Exploring the captivating island of Zanzibar

Escape to paradise on the beautiful island of Zanzibar!

The stunning beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and the warm hospitality of the friendly locals. The true meaning of relaxation and adventure in this gem of a destination.

Zanzibar is a unique destination, filled with history and character, beautiful beaches, exquisite views, colors, a variety of experiences, and wonderful people, and for people like us, this destination is a true photographer’s paradise. With stunning reflections, beautiful beaches, vibrant markets, and countless other photo opportunities, every corner is a picture-perfect moment waiting to be captured. The locals are incredibly friendly and helpful, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. We’ve had the incredible experience of sailing on traditional boats, relaxing on sandy beaches, indulging in fresh seafood on a charming small island, exploring the mesmerizing crystal blue waters through snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing on a catamaran. During low tide, we ventured as far as we could to discover the diverse array of starfishes dotting the shore. This place is an absolute heaven for photography enthusiasts like ourselves.

With a variety of activities and excursions, your days are guaranteed to be filled with sun, sea, and an appreciation for the rich history of Zanzibar.

Stone Town Trip

Follow in the footsteps of the sultans, slaves, and explorers down the winding streets of Stone Town. We went with a tour guide who showed us around and told us everything about the events that shaped Zanzibar, he led us through the buildings where everything happened, including the former slave market, the Anglican cathedral, the House of Wonders, the Sultan’s Palace museum and the old Arab Fort.

Freddy Mercury Trip

Born Farouk Bulsara in 1946 in Shangani, Freddie Mercury spent his formative years living and playing in Stone Town’s winding alleyways. On this trip, we wandered through Shangani before heading to the mystical Zoroastrian temple, where Mercury worshipped with his family, before ending the day at Mercury’s Restaurant.

Jozani Forest Tour

The Jozani forest is home to a number of endemic species, including the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey, the Zanzibar leopard, which is critically endangered and possibly extinct, and the recently described Zanzibar servaline genet. The guide took us on a nature trail, lined with eucalyptus and mahogany trees, explained the medicinal properties of various plants, and told us about the animals, birds, and reptiles that make their home in the various habitats of the tropical rainforest.

Dolphin Adventure

At Kizimkazi on Zanzibar’s south coast, where they board a traditional ocean-going dhow and set sail on the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins. The dhow can pass as close as 10 to 20 meters from the dolphins and we have been lucky enough to also see whales and swim and snorkel with these beautiful animals. We snorkeled in the pristine clear waters and reefs and saw a variety of fish.

Sand Bank Picnic

After the snorkeling, we were dropped off on a small Sand Bank where we had a delicious seafood lunch, with fresh seafood and all the different fruits. After lunch, there was time to relax on the beach or explore the underwater life surrounding the sandbank.

Princess Salme Trip

We didn’t do this excursion but I still want to mention it. Princess Salme was an Arabian princess who sent shockwaves through Zanzibar when she taught herself to write, conspired to overthrow her brother, fell pregnant, and eloped to Germany with a young merchant. On this trip, guests follow her life from Mtoni Marine, where she was born, to Marhubi Palace which was built by Sultan Barghash, Salme’s brother. The tour ends at the Palace Museum, where a room has been dedicated to Salme’s life and writings.

Prison Island Trip

Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, gets its name from the prison built to keep citizens from Zanzibar in isolation. Previously owned by an Arabian slave trader to house rebellious slaves, the prison was never used and the island is now a tortoise sanctuary. Prison ruins can still be seen on the island and a hotel has also been built there. Visitors can watch giant tortoises shuffle through the trees and are probably over 100 years old.

Slave Routes of Zanzibar

In the days of slave trading, slaves were exported from the Mangapwani coast over thousands of miles to faraway lands and continents. This excursion begins at the Dhow Harbour, where slave ships originally offloaded their human cargo from Bagamoyo. The tour continues to the Anglican Church at the slave market and past the missionary graves. The tour ends at Mangapwani, where you can walk through the caves that held hundreds of slaves, waiting for the monsoons and the arrival of the dhows that will take them to be sold.

Spice Tour

Zanzibar was known as the Spice Island, exporting cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and cardamom across the world. Nowadays, the plantations are a tribute to the island’s past. On this tour, you get the opportunity to walk through the spice farms with your guide and touch, smell, and taste different spices and tropical fruits. You also get the chance to learn about their properties, origin, and use as medicines and additives to food and drink. It was very interesting to find out about all the spices, what they look like, and where they come from before they end up in our food.

Sunset Cruise

Guests can explore the coastline, fringed with coconut palm trees, and enjoy the most breathtaking sunsets while sipping on jungle juice or cocktails and eating canapés as the boat sails along the coast before it returns to the Stone Town. (Seasonal)

Diving

Diving in Zanzibar is highly recommended and dives can be arranged at various sites around the island including Matemwe Beach for diving at the infamous Mnemba Atoll. Scuba Fish Zanzibar offers instruction, equipment, and transport at our Sports and Recreation Centre.

Swahili Cultural Trips

Swahili culture has many elements, such as music, dance, visual arts, traditional games, cuisine, and dhow culture. A Swahili cultural tour is a wonderful way for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture and experience how the Zanzibari live every day. The cultural tour offers the ideal opportunity to gain real insight into the people and life on the island and is a great way to support sustainable tourism and the people of Zanzibar.

Safari Blue

On this trip, we sailed away on a traditional dhow to a private island and again enjoyed some wonderful snorkeling along the way. A seafood barbeque lunch is served under the trees on the island. After a day full of swimming, relaxing, and local dancing, guests sail back to the mainland, stopping for a quick swim in the cool waters of the mangroves.

You discover the most breathtaking starfish when you take a wading throug the water

Every day we went to a beach, on a photo adventure, capturing countless images of securely anchored boats, readying themselves for the rising tide’s imminent arrival.