Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Zanzibar Airport and transfer to Zanzibar Stone Town. The Zanzibar Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar where very little has changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings.
Day 2: Stone Town Tour and Boat Trip to Changuu Island
Today we take you to the most scenic parts of the Old Town. The tour takes you to the former site of the slave market; the cathedral (Cathedral Church of Christ) built in its site in 1874, the Sultan’s palace (Palace Museum) ,House of Wonders, and Arab Fort and natural museum where you will have enough time to explore these historical monuments. You will also see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors.
UNESCO has recently declared Stone Town as one of the world’s historic cities, and it’s now a protected area in Zanzibar. After the Stone Town Tour, our guide will drop you off at the restaurant for lunch (Own account and to be paid directly at the restaurant).
In the afternoon, proceed to the wharf to catch a local boat (with outboard engine) to visit Changuu (prison) Island. Changuu is charming little Island which is located about 5 km off to Zanzibar Stone Town and is about half an hour boat ride from Stone Town. This used to be a private place of detention for recalcitrant slaves. The island has the added attraction of several giant aldabra tortoises and beautiful peacocks which are living and breeding on the Island.
You can stretch out and relax after your excursions and snorkel or just enjoy the white sandy beach. Return to Zanzibar Stone Town in the evening.
Day 3: Jozani Forest and Tribe Visit
On this day, we take you around the whole Southern part of Zanzibar Island starting at Jozani Forest- one of the last remaining sanctuaries in the world of the red colobus monkeys. Wonderful photo opportunities and sightings of these rare creatures living in the forest reserves are possible on the pathways. It will take two hours or more to explore the forest
We then drive to Jambiani Village where there are tours to visit villagers working in different professions. Our guide tells about the history of the village. You will visit a traditional herbalist, who will show you local medicines, herbs and their uses. We visit a local organic plantation on coral stone, where farmers cultivate under difficult circumstances, and where seaweed farms are run by women. This is a good chance to learn about the unique culture and the diverse environment of Zanzibar’s villages and meet Swahili people.
Day 4: Spice Tour and Pwani Mchangani Beach
After breakfast, we go to Kizimbani Village for the Spice Tour. The Spice Island has over forty of the most valuable tropical aromatic plants that were introduced over the last two centuries by the Oman Arabs. The spices are grown in the spice grades in the hills north of Stone Town. Our knowledgeable guides will take you through this fascinating tour. You will see tropical fruits such as jack fruits, bread fruits, karambola, pineapple, lychees, etc. You can try these fruits if they are in season.
Also you can check out various plants such as henna bush, perfume tree, lipstick tree and spice such as cardamon, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, nutmeg and many others. The landscape around the Kizimbani will give you a good impression of the life of Zanzibar.
After the Spice Tour, we drive for 50 minutes (60 km) to the top North East of Zanzibar Island- Pwani Mchangani Beach and check in at Ocean Paradise Beach Resort.
Day 5-6: Pwani Mchangani Beach
Relax at Pwani Mchangani Beach with the option to do water sports at an extra cost.
Ocean Paradise Resort Zanzibar is a perfect hub for a romantic holiday. You will be greeted by a blaze of colour as you sweep down the imposing driveway, saluted by a Masai warrior as you pass through the entrance gate. Mature coconut palms swinging in the breeze, white sandy beach, beautiful landscaped gardens, traditional style round chalets with pitched makuti roof, a stunning waterfall feature and the largest swimming pool in Zanzibar are just some of the sights that await you.
Day 7: End of Tour
Transfer to Airport for your flight back home.
