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THE TANZANIAN
COAST AND ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Tanzania has 800 kms of untouched palm lined powder
white beaches along its east coast and several amazing
islands, ideal for beaching! Zanzibar is about 35 kms
off the mainland and offers the perfect ending to a
safari holiday. It conjures up images of the 'slave
trade'; famous explorers like Livingstone, Stanley,
Speke and Burton; the 'spice trade'; Sultans; Persian
baths; sailing dhows; the old 'Stone Town'; and is famous
for its architecture, carved doors and many colourful
markets. Access is by light aircraft or boat and there
are a variety of hotels on the island to choose from.
The Serena
Inn is Zanzibar's most luxurious hotel overlooking
the Indian Ocean in Stone Town. All 51 rooms are ensuite
with air conditioning and traditionally decorated. The
hotel has a swimming pool and a good restaurant.
Mnemba Island
Lodge is 3 kms off the northeast coast of
Zanzibar (about a 20 minute boat crossing) and is one
of the world's best private island retreats, sold as
"Robinson Crusoe" luxury to an exclusive clientele,
at US $ 525 - 575 pppn sharing. It accommodates 20 guests
in simple palm matted cottages with ensuite loo and
bucket shower. This is a place to be indulged and the
attentive staff will serve romantic seafood dinners
on the beach or in the main lodge. It takes 25 minutes
to walk around the island and activities include scuba
diving, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, boating and lolling
around in the crystal clear ocean and on the powder
white sand. The lodge has a PADI Dive Centre.
Ras Kutani
is another tropical heaven, situated on the Tanzania
Coast, south of Dar Es Salaam and accessed by charter
flight. Accommodation for 40 guests is in simple reed
and thatch ensuite cottages overlooking the sea or lagoon
with wide verandas, silk cushions and hammocks. The
main activity here is relaxation, but the lodge also
offers snorkelling (off shore or by boat to the nearby
reef), windsurfing, sailing, fishing, island trips and
nature walks through the indigenous forest to see colobus
and sykes monkeys, baboons and civet cats.
Kinasi Lodge
is situated on Mafia Island. This is a specialist diving
lodge with PADI Dive Centre.
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