The historic part of Zanzibar City is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hidden among a maze of little alleys, squares and backyards are mosques and quite spectacular, yet slightly run-down, houses. They are fine examples of Swahili architecture and an eclectic combination of Arabian, Indian and African styles. The narrow streets are full of quaint little shops and cafes; diving into this labyrinth you can still feel the atmosphere from centuries ago and watch as daily life runs its course. Walking through these streets you should consider paying a visit to the Darajani marketplace, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the Anglican Cathedral erected on the site of a former slave market, St. Joseph’s Cathedral or the house of the famous slave and ivory trader Tippu Tip. If you are after gifts or interesting souvenirs, Stone Town is definitely the place to be. When buying from local vendors never agree to the first offered price, as bargaining is a generally accepted habit and even a necessity on Zanzibar island.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows: 45 km, 1 hour drive
Recommended duration of the visit: 4-6 hours

Did you know that „Nakupenda” is Swahili for „I love you”? Join the crew on this beautiful day and you understand why this trip is called Nakupenda.  The cruise starts in Stone Town. There you will set sail to Prison Island, locally known as Changu Island. Visit the old slave prison ruins and the Aldabra’s giant tortoise, once property of the Sultan Said Majid. After this first stage, you will sett off again with our traditional dhow to Pange Island. The beautiful sandbank will give you time to relax on the beach, get a nice tan and enjoy the wonderful clear blue water of the Indian Ocean.

During the day you’ll be offered various tropical fruits, and a Swahili lunch buffet with seafood BBQ. Soft drinks  are included.

Distance from Marafiki: 46 km, 1 hour drive
Duration of the tour:  09:00 – 16:00

Tip: Watch out for the Sun! Don’t forget your sun lotion and a hat, and also a towel and swimwear.

This small island close to Stone town was used as a prison for rogue slaves in the mid-19^th century and then as a place of quarantine for yellow fever patients. Today its main attraction are giant tortoises from the Seychelles, which are among the largest and longest-living tortoises in the world with a lifespan of over 100 years and an average weight of over 200 kilograms.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows: 1 hour drive to Stonetown + 30 minutes by boat to Prison Island
Recommended duration of the visit: 1h

Tip: Reserve an entire day for the trip, so you can combine it with a visit to Stone Town

It seems at times that all of the things which in Europe are impossible to come by or prohibitively expensive can be found casually growing in Zanzibar. A guided walk among clove trees, cinnamon trees, patches of lemongrass, banana trees and palm trees will awaken your senses and culinary imagination. In the course of your tour you will find that everything can be touched, smelled and tasted. There is a great potential for interesting discoveries. The fruit, roots and leaves which are grown here are used for both cooking and medicinal purposes.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows: 0.5 hour drive
Recommended duration of the visit: 1.5 hours
Price: 5$ per person + taxi

Tip: If you don’t want to overpay then don’t buy anything during this visit. At Darajani or pretty much at any other market you can pay less for the same items. You can leave tips of about 1-2$ for the crowns and other gifts hand crafted from palm leaves.

Zanzibar is a great place for diving aficionados and those wishing to start their underwater adventure. Diving centres on the island offer both beginner and advanced-level courses. The coral reefs of the warm coastal waters are a fabulously colourful world of tropical fauna and flora. Divers will encounter shoals of fish, colourful snails, turtles and beautiful corals. You do not actually need to dive to see these wonders: all you need are a pair of fins, a diving mask and a snorkel.

Mnemba Atoll is the most famous marine conservation area in Zanzibar – it consists of a 7 by 4 kilometers  shallow but rich coral reef. It is a popular scuba diving site, with a wide variety of corals and associated species, as well as occasional sightings of larger species such as turtles and dolphins.
A speed boat can take you to 2 amazing snorkeling sites. You do not actually need to dive to see all of these underwater wonders: all you need are a pair of fins, a diving mask and a snorkel.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows: 10 min to starting point, then 40 minutes by boat or car to Mnemba
Duration of the visit: 4-6 hours

