Zanzibar Nungwi, Tanzania

Incredible snorkeling opportunity: Fukuchani Cave. Photo: Timo Dersch

There are numerous exciting activities and trips you can do on the island. Form sightseeing, to watersports, from mysterious caves to precious conserved wildlife – take a day on an excusrsion with us, you won’t regret.

Tumbatu, the third biggest island of Zanzibar archipelago, is surrounded by a colourful coral reef. You will be stunned by the richness of the sea life of this amazing area.
We leave at 8:00 from Nungwi Beach and we reach our destination after 45 minuts of boat trip.
Our professional guides will bring you to two different spots, both when snorkeling or diving and will show you all the secrets of the area.
Between the two marine activities, you will be served fresh tropical fruits, water and local pastries.

tumbata reef zanzibar

The reef is shallow enough, so you can also explore it snorkeling. Photo: Timo Dersch

The come back in Nungwi is scheduled at 13:30.

The excursion to Mnemba atoll, that is the only marine parkn in Zanzibar, is a must do of your stay.
We leave at 8:00 from Nungwi beach and after a trip of one hour and half with a typical local wooden boat (dhow) we reach our destination. The colorful corals and 300 species of tropical fishes are waiting you in the crystal-clear waters of this part of Indian Ocean.
During the boat navigation is very common to spot dolphins. Our qualified guides can decide, according to sea condition and to the behave of these beautiful mammals, if stop to swim with them, giving you an unforgettable experience.

Watch the dolphins feeding or playing. Photo: Timo Dersch

The coral reef will be the protagonist of your two moments of snorkeling, always with a professional guide, following the higher European safety standards. Between the two snorkeling moments fresh tropical fruits and local pastries are offered.
The lunch will be served at the end of our activities and will be served on board, if sea conditions allow us, or on the amazing Muyuni Beach, where its white sand will be the perfect spot for grilling fresh fish.

The come back in Nungwi is scheduled at 16:00.

Leaving directly from Nungwi beach, you will sail between Zanzibar and Tumbatu islands waiting for the most beautiful and magical moment that nature can offer: the sunset.

dhow sunset zanzibar

A sundowner on the roof of the traditional dhwo boat is magical.

The bright orange colours of the sky and the ocean we’ll be the protagonist of your best happy hour. Cuba Libre and fresh tropical fruits we’ll be offered on board and our crew will involve you to move your body at the rhythm of the finest Zanzibari music.

Be careful, it can be addictive!

zanzibar sandbank nakupenda

The sandbank is completely desolate.

Nakupenda is Swaheli and means “I love you”. The perfect motto for our cruise to the sandbank. This romantic sandbank is completely desolate in the middle of the sea. Take a stroll and enjoy the treats we have brought under our tent. A perfect excursion for lovebirds.

prison island zanzibar

The Island as seen from the Indian Ocean.

Changuu Island (also known as Kibandiko, Prison or Quarantine Island) is a small island 5.6 km northwest of Stone Town. The island is around 800 Meters long and 230 Meters wide at its broadest point. The island saw use as a prison for rebellious slaves in the 1860s and also functioned as a coral mine.

The British First Minister of Zanzibar, Lloyd Mathews, purchased the island in 1893 and constructed a prison complex there. No prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases. The station was only occupied for around half of the year and the rest of the time it was a popular holiday destination. More recently, the island has become a government-owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoises which were originally a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles.

An Aldabra giant tortoise from Zanzibar

An Aldabra giant tortoise from Zanzibar

During your trip you will visit the old prison, take a stroll on the island, get close to the tortoises and hop in the water if you like.

Source: wikipedia.org

The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a 50 km2 national park.

The Zanzibar red colobus, Procolobus kirkii (its population count is about 1000) found in the park, a rain forest species (unlike the black-and-white colobus found in other regions of Africa), is also known as Kirk’s red colobus, named after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident of Zanzibar who had first brought it to the attention of zoological science. It is now adopted as the flagship species for conservation in Zanzibar. Other species of fauna found in the park are the Sykes monkey, bush babies, more than 50 species of butterfly and 40 species of birds.

Kirk's red colobus of Zanzibar

Kirk’s red colobus of Zanzibar Photo: Timo Dersch

The nocturnal Zanzibar tree hyrax, which has four ‘toes’ on its front feet and three on its back, is said to be the first hyrax species that has acclimatized to the forest.

