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Pole Pole Package

5 Days & 4 Night 5 Stars

Overview

Zanzibar is the best pick if you want to experience a stunning African beach holiday vacation. Zanzibar is a union of two islands Pemba and Unguja found at the coast of Tanzania, East Africa. Take a dip in Zanzibar’s sparkling tides, and witness the precious marine life under its salty seas. Zanzibar is famously known as the ‘Spice Island’ for its major production of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, and turmeric root etc. The world's demand for spices and slaves led many nations to Zanzibar, over centuries, different cultures have influenced Zanzibar to become what it is today. Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and British have settled here at one time or another and influenced the local culture into the present fusion. For decades Zanzibar was the center of the East African region’s marine trade. With UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Zanzibar awaits you to explore the following; -

Stone Town the UNESCO World Heritage Site with history since the 15th century is a maze of old buildings protected by brass-studded doors, with some streets not having changed for centuries. Buildings include the Arab Fort, the oldest building on Zanzibar, which was built after the Portuguese were expelled from the island in 1699. The building has had a variety of uses from a garrison and a prison to a railway terminal. These days it is the headquarters of the Zanzibar international film festival. Visit the slave market where the city's brutal history is unraveled. See where the East African slave trade flourished - a grim reminder of times past. Stop at the Sultan's Palace, now a museum, that was built in the 19th century for the sultan and his family, becoming a government building after the 1964 revolution and more like the Freddie Mercury museum his birth home. Enjoy some retail therapy in Zanzibar's bustling market and in the many gift shops stocked with souvenirs and handicrafts. Wander down winding alleys and the cities narrow streets, admiring the ornately carved and studded doors, the many mosques, and cathedrals, a testament to Zanzibar's diverse and colorful history. Your knowledgeable local guide will share tales of Stone Town in bygone days and can give you an insight into life in Zanzibar today.

Then head to Prison island also called as Changuu island by the locals and get in-depth about the slave history and Zanzibar's part in marine trade. Now Prison island is a conservation place for the giant tortoises that weight around 250 - 300 kilograms (600 pounds) and age about 300+ years. The oldest we got is 200 years old, most of these tortoises were stolen and sold back in the years. Here they are protected and taken care for.

There is a beautiful coral reef with colorful fish species that you would enjoy snorkeling at Nakupenda sandbank. Nakupenda sandbank is one of the best beaches in Africa and a beautiful place to have a picnic on its white sands, swim in the crystal clear waters and witness the birdlife or just relax, sunbathe on the summer sun as you await a breathtaking sunset.

In the evening you can go on a culinary adventure at the Forodhani Market in Forodhani Gardens. The gardens are located along the seashore and are very popular for a daytime stroll to enjoy the views of some of Stone Town's historical buildings. But, it is at night that the gardens really come alive, with the bustling evening market. Feast on Zanzibari seafood, pizza, falafel as big as your face, sugar cane juice, enormous samosas, coconut bread, and crepes dripping with ribbons of chocolate syrup.

Kizimkazi is situated on the southern point of the island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several schools of bottle-nosed dolphins and Humpback dolphins, which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village. If you are lucky, you may be able to swim quite close to the dolphins, which can be a very rewarding experience playing with them. On different periods migrating humpback whales are spotted at these shores if you’re lucky you may spot some. We will do this trip in the morning a suitable time for the dolphins to come close shore feeding their calves.

Visiting spice plantations will amuse you, when you see spices such as cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, and turmeric root growing in the plantations, it’s easy to see why Zanzibar is known as The Spice Island. Taste some of the unusual fruits that are grown here too, such as jack fruit, custard apple, rambutan, and carambola. Henna bush, lipstick tree, and lemongrass are some of the plants found here too. The tour is not only to witness spices, which look very different in their natural state to the way they look in the supermarket back home. But we want to share the knowledge about their history to making Zanzibar famous and their uses as herbs and into Swahili foods. We have prepared a cooking class where you will learn how to make some of the Swahili most famous and loved dishes using these spices. Also you will have lunch served at our local restaurant enjoying the taste in Swahili spiced foods.

Have you ever been at a cave before? There is a secret hidden cave at Jambiani that we will escape to and spend the evening at. This cave has a beautiful shape and rock crafts. It’s also filled up with water that someway channels from the ocean underneath. It is a cave and also a natural swimming pool. The locals used to come and pray here to their spirits and believed the water would have healing powers. While you are enjoying your evening here there will be locals playing local music using traditional instruments and its really fun to join them.

