ZANZIBAR

Few countries have such romantic allure as the Spice Island of Zanzibar, a slumbering lush paradise where green cloves, bread leaf, rice, cinnamon and coconuts still grow wild today. Hidden around Zanzibar's idyllic coves or along its stunning beaches are some excellent hotels and further afield, over 50 islands litter the warm tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean, with golden sands, swaying palms and tiny rustic retreats. The old Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fascinating warren of narrow streets, overhanging balconies and huge, intricately carved wooden doors. The bustling Suk (bazaar), where traders bargain excitedly, is full of the pungent perfume of exotic spices. This is the town where the famous 19th century explorers such as Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, Speke and Grant began their fateful journeys into the 'dark' interior. Outside the town there are many places of historic interest including the Maruhubi Palace, formerly the Sultan's harem, Mangapwani Village, the former site of the notorious slave pits and many other captivating hide-aways. Access to Zanzibar is a simple flight from Nairobi, Mombasa, Arusha or Dar es Salaam. So, tagging on a few days of culture, diving or simple relaxation after a safari is very easy to arrange.

Historical Stone Town
A fascinating excursion that winds through narrow bustling streets and alleyways, fish and former slave markets, consulates, the old fort and historical houses. It highlights the Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences on this vibrant capital.

The Spice Tour
A look at small traditional farms in the rural areas that grow cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom and other spices as well as medicinal and ornamental plants and tropical fruits. It's a rare experience and leaves you in no doubt as to why Zanzibar is referred to as the Spice Island.

Prison Island
A short boat trip to this historic prison with its giant tortoises provides an insight into how it was for slaves here during the 1800's. Today you can look around the prison as well as swim and snorkel in the beautiful surrounding waters.

Josani Forest
Famous for the endemic Kirks red colobus monkey, this guided tour follows a fascinating nature trail through Zanzibar's last remaining natural indigenous forest. There are many varieties of birds, antelope and monkey species to enjoy.

Dolphin adventures
This tour takes you to Kizimkazi, one of Zanzibar's earlier capitals, where old Shirazi ruins remain. From here continue to the fishing village and board a small motorised boat in search of resident dolphins.

Mangapwani Beach
A beautiful private beach that's perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of Stone Town. Take a dhow journey here to enjoy sun, sand, sea and sumptuous seafood, cooked right on the beach. There are also the old Slave Caves to explore.

ZANZIBAR HOTELS

STONE TOWN

Emerson and Green Hotel is one of Zanzibar's most famous hotels and still boasts much of the original architecture from the 1840's. Now completely restored with local touches (no room telephone or TV here) it has become a seven-bedroomed bohemian retreat that enchants most visitors. The roof terrace affords some of the finest views on the island, a perfect setting for those romantic dinners.

Mtoni Marine Center is five minutes north of Stone Town. With its extensive gardens, views over the bay and a vast beach, it makes an excellent base to relax or to explore Stone Town and the rest of the island. The comfortable rooms come in several different styles and there are a few highly recommended restaurants to choose from. Dhow cruises and beach barbecues are also extremely popular here.

Shangani House is a spacious, refurbished four-bedroomed home located on the western side of Stone Town. It is an extremely atmospheric house that oozes character. The old buildings and slightly overgrown gardens are filled with vines and shrubbery creating the magic of The Secret Garden of our childhoods. A perfect retreat for the family.

Tembo House Hotel is a splendid little 34-bedroomed hotel, right in the heart of Stone Town, around ten minutes from the airport. Overlooking a busy working beach, it captures perfectly the style, décor and flair of Zanzibar. There's a central courtyard, pool, bar and restaurants. The bedrooms are simple yet stylish in character.

Zanzibar Beach Resort is quite close to the airport and set into landscaped gardens overlooking the sea. The hotel caters well for small groups and has 60 spacious rooms with white-washed walls and makuti thatch roofs. There are also many water activities on offer as well as squash, a gym and a large pool.

Zanzibar Serena Inn is a first-class 52-bedroomed hotel offering excellent service and facilities. Its location makes it ideal for short stays and exploration trips into Stone Town. Ten minutes from the airport, it overlooks the ocean and is a short walk away from the bustling harbour. The hotel boasts several fine restaurants, bars and a swimming pool.

