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Stone Town - Spice Tour - Northeast of Zanzibar
Discovery of the East.

The east coast of Zanzibar is lined with powder-white beaches which look towards a long barrier reef, about a kilometre offshore. Inland you’ll find small fishing villages and a variety of places to stay. Swimming at low tide at the east and northeast coast is impossible unless you like a very long walk. But the walks across the lagoon to the barrier reef are part of the attraction.

The main reason for coming here is for the superb diving and snorkeling! And when snorkeling or scuba diving appeals, the Mnemba Atoll on the northeast Coast (a shallow expanse of coral reef with a tiny island) is a must-do.


Duration : 7 Days
Travelstyles : Beach Holidays
Activities : Diving & Snorkeling
Parks & places : Prison Island (Changuu Island), Stone Town, The beaches of Zanzibar


Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival at Zanzibar (Unguja)

Arrival at the airport or harbour to meet our company representative who will transfer you at the hotel of your choice in Stone Town. You will have a briefing about your stay.

There is a huge range of hotels in and around Stone Town fitting different budgets. Stone Town can be noisy and we therefore recommend one of the hotels at the waterfront.

Depending on your time of arrival you can make an excursion to Prison Island or book the sunset cruise, an excursion on a traditional Dhow, starting in the late afternoon and cruising along the Zanzibar (Unguja) coast. Romantic!

Stone Town: For many centuries there was intense seaborne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated in an exceptional manner by the architecture and urban structure of the Stone Town. Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaign.

Accommodation : 236 Hurumzi (***), Africa House (***), Beyt al Chai (****), Dhow Palace Hotel (***), Mbweni Ruins Hotel (***), Mtoni Marine (****), Serena Inn (*****), Tembo Hotel (***)
Parks & places : Prison Island (Changuu Island), Stone Town

Day 2 : Discovery of Stone Town

Our Guide will pick you up after breakfast for a half-day guided historical tour. Stone Town is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar and very fascinating. The best way of getting around the town is on foot. Distances are relatively short and most of the streets are too narrow for cars. During your historical tour, your guide will show you the most important places not to miss: The House of Wonders with its balconies, which houses the Zanzibar National Museum of History and Culture, the Portuguese cannons, the Arab Fort, the Great Slave Market and much more.

In the afternoon we recommend you to continue your discovery of Stone Town. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets.The guided tour in the morning will help to find your way in Stone Town.

You can do some shopping; a good place to start with is the Central Darajani Local Market on creek Road. Do not buy the first thing you see, take your time and you must always bargain with the vendors or try to set the prices off against each other. This is their way of doing business!

There are good tourist shops in Stone Town: Zanizbar Gallery (Kenyata Avenue), Memories of Zanzibar (opposite the post office) and Hurumzi Art & Craft Gallery (Hurumzi Street).

At the end of the afternoon we propose you to experience one of Zanzibar’s oldest tradition for a rendez-vous at the "Sunset Bar " at the Africa House Hotel along Shangani Road. Enjoy with a drink the fantastic panorama as the sun sets over the magical Indian Ocean!

In the evening you really need to visit the Forodhani Gardens. The name “forodhani� means a ship’s cargo or a reloading place. This alludes to the slave trade, when slaves landed here and were being taken to the market. You can relax here during the day but the place really comes alive after sunset. Then it hosts the best street food market with an enormous variety. It’s one of the cheapest places to eat but it’s always good to check if everything is really fresh (especially in low season) .

Overnight at hotel of your choice. B/B

Stone Town is a UNESCO world heritage cultural site: It's a fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa. It retains its urban fabric and town scape virtually intact and contains many fine buildings that reflect its particular culture, which has brought together and homogenized disparate elements of the cultures of Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe over more than a millennium.

Accommodation : 236 Hurumzi (***), Africa House (***), Beyt al Chai (****), Dhow Palace Hotel (***), Mbweni Ruins Hotel (***), Mtoni Marine (****), Serena Inn (*****), Tembo Hotel (***)
Parks & places : Stone Town

Day 3 : Spice Tour and transfer to the Northeast

In the morning you leave for a half-day Spice Tour, which is almost obligatory when you visit Zanzibar. Long before 1498 with Vasco da Gama’s opening of the sea route to India, Zanzibar had traded spices with Arabia, India and even with China and the Far East. The Omanis, who succeeded the Portuguese, found that Zanzibar’s climate was perfect for the cultivation of spices.

It’s a very popular excursion and you will learn a few things about the herbs, spices and fruits for which the island is very famous. You will have the opportunity for smelling and tasting and a guide will give you fascinating descriptions of their uses.

