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ZANZIBAR FEELATHOME TOURS & SAFARIS LTD

Zanzibar Blue Safari Tour!!

A full day sailing around mangroves and snorkelling along some of the best coral reefs Zanzibar has to offer followed by an exotic fruits lesson and the best seafood barbeque we have ever had! Suitable for beginners and more experienced snorkellers alike! A must do!!!

You will depart from the village of Fumba in South West Zanzibar and we will take you to see the dolphins, sandbanks, islands and coral reefs of Menai Bay, a beautiful conservation area.

Safari Blue is a full day trip and includes use of top quality snorkelling equipment with guides and instructors, ice cold sodas, mineral water and beer, a delicious Zanzibari seafood lunch with grilled fish and slipper lobster, gastronomic fruit tasting, coffee and Amarula liqueur. You will round the day off by returning to Fumba by traditional lanteen sail.

In the morning you will set down on one of the beautiful sandbanks where one can relax, swim or snorkel. We have plenty of good quality snorkelling equipment and our experienced snorkelling guides will show you the pristine coral reef, which teems with tropical sea life. Instruction is also available for beginners. After snorkelling enjoy cold drinks, fresh coconuts and local snacks.

After snorkelling we go to Kwale island where we have our "desert island" restaurant. The buffet lunch includes fish, slipper lobster, calamari, rice and sauces all served hot from the grill. Our crew also prepares and presents a gastronomic fruit tasting with a large selection of delicious tropical fruits.

When the tide permits we explore the natural lagoon found on Kwale island. The lagoon is surrounded by a mangrove forest and we will take you swimming in the 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, waterproof bags and first aid kit. We hold marine and public liability insurance.

Safari Blue explores the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which is home to two different species of dolphins, the Indo-pacific humpback and the bottlenose. We are lucky enough to see dolphins on 85% of our excursions.

Menai Bay has been designated as a Conservation Area since 1998 due to its outstanding natural beauty. The bay has a number of pristine sandbanks, naturally carved by the sea, wind and waves. The sandbanks and uninhabited islands that litter the bay are perfect stepping stones to explore the area.

Join the crew for a sail on an "ngalawa"- a local canoe with outriggers which has been carved from a single mango tree.

As Safari Blue comes to an end and we return by traditional lanteen sail, as the full splendour of the African sunset reveals itself.

Zanzibar City Tour!!

It may not have a particularly romantic name, but Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, where little has changed for hundreds of years. It’s a delightful place of narrow alleys, crumbly mosques and grand Arab houses with giant brass-studded wooden doors.

Most of the buildings were built by the Oman sultans in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean.

European influences such as balconies and verandas were added some years later. A common feature is the barazas – a long stone bench built along the outside walls of the houses and a spot for Zanzibari men to sit and drink chai and idly gossip.

They also serve as raised walkways when Stone Town gets flooded in the rainy season. The walls of the houses are made from coralline rock, which is a good building material, but erodes easily. Many of Stone Town’s 1 900 houses have crumbled beyond repair, whilst others have been beautifully renovated. Since Stone Town was deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, the Stone Town Conservation Authority is working towards restoring the ancient town before these buildings are lost for ever.

The former Nasur NurMohamed Dispensary and the House of Wonders are superb examples of how imposing this type of architecture can look after a little tender loving care.

A walk through the town will show you just how interesting the place is. You can spend hours getting lost in the fascinating network of alleyways full of shops and stalls selling spices, coconuts, mangos and lots of fresh seafood.

It’s a good place to pick up souvenirs such as jewellery, colourful clothes, beaded leather shoes and wood carvings. Stone Town is also the starting point for a Spice Tour to the surrounding countryside – an opportunity to see a side of Zanzibar other than old houses and beaches.

The infrastructure for visitors to Stone Town has improved considerably in recent years. There’s now a wide range of accommodation, from basic backpackers' to luxurious hotels in restored atmospheric Omani mansions decorated with exquisite Zanzibar antiques.

There’s a good selection of restaurants serving the best of Swahili food, some local and international bars, and even the odd internet café. Fortunately, these changes have not intruded on the atmosphere of Stone Town, and a lot of thought has been put into how to modernise the town without it showing.

Finally, remember that Stone Town is not a living museum but very much a community, where real people with a strong sense of culture and religion live and work. Sensitivity should be shown to the local people at all times.