ZANZIBAR ISLANDS

UNGUJA & PEMBA

The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water; shallow sandbars perfect for wading; and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists. Explore the World Heritage Site of Stone Town, Zanzibar City’s old quarter. Or just go beach to beach between tiny fishing villages—each one's better than the next.

UNGUJA ISLAND

WHY UNGUJA ISLAND?

Wildlife

Zanzibar is home to the red colobus monkey, the Zanzibar servaline genet, and the Zanzibar leopard. The red colobus monkey is an endangered species, and its population is still decreasing.

These amazing primates can usually be found in the Jozani Forest, unlike another of Zanzibar’s critically endangered animals – the Zanzibar leopard.

It is unclear whether there are any Zanzibar leopards left on the island, and experts have previously stated that they are extinct, but potential sightings in recent years have renewed hope that the population is surviving.

Another rare animal that resides in Unguja is the Zanzibar servaline genet. These cat-like animals were first discovered in the 1990s, and first photographed in 2003. The genet is distinct in appearance, with black spots on tan-coloured fur and its long tails are ringed with black and light-coloured bands.

Marine life

Some of the more interesting creatures that can be seen here include dolphins, manta rays, sharks, and sea turtles. Unguja is also a great place to see coral reefs in all their glory; the healthy coral reef systems make for some of the best diving in Africa.

Guests looking for an idyllic tropical paradise to relax and enjoy some unforgettable scuba diving experiences will be in their element here amongst the crystal clear sea levels.

Birdlife

Birds can be found all over the island of Zanzibar. There are a variety of different species, including parrots, hornbills, and kingfishers. The best time to see the birds is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when they are most active.

Some of the more common birds that can be seen on Zanzibar include the red-headed barbet, African gray parrot, blue-tailed bee-eater, and white-throated robin. The vibrant colors and interesting shapes of these birds make them a popular tourist attraction.

Cities

Stone Town is the historical town in Zanzibar city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s full of old buildings, markets, and mosques. There are also lots of souvenir shops where you can buy traditional Zanzibari items like spices, carpets, and clothes.

Another popular town on Zanzibar is Nungwi. It’s a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. There are also many excellent restaurants serving seafood dishes fresh from the Indian Ocean.

PRISON ISLAND:

This historical Island was formerly owned by an Arab and used for the
confinement of refractory slaves. It was bought by General Mathews and the jail (gaol) which still stands was built in 1893 and hence the name "PRISON ISLAND"

Diving: The perfect destination for divers and snorkelers to experience the breath-taking coral reef marine life. The crystal clear water is perfect for scenic photography or to stay onshore and enjoy the captivating beauty of this island.
Beach day: Sunbathing on any of the best beaches in Zanzibar is a treat with their pristine sand and turquoise waters including Nungwi and Kendwa. Visitors can also explore the nearby islands of Pamunda, Pemba island, Chumbe and Unguja Island.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing: Paje is known as the “Pearl of Zanzibar” and is one of the very best kitesurfing destinations. Vast white sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise water, it is home to perfect winds and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

PEMBA ISLAND

UNGUJA ISLAND?

DIVING

Pemba Island offers a range of breathtaking diving sites, suitable for numerous levels.

Diving around Pemba Island is diverse and very special – clear water, deep cliffs, remote sites with little diving and many pristine reefs. Extraordinary locations include Emerald Wall and Panza Wreck.

One of the most spectacular sites is the famous Misali Island. This island is covered with forest, and lies off the west coast of Pemba Island. Misali Island is surrounded by crystal clear waters and offer a breathtaking, 9 km ring of coral reefs. Allegedly, the hideout of Pirate Captain Kidd. Misali Island offers one of the best diving locations in East Africa, with over 42 types of coral and 300 species of fish, including barracudas and manta rays. No wonder it’s highly appreciated by both divers and snorkelers. Nowadays, Misali Island is a protected area.

PUJINI RUINS

These are the ruins of a fortress, dating from the 13th century, constructed in a style otherwise unknown on the East Coast of Africa. There are many conflicting stories relating to the founder of this town, but most name him as Mohammad bin Abdulrahman. He is said to have exerted his influence on the mainland from Pate to Kilwa and out into the Indian Ocean as far as the Comoros. He was a great boat-builder, favouring the matempe style, a prodigious builder of mosques and a fine bowman. During an extremely successful life as a merchant and pirate in the region, he decided to site his capital at Pujini, in a location on top of a hill, with only distant access to the sea, in order that he might defend his great wealth from raiders.

CHAKE CHAKE

The largest town on Pemba, its capital and its administrative centre is Chake Chake, located about half way down the Western coast of the island at the head of a narrow creek. The old town is set on a ridge, from where it is possible to look down through the early morning mists over the rusty tin roofs to the silted creek below, where only the occasional dhow now ventures when the tides will allow.

NGESI FOREST RESERVE

Three kilometres past Konde, the tar road quite suddenly comes to an end at the Ngesi Park Ranger Post and a dirt track enters a tunnel of dense forest. Immediately the air cools and the sounds of the jungle echo and reverberate around about. The forest is true double canopy, with an upper layer of majestic mgulele (antiarus), mwavi (erythrophloem), mtondoo (Alexandrian laurel) and mvule (milicia) trees towering up to 30 and 40 metres. From the junctions on their huge trunks grow tropical lianas and parasitical plants, whilst high up in the canopy, troupes of the Pemba vervet monkey bark and play. Below this is a second level of vegetation, mainly consisting of smaller immature trees and large shrubs. Everywhere there is the tangle of a true tropical forest.

MKIA WA NG'OMBE

The track leaves the forest as suddenly as it entered and passes into an area of light cultivation, of cassava fields planted under shady trees. Immediately a right turn leads to the village of Tondooni, so named after the mtondoo or Alexandrian laurel tree, which is common in the area. From here a small track leads cross-country to the site of Mkia wa Ng'ombe, where there are the remains of a mosque, thirteen tombs and a number of houses, dating from the 12th to 15th centuries. The site is more easily reached by boat from Wete.

CHWAKA RUINS

The ruins of an 18th century town thought to be the capital of Pemba during a period when the island came under the control of the Mazrui Arabs of Mombasa. The town included a substantial mosque and fort and the remains of six tombs of members of the Mazrui family including one inscribed with the name "Mbarouk bin Khatib" and a date of 1807. The Mazrui were overthrown by Seyyid bin Said and his Busaidi Arabs during the early 19th century and the town fell into decay.

CHAKE CHAKE FORTRESS

The oldest surviving building in the town is the Old Fortress, which is thought to date back at least to the eighteenth century and possibly as far back as the Portuguese occupation (1499 to 1698). Records dating back to the early 19th century describe the fortress as being rectangular in plan, with two square and two round towers at the corners, topped by thatched roofs. Round towers are typical of the Arab and Swahili architecture of the time, but the square towers are unusual and indicate possible Portuguese influence.