The majestic Spice Islands are one of the beautiful places in Zanzibar, with their history dating back to the 19th Century.
In the past, it was the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Assyrians who traded and occupied the Islands of Zanzibar.
They were later joined by the Chinese, Indians, Persians, and recently the British and Arabians who competed for control over the area.
Each of these occupants left a big mark on the Island, a legacy in its architecture or population that makes it such a wonderful tourist destination today.
For a number of years, it was fundamental to the powerful Omani Sultanate, even becoming its Capital in 1840, hence displacing Muscat to guarantee control over the profitable Slave Trade market.
In 1964, Zanzibar became part of the United Republic of Tanzania under which it has thrived and developed into the popular tourist destination it is today.
To the British, the Island of Zanzibar was the genesis of many of the Early Explorers departing to the interior of the African Continent to uncover its hidden secrets.
Sir Richard Francis Burton, David Livingstone, and John Hanning Speke all began their journey from here.
Recently, visitors to Zanzibar Island tend to arrive and stay longer than planned or anticipated.
A typical Zanzibar Holiday usually comprises relaxation tours on the tranquil white-sandy beaches, or perhaps kicking off your holiday with a tour.
Stone Town, the oldest Town on Zanzibar Island, is a beautiful amazement of winding streets and ancient buildings of typical Arabian architectural designs.
The Town is also popular for its awe-inspiring carved doors, decorated with stunning brass work.
Carnivals are organized in almost every area of Stone Town, for generations, and these sell beautiful jewelry, coffee, African wear, and spices outsourced from every part of the Island, and it is behind its wealth in the first place.
The majority of the beautiful beaches on Zanzibar Island are found on the north and East Coast of the Island of Zanzibar, a road trip of between 45 minutes and 2 hours from the historical Stone Town.
Much as the Town is now more commercial than it was a decade ago, it still features numerous small and intimate Hotels on the Island offering Holiday makers and honeymooners a serene and unwinding feeling.
Their secluded locations, few rooms, pristine beaches, and beautiful Tropical sun are a great combination, especially when added to Tanzanian or Kenyan safaris.
Zanzibar Island is famous for its Spice Islands, and if you are looking for a less commercial experience, visit Chumbe, Pemba, or further south of the Coast to the spectacular Mafia Island.
These Islands are undeniably remote, hence making them difficult to access but once you get there, the experience is worth it.
Mafia Island
Mafia Island extends for about 50 kilometers (31 miles) by 15 kilometers (9 miles) across with beautiful sandy streets, ancient baobabs, and well as stunning ruins.
Life on this Island is slow and traditional with visitors guaranteed to enjoy a less-crowded and authentic beach experience.
The Island is also enclosed by a barrier reef filled with rich marine life.
More than half the coastline of Mafia, about 822 square kilometers, has been established as a Marine National Park by the Government.
There are currently more than 50 species of corals, about 460 fish species as well as 5 different species of turtles within the waters around Chole Bay area.
This outstanding island is fringed by dense mangrove habitat that is also endowed with rich wildlife.
Some of the places to stay on this Island include Pole Pole.
Locally translated as slowly slowly, this Italian-run Lodge is found in Chole Bay and offers a perfect base for exploring the vast Archipelago.
It features 7 Bungalow suites, with each situated between coconut palms, with en-suite bathrooms and a beautiful swimming pool.
A number of excursions are organized by the Lodge to other Islands in the Zanzibar Archipelago, dive sites, cultural sites, beaches, and sandbanks of special interest.
A number of activities including diving can be organized from Mafia Island Diving (managed by Pole Pole) and offer the best diving at less than 30 meters.
Snorkeling is also perfect within the Chole Bay area on the reef, with whale sharks frequently spotted within these waters as well as excursions to snorkel with these ferocious aquatic species arranged by the Lodge.
The months of October, November, December, January, February, and March are the best with the most reliable sightings, although they can be seen throughout the year.
Other outstanding places to stay within Mafia Island are Fanjove Private Island, Lua Cheia Beach, Kinasi Lodge, Chole Mjini Lodge, Thanda Island, Mafia Island Lodge, Butiama Beach, Ras Mbisi Lodge, and many others.
