A Day Tour in Kilwa
Explore Tours
Despite its small size and casual, laid-back demeanor, Pemba Island off the eastern coast of Tanzania has a lot to offer by way of exploring for a memorable seaside holiday in Africa. You will sense you are in for a rare treat even as you travel to the island through the glistening azure waters of the Indian Ocean that offer tantalizing glimpses of the coral reefs at the bottom.
As you disembark from your boat on the seashore, you will land on soft, white sands that sink below your feet. Make your way to the inner sections of the island via a vehicle or sometimes on foot where your Trust Tours assigned guide will meet you to show you around the island natural hotspots and its many delights.
Tour Plan
During your day excursion of Pemba Island, begin your exploration by a walking tour of the Ngezi Forest Reserve, a lush green expanse with deep valleys and steep inclines. Look for the endemic Flying Fox Bats of Pemba that have wingspans of 1.60 meters and its faces resembles its given name. They are typically found roosting in numbers of 850 bats in a single location. You could also see red colobus and vervet monkeys and a host of bird species like African goshawk, palm-nut vulture, malachite kingfisher, Pemba white-eye, scops owl and more.
Take a step back in a time long gone while on your trip of Eastern Africa, visit the fortress at Mkama Ndume. Its collection of historical buildings indicates Portuguese, Arab and Swahili architectural trends. You could also tour the 18th-century ruins at Chwaka, which was perhaps the capital of the island around that time and ruled by the Mazrui clan whose tombs can be still seen today.
Also, visit the present-day capital of Pemba at Chake Chake that is located close to Chwaka. This nook of Pemba is possibly the only place where you might find some vigorous island activity amidst local taxis, dala-dalas and ox-wagons. If you would like to taste the outlandish fruits of Pemba, check out the local bazaars with their offerings of local fruit and fresh seafood caught the same day from the ocean's bounty. Try your hand at catching fish yourself by going on a deep-sea angling expedition in a dhow or motorized boat. Enjoy pitching your wits against stalwarts like swordfish, barracuda, spearfish, giant trevally, sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo or many more.
For those who prefer an underwater safari, you could snorkel or dive at the pristine coral reefs to watch magnificent sea life creatures in their natural environs. PADI diving courses can also be organized via your Trust Tours trip planner. A tour of the famed spice farms and a walk to the lighthouse are a complete must while traveling in Pemba.
When the tide is low and current and weather conditions allowing, you could go for a walk on the sandbank where you will see the stunning sands offset by the clear turquoise waters of the ocean. Or view the island from aboard a handcrafted mango wood dhow on a sailing ride. Alternatively, enjoy stunning vistas over the ocean on the traditional fishermen Ngalawa boat as the setting evening sun bathes the ocean in awesome colors of rich gold.
