TOURS & ACTIVITIES
WHAT TO DO IN ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is a small island located just off the coast of Tanzania and the island offers a unique adventure and cultural experience along with being the most idyllic setting for pure relaxation. White powdered sand, crystal clear turquoise waters, towering palm trees and coconuts creates a magical atmosphere like few places in the world and possibilities for both water and land excursions are endless. Activities on and around Zanzibar are as varied and diverse as its cultural, historical background. We can introduce you to any of these activities or a combination of those or name us your specific wish and we can help you organize it in most cases. Our tour guide Haji has arranged tours since 1995 and he has worked with us since we opened. He is safe and reliable and he will always have your best interest in mind. Alongside with the classic excursions, we offer a cultural village tour to Jambiani village and we can customize any other activities you would like to arrange.
We can also help to organize activities with our partners like SUP in the mangroves, Paje Bike Tours, give you contact to Buccaneer Diving Centre in Paje and Kite Surfing among some.
We recommend you cover shoulders and knees when visiting public places like the village, Stone Town, Jozani and Stone Town. Please read About Zanzibar here.
SPICE TOUR
Zanzibar is known for its spice trade and the island is called the Spice island for a reason. A Spice Tour to a local plantation is a great way to see how Zanzibar became an important stop on the trade routes from the 18th century. You can smell the scent of cardamom, nutmeg, from vanilla to ginger, from turmeric to cinnamon, and the cloves, the symbol of the island. Join us for a guided tour to the spice farms to see, smell and taste varieties of tropical fruit and spices. You can buy spices, organic soaps and different perfumes at the end of your trip. Duration: half day.
Recommended attire: comfortable shoes/sandals and to cover shoulders and knees.
STONE TOWN
Stone Town has been the capital of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the ancient capital of Zanzibar is a labyrinth of colourful alleyways, with a market that envelops you in its scents and the influence of history evident in every corner and every building. The town is a UNESCO world heritage site and here, a time, East and Africa met, creating a crossroads of different traditions. Narrow streets wind their way through craft shops, art galleries, fabric stalls and coffee shops and it is the perfect place to explore on foot. Getting lost within this maze of ancient streets will give rise to several cultural experiences. Duration: half day. You can either arrange for a guided city tour or get dropped off to do your own thing and the tour can easily be combined with either a Spice Tour or Prison Island.
Recommended attire: comfortable shoes and keeping shoulders and knees covered.
SAFARI BLUE
An entire day dedicated to the sea to enjoy one of the island’s most beautiful spots, full of sun, sand, and relaxation. To the south west of the island you will see the home to real natural jewels of the Indian Ocean – a strip of sand that appears and disappears with the changing of the tides, a lush mangrove forest surrounding a crystal-clear lagoon and gigantic baobab trees. The tour is followed by a tasty seafood lunch including tasty grilled fish and lobsters in the beautiful shade of tamarind trees. But above all, the Safari Blue tour will make you experience the thrill of sailing on the way back, gently rocked by the waves – a great end to a day of sun, sea and fun. Duration: full day
Recommended attire: modest swimsuit (please avoid thongs and topless suits, inappropriate in a predominantly Muslim country), beach towel, sunscreen, rubber slippers.
PRISON ISLAND
A half-hour boat trip from Zanzibar, Prison Island provides a fascinating glimpse into the island’s slightly dark past – this land was once used as a place where slaves were detained and, when slavery was abolished, it functioned as a camp where people with deadly diseases were sent. Fortunately enough, that is all in the past and today Prison Island is known for its giant tortoises imported from Aldabra in the Seychelles in the late 19th century and for its excellent view of Stone Town. These giant tortoises can live over a hundred years, and so have some of the ones you will see! The trip is nice for both adults and children, learning Zanzibar’s history and seeing and feeding huge tortoises! It is also possible to include snorkeling after seeing the tortoises.
Recommended attire: modest swimsuit (please avoid thongs and topless suits, inappropriate in a predominantly Muslim country), beach towel, sunscreen, rubber slippers.
JOZANI FOREST
Jozani Forest is Zanzibar’s first and only National Park and it is populated by the endemic Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey, which is found only here in Zanzibar. The Jozani Forest offers a walk among lush tropical vegetation and accompanied by an experienced guide you will explore the Jozani Forest and head into the maze of mangroves and its remarkable root system populated by friendly and tiny single-claw crabs. In the forest, there are also different types of animals like civet cat, bush baby, leopard (very few left), jumping shrew, elephant shrew, red and grey squirrels, and many more. The Red Colobus Monkeys are very friendly and easy to spot. The trip suites both adults and children and takes around two to three hours. It is recommendable to go after breakfast to avoid the hottest period of the day. Duration: around 2-3 hours
Recommended attire: T-shirt, long trousers/Capri pants, sneakers or comfortable sandals.
CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR
Visiting Jambiani, a village on South-East coast, gives you the opportunity to meet the Swahili Culture up front. This long, narrow coastal village hugs one of the island’s loveliest beaches, dotted with hotels and guesthouses. Three and a half miles long, with a population of over 6000 people, this village has for some years featured a cultural tour that gives travelers an insight into the daily lives of locals, and some idea of their past and how their future might unfold. The tour includes a delicious Swahili lunch and takes around three hours. If the tide is right you can also join the sea weed farming up close.
Recommended attire: comfortable shoes/sandals and to cover shoulders and knees.
NUNGWI TOUR
Nungwi is the third largest settlement in Zanzibar found at the far north of the island. It is famous for its crystal-clear sea, pristine coves and the factory where dhows, the local boats, are produced. Here you will have the chance to admire the magnificent sunset and bathe in the sea until late. This is an ideal place for long baths as the tide is not as pronounced as in other parts of the island. The smaller nearby Kendwa is on the west coast, overlooking the tiny Daloni island and the larger island of Tumbatu. Whether you stay in Stone Town or somewhere along the East coast, exploring Zanzibar's north beach resorts is certainly worth the effort.
Recommended attire: modest swimsuit (please avoid thongs and topless suits, inappropriate in a predominantly Muslim country), beach towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes/sandals and to cover shoulders and knees if walking in the village.
SNORKELING
If you don’t have a dive certificate but you wish to discover the coral reef and see plenty of the colorful fish present in the crystal clear turquoise Indian Ocean, snorkeling at the reef in Jambiani or going to Blue Lagoon in Dongwe is the perfect activity for you. The tours take around three hours depending on you. Or to Mnemba Island - the best snorkeling (and dive) spot!
Recommended attire: modest swimsuit (please avoid thongs and topless suits, inappropriate in a predominantly Muslim country), beach towel, sunscreen,
FISHING
We can arrange a fishing tour where you go out in a traditional dhow (wooden boat) fishing with hand line and the trip takes two to three hours. Want to catch something bigger? We also arrange deep-sea fishing and the tour leaves at 5:00 am so be prepared to wake up early! The deep-sea fishing is a five – six hours’ tour going out with a boat from Kizimkazi.