Consider an all-day excursion starting on the southern end of the Island, in the small fishing village of Fumba (around 1.5 hours away from the hotel). From there, traditional dhow boats will take you to an action-packed cruise on the Menai Bay. With some luck, you may even see bottlenose dolphins amidst the waves. The next stage is the coral reef: the boat will moor on a little sandy island to give you time to snorkel in the turquoise waters of the bay. Lunch will be served on the uninhabited island Kwale. The menu includes grilled fish, rice, vegetables as well as fresh fruit and drinks. Here you will also find a number of gigantic baobabs promising plenty of fun while climbing their massive branches. You can also walk around the island to explore picturesque tiny bays and caves. Returning to Fumba under sail will allow you to relax in the sea breeze and watch the sun set slowly upon the great blue.

Distance from Marafiki:  1.5 hour drive
Duration of the visit: about 6 hours
Tip: The prettiest and cheapest dresses, shirts and kangas can be found on Kwale Island, so it’s definitely worthwhile to take a look at them while you are there. Be sure to visit the huge baobab at Kwale.

After a day at the beach or among the turtles in Nungwi, change your perspective and take alook at the island from the ocean, from the deck of a traditional dhow boat. A wooden boat departs from Kendwa beach at 16:30 taking unto its 2-level deck  up  to several people at one time. The cruise along the shore takes about 1.5 hours. During this time, you can admire numerous hotels along the beach, and above all the ocean shimmering in the colours of the setting sun. Before boarding, it's worth getting cold drinks.

Distance from Marafiki: 44km, 50 minutes drive
Duration of the cruise: 1.5 hour
Tip: take your swimming suit and towel with you

Turtles have long been the attraction of the island. In several places, for example on Prison Island or in the vicinity of the Jozani Forest, you can admire the giant land tortoises and smaller water turtles. You can also feed them with lettuce or seaweed.

In 1993 the villagers of Nungwi opened a turtle sanctuary  in a large natural tidal pool. Since the opening many sea turtles have been brought in by local fisherman, to protect them from being hunted and eaten. Also the eggs found on the beach are taken here to hatch. The Mnarani turtle sanctuary is a great educational place to visit, the staff working here will take you around, and tell you all about the projects and the passion they have for saving these beautiful creatures.

Distance from Marafiki: 44km, 50 minutes drive
Recommended duration of the visit: 1 hour
Tip:  It’s worth it to combine this visit with lunch at Esque Zalu hotel and/or a sunset cruise departing from Kendwa.

If you are looking for a more action-filled excursion, consider booking a cycling tour in Nungwi along the northern tip of the island.
The tour includes a visit to the Tazari caves (also known as Twin Caves), two recently discovered coral caves filled with beautiful crystal rocks and large stalagmites and stalactites. You will also be cycling through a rural village to get a glimpse at how the local blacksmiths work and maybe even try your own hand at it. The last stop of the tour is at some Portuguese ruins that date back to the 16th century, followed by a refreshing swim in a freshwater cave located right next to the ruins. Water and fresh fruit are available (and included) during the trip.

Distance from Marafiki to the starting point: 42km, 55 minutes’ drive
Duration of the tour: 5 hours from 9.00 am or 2.00 pm

Tip: wear suitable clothing and comfortable shoes, take your swimming suit with you, put on sunscreen

Horse-riding with Rosa in Nungwi
Rosa is a South African lady who has dedicated her life to horses. Since 2011 she provides the most amazing holiday experiences for guests from all over the world.

Do you love horses, and want to have a beautiful tropical horse-riding experience?
Join Rosa on this breathtaking experience, and book your ride! You can choose the following options:
- Beach rides –Go for a scenic beach ride during low tide and have a splash in the water
- Swim rides - Experience the thrill of swimming on horseback. 
- Sunset rides –Enjoy one of the best sunsets on the island while riding the coast line.
- Country rides- Ride through the coconut plantations, local villages and the mangroves.