Flights can be organized to Mafia Island although they have in the past been very costly.
However, of recent, they have been more systematic and reasonably priced, opening up this exquisite Indian Ocean gem to more visitors to Africa.
Chumbe Island
Chumbe Island is a small privately owned Island, only 13 kilometers from Stone Town and is famous for its ecological innovation as well as extraordinary coral reefs.
This Island is home to the exceptional robber or coconut crab in addition to being the World’s largest land arthropod.
This award-winning private Nature Reserve can be explored during day trips from Zanzibar (with permits being required) or you can choose to spend overnights within some of the stupendous accommodation facilities such as Chumbe Island Lodge.
Chumbe Island Lodge is an Eco-Lodge run by the not-for-profit Company Chumbe Island Coral Park (CHICOP) and has one single-storey Bungalow as well as 6 double-storey Bungalows.
All the facilities are solar-powered, and each of the double-storey Bungalows has bedrooms on the top floor, a bathroom downstairs, a living area or lounge, and a vast hammock.
All the Bungalows are just a 30-second walk to the Beach, and some of the activities enjoyed by visitors here include snorkeling and beach walks to explore the rich inter-tidal zones as well as further into the sea.
There is a Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve on this Island.
Pemba Island
Pemba is a magical clove-covered Island nestled across the Pemba Channel from Zanzibar, and one of the less-developed in addition to being relatively difficult to reach.
It extends for about 381 square miles (or 988 square kilometers) and is about 50 kilometers to the north of Unguja, the largest Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
It also lies only about 50 kilometers east of the mainland Tanzania across the Pemba Channel and is an endowed fishing ground with abundant marine life.
Pemba Island is one of the divers’ and snorkelers’ paradises as well as visitors longing for a barefoot escape.
When it comes to Beach accommodation, no place can be equated to Fundu Lagoon, a small, remote, and serene privately-owned Resort in the southwest of Pemba Island.
This Resort offers natural and authentic barefoot luxury in an extraordinary Tanzanian setting and can be accessed by boat and plane from Zanzibar Island.
It features 18 tented Safari-style Bungalows, some of which are found on the beach, others on the hillside but with jaw-dropping views of the beautiful Indian Ocean.
This property offers some of the best diving tours in the World and was recently recognized as the “best Marine Safari Property in the African Continent”.
Manta Resort, another excellent property in Pemba Island even boasts of an underwater room where guests can be fully immersed in an unmatched marine experience.
This Resort is anchored and elevated along the picturesque Island Beach.
Visitors yearning for privacy, adventure, and outstanding diving on East Africa’s Island Sanctuary, then pack your bags for a trip to Manta Resort.
Other spectacular accommodation facilities within or near Pemba Island include Constance Aiyana, Pemba Misali Sunset Beach, Pemba Lodge, Sharook Riviera Grand Lodge, Kigomasha Eco Beach Resort, and Pemba Crown Hotel, among others.
Mnemba Island
Just 4.5 kilometers off the northeastern tip of Zanzibar in the Azure Indian Ocean is Mnemba, a privately-owned Island surrounded by an atoll of beautiful coral reefs.
It features some of the continent’s most phenomenal diving sites and is famed for being one of the excellent romantic Ocean destinations in the World.
It rewards visitors with unforgettable seaside adventures like swimming off the beach, yoga and massage, thrilling dhow cruise, scuba diving into the Word beneath the waves, exciting water sports, as well as diverse marine life such as dolphins, turtles, and others.
For accommodation, this romantic retreat with 12 rustic and stunning beachside Bandas connected to the jaw-dropping Mnemba atoll can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests.
While staying here, visitors have the chance of discovering the sheer and authentic Paradise on this Island, where the simple pleasures turn into lifetime memories.
Unwind on the stretch of the beachfront where simple yet stupendous Bandas open into the unspoiled white sands from the shade of the pine forest.
Enjoy romantic candlelit dinners served at the beachside with smooth waves lapping gently on your feet.
While here, just allow your spirit to relax as you take a break with yoga and massages in the serene retreat of your Banda.
