Zen in Zanzibar
Why Zanzibar? We had shortlisted a few other destinations that were open and accessible for travellers at the time for safe travel from the UAE. However, once we looked at the PCR test and quarantine requirements, there was only one practical and exhilarating choice, Zanzibar.
The trip included 6 hours of direct flying time from Dubai and only a PCR test required both before departure from Dubai and before returning from Zanzibar. We also had to fill out a Travelers Surveillance form 24 hours prior to departure from Dubai and this is all there was to it in terms of paperwork required which made our holiday in planning to Zanzibar seem hassle-free and made it more alluring out of the countries that we wanted to visit.
Zanzibar is an island located on the east coast of Tanzania and is a part of mainland Tanzania. Most of the hotel chains are scattered along the coast of Zanzibar including Stone Town on the west coast, which is the capital of Zanzibar, and where the main international airport is located. Since it was two female travellers on this trip, we had a clear vision of what we both were expecting from the holiday and it didn’t take us much time to decide on making Nungwi our base for the entire duration of our trip. Nungwi is the liveliest beach spot, located in the most northern tip of Zanzibar.
Day 1: Our sanctuary for the 4 days in Nungwi was Riu Palace Zanzibar, an all-inclusive property located right on the beachfront. We took the red-eye flight from Dubai that arrived at Zanzibar early in the morning. The resort was exceptional in making us feel welcome until our check-in time. We left our bags at the reception, changed into our swimming gear, had breakfast, and went exploring around the resort until we found the much-needed spot for us to settle down until check-in. We parked ourselves at Makuti bar at the resort that is perched on the hill overlooking the crystalline blue waters and white powdered sandy beach of Nungwi. The rest of the afternoon we spent cooling ourselves with the best cocktails served by the most hospitable staff at the Riu Palace Zanzibar and picking up a few words of Swahili from them.
Day 2: We were in for a total treat at Riu Palace Zanzibar. We stayed in a Sea View Junior suite waking up to the sounds of birds from the lush grounds of the resort with an unobstructed view of the sea from our terrace. On this day besides getting tan lines and soaking up the sun, we headed to the nearby Baraka National Aquarium which was merely a 7 mins car ride from the hotel. This is a natural saltwater pool connected to the sea where you can swim with rescued turtles from the sea. The turtles that get caught in fishermen’s nets and get injured are brought here to be treated and released back into the ocean once they have healed. It was such an amazing feeling to be able to feed them and pet them up close.
Day 3: On this day we had to head to Stone Town to get our PCR test done for our return journey back to Dubai. We decided to make a day out of it since it is almost over an hour’s drive from Nungwi. We combined our PCR test visit to the clinic with a walking city tour of Stone Town and a visit to Prison Island. The city of Stone Town truly deserves the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walked back in time through Stone Town’s labyrinth laneways guided by our local guide who explained to us the history and culture of Zanzibaris. We conversed with the locals at the souvenirs shops who got friendlier when they heard us speak a few words of Swahili with them and gave us a good bargain for our purchases. After the city walking tour, we hopped on a 25 mins ferry ride from Forodhani Park that brought us to Prison Island.
Day 4: A must when you are in Zanzibar, Safari Blue. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves snorkelling. We headed to Fumba beach early this morning by car and we spent the rest of the day on the traditional Zanzibar boat that took us island hopping to many different islands. Our first stop was a snorkelling stop, followed by a sandbank picnic and then onwards to more snorkelling on another island. We then sailed through mangroves and had a pit stop for the ones who wanted to swim in the mangroves and take pictures with an amazing backdrop of natural rocks jutting out of the sea. We ended the tour at the Safari blue Camp another island where we were served late lunch as part of our trip. The aromas of seafood and other meats on the barbeque grill that were being prepared before the arrival of famished tourists made us head straight to the tables that were laid out under a tent on the beach.
Day 5: This was the last day we were in Zanzibar and I didn’t want to leave Zanzibar without seeing the dolphins. A half-day trip to Mnemba island from Nungwi and I was able to tick that off the list too. Over the course of 4 days that we were in Zanzibar, all the conversations we struck with our fellow travellers of their time and their experiences in Zanzibar all mentioned a visit to Mnemba Island which is a heart-shaped coral atoll cast-off Zanzibar’s north-eastern shores. It is not much for the possibility of sighting dolphins but the colour of the blue lagoon surrounding Mnemba island is breathtaking. It is no surprise that tech billionaires and Hollywood heavyweights choose to come here on the island’s only resort by ‘&Beyond’ to get away from it all. We took the red-eye flight back to Dubai and with our souls full we headed back on the 5th day.
Asante Zanzibar!! Until next time….