NORTH EAST ZANZIBAR

Bluebay Beach Resort is one of the newer hotels on the island. Located on the east coast, thirty minutes from Stone Town, it has 88 bedrooms, is built on a fine sandy beach and set in 25 acres of palms and gardens. With restaurants, bars, shops, fitness and diving-centres, floodlit tennis courts, all water-sport facilities, large swimming pools and evening entertainment, you could be busy for days or simply relax and soak up the sun.

Mapenzi Beach Club is located on the east coast about one hour from the airport. The gardens are tropical and filled with palms and colourful bougainvillea trees. Its beach is secluded, unspoilt and extremely beautiful. With swimming pools, 87 bedrooms and every type of activity you can think of, it's a good first-class hotel with a personal service.

Matemwe Bungalows is situated on the east coast and built on a small coral cliff about an hour's drive from the airport. With just 16 lovely bungalows, beautiful gardens and a fine beach, Matemwe is a great spot if you want to relax and enjoy a little local life since there is an interesting fishing village close by. Diving is also available here.

Protea Zanzibar Beach Hotel is located about an hour from the airport on the east coast. The hotel has 63 spacious bedrooms and many family 'houses'. The food is excellent, the beach lovely and there's a host of water activities including diving.

Ras Nungwi is an hour and a quarter's drive from the airport and one of the smartest resorts on the northern tip of Zanzibar. There are just 33 rooms and the well-kept gardens and tranquil surroundings open out onto a spectacular beach. Apart from great rooms, there are all sorts of water activities on offer here, including diving and big-game fishing.

Salme's Garden is a beautifully restored grand old house with gardens and orchards. It's set on a private beach 10km from Stone Town. Initially occupied by Princess Salme, it's very secluded and feels somewhat like a museum with its historical links, grand furnishings, shaded verandahs and just four bedrooms. Highly recommended for families or small groups this bijou hotel has its own chef who buys fresh fish according to guests' requests.

Sea Club Kiwengwa is located on the long, white, powdery Kiwengwa beach, looking out over an azure lagoon, where colours change with the light of the day. There are 100 en-suite air-conditioned bedrooms, each with a private balcony or verandah and the all-inclusive resort has a large restaurant, two bars and a swimming pool. Scuba-diving and a wide variety of other activities are also available. The hotel is about one hour's drive from the airport.

SOUTH ZANZIBAR

Breezes Beach Club is an hour's drive from the airport and set in tropical gardens with a stunning beach, a swimming pool, floodlit tennis court, scuba-diving, water-sports and fitness centres. There is also a wide choice of good restaurants and bars. There are 70 large, tastefully decorated bedrooms, all adding to the romance of this classic, privately-run family hotel.

Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort is set on the east coast about an hour from the airport. It's a friendly, cosmopolitan,
61-bedroomed hotel with a pretty sandy beach, many restaurants and a great variety of activities on offer. The gardens are tropical and lush.

The Palms is the exclusive place to stay on the east coast, next door to Breezes. The six stylish 'villas' are the epitome of luxury, each set in its own private garden. From here, you can watch the sea as you lie in bed or venture out to relax under your own thatched parasol during the heat of the day.

Sultan Palace is a small exclusive retreat an hour's drive from the airport and is a member of Relais & Chateaux. It has just 15 very spacious cottages set out in an imaginative and stylish design. The food and service is of a high quality and the beach is beautiful.

SOUTH WEST ZANZIBAR
Menai Bay Bungalows is a delightful little ten-roomed eco-friendly retreat, located half an hour's drive from the airport. With highlights such as turtles and dolphins, the area is an important site that includes several coral reefs, a great deal of marine life and a dense mangrove forest. There's also a pristine beach and a tropical atmosphere.

CHAPWANI PRIVATE ISLAND

Chapwani (commonly called Grave Island) is a small island around 20 minutes by boat from Stone Town. There are only ten simple yet ideal rooms here, all looking out onto golden sands and turquoise waters. Come here if you want peace and tranquility, gentle walks through forests and mangrove and snorkelling in clear waters. Or why not use this as a base for short visits into Stone Town?

