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

The stretch of 10 kilometers beach between Bwejuu and Jambiani village is an ideal destination attracting backpackers and kite surfers in Paje, the stretch starts north of Bwejuu and recedes off gradually into equally Jambiani.

This beautiful stretch of coastline attracts a huge population of travelers including families and a younger crowd which is split between the beaches to the north and south and the relaxed beaches bar, restaurants and water sports of Paje.

In Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani there is a range of excellent midrange and budget accommodations, however only a few lodges qualify as exclusive.

Highlights

Bwejuu, Paje and Jambiani are an ideal destination for snorkeling and kite surfing

Kite surfing – Paje is the hottest destination of kite surfing in Zanzibar, the site has a number of well run kite – surfing schools which offer lessons and rentals for the Kite surfing equipments. The ideal location for Kite-surfing in Paje is the lagoon, some operators also offer organized excursions to scenic kiting spots up and down the coast.

Snorkeling – this exciting activity is done in a beautiful and wide coral lagoon in front of Paje and Jambiani, masks and fins for snorkeling can be hired from several hotels along the strip. When snorkeling you are advised to keep an eye on the tide.

Travel trips

Travelers visiting for kite-surfing , kindly note that the main seasons are between December and March and May to October.

KIWENGWA AND PONGWE

Kiwengwa is a sleepy village situated on Zanzibar Island’s north-eastern coast about half way between Nungwi and Chwaka, the immaculate beach is dotted with  large, all-inclusive hotels and stylish up-market lodges which runs nearly unbroken all the way north to Matemwe.

A few breezy kilometers to the south, there is a Pongwe, a sleepier beach dotted with a dozen of mostly stylish mid rage to up-market resorts perfect for you to enjoy Zanzibar holiday.

Highlights

Kite surfing and chilling are the highlights of Kiwengwa and Pongwe.

Kite surfing – Kiwengwa experiences stable winds all year round with a beautiful wide lagoon which makes it a perfect destination for kite-surfing, Kiwengwa is a great place to learn kite surfing. The area has a handful of friendly kite schools dotted on the beach.

Chilling – Pongwe is a peaceful for travelers seeking for a chilling moment

Travel Tips

From Zanzibar Town, Kiwengwa and Pongwe are easy to access by road, in Kiwengwa there are a small mall with a cash machine, supermarket and pharmacy well as in Pongwe there is nothing at all. Beach resorts in Kiwengwa attract large number of visitors from Italy and these resorts have many shop fronts and menus written in Italian.

MAFIA ISLAND

Mafia Island is the third largest isle in the Zanzibar Archipelago and is situated 150 kilometers south of Zanzibar Island, Mafia Island is a miniature archipelago of its own right rarely visited and even quieter than Pemba Island.

Mafia Island and the surrounding islands are a diver’s paradise and its warm clear waters host huge groupers, rays, turtles and whale sharks and Chole Bay is the best coral garden in East Africa. Mafia Island is dotted with intimate and up – market accommodations providing ultimate inclusivity and stunning privacy.

Highlights

Mafia Island is a diver’s paradise ideal for travelers who love diving, Chole Bay’s on Mafia Island is an extraordinary coral and fabulously colorful schools of reef fish and to the deeper waters there are rays and whale fish roaming.

Witnessing hatching turtles is another highlight in Mafia Island  which can be done at Juani Island off the coast of Mafia, the island is an ideal and a truly special place to see tiny green and hawksbill turtles as they dash for the sea.

Environmentally sensitive tours can be arranged between June and September and these are run by an enthusiastic NGO that plays a significant role in local turtle conservation.

Travel Tips

The only practical way to get to Mafia Island is by flying though local dhows run to the mainland on a daily, scheduled and charter flights run regularly from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island.

If you are interested in diving, it is recommended to pick your month carefully, diving at Chole Bay can be done year round, however the deeper channels are only viable from August to November, October to February has the best visibility, although it is rarely below 15 meters.

For the best conditions, visit the island from late May to the start of the short rainy season in November, September to early March the prime whale shark season. Mid-March to Mid-May should completely be avoided, in this period the island receives most of its rain.

NUNGWI & KENDWA

Nungwi and Kendwa are situated on the northernmost tip of Zanzibar Island, Nungwi which was once a sleepy village is still the traditional center of dhow building on Zanzibar Island. However the scenery has transformed in recent years with hotels, bars, hostels and dive center lining the sandy shoreline in a near continuous strip southwest to Kendwa.

Kendwa is still relatively a quite village, however it has also expanded with uniquely wide beach and understated resort offering a more laid back vibe to travelers.

Highlights

Full moon beach parties – though Kendwa is relatively quiet from the rest of the month, the volume kicks up on each full moon with a lively beach party that draws a huge number of visitors from around the Island.  Full moon parties at Kendwa are legendary though overly extreme and still remain as one of the favorite attractions of Zanzibar.

Dhow building and village – Nungwi beach is still a focal point for Zanzibar ship builing where skilled shipwrights use-age old methods and tools to turn rough timber planks into ocean-going dhows.  Village tours are arranged for those who are interested in discovering the cultural side of dhow building and how the tradition persists through the centuries.

Travel Tips

Nungwi and Kendwa still remain two of the best destinations on Zanzibar Island known for quality and affordable accommodation, though there are luxury hotels.

Kendwa has better beach and deeper water on the north-western strip which makes swimming possible throughout the day, the island’s eastern beaches are all tide dependent.

