Stone Town & Historical Tours Free & Low-cost Activities

Zanzibar National Archives Visit

Browse centuries of Arabic manuscripts and colonial records at Zanzibar's own national archive.

Area: Zanzibar City
Duration: 45 minutes
Group size: 1–10
Activity level: easy
Private / shared: Shared
Swimming required: No

A 20–30 minute walk south of Stone Town's center, in the Kilimani district, the Zanzibar National Archives holds a genuinely rare collection: 17th-century Arabic manuscripts from the Omani era, British colonial protectorate records, and papers from the European expeditions that set out from Zanzibar in the 19th century. Most of the building serves researchers in a dedicated search room, but there is a public exhibition room where a curated selection of these documents, along with old stamps, newspapers, maps and photographs, is on display.

This is a quiet, specialist stop compared to Stone Town's major museums, rewarding visitors with a genuine interest in Zanzibar's documentary history.

The archives keep set weekday hours and are not geared toward drop-in group tours.

Highlights

17th-century Arabic manuscripts
British colonial protectorate records
19th-century European expedition papers
Dedicated public exhibition room

What is typically included

Exhibition room access

What is typically excluded

Research-room/manuscript access (requires separate researcher registration and fee)

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for the walk from Stone Town

Meeting point / pickup

Zanzibar National Archives building, Kilimani, Zanzibar City

Best time of year

Year-round; weekdays only

Environmental guidance

No flash photography near manuscripts

Cancellation

Cancellation terms are set by each provider and shown at booking. No cancellation policy is guaranteed by this page.

This page is an original Zanzibar.today description, researched from public and provider-supplied information. It is not copied from any single operator's marketing material.