MNEMBA ISLAND

Mnemba is a private tropical island almost untouched and amazingly, only a few km off the north-eastern shores of Zanzibar. Mnemba is described by some as a 'therapy for the spirit'. Pristine beaches wrap around the island's small 1km circumference (less than one hour's walk) while an outer protection zone surrounds the island, conserving magnificent coral reefs where giant turtles, ghost crabs and spectacular tropical fish drift through the lagoons. It's approximately one hour from Stone Town by vehicle then 20 minutes by boat. With ten rustic but exclusive bungalows and exquisite cuisine, the main activities here include fishing, scuba-diving, boating and swimming.

CHUMBE ISLAND CORAL PARK

A 12km boat journey from Stone Town, the secluded island with Chumbe Lodge offers an award-winning nature reserve with many fascinating forest and marine trails, a protected reef, a historic lighthouse built in 1904 and an old mosque. Particularly enjoyable are the peaceful walking trails with opportunities for great bird-watching. Snorkelling is amazing, as the corals harbour thousands of colourful fish. Turtles and dolphins also regularly visit the reef. The island lodge is a flagship environmental project which puts into practice many
eco-friendly ideas. There are only seven simply furnished chalets which are comfortable, spacious and lit by the stars!

MAFIA ISLAND

Mafia Island lies some 128km south of Dar es Salaam, approximately 30 minutes by air, and a little longer from Zanzibar. The Arabs grew plantations of cashew nuts here, while the British used its deep waters as a naval base during the First World War. Recognised as a fisherman's paradise, marlin, sailfish, shark, kingfish, barracuda, wahoo and some of the world's biggest tunny are found here. The beaches are narrow, but the diving spectacular.

Chole Mjini Lodge is just across the channel, a short dhow journey from Mafia Island. It's a unique tree-lodge that overlooks the mangrove and has appeal to guests who want simplicity in a natural setting. More of a cultural experience is offered here, as there is a fishing village, a school and a fascinating 'flying fox' roosting spot close by.

Kinasi Lodge is a splendid little retreat with an idyllic 'away-from-it-all' atmosphere. It lies in a tranquil setting with a pool, swaying palms, landscaped gardens and Chole Bay on your doorstep. Kinasi is an excellent base for diving, sailing, dhow trips, exploring the island or simply taking in the ambience. There are 13 private chalets, with a charming rustic romance and a high standard of comfort.

Pole Pole is a sleepy Italian-flavoured ten-roomed lodge around the bay from Kinasi. The rooms are a little more sophisticated, with polished floors, mahogany furniture and Italian linen but activities are the same. There's also a nice bar-cum-restaurant down near the beach where you can relax and watch time pass by.

PEMBA ISLAND

Pemba lies to the north of Zanzibar, about 20 minutes by air. It was once famous for its production of cloves but tourism and fishing have now become specialities. Its beaches are pristine and an 800m deep channel splits Pemba Island from the continent, making this one of Africa's greatest deep-sea fishing destinations. On the island itself, walking excursions through forests are very worthwhile, revealing many native species including spectacular ferns and giant trees. There are also cycle-rides, dhow trips, many archaeological sites to explore and afterwards fresh lobster, fish and other tropical and spicy delicacies to enjoy.

Fundu Lagoon is a secluded retreat with over 4km of private beach and stunning views. Designed to be eco-friendly, this lodge blends into the natural environment to create a rustic, friendly island retreat. With 20
self-contained bungalows, each with en-suite facilities and a secluded terrace, this hotel sets the standard for comfort and romance in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The main activities include fishing, scuba-diving, boating and dhow trips.

Manta Reef Lodge lies between a tropical rain forest and the gentle blue waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a unique wilderness resort, set in an idyllic location. Come here if you want to dive all day and don't need the trimmings of a swish lodge. While very comfortable, the 15 cabins are rustic and completely open in the front, offering great panoramic views. Other water-sports are
also available.