The Spicy Tale of a Persian Palace and Baths (Maruhubi Palace Ruins & Spice Farm Tour) – Half Day Tour

Experience the unique flavors of Zanzibar during this spice tour through the scenic green countryside with plantations.

Did you know there was a time when the archipelago of Zanzibar produced 90% of the entire world’s Karafuu supply? Karafuu or cloves as we know it were introduced in 1818, and the combination of rich soil and warm climate saw a vast amount of plantations develop. In fact up to 45 known plantations were recorded at the death of the Sultan. It didn’t take long before other spices such as cumin, ginger, pepper, cinnamon and cardamom and many others to be cultivated.

Departing from the hotel you can either start with a visit to Dr. Livingstone’s House, a renowned 19th century British explorer; see where he lodged, replicas of some of his equipment, and learn the insights of his life in Zanzibar. If the trip starts from beach hotels, you will visit Dr. Livingstone’s house at the end of the tour. While planning your explorations into the interior, you will visit Maruhubi Palace built as a harem and later destroyed by fire.

Thereafter proceed to the countryside, where we offer the first time visitor a look at and taste of the spices grown mostly in off-road regions – welcome to the Spice Islands! We will stop in a green area where samples of spice plants are available for you to smell, taste, touch and see.

The great variety of spices and plants grown here are used in food flavoring and preparation, cosmetics, dyes and traditional medicines. A local boy climbs up a tall coconut tree while you are walking through the spice area and will serenade you with a school song as he uses his legs to shimmy back down the swaying palm. It is possible depending upon the season to sample some of the edible fruits. Spice packets are
available for sale on the rustic tables set up whenever visitors are spotted.

After this experience, you will end up with a visit to the Persian baths at Kidichi, built by the first Sultan for his Persian wife, before returning back to your hotel.

Highlights

• Visit of Dr. Livingstone House
• Maruhubi Ruins, built by Sultan Barghash
• Walking in the spice and clove plantations
• Visit Spice farms, and taste fruits in season
• Persian baths at Kidichi built in 1850 by the first Sultan of Zanzibar.

Includes

• Return transfers to and from your hotel
• Entrance fee where applicable
• Knowledgeable tour guide
• Bottle of mineral drinking water per person

Excludes 

• Any items of personal natural
• Lunch
• Tips

Advisable 

• Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toe shoes; which they won’t mind getting dirty, as this tour involves 1 hour of walking along paths that can be muddy, especially in the rainy season.