Distance from Marafiki to starting point: 45 min drive
Duration of the tour: 1 hour (tours subject to availability)

Tip : Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet.
Price: $50-60 p.p 

The forest reserve of Kiwengwa-Pongwe on the eastern coast of Zanzibar hosts a number of interesting yet rarely visited caves allowing a closer look at the bat population and the unique rock formations. A number of picturesque caves can also be found in the Jambiani area (the Kuza Caves) in the south-eastern part of the island with a small natural pool, and in Mangapwani (ca. 20 kilometres north of Stone Town) where you find the historic slave chambers.

The KuzaCaveCulture Center offers not only a bath in the ancient limestone jungle cave with crystal clear turquoise fresh water but also drumming & dancing and lunch & swahili cookinglessons.

Distance from Marafiki to Kiwengwa: 5 km, 10 min drive
Distance from Marafiki to Kuza cave:  64 km, 1hour 15 drive
Entrance:  Kiwengwa cave: $ 2-5 Kuza: $10

Recommended duration of the visit: 1 - 1.5 hour
Tip: It’ s best to wear sport shoes and long sleeves as it can get cold in the caves. A torch will be useful. Bring swimwear to Kuza.

Mtende beach is located in the South-Eastern part of Zanzibar and is easily one of Zanzibar’s hidden treasures. The drive to Mtende is spectacular, with some scenic, lush green nature views on the way it takes you over the typical red dirt roads through authentic local villages which are surrounded by enormous baobab trees. Once you reach the beach you will be welcomed with a stunning view of big rocks created out of coral, a beautiful white, sandy beach and clear blue waters.  2 small restaurants can be found at the beach, one of them reachable only during low tide.

Distance from Marafiki: 95 km, 1 hour 40 min drive

Recommended duration of the visit: 2 hours
Tip: Start the visit during low tide, to get the best experience. You will be surprised how much the landscape changes when the tide is on. Bring swimwear and enough sun lotion!

Entrancefee: 1-2$ per person

Zanzibar is one of the biggest exporters of seaweed in the world. The clean waters surrounding the island with the right temperature provide the perfect conditions to grow the ‘green gold’. The seaweed center is founded by local women of Paje who were determined to provide a better living for themselves and their families. They grow the seaweed in the ocean, and after harvesting they dry it in the sun. When the seaweed is dried they use it into cosmetics as soaps, creams and oils. All made using natural resources from the island.

The seaweed center is located in Paje, and is  definitely worth a visit during your stay.

Distance from Marafiki: 75 km,  1h 15min drive

Recommended duration of the visit: 1 to 1.5 hours.
Entrance: $10 per person

Tip:  We recommend to go there during low tide, to be able to see the seaweed fields in the ocean. You can combine this visit with discovering the Kuza cave, and/or Mtende Beach.

The Jozani Forest reserve is a remnant of the tropical forest that used to cover a major area in the central part of Zanzibar. A guided tour will take you through a kingdom of rubber plants, massive baobabs, mangroves, as well as a wealth of other tropical trees and bushes, with swarms of colourful birds in the air. The main attraction are the Red Colobus monkeys which are endemic to Zanzibar; these little jokers are usually playing in the trees and are happy to pose for pictures. The forest is also inhabited by Blue Monkeys, which can sometimes be seen high up in the trees.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows:  45 minutes drive
Recommended duration of the visit: 1 hour
Price: entrance 10$ per person + taxi

Tip: Reserve an entire day for the trip, so you can combine it with a visit at the Butterfly Centre and/or a trip to Paje or The Rock restaurant.

In the southern part of the island near the Jozani Forest lies the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre. A fascinating walk among hundreds of butterfly varieties makes for a great biology lesson for everyone, not just for the children. The insects can be watched from up close, set loose from the cage where they hatch and viewed at all stages of their development: from eggs through to caterpillars and cocoons, all the way until the emergence of the winged adult, or imago.

Distance from Marafiki Bungalows: 45 minutes drive
Recommended duration of the visit: 1 hour
Price: 10$ per person + taxi

Tip: Reserve an entire day for the trip, so you can combine it with a visit at Jozani Forest and/or a trip to Paje or The Rock restaurant.