Safari blue is one of the best excursions in Zanzibar for it has many destinations and activities involving the discovery of Menai Bay Conservation Area. This is a full day excursion that starts from the village of Fumba in South West Zanzibar a 60-minute drive from Stone Town. Fumba is the most convenient location for exploring the sea life, isolated sandbanks and rugged island scenery of the Menai Bay Conservation Area. Our aim is to provide you with a truly memorable experience using the best Zanzibar has to offer, while making a positive difference to Zanzibar and its people. We will take you to see the sandbanks, islands, lagoons and fish species at stunning coral reefs of Menai Bay, a beautiful and the largest conservation area in Zanzibar. In the morning we set down on one of the beautiful sandbanks where one can relax, swim or snorkel. There are plenty of good quality snorkeling equipment and the experienced snorkeling guides will show you the pristine coral reef, which teems with tropical sea life. Instruction is also available for beginners, fresh tropical fruits like coconuts and local snacks are available throughout the day. After snorkeling we go to Kwale island where we have our “desert island” restaurant. The buffet lunch of sea food BBQ includes tuna fish, slipper lobster, calamari, octopus, prawns and shrimps, squid, fries, rice and spice coconut sauces all served hot from the grill for you. The crew also prepares and presents gastronomic fruits tasting with a large selection of delicious tropical fruits, ice cold sodas and mineral water. When the tide permits we explore the natural lagoon found on Kwale island. The lagoon is surrounded by a mangrove forest acting as a natural swimming pool and we will take you swimming in this beautiful lagoon for an unforgettable experience. The dhows are traditional sailing boats, hand-built from African mahogany and finished to the very highest standards. They are comfortable and well equipped with outboard engine, VHF marine radios, gas inflatable life jackets, sunshade, boarding ladder, water proof bags and first aid kit.

Highlights

Explore Zanzibar in this vacation wandering in the narrow streets of Stone Town a UNESCO Heritage Site with history aging to the 15th century and sail to Prison island so you get a glimpse of the rich history of Zanzibar, and play with the giant tortoises. Then catch the breathtaking sunset view at Nakupenda sandbank where you will swim and snorkel in the beautiful coral reefs or just sunbathe and relax having snacks, tropical fruits and drinks, dine at the Forodhani Gardens. Wake up swimming with dolphins at Kizimkazi, visit the spice plantations get to witness, smell and taste spices such as cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, and turmeric root etc. You will take a cooking class and have Swahili spiced foods for lunch and spend an evening in a hidden pool cave. Go on a safari blue trip discovering the sea life, isolated sandbanks and rugged island scenery of the Menai Bay Conservation Area. Get served a buffet lunch of sea food BBQ includes tuna fish, slipper lobster, calamari, octopus, prawns and shrimps, squid, fries, rice and spice coconut sauces all served hot from the grill.

Destinations To Visit

Pole Pole Experiences

Stone Town

Prison Island

Nakupenda Sandbank

Forodhani Night Market

Kizimkazi Village

Spice Plantations

Cooking Class

Swahili Cave

Safari Blue

Kwale Island

Blue Lagoon

snorkeling

Sea Food BBQ

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival and transfer to hotel

Day 2

After breakfast we shall head to stone town the UNESCO Heritage site and discover the history of Zanzibar, learn about the Swahili doors and slave trade the island suffered for it was the last place slave trade was abolished. Then take a boat to the Prison island and play with these gigantic tortoises that weight up to 250 - 300 kilograms (600 pounds) and age to 300+ yrs. The oldest in Zanzibar is about 200yrs. After having a beautiful time, we shall go to the most beautiful sandbank in East Africa "Nakupenda Sandbank." The word "nakupenda" means love in Swahili. You will be served some tropical fruits. You will enjoy swimming and snorkeling around colorful fish in the Nakupenda coral reef system. After witnessing the most beautiful sunset at this stunning sandbank we shall head back to the Forodhan market and discover the Swahili foods and dine there.

Day 3

You will go searching for dolphins at Kizimkazi shores where you will take a boat to spot dolphins and swim with them. And we will serve you breakfast on the boat while spotting these awesome sea creatures. Take a guided walking tour in the Kizimkazi spice plantations and learn about spices their history and usage by taking a cooking class. You shall then escape to a secret hidden cave in Jambiani before we head back to the hotel

Day 4

Head to Fumba Port to catch a traditional dhow that will take you to Menai Conservation Bay. Here is where you will experience your safari blue trip. Safari Blue is a full day excursion exploring Menai bay, sailing around sandbanks and islands. You will go snorkeling around colorful fishes in a beautiful coral reef of the bay. As Lunch time approaches you will be served seafood BBQ and other dishes. The foods include; - Rice, fries, octopus, lobster, shrimps, calamari, tuna fish, squid, coconut sauce, salads and vegetables, fruits and cold soft drinks.

Day 5

Shopping at stone town and departure

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