Zanzibar The Quiet Beaches

T raveling to Zanzibar needs       Ocean, the white sand beach, the   to be planned. Some areas       extreme beauty of the coral reef   of Zanzibar are                 of the Mnemba Atoll and the wild   commercialized and have lost the      bush vegetation. There is a small  charm they once had. The quiet        village of fishermen, who go out   beaches are easy to find if you       sailing with their army of         take a little time to plan where      traditional dhows every morning.   to go before you set sail for                                            this spiced archipelago.              Zanzibar has an international                                            airport with direct connections    The main island usually referred      to Europe and regional             to as Zanzibar Island is a            destinations (o/a Dar es Salaam,   tropical and east from the            Nairobi). Travel by sea is also    mainland of Tanzania; measuring       possible: there are regular ferry  60 miles long and 20 miles wide.      services between Zanzibar and Dar  Zanzibar is popular because of        es Salaam. We can arrange          its beautiful beaches and coral       transfers for you to/from the      reefs, its palm trees, its            airport, the sea port or Stone     seafood and the magic of historic     Town.                              Stone Town, which was recently                                           declared a World Heritage Site by     Seafood is the specialty of the    UNESCO.                               area, with all produce bought                                            daily from the local market.       The northeast part of the island      Meals offering a delicious mix of  is an area that is unspoiled and      African and European flavors. The  is known as Matemwe. This part of     early mornings and the sunrise is  the island is well known for its      a sight to savor - as you enjoy    natural beauty and closeness to       tea or coffee served at your       the beat diving sites - the           veranda. In the evening, the full  contrasting colors of the Indian      moon rising out of the sea is a    wonderful romantic experience         period August - October).          you're not likely to forget. On                                          moonless nights gaze and get lost     Visit the neighboring village to   in the star-filled sky.               explore the local Zanzibar                                               culture and village life and for   Local snorkeling and diving sites     those who wish to learn about the  are suitable for all levels of        community projects that the        experience, from beginning            Matemwe lodge is involved in:      snorklers or experienced divers.      Matemwe Bungalows has created      Variety is the key word on the        strong, mutually beneficial        reefs around Matemwe. Soft and        relationships with its neighbors   hard corals, sponges and anemones     and has undertaken various         abound, and you will be amazed by     community projects, including the  the sheer range of fish species       building of a local library.       to be found in these waters. You                                         might find dolphins in the water      This location is ideal for visits  or - for the lucky ones - even        to Stone Town, Jozani Forest,      spot a whale passing by the reef      Prison Island and spice tours.     (best chance for whales in the         About the Author: For more in formation on Zanzibar and surrounding Islands http://www.betheladventure.co.uk or http://www.aardvark-expeditions.com Using tourism to change lives. Source: www.isnare.com