Where to go in Zanzibar
Where to go in Zanzibar
Where to go in Zanzibar : Zanzibar is an iconic destination in Africa located in Indian Ocean, lying 35 kilometers off of the cost of East – Central Africa , the island also known as the Spice Island is composed of two large islands that are Unguja which is the main island is usually referred to as Zanzibar and Pemba Island.
Zanzibar is the most popular safari and beach destination in Africa idyllic beach experiences, the island has plenty of to see, do and discover. This article highlights and explains where to go in Zanzibar.
BWEJUU, PAJE & JAMBIANI
Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani Area is a stretch of 10 kilometers beach between Bwejuu and Jambiani Village, this fascinating area is an ideal destination for backpackers and kite surfers. This stretch starts norm of Bwejuu and recedes off gradually into Jambiani, this stretch also attracts a huge population of visitors including families and a younger visitors who crowd the beach from north to south, along the relaxed beaches bar, restaurants and water sports of Paje.
The stretch of Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani boasts excellent and affordable accommodations including midrange, budget and more exclusive accommodations.
Highlights in Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani
The stretch of Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani is an ideal destination for snorkeling and kite surfing which are the highlight activities.
- Kite Surfing – Paje is the finest spot for kite surfing in Zanzibar, this site has a number of well run – kite surfing schools offering kite – surfing lessons and rents out kite surfing equipments. The Lagoon in Paje is the best site for kite surfing.
- Snorkeling – The wide coral lagoon inforont of Paje and Jambiani is the finest spot for snorkeling in the region, snorkeling gears (fins and masks) can be hired from several hotels along the strip.
Caution: during snorkeling experience, you are advised to keep your eyes on the tide.
Travel Tips
If you are intending to visit this beautiful stretch for Kite – Surfing, note that the main seasons for kite- surfing are between December – March and May to October.
KIWENGWA AND PONGWE
Kiwengwa and Pongwe are dreamy beaches situated in the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar approximately half way between Nungwi and Chwaka, the immaculate beaches of Kiwengwa are dotted with large, all in-inclusive hotels and luxury lodges running all the way North to Matemwe.
Pongwe is situated a few kilometers to the south, this reamy beach is dotted with a stylish mid-range and upmarket resorts perfect for a Zanzibar holiday stay.
Highlights
Highlight activities of Kiwengwa and Pongwe are kite surfing and chilling
Kite – Surfing – the beautiful wide lagoon and the stable winds of Kiwengwa all year round make it a perfect destination for kite-surfing, for visitors who wish to learn more about flying, there are a handful of friendly kite schools dotted on the beach.
Chilling – Pongwe beach is a peaceful spot for visitors seeking for a thrilling relaxing moment.
Travel Tips
- Accessing Kiwengwa and Pongwe is by road
- In Kiwengwa, there is a small mall with a cash machine, supermarket and pharmacy while Pongwe there is nothing at all.
- Best resorts in Kiwengwa attract a huge numbers of visitors from all over the world, the beach resorts have many shop fronts and menus written in various languages including Italian and English.
MAFIA ISLAND
The beautiful Mafia Island is the 3rd largest island in Zanzibar Archipelago and is a miniature archipelago though it is rarely visited and is quitter than Pemba Island, the island is situated 150 kilometer south of Zanzibar Island.
Mafia Island and the surrounding island are a paradise for divers, the area features warm clear waters hosting marine creatures including huge groupers, rays, turtle and whale sharks. Chole Bay is recognized as the best coral garden in East Africa.
Mafia Island is dotted with intimate and luxury accommodations offering ultimate inclusivity and privacy to visitors.
Highlights
The highlight activity in Mafia Island is diving and the best diving spot on the island is Chole Bay, Mafia Island has extraordinary coral inhabiting colorful schools of reef fish and in the deeper waters there are rays and whale fish.
Another highlight of Mafia Island is the hatching turtles which can be seen at Juani Island off the coast of Mafia Island, this island is an ideal spot for tiny green and hawksbill turtles dashing from the waters of the ocean.
