Seasonal winds on the Indian Ocean provided opportunity for ancient sailors to move from port to port.
Indian Ocean Trade Networks in the New Testament World
A network of tradings zones in the Indian Ocean developed between 300 BC and AD 300. This network not only generated awareness of the larger world in the NT period, but introduced luxury goods to those who could afford them. Check out the video below!
The Ngalawa: Zanzibar’s Ancient Mango-Wood Workboat
A traditional Zanzibari Ngalawa outrigger boat resting on the sand at low tide, East Coast Zanzibar.
It’s currently low tide on the east coast of Zanzibar, and this traditional craft isn't going anywhere soon.
This is a Ngalawa (also spelled Nagalawah), the quintessential workboat of the East Indian Ocean. Its design tradition is a living history, stretching back over a thousand years.
Crafting a Legend:
The Hull: This specific boat is seven years old, meticulously hewn from a single mango tree trunk.
The Build: While the hull is a solid piece of fruitwood, the frame is a rugged hybrid of eucalyptus and mangrove poles, lashed together with durable nylon rope.
Family Heritage: Hand-built by the owner’s father, this Ngalawa represents a generational skill passed down through Zanzibari families.
A Thousand Years of Design
The Ngalawa is distinguished by its dual outriggers, which provide stability in the turquoise waters of the Tanzanian archipelago. It remains the primary vessel for local fishermen, proving that some designs are so perfect they don't need to change for a millennium.
Plan Your 2027 Adventure
Want to walk the white sands of Zanzibar and see these historic vessels up close? Maybe go for a sail?
2026 Status: All seats are officially SOLD OUT.
2027 Waitlist: We are now scouting for our next expedition. Email us here to get on the priority list for 2027 updates!
Where the safari started
Our flight into Zanzibar settled on the runway after midnight. I looked out the window. It was dark and soft like the inside of a smudge pot and there was little to see except the flashes of the ground crew. A tug swung around. Its lamps illuminated palm fronds just beyond the pavement. Dense vegetation completed the backdrop.