ZANZIBAR

Stone Town

Stone Town is on the World Heritage List. The houses are built of coral stone. In the 19th century, the Sultan of Oman decided to make Zanzibar the capital of his empire so that he could control the trade route. As a result, you will see many influences of Oman in the city and many old palaces from this period are at the coastline. But the large trade in herbs and ivory, among other things, also caused people from all over the world to settle on this island. You will experience the influences of many parts of the world through the small streets of Stone Town, including the Arab, Indian, European and of course African. This mix of cultures makes Stone Town so fascinating. Unfortunately Zanzibar was also an important place for the slavery trade that was in Africa. On the island and also in Stone Town there are a number of cellars to visit from this period. If you ask yourself ‘what to do in Stone Town’ we can help you with that. 

​Bwejuu

Bwejuu is about 4km north of Paje. Sitting just back from the beach itself is a dense network of dusty alleys and houses, interspersed with towering palm trees. This is a quiet area, excellent for escapism, where the only sound you will hear outside the village is the wind rustling in the trees. The tide goes out for miles, and there is a great feeling of the space. The local people do some fishing and women make rope from coconut husks, but seaweed farming is the major industry here.

​Jambiani

Jambiani Village is a sprawling, linear coastal Village. It is one of the oldest fishing villages of the island and these days you also see local women collecting seaweed. With around 4,000 permanent residents, it has a high population density, but also benefits from having nursery, primary and Secondary schools, A medical Centre, several basic food stores. The village name come from Arabic word “Jambiya” a dagger with a markedly curved blade. Local legend holds that early settlers found such a knife here; proof that others had been in the area before them. It now offers a wide choice of places to stay.

Kendwa

On the west coast, about 4km South of Nungwi, is the tiny village and beautiful beach of Kendwa. It’s serene place with some well spaced, simple place to stay, a clutch of beach bars, a dive school, and a glorious, wide, sandy beach, which doesn’t suffer the cast tidal changes of the East coast. It remains a peaceful place for chill out and has a feeling of space not found in the neigh bouring Nungwi. It does line up in the evening, with bonfires, barbecues and full moon beach parties, but apart from then it is absolutely haven of peace. Let’s stays this way.

Kiwengwa

A small traditional coastal village with a stunning beach, Kiwengwa is also the heart of Zanzibar’s package holiday industry. It is one of the villages where there is a big resorts and several large hotels space along the coast to the North.

​Kizimkazi

The village of Kizimkazi is on the South coast of Zanzibar Island. In a beautiful bay, it is one of the island oldest settlements, being the former home of the Mwinyi Mkuu (Traditional King of Zanzibar). It is steeped in history, through there is a little evidence of this today. But you can visit the oldest mosque of East Africa here.

​Kizimkazi is the place where you can see dolphins. There are 2 types here: the bottlenose dolphin and the humpback dolphin. By boat you will see them and you can even swim with them, as long as you don’t touch them.

Matemwe

Matemwe lies on the Northeast coast of the island and is seen as a paradise in itself. White beaches surrounded with palm trees. A lagoon formed by a coral reef with beautiful blue shades. A wonderful place to relax.

Nungwi

Nungwi is traditionally the centre of Zanzibar’s dhow-building industry, and over the last decade, the coastline here has rocketed in popularity to become one of the island’s busiest beach destinations. This because there is no tide-changes so you can swim here the whole day.

You can walk to the light-house but also visit the Mnarani Turtle Center where they do good work to conserve the population of turtles around the island. Very interesting to see.

Paje Beach

Paje is a small village on the East coast of Zanzibar Island. It is a small, straggling fishing village. The beaches are beautiful, colored by many palm trees. When the tide is out, the colors of the low water are breathtaking.

Paje is famous kitesurfing centre, most tourists are either keen on kitesurfing here or they have possibility to learn basics of this popular sport.

Evenings on shore of Paje are dedicated to football. Local boys as well as tourist meet every evening for serious game. And for a couple of drinks for all participants right after the match, regardless of goals or winners.

Pongwe

Northwest of the Ras Uroa headland, a series of idyllic, palm fringed, sandy coves make up Pongwe. Bar a tiny fishing village and three small, individual accommodation options, there is very little else here: and that’s its magic! Beach relaxation, away from everything.