PEMBA ISLAND

Pemba Island is the second largest landmass on Zanzibar Archipelago located about 50 kilometers northeast of Zanzibar Island “Unguja Island”, Pemba Island has forever been Zanzibar’s most green and fertile isle where most cloves on Zanzibar Island are being grown. The annual harvest of cloves runs from July to January and in this period the scent of drying cloves lingers on every passing breeze.

Pemba Island still remains a far quieter island than Unguja Island and often most visitors of Zanzibar Archipelago do not make it to Pemba.

Pemba Island has a more limited range of accommodations from mid-range to ultra-luxurious accommodations including the most spectacular beach resorts Zanzibar has to offer.

Highlights of Zanzibar

See Zanzibar’s endemic species of wildlife – in Pemba Island , Zanzibar’s endemic and indigenous species of wildlife are seen in the Ngezi Forest Reserve situated on north western tip of Pemba Island. The reserve protects a beautiful unspoilt expanse of forests in its own right, the forest is a host to the Pemba flying fox – an enormous but completely harmless fruit bat, various species of monkey and miniature antelope and Zanzibar’s three endemic bird species that are the Pemba scops owl, Pemba white-eye and Pemba violet = breasted sunbird.

Low visitors’ rate – Pemba receives low visitors rate making the island an ideal destination to escape the crowds, Pemba Island has quieter beaches and snorkeling reefs which are barely visited and on the whole the island excludes exclusivity.  Pemba Island still has enough accommodation options to suit most budgets of the visitors.

Excellent wall and drift diving – Pemba Island offers excellent diving for all levels and is famously known for its more technical diving opportunities, the island has strong currents perfect for experienced divers offering divers an opportunity to glide along astonishing vertical walls as manta and eagle rays flap by.

Travel Tips

Most tourists visiting Pemba use air means of transport, scheduled daily flights and charters are available from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island . Alternatively cheaper ferry services are also available.

The best time of the year to visit Pemba Island are July to October and December to March, these months tend to be more humid and windier as the North-Eastern Kaskazi blows.

PINGWE, DONGWE & THE MICHAMVI PENINSULA

The Michamvi Pennisula is located just north from Chwaka Bay, a narrow, thumb-like headland that boasts some of the most exclusive hotels and resorts on Zanzibar Island. The north-western tip of the peninsula is the only true sundowner spot along the East Coast with a kilometers and a half of pristine west facing beach front ad magnificent views across Chwaka Bay.

Most of the Luxury resorts at The Michamvi Peninsula face each other  and they are scattered along the beach between Dongwe and Pingwe Village, some of these resorts are Zanzibar’s most refined and stylish resorts, complete with private dive centers, private plunge pools and Spas.

Highlights

East – Coast sunsets : the western corner of Michamvi Peninsula enjoys breathtaking ocean sunsets which is a rare and special sight on the East Coast of Africa, the area has several laid back bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the sunset views as you enjoy the evening.

The Rock Restaurant

  The Rock Restaurant is a special and a unique restaurant in Zanzibar Island perched on a tiny coral outcrop about 30 meters off Pingwe Beach, the restaurant is simple, thatched cottage serving declious meals with lunch – time menu comprising of fresh sea food. To get the restaurant you can use a boat or walk depending on the tide.

Travel tips

The North-Eastern Kaskazi Monsoon blows from December to March, washing seaweed onto the eastern beaches and in some places eroding the sands. This is more witnessed on the northeast of Michamvi peninsula which bears the brunt of the northeaster at this period of the year.

STONE TOWN

Stone Town is the capital and a historic heart of Zanzibar Island, a bewildering maze of streets and alleyways that form the westernmost tip of Zanzibar Town, Stone Town is a bustling capital of the Island is a home to approximately a quarter of million people. Getting lost in the tangle of the town’s narrow streets takes you back in time, the twisting passages unfurl beneath delicate balconies as you dodge clattering coffee carts and slip by past ornately carved doors

The old buildings in the Stone Town dates back to the 18 and 19^th century though the first people to settle in the town were the Portuguese in the 16^th century, these mesmerizing constructions   are a mix of Arabic, Persian, Indian and British architecture and Victorian era accounts of the quarter carry an authentic feeling to this day.

Highlights

Walk the streets – take a walk on the narrow streets of the Stone Town is the best way to explore the town though renting a bicycle is also possible, during the walk hiring a guide is recommended as he will assist you to discover the hidden histories and lesser known sights of the town. In the end of the Ramadan is celebrated with lanterns lining  the alleys and a feast of street food on every corner of the island.

Go shopping – for individuals looking for beautiful and authentic items Stone Town is the best place to go shopping, the town has neat sustainable fashionable boutiques and loud chaotic markets on creek street. During shopping in Stone Town lookout  for 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 themselves.

Take a spice Tour – Zanzibar is also known as a Spice Island and one of the activities not to miss out is a spice Tour, these tours can be arranged from your hotel or one of the many tour operators around the town. During the Spice Tour you will witness how the spices are produced and harvested from the farms. You will have a chance to purchase spices and taste some of the tem.

Travel Tips

In the period of Ramadan be aware that many restaurants close and the usual daytime buzz on the streets is subdued, some hotels also close down during March to May which is a low season. In the low season, other hotels offer discounted rates.

Your tours to the Stone Town should be directly arranged through your hotel or a reputable agent.

Be careful of pickpockets who are occasional hazards in Stone Town’s narrow alleys.

Remember that Zanzibar is a predominately Islamic society and covering shoulders and legs below the knees is considered appropriate for both men and women, though alcohol is served in most but not all restaurants, drinking on the streets of Stone Town is frowned upon though not actually illegal.