ZANZIBAR - April 2017
🇹🇿 TANZANIA 🇹🇿
Zanzibar Town
"Hakuna matata" (no worries) is the common say on this island and indeed everybody is really chilled out. Who wouldn't be when you are surrounded with white sandy beach and the Indian Ocean ! Paradise on Earth.
The flight there, however, wasn't so chilled - no direct flight from the UK but we got there with Quatar Airways via Doha. All in all a 15-hour journey but worth it.
I was slightly anxious arriving without a visa but it proved to be an easy process and costed 50. Credit cards are now accepted and no need to take ID photos with you as they have the latest technology to take them there. The whole visa application process took no more than 15 minutes. You then scramble your way out and hopefully re-unite with your luggage.
Before I forget, the US $ and the Tanzanian Shilling are the preferred tender. There are plenty of exchange places in Stone Town but no ATMs once you leave the town so make sure you take enough cash with you (not many places accept credit cards).
Stone Town - April 11th to 14th 2017
The first 3 days were spent in Stone Town., the old part of Zanzibar city. Tembo House Hotel is the ideal base to explore Stone Town. It's location on the beach adds an extra touch.
Insist on an ocean-view room as you can enjoy the sunset sitting on your balcony.
The pool offers perfect relaxation and a must after rambling through the maze of Stone Town.
Don't forget to visit the Livingstone restaurant, next door on the beach. Delicious fresh fish served with the local coconut sauce.
Tembo House Hotel
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Chapwani Island - 13th April 2017
A short boat ride away lies Chapwani Island. Also known as Grave Island or Prison Island by the locals. It is now privately owned but used to be a prison for slaves before transporting them elsewhere. It is also a sanctuary for tortoises, the oldest one being a mere 192 years old ! Well worth a visit.
Yum yum...
En route to Matemwe - 14th April 2017
Goodbye Stone Town, here we come Matemwe. Situated north of the island, Matemwe is a quiet village stretching along the coast. We hired a car ($50 / day) to get there as we didn't want to rely on local taxis. As there are only a few roads on Zanzibar, the chances of getting lost were pretty slim. However as we were there during he rainy season driving in torrential rain was interesting ...
Best to avoid chickens, goats, cows and monkeys !!!
oh yes they drive on the left - well almost everyone !!!
Matemwe Beach
Sun ( interspersed with the occasional rain shower), sand ( white and very fine) and sea (blue and as warm as a bath).
Villa Kiva, run by an Italian family is a real find. Immaculate service, lovely room overlooking the ocean (again) and a mouth-warweing menu including a daily fresh catch from the sea. I tasted barracuda and highly recommend this fish.
The beach is right there on your doorstep .The tied proceeds along way, leaving seaweed on the beach but staff at Villa promptly sweeps it away. That's what I call service !
Villa Kiva
how to fish when the tide is low
Nur Beach Resort
Great location on the beach. It is a small resort with eight bungalows surrounding an infinity pool . It is a magnificently kept pool but it isn't lit up at night which is a great shame. The service is very pole pole (slow slow in Swahili) and don't expect to receive what you ordered - Rice instead of couscous ! However the mango and strawberry smoothie is delicious as is the ice cream. The result used to be run by French couple but has recently changed hands.
The bungalow is well appointed and prayed every night with a mosquito repellent spray.
The area outside the room is very comfortable with sofas and loads of cushions. The perfect place to relax and hide from the sun.
The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a 50 km2 area of rain forest and mangrove and the only national park on Zanzibar. The Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Procolobus kirkii is found in the park. Its population count is about 1000. It is also known as Kirk's red colobus, named after Sir John Kirk (1832–1922).
The mangrove forest is a sea water mangrove so no mosquitoes here !!! Three different types of mangrove trees can be found in this park. Zanzibar has nine species in total.
Spot the monkey
The sea water mangrove forest
A little about spices
The history of Zanzibar would not be complete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which are essential ingredient in a Zanzibari's everyday life, it is the island's connection to spices and herbs. Zanzibar and Spice is a duo that dates back to the 16th century.
Many spice tours are on offer to explore spice farms.
The best eats in Stone Town
Rooftop Tea House
One of the tallest rooftop restaurants in Stone town. It is, without the shadow of a doubt, an amazing culinary experience to eat there. My tastebuds came alive with every mouthful I took of this delicious cuisine !
It isn't cheap but worth every penny of it. An added touch is to have your hands washed with rose water. You can sit at a table ( only two available ) or you sit on luscious cushions on the floor. Possibly the best evening I had in Stone town.
The Livingstone beach restaurant
As the name indicates the restaurant is located on the beach (next to the Tembo House hotel). It is a cosy relaxed place to eat.
It serves good local food and I had barracuda ( for the first time ) with coconut sauce that was deliciou.
Tips 🇹🇿
💰US$ and Tanzanian Shilling in use. Take plenty of cash with you and change some for Shillings (tips, souvenirs, snacks,taxi rides etc.). There are plenty of bureau de change in Stone Town as well as a couple at the airport.
A large bottle of water should cost you no more than 1000 Shillings on the street
🛂 Visas can be obtained on arrival. Cost $50 but they now take credit cards.
🍷 Please note that some establishments do not serve alcohol.
🏥 A high risk malaria zone so check with your GP whether you need to take malaria tablets or not. Make sure you use a mosquito repellent spray especially at dusk.
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