There is a very good reason why Zanzibar is nicknamed the Spice Islands as spice tourism is a popular activity in Zanzibar, where visitors have the opportunity to explore the island’s rich spice heritage by visiting spice farms. These tours offer an immersive experience into the cultivation, harvesting, and traditional uses of spices that have been integral to Zanzibari culture for centuries.
It would be hard for the locals to say that a spice is worth its weight in gold, as they have only ever seen cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon being purchased in small quantities. Around 1818, the Omani Sultan Said moved his court to Zanzibar and initiated a clove plantation scheme, his determination made it possible for Zanzibar to become the world’s largest clove producer. Other spices were introduced in an attempt to provide competition for the in-demand cloves; unfortunately, due to the easiness and cheapness of the production of cloves, Zanzibar’s economy became dependent on this one commodity. Although this had negative effects, it has left a positive influence on today’s Tanzania. As clove prices decreased in the 1970s, Zanzibar turned to tourism as a clove substitute, as much of the revenue earned from tourism goes back into the community and lesser economic known crops are farmed for home consumption, this has reduced economic dependency on a single crop and allowed continued growth and diversity. Industry and crafts have also been greatly influenced by spices, creating unique woodcarvings, furniture, and fabrics to name a few. Traditional medicine uses spices for healing rituals and health care, of which many are still part of Zanzibar culture today. A Zanzibar without spices would no longer be the unique, diverse, and culturally rich island that it is today. To gain an understanding of the sheer abundance of Zanzibar spices, a visit to the spice farms is a must. Various travel companies can arrange guided tours which are informative and good value for money. These companies work in conjunction with specific spice farms and use local guides for an authentic experience. Visitors are shown around the farms and are informed about the different plant varieties, the farming methods, and uses of the spices in both industry and Zanzibar culture. This is an eye-opening experience; many spices do not resemble the common household form, and it may only be when seen in its natural state that one would be able to identify it. A good example of this being the clove, visitors are shown unopened flowers which surround a small yet high-value immature clove. Tour goers are often encouraged to see, touch, and smell the spice plants and may even have a go at spice picking; for males, this generally means weaving a hat out of coconut leaves!
During spice farm tours in Zanzibar, visitors are guided through lush plantations where a variety of spices are grown, including cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and black pepper. Knowledgeable guides educate visitors about the cultivation techniques, harvesting processes, and medicinal properties of each spice.
Visitors also have the chance to engage their senses by smelling and tasting the fresh spices straight from the plants. Guides often demonstrate how spices are processed and prepared for culinary use, providing insights into traditional Zanzibari cooking methods and recipes.
In addition to spices, many farms also cultivate tropical fruits such as mangoes, papayas, bananas, and pineapples. Visitors may have the opportunity to sample these fruits while exploring the farm.
Spice farm tours in Zanzibar offer a cultural and educational experience that highlights the island’s historical significance as a major spice trading hub in the Indian Ocean. They provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Zanzibar’s agricultural heritage and its influence on local cuisine and culture.
Famous Spice Farms
As the number of tourists visiting Zanzibar has increased, a number of the island’s larger estates have started to develop spice tours in order to increase their revenue. There are around four main commercial spice farms on the island that provide tours to visitors and several smaller organic farms which are often included in tours of the East Coast. The tourist office has a brochure listing the larger ones. All the tours are relatively similar and usually last around two hours. Visitors are shown around the farm by a well-informed guide who will explain to them the uses of each spice. They will also get a chance to touch, smell, and taste various different spices and tropical fruits. It is also quite common for tourists to be hassled on the beaches or in the street by touts trying to sell them a spice tour. These can be quite hit and miss, and it’s usually best to head to a farm and organize a tour directly. It is perfectly feasible to hire a bike and cycle to one of the farms. The journey there will often take you through some beautiful forested areas and along stunning stretches of deserted beach. A spice tour is a great way to see the countryside and learn more about the island’s primary industry. It is sensible to take a good quality insect repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers to the tour as the farms are often very hot and have a lot of mosquitoes.
Guided Tours and Experiences
The most educational way to see the spices is with a guided tour around a spice farm. There are several reputable companies which run guided tours of working spice farms. There are two-hour guided tours that will walk you through a working spice farm and spice tours which is an independent, government-approved guide who will show you around a farm they are familiar with. The most popular tour is the two-hour guided tour though the farm which is offered at many of the large hotels. These tours tend to be overpriced and the tour over scripted and less interesting. The best way to delve right into the soul of Zanzibar’s smaller spice farms is with an independent spice tour guide. A private guide is the most expensive option but it’s worth the money as you will get a far more personalized experience and a better opportunity to ask the questions you want and to go at your own pace. Whichever way you choose to take a tour, a good guide will open your eyes to the fruits, vegetables, and spices that are probably growing in your garden back home. You will be introduced to a whole host of spices and medicinally healing plants that the farm workers use on a daily basis. Cardamom, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Curry leaves, Lemongrass, Cloves, Mirungi, and Black Pepper to name but a few. Your guide will describe how they are grown, their properties, and their uses in food and alternative medicine. If you are lucky, you may get to try fresh seasonal fruits and coconut juice. Guides are generally informative and happy to answer any questions as well as breaking plant leaves, roots, and stems to let you see, smell, and taste the various spices. It’s probably wise to wear old clothes for a guided spice tour, you might get to play a leafy bushman game. Enekekwe! (Which means “let’s see who can stick the other in the back with a piece of grass!” in Swahili). A curiosity in insects, the romantic and bird watchers might like to know that many of the tours also touch on the subject of local wildlife and their uses in Zanzibar.