After lunch we continue to the East coast and you will have the afternoon free to relax at the beach or in your hotel.

Accommodation at your choice.

Accommodation : Bluebay Resort(*****), Mnarani Cottages (***), Ocean Paradise (*****), Pongwe Hotel (***), Ras Nungwi (*****), Shooting Star (***), Sultan Sands (****)

Day 4 : Relaxing at the Northeast Coast

Off shore at the Northeast Coast.

- Visit to the Mnemba Atoll.

This stunning coral atoll was recently declared a marine conservation area, offering a unique opportunity to both divers and snorkellers to experience the best of Zanzibar’s underwater world.

Whatever your level of experience, the reefs are perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. You will find a variety of corals and fish life. Visibility for diving is at its best in January but sea conditions are calmest in late October and November. You have several reefs, each with their own specialities. Take care to dive with a recommended PADI-accredited dive centre!

- Mnemba Island is a private island with one of the most exclusive accommodation and has been renowed as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline.

Accommodation at your choice.

Accommodation : Bluebay Resort(*****), Mnarani Cottages (***), Ocean Paradise (*****), Pongwe Hotel (***), Ras Nungwi (*****), Shooting Star (***), Sultan Sands (****)
Activities : Diving & Snorkeling
Parks & places : The beaches of Zanzibar

Day 5 : Relaxing at the Northeast Coast

Relaxing at the beach

Most of the larger hotels offer a host of activities including reef walks, sailing and water sports. But you can also visit the tiny fishing village of Pongwe. The beach with unbelievably clear water an swaying palm trees are a real dream.

The hotels we propose at Kiwengwa try to be in tune with the local life and made efforts to minimize its environmental impact.

Accomodation at your choice.

Accommodation : Bluebay Resort(*****), Mnarani Cottages (***), Ocean Paradise (*****), Pongwe Hotel (***), Ras Nungwi (*****), Shooting Star (***), Sultan Sands (****)
Activities : Diving & Snorkeling
Parks & places : The beaches of Zanzibar

Day 6 : Relaxing at Northeast Coast.

Another active snorkeling or diving day or a day at leisure in the accommodation of your choice.

Depending on the departure time of your flight it might be necessary to return to Stone Town for overnight. You can choose to leave in the morning and spend a half day at Prison Island or if you have missed the sunset cruise book it for the late afternoon at Stone Town.

Alternatively you can stay at Mtoni Marine Centre which is on the waterfront North of Stone Town (15 min). Another option is Mbweni Ruins Hotel South of Stone Town (10 min).

Accommodation : Bluebay Resort(*****), Mnarani Cottages (***), Ocean Paradise (*****), Pongwe Hotel (***), Ras Nungwi (*****), Shooting Star (***), Sultan Sands (****)
Activities : Diving & Snorkeling
Parks & places : Prison Island (Changuu Island), Stone Town, The beaches of Zanzibar

Day 7 : Departure

You will be picked up at your hotel to be transferred at the airport for your depature! Zanibar International Airport (Kisauni) lies 6 km South of Stone Town.

Please keep in mind that there is a departure tax of $ 30 at the airport! The airport tax is not included in your ticket!

Ref. holiday package: ZNZ002

This holiday package can be tailor-made! Different hotel categories are available. Ask us more information!
Meal plans at your choice depending on offered possibilities: Bed & Breakfast, Half board, Full Board or all Inclusive.
What is included?

The holiday package includes: airport transfers, hotel accommodation, meal plans at your choice, half-day guided historical tour of Stone town, half-day guided spice tour. Optional: Visit of Prison Island, Sundown cruise departing from Stone Town, diving & snorkeling arrangements and other special interest tours. It Excludes: Airline ticket, beverages, tips, visas, Zanzibar departure tax and personal expenses.

What to bring?

Money for your personal expenses, $ 30 departure tax, light clothes are advisable, sun protection is a must (sunglasses, sun cream, sunhat), malaria protection, mosquito repellent for use in the evenings, your own diving mask if you have, plastic shoes of sandals are recommended for shoreline walks at low tide, camera

Flights to Zanzibar: Several large carriers fly to Entebbe, Kilimanjaro, Nairobi and Nairobi with connecting flights to Zanzibar. There are also domestic flights. flights between Zanzibar and Tanzania's main cities and National Parks. We can assist and arrange your flights.

Departure tax: Harbour tax $5 p.p. - international flight tax $30 p.p. - Domestic flight $5 p.p. - Cash only!

Visa & passports: All visitors require a passport, valid for the duration of their stay, most visitors can get their visa at Zanzibar International Airport at $ 50 per person. Ask us more information.