Travel Tips
- Mafia Island can be accessed either by flying or using local dhows to the mainland. By flying, there is daily, scheduled and chartered flights from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island.
- If you are interested in diving at Mafia Island, it is recommended you chose your month for the experience wisely, though diving at Chole Bay can be done all year round, the deeper channel are only aviable from August to November. October to February has the visibility though it is rarely below 15 meters.
- The best conditions at the island are experienced from late May to November which is the start of the short rainy season, September to early March which is the prime whale shark season. Mid- March to Mid – May should be avoided as the island receives most of the rain in time of the year.
NUNGWI & KENDWA
Nungwi and Kendwa are located on the northernmost tip of Zanzibar Island, Nungwi was once only a village and a traditional center of dhow building on Zanzibar Island, however over the years the island has transformed following the establishment of hotels, bars, hostels and dive center lining on the shoreline in a near continuous strip southwest to Kendwa.
Kendwa is still a quite village though it has also expanded due to a wide beach and resorts offering a more laid back vibe to the visitors.
Highlights
· Full Moon parties are the major highlight at Kendwa which is generally quiet from the rest of the month, when the moon kicks in, it comes to life with beach party which attracts a huge number of visitors from around the island. Full moon parties at Kendwa are legendary, overly extreme and still remain as one of the favorite attractions of Zanzibar.
· Dhow Building and village – Nungwi Beach is one of the major focal point for Zanzibar ship building where skilled shipwrights use-old age methods and tools to turn rough timber planks into Ocean – going dhows. Village tours in Nungwi and Pemba offer visitor a deeper insight in dhow building and how this tradition has persisted through the centuries.
Travel Tips
Nungwi and Kendwa are the best destination on Zanzibar Island known and loved by the visitors for quality and affordable accommodation facilities, though there are also high end beach resorts and hotels.
Kendwa has better beaches and deeper waters on the north – western strip, this makes swimming possible throughout the day. Zanzibar’s eastern beaches are all tide dependent.
PEMBA ISLAND
Pemba Island is the second largest Island on Zanzibar Archipelago situated approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Zanzibar Island “Unguja Island”, Pemba Island is also the most green and fertile island in the archipelago where most of the cloves are grown. The annual harvest of cloves happens from July to January and in this period, the island is filled with intoxicating scent of the drying cloves.
Pemba Island is quitter than Unguja Island this majorly because most visitors of Zanzibar Archipelago do not make it to Pemba, the island has a limited range of accommodations
Highlights of Pemba Island
- Seeing endemic species of Zanzibar Island – found in the Ngezi Forest Reserve, the reserve is situated on the north western tip of Pemba Island protecting a beautiful unspoilt expanse of forest which is a home to Pemba flying fox – an enormous fruit bat, various species of monkey, miniature antelope and 3 endemic bird species of Zanzibar that are Pemba scops owl, Pemba white-eye and Pemba violet = breasted sunbird.
- Excellent wall and drift diving – Pemba Island offers excellent diving experience for all levels and more technical diving opportunities, the island has strong currents which are perfect for experienced divers offering an opportunity to glide along the astonishing vertical walls.
- Less crowded – Pemba Island receives low numbers of visitors making it an ideal destination for visitors seeking for an escape from crowds, unlike other because of Zanzibar. Pemba Island’s beaches quieter and have snorkeling reefs which are barely visited, generally the whole island excludes exclusivity.
Travel Tips
Flying is the commonly used means of transport to get to Pemba Island, daily scheduled flights and charter flights are available from Dar es Salaam and Arusha to Pemba Island.
Ferry transport services are also available for visitors on a budget.
The best time to visit Pemba Island for a holiday is from July to October and December to March, in this period there is more humid and windier as the North- Eastern Kaskazi blows.
