Down to earth holidays

Description

So you’ve been on a wonderful safari, seen the prolific wildlife, met some of the Tanzanian people, but now you’d like to chill out on a beach for a few days before you go home? Then Zanzibar is the place to come.

The spice island of Zanzibar is just a short hop over the Indian Ocean from Dar es Salaam. It has a unique flavor unlike anywhere else in Tanzania, and has a predominantly Muslim culture.

You will see three different sides to Zanzibar on this trip. Firstly you’ll see the gorgeous beaches at your chosen beach hotel, so kick back and relax. .

Then there is the nature and wildlife of the island which you’ll see by swimming, snorkelling or even diving in the Indian Ocean waters surrounding the island, and also on a day trip we’ll organize for you. The day trip takes you to Jozani Forest where you walks along boardwalks into the forest and hope to see the Red Colobus Monkeys as well as other flora and fauna. It also takes you into what used to be one of the main reasons for being of the island – the spice gardens. Try tasting exotic fruits and see the various spices growing. Don’t forget to buy some in the market in Stone Town to bring home. .

The other aspect of Zanzibar that you’ll get an insight into is the history and culture of Stone Town. With a night here you have to explore the markets, wander down the bustling alleyways and see the faded colonial architecture which makes this place so unique..

NOTE: This holiday can be combined with other areas of Tanzania, such as the Mikumi and Ruaha safari or Northern Tanzania, or even after a Kilimanjaro climb.

Detailed Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Take your flight from the domestic terminal at Dar es Salaam airport to Zanzibar. On arrival you will be met and driven to your chosen beach resort. Rest of the day free. D
   
2. DAYS 2-3: You have time to relax on the beach or swim, or, if at Matemwe Beach Village, enjoy some snorkelling and diving. HB
   
3. DAY 4: After breakfast you will be collected for you private tour of the spice history and gardens of the island, and you will also explore the Jozani Forest. Here you might find the red colobus monkeys, plus plenty birdlife and plants. HB
   
4. DAY 5: Today we take you to Stone Town at a time of your choosing. If you want a day to explore, we can pick you up after breakfast. Stone Town is worth a day to explore, wander, enjoy the markets and the shops, and try out some of the local restaurants too. B
   
5. DAY 6: This morning you check-out, and we will get you to the airport in time for your flight over to Dar ready for connecting with onwards arrangements. B
   

Is it for you?

This is for anyone who wants a bit of sea, sand and hopefully sun! The hotels are small with few facilities, so are not right for you if you’re wanting lots of laid-on activities, bars etc. Tribes main website can offer you a much wider range of hotels and lodges on Zanzibar, so if you want to tailor make your trip here, just click to that site, or call us and we’ll glad help you.

Best times to go

The short rains come to Zanzibar in about November and December; the long rains are here from March to about May/early June. So the high seasons are from around June to October and January and February.

Getting there

If coming from northern Tanzania you will probably need a flight from either Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport. We can help arrange that flight for you. If flying in from abroad, it is best to fly into Dar es Salaam . By all means call and ask our advice about the best flights for your trip, or ask us to arrange these on your behalf.

Responsible Travel

How this holiday helps:
This is not one of our holidays which helps with specific income for any conservation project or community initiative. The hotels are however small, and encourage local employment.

Zanzibar is a difficult place as regards responsible tourism due to local politics. That does not mean to say that there are not great examples of responsible tourism around (eg Chumbe Island lodge), but it’s often very hard to verify. As members of Tourism Concern’s Ethical Tour Operators Group, we have been looking into this aspect of tourism in Zanzibar, and are trying to encourage changes.

Carbon Offsetting:
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details…

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in Tanzania. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

Bibi Jann Children’s Care Trust supplies 60 children ages 2-6 (many of them AIDS orphans) with two meals a day and snacks and a pre-school education, including English, which is prompting graduates to excel in primary school. A first grade class opened in January 2006 and a second grade in January 2007.The Trust, oversees the school, adult literacy classes, women's group, AIDS-orphans school sponsorship program, and now GRANDMA-2-GRANDMA (though which people may sponsor a grandmother who is rearing her AIDS-orphaned grandchildren). Some 30 bibis (kiswahili for grandmothers) meet weekly to create and perfect their crafts for sale, with the goal of becoming self-supporting. The trust also sponsors three orphaned girls who live in the school compound.

We will shortly have a page with photos of the project on http://www.the-tribes-foundation.org/.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit. Shop at Tribes Trading.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICIES, CLICK HERE.

Comments

Trip Code: TZ3

Validity: 1-3-09 to 31-12-09

Individual Trip Dates & Prices

2+ people can take this holiday on most days of the year, subject to availability. Please call us to check availability.

Prices using Matwme Beach Village:
Jan-March 09 : £615 pp.
April-July, Sept-21 Dec 09 : £655 pp.
August : £695 pp.

Prices using Pongwe:
April –May 09 £690 pp.
Rest of the year : £765 pp.

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).

Duration: 6 days

Included
Dar-Zanzibar-Dar flight; transfers: airport to resort, resort to Stone Town, Stone Town to airport; 4 nights half board in resort; 1 night B&B in Stone Town; day spice & Jozani tour.

Not Included
International flights, tips, insurance, visas, items of a personal nature, some meals, drinks, optional activities.