Zanzibar, Tanzania

The exotic-sounding island of Zanzibar lies off the coast of Tanzania. Travelers have ventured here for centuries—the ancient Egyptians were drawn to the island's rich supply of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. Modern travelers are attracted by all of Zanzibar's other marvels, such as the timeless dhow boats bobbing in the harbor, the maze of winding streets and its shops, bazaars and mosques, and the antics of the rare red Colubus Monkey.

Some claim the vast expanses of mainland Tanzania are the cradle of man. It was near Olduvai Gorge that Mary Leakey first discovered the human-like footprints of a four-million-year-old primate. Even today, mainland Tanzania remains relatively deserted, with nearly a quarter of its territory is reserved for game parks.