Zanzibar

[FurnaceFace]

Anyone been? We're going in February for a week or so after our safari. Looking for suggestions on the best place to stay on the island. We want something quiet, on the beach, with good dive shop/location to dive sites. We'll spend a night or two in Stone town so would prefer something outside the town for the rest - perhaps near Nungwi or Pongwe?

[Bagor]

Was there 12 years ago so this info is a bit dated. Totally stunning beaches!

We planned on going for a week and stayed 2. Our beach was on the NW tip of the island, I can't remember its name except it was a minute resort (about 6 huts) a short boat ride around from Mkokotoni or Mangapwani. I honestly can't remember except it was owned and run by an ex-general (mad as a hatter) and his stoned sons.

As for the stone town I would recommend eating out on the seafront with the locals for at least one evening meal. Basically go from vendor to vendor and have a bit of calamari, corn, fries ........ whatever. I found stone town generally safe and non-threatening.

Mr Mitu's spice tour is definitely worth doing for a day. Prison island is ok if you have the time but I wouldn't stress about it unless you really want to see really old tortoises and are fascinated by the history. Go easy on the Tusker or you'll be farting for a week.

Are you flying or ferrying in? Dar es Salaam is one of those cities the less time you spend in it the better.

No idea about best dive sites, Lonely Planet is your best bet there.

[FurnaceFace]

Thanks. We're flying in from Kilimanjaro, skipping Dar completely. We're spending 8 or so days on Safari (and stopping in Dubai for a couple days beforehand and Paris on the way home).

[foofighter15]

Not gonna make it but I'll order it...

[JackJack]

Make sure you stay at the Serena hotel. I was just there last August, perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have seen.

Right on the coast, and beachfront property, immaculate condition.

[JackJack]

http://www.serenahotels.com/zanzibar/inn/home.asp

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

Not gonna cook it but I'll order it...

First thing I thought too

[Stumptown]

I went for a couple of days back in '04 (also in February), it was awesome! Can't vouch for any places to stay, though, since we were visiting family at the embassy and got to stay at the old ambassador's residence (from when the island was its own country). Good idea to skip Dar entirely, not much to recommend. I stayed at the Serena in the Serengeti, and it tried really, really hard, but it was probably the worst place we stayed on the trip (most expensive, too). If you're looking for a hotel near Ngnorongoro Crater, Gibb's Farm is the place.

I'll second all of Bagor's recommendations for Zanzibar. I really liked the Prison Island, but I love tortoises. You can get some snorkling in on that trip, as well. There are lots of different spice tours, very interesting if you're into food, or plants. You might want to check the restrictions from Agriculture before you go - I brought back a ton of spices that I know were illegal to import - I declared them and they didn't take them away, but I bet if the ag official had been awake they would have.

My favorite trip on Zanzibar was to the Jozani forest about half-way down the west side of the island. It's probably the closest to a nature park on the island, old-growth mahogany and a really neat boardwalk through the mangroves. Also one of the last refuges of the endangered red colobus monkeys. There's a visitor's center that will hook you up with a guide. Here are some pictures I took at Jozani:





Have a great trip!

[FurnaceFace]

Thanks for the pics, Jozani is on our list to visit as is a spice tour. We're looking to spend a couple of days seeing some of the sites and the rest of the days diving in the morning and then just "being" on the beach.

Also thanks for the hotel suggests so far, keep'em coming.

CP is always good for people who have visited where you're going - we should have some sort of list....

[Russic]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

Not gonna cook it but I'll order it...

I was wondering how long it would take for this to be brought out lol.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Russic

I was wondering how long it would take for this to be brought out lol.

I was going to post the video, but its probably not a good idea.

[foofighter15]

Originally Posted by Russic

I was wondering how long it would take for this to be brought out lol.

thats what im here for.

[blackgold]

I was there in 05. We spent 5 days. We did 3 days in Stonetown, we did a spice tour, and checked out the night market. Then spent two days in Paje on the east coast. Beautiful beaches.

[zukes]

I thought you were talking a strip joint in Toronto. I've been there and it's highly recommended. That's where A-Rod's alleged old mistress worked.