Best Attractions - Zanzibar
Zanzibar Island & the Coast
Unwind after your safari and indulge your senses in the tropical paradise of Zanzibar! The main island of Zanzibar (known as Ungunja) and the surrounding islands and atolls of the archipelago are enchanting for their unspoiled tropical beauty, unique cultural richness, and culinary delights. The glorious abundance of unique sea life in the perpetually warm, turquoise Indian Ocean make this destination a diver’s paradise as well. Zanzibar is a romantic oasis full of mystique. Historically, it has been a center of commerce, international diplomacy, a beacon of learning, and a vestibule into Africa for the rest of the world, an island where merchants, traders, missionaries, and explorers dealing in spices and ivory, princes and slaves have visited over the past several centuries. Today, the history of Zanzibar is vibrantly alive in the form of traditional sailing vessels (dhows), carved wooden doors, the narrow, maze-like alleyways between coral stone houses, the scent of lemongrass and cloves, and the smile of the hospitable Zanzibari Swahili people who welcome you to the “Spice Island”. Romance abounds here, as well, in the miles of white sand beaches, stunning accommodations, and sensory pleasures.
Best Attractions - Zanzibar
Zanzibar Attractions
Mnemba Atoll is perhaps the most famous conservation area most coveted diving spots in Zanzibar. Mnemba, consisting of seven by four kilometers of reef, is well-known for encounters with green turtles and common dolphins, its wide variety of corals and associated species. Visibility in Mnemba is usually great, with an average of 10 to 30 meters. Divers should make sure to include a trip to Mnemba on their itinerary.
Another diver’s paradise, Pemba is a quiet, sleepy island with an off-the-grid feel. Historic fishing villages and banana and coconut plantations sparsely pepper the miles of undeveloped, sublime coastline. On the west coast of the island, the sea mountains rise up creating incredible dive walls, drop-offs and rich coral gardens and a variety of colorful fish. Swim with bottlenose and spinner dolphins, paddle the warm shallows, and enjoy being unplugged!
The Mafia Island region, which includes the Rufiji River Delta and Mafia channel, is legendary as a world-class diving destination. This area forms one of the finest complexes of estuarine, mangrove, coral reef, and marine ecosystems in the world, all lying in an area of around 1500km². The coral reefs are especially diverse for all of Eastern Africa. As well, divers have the opportunity to explore the Kuwa ruins and the underground city of Kisimani. Boasting a captivating terrestrial reef and ecosystems, miles of white sand beaches and clear waters, Mafia is a wonderful place to both adventure and experience life at a slower pace.
The name derives from the graves on the island which were built for the soldiers and people who lost their lives in different events. Here you will also get a chance to see the graves of British sailors who fought for the cessation of slavery during 1888. Along is a smallest separate plot where in lies those sailors killed in action when the cruiser H.M.S. Pegasus was destroyed at the harbor by the German warship S.M.S KONIGSBERG.
Prison Island or Changuu Island is the middle island of the three visible from the Stone Town, it takes approximately 30 minutes to get there by boat. The prison on this island was built in 1893, which was later used as a quarantine Hospital, it has a frangipani-lined path around the island where the former patients took their evening walks. Apart from the Prison ruins you can also see the beautiful peacocks and the enormous giant tortoises some of which are over a 100 years old. Sultan Said brought these tortoises here from Seychelles in the 1820’s. Efforts are being made to protect the eggs of the tortoise. The island is a superb scenario for the photographer. A self-walking safari covers the island in 15minutes. On this little paradise one can also swim, snorkel, sunbathe or just relax and enjoy the peacefulness that this beautiful island has to offer.
A highlight of any Zanzibar itinerary includes a dhow safari full of memorable maritime activities with Safari Blue. From the little fishing village of Fumba, just 30 minutes from Stone Town, set sail into Menai Bay where you can glide alongside pods of dolphins, which local conservation efforts have allowed to flourish. Mid-morning, land on a powdery sandbank and enjoy snorkeling in the shallows or bask in the sun under the clear Zanzibari sky, then snorkel over two different reefs, both offering a variety of pristine marine life. After working up an appetite, the Kwale Island “restaurant” is ready and waiting for your arrival where you will feast on a freshly caught seafood buffet. Taste 10-15 of Zanzibar’s exotic fruits, and sip on Amarula and coffee. Mid-afternoon, fdiscover all that Kwale island has to offer: sail on a traditional ngalawa canoe, explore the mangroves, climb an ancient baobab, witness the coral formations, swim or lounge the afternoon away on a day-bed or the beach. Finally, in late afternoon when the day is done, the crew hoists the lateen sail as you make a leisurely voyage back to Fumba as the sun sets on your glorious day in paradise.
A 40 minute drive from Zanzibar town, this trip leads you through the Mangapwani cave, a historically significant remnant of the Arabian slave trade. Although the Zanzibar slave market was officially closed in June of 1873, the cave was used through 1911 as a secret hideout from which African captives were illegally led out to sea through a secret passage and then transported by dhow to the Arabian peninsula for sale. The tour proceeds to Nungwi in the north of Zanzibar, an hour’s drive from the cave. Nungwi has crystal clear waters, an excellent place for diving, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. As Zanzibar is a turtle conservation area, you will be able to see the natural turtle aquarium here. During this tour we also take you to a site where local villagers build dhows and boats using traditional tools and methods.
The trip from Stone Town to this traditional fishing village takes 30 minutes, usually with a stop at Jozani Forest Reserve (see below). Kizimkazi fishing village is the home of several pods of bottle-nosed dolphins. Here you are taken by boat out the sea to view the dolphins and, if lucky, swim quite close to them, as they are very friendly and playful. Kizimkazi is also the site of 12th Century Mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa.
ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAYS
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