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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

48 hours in fascinating Zanzibar



iol travel sep 1 ss zan beach  retouched.South African travellers now comprise just over 10 percent of Zanzibar s total inbound tourism.

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Stone Town - There’s nothing quite like the feeling of anticipation when going on holiday. The week before, packing and checking passports and, above all, the butterflies leading up to the moment that you step on to the aircraft. Travelling to Zanzibar is no different and when you find yourself ending text messages with smiley pre-holiday emoticons, it’s nothing but a good omen for an exceptional time visiting one of the Indian Ocean’s top value destinations.
South African travellers now comprise just over 10 percent of Zanzibar’s inbound tourism and, it’s not difficult to see why. The island offers a rich cultural experience, it’s steeped in history with African, Arabic and European influences and, best of all, reef protected pristine beaches. Accommodation, meals and adventures are available across all pricing tiers and Mango flies direct between Johannesburg and Zanzibar twice a week.
Visiting Zanzibar is akin to a “choose your own adventure” novella in which activities and decisions to pursue island exploration are legion; however, there are some things no visitor should miss.
Lunchtime, Day 1
Your Mango flight will land just in time for lunch and planning your itinerary should include a pit stop at the Maru Maru hotel’s spectacular rooftop restaurant where you’ll enjoy not only great local hospitality but also a fantastic rooftop view over the historic Stone Town.
(http://www.marumaruhotelzanzibar.com)
After Lunch


iol travel sep 1 ss zan NEL_7721Accommodation, meals and adventures are available across all pricing tiers..

Hit the winding alleyways of Stone Town after lunch and take in the flavours of this ancient part of town. You’ll be in close proximity to many shops, markets and sights to see including the Old Fort, the harbour cannons, the House of Wonders and many more. Most vendors accept US Dollars in addition to the local Tanzanian Shilling.
Staying Over
If you choose to stay in Stone Town for your first night check out the centrally located Serena Zanzibar Hotel (http://www.serenahotels.com) or the Protea Mnumbi Ruins (www.proteahotels.com) just outside of town. Alternatively, make your way to one of the spectacular resorts, catering for all price levels, either on the eastern, western or northern coast. Great accommodation options are available ranging from backpacker’s lodges through to five-star resorts such as La Gemma De’ll Est, Dream of Zanzibar, Hideaway of Nungwi and the Hilton, among many others. Star Of The East, situated on the La Gemma De’ll Est property, is among the most luxurious resorts in the world.
Most coastal resorts offer all-inclusive meal plans. Cuisine is spectacular at every resort previously visited by the writer and participating in meal plans ultimately presents travellers with exceptional value.
Filling A Full Day
Wake up early and, depending on which side of the island you are staying, either enjoy a spectacular sunrise or take a long walk on the beach as dawn’s early hours reveal Zanzibar’s natural beauty. Enjoy breakfast early, too, and choose your adventure.
Spice Tour
Zanzibar is also known as the Spice Island and the Spice Tour will take you through the history and economic importance of the spice trade to the island. It remains its primary export. Visit a working farm after which a historical tour of Stone Town winds up a great day out.
Safari Blue
Outdoor exploration your thing? Then this excursion is boredom’s nemesis. Take a dhow (a traditional fishing boat) to prime snorkelling spots along the reef, explore and have a seafood barbeque on a coral island and take a dip in its tide pools. It’s a full day’s outing that is unrivalled in its spirit of adventure.
The Rock Restaurant: Spend most of the morning on the beach and soak up the sun. However, it is well worth taking the 90-minute trip to the east coast and having lunch at The Rock restaurant at Michanvi Pingwe beach. The 14-seater seafood restaurant is extraordinary not only for the acclaimed meals it serves but also for the fact that it is built on a rock, in the middle of the ocean. Booking is essential.
In the evening, dine at your resort and enquire from reception which night time activities are available. Many resorts offer gala themed dinners with music and dancing.
The final morning
Wake up early and head to breakfast as soon as you can. Afterwards, seek out the watersport office on the beach (caveat: there are many beach vendors and it is advisable to discuss options with your hotel first), rent or borrow a kayak and row out to sea. Waters are reef protected and from your vantage point fewer than 100 metres into the sea it is possible to see all sorts of colourful fish, different hues of jellyfish and enjoy warm azure waters.
When the heat is on, retire to a deck chair on the beach and sneak in a morning virgin cocktail before a swim.
Getting Around
Always make sure that you travel with an accredited and licensed tour operator. While the road network is quite good, signage and mapping isn’t what foreigners might be used to. In addition, car rental is not freely available.

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