Beach Holidays

Beach Holidays

The coast of Tanzania is perhaps most famous for the Zanzibar Archipelago, a cluster of islands that saw the growth and survival of Swahili civilisation and trade until the mid – twentieth century. The Beach Start from Tanga to Mtwara with a lot of beatiful beaches to Zanzibar Archipelago (Unguja Island, Pemba Island and Mafia Island. Swala will be happy to book you a memorable beach holiday, weather only beach, safari and beach, mountain and beach or mountain, safari and beach.

All of Tanzania’s Coast & Beach offers a series of activities from Water Sports, Diving and Snorkerling, Subbathing, Caneoing & Boating Tours, Festival Tours, SPA Treatments,  Voluntourism,  Wildlife Safaris, Cultural Tourism, and Archaeological and Historical tours.

Zanzibar Safaris

SPECIAL: One of Tanzania’s little secrets is its coast line. Ushongo Beach is comparable to amongst the best beaches in Africa.  There are small lodges and cottages on the Tanzania coast 200 kms north of Dar es Salaam. It’s a far cry from mass tourism and commercialism and is offered as an alternative to Zanzibar.

Zanzibar

The main attractions of Zanzibar include historical ruins, spice plantations, Old Stone Town, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, cycling, and just  relaxing.  It is worth spending at least two nights in the old Stone Town.

Zanzibar can be combined with a seven or eight day wildlife safari. This safari itinerary has been arranged to maximizes the time on both the safari and on Zanzibar. The flight from Arusha/Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar takes an hour. If you are on a safari to the national parks, consider flying from the Serengeti to Zanzibar. It takes a little over two hours. There are twice daily flights from the Serengeti to Arusha with a connecting flight from Arusha to Zanzibar.

Sporting Activities

Be careful of sea urchins: their prickly points can be painful. Wear suitable beach shoes (not flip flops). Wear a T-shirt when snorkeling and exposed to the sun.

Swala Safaris will book deep sea trophy fishing only on a catch-and-release basis or fishing for personal consumption.

Diving & Snorkeling

Mnemba Reef, is probably the best place for diving and snorkeling on the Zanzibar coast and one of the best anywhere on the East African coast. The Pemba Channel and Ushongo is also excellent.

Bawe Island, Situated on the West coast of Zanzibar town. Good marine life for snorkeling, diving and swimming.

Maziwe Island, situated in Pangani is a marine reserve and has a lot to enjoy in diving and snokerling.

Grave Island, In 1879, Sultan Bargash selected this island to be the graveyard for the British residents of Zanzibar. People who died during The First World War as well as the anti-slave traders were also buried here, Hence the name, Grave Island. These graves can still be seen. The island has a restaurant by the beach, an excellent spot for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing.

Getting to Zanzibar

Baggage 15 kgs inclusive of hand luggage. Flights Arusha to Zanzibar are usually non-stop.

By Air:

Arusha to Zanzibar one way – daily morning and afternoon scheduled flights. Serengeti – daily morning and afternoon scheduled flights.
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar one way. Daily morning and afternoon scheduled flights.

By Sea From: 

Dar Es Salaam: daily Boats, One hour.  Mombasa: Boat thrice weekly. Three hours.

Transfers:

 Zanzibar Airport or Port to town. Stone Town to Coast.

Zanzibar Climate

Zanzibar experiences ideal holiday weather for most of the year except during April and May  which is the period of  the Long Rains. The Short Rains occur in November. They are characterized by short showers which normally occur in the late afternoon.

The heat of summer is often cooled by windy conditions resulting in pleasant sea breezes. This is particularly so on the North and East coasts. Being near to the equator, the island is warm all year round. Hot months are October to March. Warm months June to September – a lovely time to be on the coast: cloudless skies pleasantly warm temperatures, and little rain.

The following chart gives temperatures in Centigrade. Main rainy season starts in late March and lasts until mid-May. The short rains, characterized by short heavy showers normally in late afternoon, occur in November and December.

Averages:     Jan-Mar  Apr-May  June-Sep  Oct-Dec.

Temperature:     28             27              25              27
High:                   32             30             28               31
Low:                    24             32             22              24
Rainfall (cms)      5              32              3               14
Rain Days.           5             11               3                9

Sample Itinerary of Zanzibar for 7 days / 6 nights

Day 1: Arusha / Serengeti / Dar – Zanzibar

Arrive Zanzibar and transfer to Dhow Palace situated in the Old Stone Town.  Evening at leisure. B&B Dhow Palace.

Day 2: Zanzibar

Breakfast at Hotel.  09:00-12:00 City tour of Stone Town seeing the famous Zanzibar doors, The Old Slave Market, House of Wonders, and the local market. Get to know some of the fascinating history of Zanzibar. 12:00-13:00 Shopping or at one’s own leisure. 13:30 Drive to Mangapwani for lunch. Mangapwani is 18 kms north of Zanzibar. It has a beautiful beach and a good restaurant where you can enjoy a wide variety of seafood. The afternoon can be spent relaxing on the  beach, visiting the slave chambers and/or enjoying a Dhow trip. 17:00 Return to Dhow Palace(B&B).

Day 3: Zanzibar

Breakfast at Hotel. 09:15-13:00 Spice tour. Drive  through the countryside exploring and tasting a variety of spices and fruits as well as visiting Marahubi Palace Ruins and the Persian Baths built in the 1880’s. 14:00 Afternoon visit to Changuu (Prison) Island for snorkeling and seeing giant tortoises.  The order may be reversed depending on local conditions (the sea can sometimes be rough in the afternoon)in which case go to Changuu Island in the morning and do the Spice Tour in the afternoon. Overnight Dhow Palace (B&B).

Day 4: Zanzibar

Transfer to coast hotel. This is on a half board basis. Overnight Matemwe Beach Bungalows HB.

Day 5 & 6: Zanzibar

Own leisure at Matemwe Beach Bungalows HB.

Day 7: Zanzibar – Dar / Kilimanjaro

Transfer to airport / harbor to connect to Dar es Salaama or Kilimanjaro to connect with your international flight back home.

Allow tip of $3 to $5 per person for each tour depending on how many members are in your group

Note: Swala Safaris acts only as an agent for the hotels and operators in Zanzibar. Allow more days to enkjoy Pemba Island which is as beautiful as Unguja Island but less visited.