ZANZIBAR THE TANZANIAN LAND OF SPICES

 

Situated in the Indian Ocean, 36 km off the coastline of mainland Tanzania lies Zanzibar. Zanzibar officially refers to the archipelago that include Unguja and Pemba, surrounded by about 50 smaller ones.

Covering an area of 1464 sq km, Zanzibar is a mainly low lying island, with it's highest point at 120 meters.

Zanzibar is an island state within the United Republic of Tanzania, and has its own semi-autonomous government made up of a Revolutionary Council and House of Representatives.

Once the trading centre of the whole of East Africa, Zanzibar attracted Sumerians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Arabs, Chinese and Malays. The great explorers, Burton, Speke, Livingstone and Krapf continued their journeys from these shores.

It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands, excellent reefs for snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing and water sports activities.

The historic Stone Town with its narrow winding streets, vivid markets and colourful bazaars makes for an interesting cultural visit.

Commonly known as the "Spice Island"; famous for spices such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, peper and others). Spice tours are a popular excursion. 

 

 HOTELS AND OTHER ATTRACTIVE PLACES IN ZANZIBAR

RAS NUNGWI

The hotel makes use of ancient local building traditions to create a contemporary architectural space from natural materials. All main structures are open-air; makuti-thatched ceilings arch high overhead, allowing all to luxuriate in the space, light and atmosphere that this unique location affords. The myriad pathways at Ras Nungwi are shaded by elegant palms, creating soft sun-dappled walkways between beach and banda, balcony and bar. The hotel's deck-level swimming pool is lined with glass mosaic tiles in shades of blue, and commands stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Interiors are beautifully decorated in ethnic style, with inspired use of local fabrics such as khangas, kikois and kitenges. These cloths form an elegant theme of cushioned comfort through the many secluded lounging areas, inside and out.
Accommodation
All 32 rooms are tastefully furnished, with hand-crafted four poster beds and indigenous decor, and all have. 

• Balconies
  
• Air-conditioning
• Ceiling fans
  
• Hairdryers
• Electronic safes
  
• En-suite bathroom with deluxe amenities

Mosquito nets over all beds ensure a peaceful night's sleep, with the sound of the ocean rounding off a relaxing day in paradise. Lodge rooms have a garden view and both types of chalet room (superior and superior deluxe) have a sea view, with proximity to the ocean being closer the higher the category. Both chalet categories are fitted with mini-bars. Superior deluxe chalet rooms also have a CD-player and and other special extras.
Facilities

Restaurants
Where better to enjoy gourmet evenings under the stars than on the fabled island of spice. Chefs relish the task of preparing elegant and appetising menus from an abundance of local ingredients, including fresh coconut and aromatic spices, the finest array of seafood and plenty of heavenly tropical fruit.
Offering a true fine dining experience, Ras Nungwi is renowned for its excellent cuisine. Connoisseurs will also appreciate the winelist, one of the most extensive in the region, selected to appeal to all palettes and tastes.  With the exception of French champagnes, all wines are chosen from award-winning South African vineyards.

Watersports and Activites
Pool, table tennis, darts, board games (including Bau, a Zanzibarian favourite) and a TV room are available to hotel guests. Mountain bikes can be hired to explore the hotel's environs, or you may just want to take long strolls on our unspoilt beach. A newly completed tennis court is available for guests too. The SupaDuka Boutique at Ras Nungwi, decorated by renowned artist Kioko Mwitiki, offers a tasteful range of quality gifts, clothing, unique arts and crafts and essential travel items.
The hotel has an on-site fully equipped PADI Gold Palm 5 Star dive centre and dive adventures are available for all experience levels including beginners, who can be trained to full PADI certification by our resident instructors.

Excursions
Tours and excursions to various places of interest can be organised through the hotel. Highly recommended is the Nungwi Village walking tour, which involves an informed look at local village life in Zanzibar's dhow-building capital.

Spa
Set in tropical gardens, the hotel's Peponi Spa offers an array of rejuvenating, pampering and holistic treatments to calm the mind, body and soul. Built with the use of natural materials and designed using only warm tones and simple lines, it provides a calming atmosphere in which to completely relax. Restful music and the subtle aroma of essential oils also add to our spa experience. Qualified professionals conduct all treatments. 

KILINDI

 

Kilindi is a 15 unit piece of functional art scattered along a picturesque-perfect stretch of Northern Zanzibar. Designed by Neil Rocher (Shompole & Luangwa House amongst others) in conjunction with some long-serving Tanzanian specialists, Kilindi brings a welcome dash of pizazz to the island. Standing watch over the time-honoured Dhow Routes, along a crescent of coral-bright sand, each of the fifteen pavilions embrace cascading rain-water pools, lush tropical gardens and domed private spaces of rest, indulgence and well-being.

• Pavilions individually-appointed on large 50 acre site, 500m of private beach front
• Fine Dining room with alfresco terrace
• Falling-water bar
• Pond deck and 25m lap pool with infinity edge
• Spa
• Private cinema with DVD library
• Business centre with Wi-Fi

Furthermore, with solar power, a state-of-the-art water treatment plant that recycles waste water for reusage in toilets and gardens, Kilindi seeks to make bold claims about sustainable, responsible resource management, spreading the pavilions across 52 acres, and 500 m beach front to ensure that the land is used wisely. Kilindi operates on an all-inclusive basis, however there are charges for premium wines and champagnes. Other facilities include a boutique, i-pod docks in all rooms, private diving and big game fishing.
 

Tanzania Honeymoons - Bespoke Honeymoon Specialists to Tanzania and Zanzibar We have arranged many different and individually tailored honeymoons to Tanzania.   As one of the only companies in the world to specialize solely on holidays and honeymoons to Tanzania and its sister Islands of Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba we are in the unique position of being able to cover the entire country and not just the commercial hotspots; we are adamant that our knowledge will provide you with the opportunity to create a honeymoon that will stand out from anything else on the market.   Why honeymoon in Tanzania? People choose Tanzania for a number of reasons – # the ease in combining first class safari with an idyllic beaches, # the fact that there is virtually no time difference from the UK (you can fly overnight and be on the beach or on safari by nine in the morning!) # Tanzania has a vast range of exceptional accommodation in some of the most stunning and remote wilderness locations in Africa.

Tanzania Honeymoon: Something for Everyone Perhaps the most attractive reason people should choose to honeymoon in Tanzania is that this is a country with so much diversity, it has something for everyone. For anyone wishing to combine an adventure of a lifetime on safari with some of the finest beaches in the world, Tanzania is the place. Tanzania Honeymoon: Best Safari Options The North of Tanzania can provide the best safari experiences in Africa for first -time safari goers, and some of the most beautiful views on the continent. The South is perfect for return visitors or those who wish to prefer a quieter, fly-in safari, perhaps missing the extremely high volume of wildlife in the North, but with the privacy and exclusivity of the South. Tanzania Honeymoon: Best Indian Ocean Beaches and Diving Zanzibar is an exceptional Island, with some of the best beaches and diving in the world. Choose to either spend time soaking up the atmosphere of Zanzibar's main island, reaching the beach through the coconut groves and spice plantations of the island centre, or otherwise head for an Indian Ocean Island retreat; tiny coral atolls that surround the main island provide unforgettable island hideaways, complete with ultimate beach and options for exploring these stunning seas.