PINGWE, DONGWE & THE MICHAMVI PENINSULA
Pingwe, Dongwe and The Michamvi Peninsula are spectacular destinations to visit while on a holiday to Zanzibar
The Michamvi Peninsula is a narrow thumb like headland located just north of the Chwaka Bay, the peninsula boasts some of the most exclusive hotels and resorts on Zanzibar Island and its north-western tip is regarded as the only true sundowner spot along the East Coast with a kilometer and half of pristine west facing beach from and magnificent views across the Chwaka Bay.
Most of the Luxury lodges and resorts at The Michamvi Peninsula face each other and are scattered along the beach between Dongwe and Pingwe Village, some of these lodges and villas are regarded as the most refined and stylish resorts in Zanzibar Island and they have private dive centers, private plunge pools and spas.
Highlights
The East – Coast sunsets are the major highlight on the Michamvi Peninsula, the western corner of the peninsula enjoys breathtaking ocean sunsets which are rare and special sight on the East Coast of Africa. There are a number of laid bars and restaurants where visitors can enjoy the sunset views and you enjoy the evening.
The Rock Restaurant
The Rock Restaurant is one of major tourist attractions and a must visit site on Zanzibar Island, this unique restaurant is perched on a tiny coral outcrop about 30 meters off Pingwe Beach. The restaurant is simple, thatched cottage serving a range of delicious meals. Lunch at this unique restaurant has a menu comprising of fresh sea food.
To get to The Rock Resturant, you use a boat or walk depending on the tide.
Travel tips
From December to March, the North – Eastern Kaskazi Monsoon blows washing seaweed onto the Eastern beaches and in some places eroding the sands. This is more witnessed on the north east of Michamvi Peninsula bearing the brunt of the northeaster at this period of the year.
STONE TOWN
The Stone Town is a one of a kind place on Zanzibar Island, the town is the capital and a historical of the island featuring a bewildering maze of streets and alleyways that form the westernmost tip of Zanzibar Town.
The Stone Town is a home to approximately quarter of million people, while on a holiday on the Island and getting lost in the tangle of the town’s narrow streets in adventure of its own taking you back in time. The clattering coffee carts, the twisting passages unfurl beneath delicate balconies and the ornately carved doors will make you tour worth every penny.
The Stone Town’s buildings date back to the 18th and 19th century though the first people to settle in this part of the island where the Portuguese in the 16th century, the buildings are a mixture of Arabic, Persian, Indian and British architecture.
Highlights
Walk the streets – a walk on the narrow streets of the Stone Town is the best way to explore this historic town, you can also rent a bicycle. During this walk headed by a guide, you will discover the hidden histories and lesser known sights of the town. The end of Ramadan period is celebrated with lanterns lining the alleys and a feast of food on every corner of the Island.
Go shopping – there are a number of shops in the Stone Town selling beautiful and authentic items, you will neat sustainable fashionable boutiques and loud chaotic markets. Some of the items you will come across include brightly coloured kanga and kikois (traditional wrap-around clothing), silver and tanzanite jewellery, handmade leather bags, sandals and shoes, a seemingly endless range of woven baskets, wooden carvings, throws, wall hangings, rugs, antiques and ornaments of all shapes and sizes. And also spice-infused beauty products, oils and spices among others.
Take a spice Tour – Zanzibar is often referred to as The Spice Island because of the huge spice plantation found around the Island, spice tours to these plantation offers visitors an opportunity to witness how the spices are produced and harvested from the farms, get a taste of spices and purchase some of the them at a low price.
Travel Tips
In the Ramadan period, note that most of the restaurants close and the usual daytime buzz on the street is subdued, also some hotels close down during March to May which is a low season. In this season, the open hotels offer discounted rates.
In the narrow alleys of the Stone Town, pickpocketing is an occasional hazard so you should be careful.
Caution: Zanzibar is a predominately Islamic society thus covering of shoulders and legs below the knees is considered appropriate for both men and women, Though alcohol is served in most but not all restaurants on the island, drinking on the streets of Stone Town is frowned upon though it is not illegal.