Taking a powerful ATV quad tour into the heart of the island will allow you to discover small villages lining the spice and sugar cane plantations, have a closer look at the life of their inhabitants and to learn about local customs. Exploring a cave is on the agenda, too. By escaping the crowds and venturing off the beaten track, you’ll be able to fully capture the beauty of untouched nature.
During a visit in a village, small gifts for its residents are welcome, such as school supplies, toys, clothes for children or food.

Distance from Marafikito the starting point: 10 minutes
Durationof the trip: 3 hours
Important: Driving an ATV quad requires a driving license.

Over the last few years, Zanzibar has become a popular destination for fans of kitesurfing. Aside from the fabulous view, this is helped by the winds blowing with great regularity. The high season coincides with the southern monsoon Kusi (from June to August) and then the Kaskazi from the north (from December to February). Surfing conditions are appreciated by beginners and advanced kite surfers alike; a number of schools offer both rental of equipment and tuition.
Although the kite mecca is Paje, located on the south-east of Zanzibar, the Kiwengwa beach offers very good conditions for this sport, as well. For beginners, we recommend One Love Kite.

Cheetah’s Rock Rescue and Conservation Center is a unique place where people and animals interact directly – face to face, eye to eye, fur to skin. In addition to meeting rescued wild animals (cheetahs, lions, tigers, pumas, zebra, bush babies, lemurs) you will receive substantial information about animal welfare and wildlife conservation. You will learn more about the protection and conservation that endangered species are in need of, and learn about the behaviour of various animal species. Additionally, you will get to see first-hand how it is possible to get so close to wild animals, using only positive reinforcement and trust-building techniques. You are more than welcome to take as many photos as you wish. Prepare yourself for a magical and memorable experience.

For safety reasons, only guests above the age of 16 are allowed in!

Distancefrom Marafiki: 31km, 45 minutes’ drive
Duration of the tour: 5 hours (from 14:00-18:45)

Fee: Great Wildlife Tour US$160 per person, VIP Otter Experience US$150 per person; transfer included

Tip: wear suitable clothing – jeans/shorts, but NO skirts, dresses, loose hijabs, bulky trousers, flip-flops or jewellery. Please DON’T WEAR any insect repellent, sun tan lotion, aftershaves or perfumes as these can be poisonous for animals.

• Selous Game Reserve is amongst the largest protected wet wilderness areas in Africa, located in the South of Tanzania, covering a total area of about 54,600 km2 (21,081 sq. miles). A large area of the reserve is drained by the Rufiji River. There are over 2,000 species of plants, over 430 species of birds, and 60 species of mammals, plenty of wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, hippos and crocodiles.

  Day 1: Departure from Zanzibar at 8am, reaching Selous by 9.30 am, pick up by driver & guide at airstrip then taken to a game drive. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon 2 h boat safari on Lake Manze. Amazing opportunity to observe hippos and crocodiles. Dinner under the stars and overnight at Lake Manze Tented Camp (by Essential Destination).
  Day 2: Early breakfast at the camp and proceed for game drive or walking safari.  Or: departure form the camp at 6.30 am and bush breakfast. Proceeding to the airstrip.
  

  Last minutes safaris, bookable not earlier as 7 days before departure. The package is inclusive of: return flight Zanzibar to game reserve, all park fees and entry fees, game drives and all activities as mentioned in the itinerary, and 1 night Full Board. The packages is exclusive of: Tourist Visa, tips, alcohol beverages, items of personal nature and any activity not mentioned above. Closed from mid March until mid June

Sauti za busara (Sounds of Wisdom) – a famous festival of African music, held in Stone Town. The concerts are accompanied with exhibitions, workshops and meetings with the artists amidst a great atmosphere. 

ZIFF Zanzibar International Film Festival – the greatest film festival in East Africa, showcasing feature films and documentaries of both African and foreign authors. The festival, taking place in July, is accompanied by a variety of concerts and exhibitions.

Mwaka Kogwa – a bright, colourful welcoming of the Persian New Year (around 20^th July) in Makunduchi, in the southern part of Zanzibar. The key point of the programme is a battle using banana stalks, involving both men of the village and the newcomers. The battle is ended by torching a purpose-built hut which is to protect the villagers from dying in a house fire in the coming year. It is a high-energy, unique spectacle.