Zanzibar Beaches

Zanzibar is famous for its stunning white beaches, the azure Indian Ocean and a coastline lined with swaying palm trees. Picture postard scenery! Zanzibar is a relaxing and truly romantic location, perfect for a honeymoon safari or as a relaxing end to a busy and action-packed mainland Tanzania safari.There are a variety of activities available on Zanzibar, from scuba diving and deep sea fishing to sunset dhow cruises and dugout canoe trips through picturesque mangrove swamps. There is also the opportunity to make cultural visits to neighbouring islands and sites of historical interest.

The beach locations are split into two lively and popular areas - the North Coast which includes Nungwi and Kendwa, and the East Coast including Chwaka Bay and Bwejuu. Each has its own particular attraction and charm, and all have the same beautiful white sands and access to the incredible blue Indian Ocean. There are several more remote and less visited beaches, some located on other more exclusive islands. Zanzibar (or Unguja as it is actually called) as the main island attracts the most visitors, but the other islands such as Pemba offer quieter and highly exclusive beaches and lodges.

Chumbe Island

Chumbe Island is an award-winning paradise! An accurate description would be Robinson Crusoe meets twenty-first century technology, and although this may sound like a peculiar combination it makes for a fantastic, relaxing and utterly luxurious holiday in some of Tanzania's most beautiful scenery. The attractions of Chumbe Island include some of the best snorkelling available in the Zanzibar archipelago, exclusive private beaches, a forest reserve containing duiker and coconut crabs and a lighthouse offering superb views.

Chumbe Island is really famous for its amazing ventures into the world of sustainable eco-tourism, combined with high levels of luxury and exclusivity. The seven bungalows all have a views of the beach and Indian Ocean, and all have self-contained bathrooms with running hot and cold water. Each bungalow captures its own freshwater supply from the specially-designed roof during the rainy season. The water is then carefully filtered and stored in underground cisterns below each bungalow. The water is then hand-pumped through a solar-powered heating system into hot & cold-water containers to supply the shower and basin in the bathroom.

Chumbe Island has many more remarkable and effective ecologically sound methods of dealing with everyday issues, and prides itself on its intergration into the surrounding habitat. The lodge also runs education programs for local schoolchildren, building on envronmental awareness and sustainability. A trip here is an excellent relaxing end to a Tanzania safari, as well as an eye-opening look at how luxury can be achieved with minimal environmental impact.

Historical Stone Town

The old Stonetown was recently gazetted as a World Heritage Site. No Tanzania safari is complete without a visit to this historical and cultural centre. The famous narrow streets of Stonetown literally pulse life, and a wander through the atmospheric old town leaves you amazed at the ancient architecture and wide-eyed from the sights and sounds of a bustling African town. There are also many excursions from the town to visit the endemic Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys, relax on the white sand beaches or to swim with dolphins.

There are several great restaurants in Stonetown, for example Emerson & Green's rooftop, and Mercury's. The exciting sensory overload that is Forodhani Gardens' numerous fresh food stalls provides a culinary delight for the more adventurous diner, and is worth a visit even if you are not eating. Unless arranged otherwise your accommodation in Stone Town will be on a Bed & Breakfast basis only.

Mafia Island

Mafia Island is a relatively unknown island 160km south of Zanzibar Island, just off the coast of the Rufiji River Delta. It boasts truly superb white sandy beaches and is home to Tanzania's first marine park. Mafia Island is one of the world's best dive locations; diving and snorkelling in the Mafia Island Marine Park is utterly amazing and you can be almost guaranteed of a good dive experience with amazing coral and sealife!Either activities include deep sea fishing or just relaxing and watching the sun sink slowly into the warm Indian Ocean.

Whale watching is a popular pastime too, as the nutrient-rich water flowing from the Rufiji rver creates the perfect feeding ground for humpback whales and the gentle giants of the deep, whale sharks. Swimming with the whale sharks is a unique experience and Mafia Island remains one of the few places you can have a good chance of seeing and snorkelling alongside these amazing 14 metre long fish.A visit to Mafia Island works well when combined with the Selous Game Reserve - this creates a superb Tanzania Safari featuring both bush and beach.

Pemba Island

Pemba is the second largest island in the Zanzibar archipelago and lies northeast of Unguja Island. A visit to Pemba is a great way to incorporate a truly authentic remote and beautiful island experience into your Tanzania Safari. It currently has few visitors, allowing those who do get there a chance to escape the regular trappings of mainland Zanzibar. On Pemba traditional island life has been able to continue with little disruption, and you can stay, relax and learn about the traditional way of life while enjoying the beautiful surroundings and luxurious accommodation.

The landscape on Pemba is quite hilly with dense natural forests and plantations. A popular excursion takes in the Ngezi Forest Reserve, where keen birders can look for several species endemic to the island. However the main attraction of Pemba is the fantastic scuba diving, snorkelling and deep sea fishing on offer.

What to see on Pemba: - Chwaka Ruins - Harouni Site - The Old Site Tumbe - Mazrui Site - Ras Mkumbuu Ruins - Msuka Mjini Ruins - Kichokochwe Ruins - Mkame Ndume / Pujini Ruins - Misali Island - Ngezi Forest - Virgin Grave Beaches