The sea grass beds of the Chwaka Bay, fringed with mangrove forests, are important breeding grounds for marine organisms, including open sea fish species. The mangroves are also good breeding grounds for birds. An Integrated Conservation and Development (ICD) planning for the area is under consideration. The bay is also proposed to be declared a Ramsar Site and is placed on the Tanzanian Tentative List for World Heritage Sites to recognize its unique natural and cultural assets with due consideration of proposed conservation efforts.

Our tour will guide you through the forest to see the magnificent wild animals and through the mangroves.

blue safari zanzibar

Enjoy a day at sea – with a best of the South of Zanzibar program.

This full day excursion starts from Fumba and takes you to the South coast to enjoy a day at sea. You will sail in a dhow and snorkel near some beautiful coral reefs (on Kwale sandbank). Sometimes dolphins are spotted on this tour. After a seafood lunch and a little relaxing on the beach, you will visit the mysterious mangrove forest and Baobab tree.

blue safari zanzibar

Enjoy a day at sea – with a best of the South of Zanzibar program.

Local people on a street in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.

Local people on a street in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.

Historical City tour

Zanzibar used to be the business centre of East Africa, trading in spices, ivory and slaves. It was ruled by the Portuguese, the Arabs and the English. The old town is a maze of narrow streets with a lot of interesting historical buildings like the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the Palace, and the former Slave market. Apart from the scooters and mobile phones you may feel that you are taking a walk in the past.

Local people on a street in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.

Local people on a street in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.


Local people on a street in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.

Local people in a market and coffee place in Stone Town, the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of Zanzibar.

Incredible snorkeling opportunity: Fukuchani Cave

Incredible snorkeling opportunity: Fukuchani Cave. Photo: Timo Dersch

Fukuchani cave is located 15 minutes south of Nungwi. It is a historical site with ancient ruins from the Portugese as well as an amazing limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites. You can snorkel in the fresh water lake in the cave and see the submerged stalagmites under water. An amazing natural site.

Incredible and mysterious site: Kuza Cave

Incredible and mysterious site: Kuza Cave. Photo: Timo Dersch

Kuza Cave is located in Jambiani in the South of the island It is an amazing limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites. You can snorkel in the fresh water lake in the cave and see the submerged stalagmites. In addition to the amazing natural site the locals offer cultural shows and cooking classes close to the site.

 

Mnarani, meaning ‘place of the lighthouse’ in Swahili, is located at the northern tip of Zanzibar Island in the small village of Nungwi near the lighthouse that marks this landmark. The pond is actually a large, natural tidal pool in the coral rock behind the beach. It was originally set up to rehabilitate and study marine turtles that had been caught in fishing nets, and the project developed to ensure that local baby turtles were also protected.

turtle sanctuary nungwi zanzibar

You can even feed the turtles with sea weed. Photo: Timo Dersch

The Sea Turtle lagoon is a natural lagoon separated from the Indian Ocean by a few meters of old reef rocks… but the tide within the lagoon is a clear indication that the connection with the Ocean is open.
A wooden pier was built on one half of the lagoon, allowing a better access to the Sea Turtles, offering a second information pavilion as well as a small interaction platform.

May 23, the whole World is celebrating Turtle day in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities. Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects teaching about turtles in classrooms and encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.
Every 20th of February at Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond, we celebrate the Turtles release day, a special event organized by the locals and volunteers of the lagoon by inviting and involving different people, tour operators, diving centers and hotels around Zanzibar.
The program starts with different activities, opened by invited guest of honor and followed by community entertainments groups like music dancing, acrobatic shows, traditional drumming to make the day more fun and finally the speech from the guest of honor who is mostly the high profile people from the government of Zanzibar.

the rock restaurant zanzibar

What a scenery: the Rock Restaurant close to Zanzibar Town.

Imagine sipping on punchy cocktails and eating fresh seafood atop a large rock in the Indian Ocean? The Rock’s setting is as unique as you will get in this part of the world. Located on the south east of the island on the Michamwi Pingwe peninsula, the restaurant can be reached by foot at low tide or by boat during high tide.

The restaurant, which opens for lunch and dinner, is 7m high, allowing the water around it to rise 4.5m up the rock. Guests can enjoy their meals inside at one of the 14 tables provided, before heading outside to the outdoor seating area to take in the magical views.

It’s all about the location and breath-taking views at The Rock. Only an hours drive from Stone Town and a 10 minute drive from Paje, it is worth a visit no matter where you are on the island!