is a historical building in Stone Town, Zanzibar, located in Suicide Alley in the Shangani ward near the Africa House Hotel and Serena Inn, about 15–25 minute walking time from the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. It is the house where the powerful merchant and slave trader Tippu Tip lived whose real name was Hamad bin Muhammad bin Juma bin Rajab el Murjebi. The building was a private residence until the Zanzibar Revolution, and was later converted into a block of flats. Despite being a tourist attraction, it is not formally open to visitors and it is in such a state of decay that it has been described as "the most magnificent squat in all of Africa". The large decorated carved wooden door, as well as the black and white marble steps, still testify the great wealth of the historical owner of the house. We continue on to the site of the The Anglican Cathedral built in 1874. The cathedral signifies a potent time in Zanzibar’s history and stands on the sight of a past slave market, its high alter standing on the exact site of the whipping post. Slavery was abolished in 1873 through a decree passed by the then sultan of Zanzibar.

Next you’ll heading to Visit the house of the good slaves friend Dr. David Livingstone who campaigned for the abolition of slavery which marked its end in 1873. Livingstone’s House was built around 1860 for Sultan Majid, and was used by many of the missionaries and explorers as a starting point. Most notably, Dr David Livingstone lived here before commencing his last journey to the mainland interior. You’ll be then driven to Mbweni to visit Mbweni Ruins - 5km south of Zanzibar Town, formerly a school for freed slave girls. Mbweni Ruins was a Universities Mission to Central Africa (UMCA) base and settlement for former slaves in the 19th century. The ruins of St Mary’s School for Girls, built by missionaries for girls freed from slave ships, is now set amid the lush gardens of Mbweni Ruins Hotel. After tours, you will be dropped off at Mizingani Seafront Hotel for overnight (BB).

Day 3: Prison Island - Maruhubi Ruins - Mangapwani Slave Chamber

Morning after breakfast pick-up from Mizingani Seafront Hotel for a boat ride to Prison Island, the former prison for slaves and quarantine station for Zanzibar, is an absolute worthwhile experience. In 1893 Lloyd Mathews built the prison. The prison idea was to send violent criminals from the Tanganyika mainland to the Prison Island. The Prison Island ended up being used as a quarantine center, instead of a prison, for yellow fever epidemics that once raged through the region. the Island is a home of Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Flanged by an amazing beach of reef sanctuary.

Next you’ll heading to Visit the Visit Maruhubi Ruins where 99 necked enslaved women were entertaining the Arab Sultan of Zanzibar (1870-1888) in the luxurious palace. The last stop is at Mangapwani Slave Chamber where slaves were kept waiting for monsoon winded boats to fetch them and to be exiled. Mangapwani Slave Chambers built by Mohammed Bin Nassor Al-Alwi around 1880 from the cave and connected to the seaside 2kms away. It was an important transit point for the captured slaves to be sold to the outside world at the time of the abolishment of slavery in 1873 especial in the middle East. Between 1880-1905, the Slave chamber was being used as a place of concealment of the human cargo pending their disposal. A utilized as the hideout by the Arabs for their human cargo ready for shipment. After tours, you will be dropped off at Mizingani Seafront Hotel for overnight (BB).

Day 4: Check-Out

Breakfast at the Hotel – Some leisure with the Hotel till the time for the transfer to the Airport for the departure transfer (Time will depend on the flight departure timing).