Okay we have to start by coming clean with you. Camping is not permitted in Zanzibar so I am afraid you will have to make do with a comfy bed and a mixture of hotels and beach bungalows but we still get to refer to it as Camp Zanzibar. It's an awesome location and whilst we have included the basics like somewhere to sleep and some 'must do' experiences like snorkeling and touring through what was once one of the greatest global trades that gave Zanzibar its name: the spices. It is essentially a chance for you to chill out and live it up on the beaches. You start in Paje, which can only be described as a beach paradise on the south side of the island where you will have plenty of time to chill, work on your tan and snorkel in the turquoise lagoon of Paje.

 

During your stay you will have a chance to visit ancient Stone Town, which is a mix of African and Arab culture, and we suggest you spend the first day visiting the markets after walking through the enigmatic alleyways that make up the town and a chance to check out the local arts and crafts. Your Zanzibar phase is bed and breakfast only so you can choose how you spend your days on the beach and enjoy a well-earned break at the end of your expedition.

 

Highlights

 

• Included in Camp Tanzania 2 & 3
• Explore and shop in the alleyways and night markets of Stone Town
• Lagoon snorkeling on the untouched waters of Paje Island
• Spice Tour
• Chill-out, party and live it up on the beaches at Paje
• Scuba Dive in the Indian Ocean (optional)

 

 

Elements of Camp Zanzibar

 

 

The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Some, particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle and rule. With this influence, Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic (97%) - the remaining 3% is made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building that remains on Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi which dates from 1107, and is a present-day tourist attraction.

 

 

Stone Town:      

 

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. 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 forever.

 

You can spend hours getting lost in the fascinating network of alleyways full of shops and stalls selling spices, coconuts, mangoes and lots of fresh seafood. It's a good place to pick up souvenirs such as jewellery, colorful clothes, beaded leather shoes and woodcarvings.

 

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 modernize the town without it showing.

 

 

 

Lagoon Snorkelling :      

 

From the village of Paje on the north coast of Zanzibar, there's the opportunity to go out in a local boat and possibly see large resident pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins. This trip can be great fun and although we cannot guarantee it, the prospects of seeing dolphins are excellent. However, those who have visions of clapping flippers and riding fins will be disappointed. These are wild creatures and not descendants of Flipper.

The tour proceeds from Paje out to the Lagoon Reef. During the journey, dolphins are often encountered but there is so much more marine life not to be missed. More frequently bottlenose dolphins are spotted in pods of up to 20 as well as occasionally spinner dolphins in huge pods that like to race with the boat.

They're intelligent creatures, and quite capable of swimming off when half a dozen flippered people jump simultaneously into the water. There is a good chance of seeing these beautiful animals from a sensible distance and you may well be rewarded with sightings of turtles, manta rays and sharks. If you are lucky, you may have the honor of snorkeling with them, try to enter the water as silently as possible and let them approach you - you've got no chance of catching up with them.

 

 

Spice Tour :      

 

Over the centuries, Zanzibar 's cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices brought the sultans of Oman across the Indian Ocean by dhow on the seasonal trade winds. The Spice Tour introduces you to most of Zanzibar 's spices and fruits, (depending on the season) and if you are lucky, a few historical sites too - such as the old slave market or a ruined sultan's palace.

 

Most tours are by dala-dala (pick-up trucks converted into buses) and include lunches of seafood or Zanzibar curry, coconut milk, and plenty of fresh fruit. The exotic spices and fruits are grown in the plantations just outside of Stone Town and there's ample opportunity to dazzle the senses as you taste and smell them and guess what they are. The guides give detailed descriptions of what the various plants are used for, though not all of them are for food. The leaves of the Neem tree were once used as a cure for malaria and indigestion, the Iodine tree produces a deep red sap used to fight infection, while the foaming berries of the unimaginatively named soap berry tree were used for centuries as an alternative to soap.

 

Other spices include nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, tamarind, menthol and cloves. The island was once the world's leading producer of cloves (3/4 of the total world supply) and the clove industry was the foundation of the golden age of Zanzibar. The henna tree produces a dye from its crushed leaves used by women to elaborately decorate their hands and feet in delicate patterns. On the tour you'll have the opportunity to have a body part painted, but by quick drying Indian ink, as henna takes all day to dry.

 

 

Paje Beach Life & Chill-out :      

 

Paje sits on the very south of the island, on what is arguably the very best beach Zanzibar has to offer. It's a laid back, small-scale place. There are a number of local guesthouses in the village and a couple of small foreign-owned hotels out of town to the South East. On the West side of the cape is the ' Zanzibar strip', with a number of guesthouses and a couple of loud bars. There are fine sandy beaches around the cape and excellent diving and game fishing off the coast. For centuries Paje was best renowned for its boat-building tradition, but these days it’s more famous for its bars! Hammocks and big sun loungers on the beach are where you'll likely spend most of the day, but you can also walk into Paje village where there's an excellent beach bar called... Paje by.. ahh you'll find it anyway!

 

 

Itinerary

 

Guide Line Itinerary (8 nights, 9 days)

 

Day 1:

 

On arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met by a guide and vehicle and transferred 1 ½ hrs to your accommodation in Paje.

 

 

Day 2:

 

After a late breakfast, we will have a quick briefing and orientation of the dive centre, the local village, restaurants and bars. We will let you know when you will be doing your Snorkeling and this is also a great opportunity to enquire and perhaps book a Scuba Diving Course. Zanzibar is known to have some of the best diving spots in the world so for a little bit extra cash, we advise you not to miss this chance of a lifetime.

 

Day 3:

 

A visit to Zanzibar would not be complete without understanding why they are called the 'Spice Islands' so we take you on a tour of the Spice plantations, which takes about an hour for the tour. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the ancient alleyways of Stone Town, search for souvenirs and experience the unique culture that makes Zanzibar so special. In the evening the night markets come alive and there are plenty of cool bars and restaurants to check out before we transfer you back to Paje.

 

Day 4:

 

Our guide will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to your boat for the start of a great day snorkeling and searching for dolphins. The boat takes you out to Paje Island Lagoon and you spend the day snorkeling in the turquoise waters.

 

Day 5-7:

 

We like to call it 'Beach Life'. In simple terms, that means get up when you want, eat when you want, swim when you want and just kick back, relax and party the nights away on the beach with friends. This is also the period where you can start your diving course. It's worth budgeting for at least one phone call back home to let folks and friends know that you are chilling on the beach in Zanzibar. Don't expect a big homecoming party if you do though!

 

Day 8:

 

Last day in Zanzibar so best you spend it shopping in Stone Town or visit the old fort or Palace if you wish to. Entrance fees are very reasonable so if you enjoy a trip down the historical lane, it is certainly worth it. You can’t leave Stone Town without watching the sun go down so our transport will wait for you to have that final cocktail.

 

Day 9:

 

The first ferry leaves at 7am in the morning, which you will have to catch in order to get back on time to catch your flight. We don’t want to say goodbye but I guess all good things have to come to an end…

 

 

 

 

Fitness

 

None of the activities featured require anything more than a reasonable level of fitness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duration

 

 

Prices

 

Price: £295.

 

 

An amazing experience that gave me an insight into African life, along with other excellent adventures.

Christopher Gonzales