Day Trips and Activities
Beach activities
There are some great rock pools nearby where curious kids and interested adults can discover all sorts of fascinating sea life. It’s also possible to watch the local villagers gathering shellfish, and sometimes even catching octopus from these pools.
Snorkelling is easy to do from the beach, as there are coral towers within a short swimming distance, just ask us to point you in the right direction.
Swimming
When tide is high it is very pleasant to swim from the stairs going down from the lodge to the water. We provide you with a tide schedule in the room so you can plan your activities according the tide just as the villagers do.
There is also a small permanent village beach that can be found following a short nature trail to the south of the lodge.
Dolphins
Kizimkazi area is known for dolphins. However the increasing popularity of Zanzibar’s dolphin tours and lack of knowledge of many of the tour operators is turning this attraction into a threat to the dolphins. If you are patient you can sit on your veranda and likely to see dolphins passing. For those who want to get closer we advise our clients to go on dolphin tours with ‘One Ocean’, our diving partner. Their tours are admittedly more expensive than some of those of some of the ones put on by local operators; however they are done with the proper equipment to ensure you have a safe experience, and without putting pressure on the dolphins. If you do it, do it responsibly!
‘Robinson Crusoe’ trip
You can spend a full day on the water where One Ocean takes you out on the traditional dhow for a picnic lunch on a deserted sandbank or island at sailing distance. On the way you can snorkel or dive, see the dolphins, practice sailing and relax in the sun on the beach or the water.
Sunset cruise
If you want to experience the romance of a dhow ride as the sun sink One Ocean can arrange a special sunset cruise for you. What could be better than enjoying a sundowner on a traditional Arabic sailing boat as the sun sinks over into the sea.
Guided village walk
We organize guided walks to explore the village and surroundings. You will see traditional coral block built houses, meet fishermen repairing their nets, and women making rope from coconut fibre. Rachid Ali Hassan, one of our senior staff members, shows you around and explains the traditions and culture. We ask a small donation for the village walk which we spend together with the village on school or medical projects.
Jozani Forest
From Unguja Lodge it takes about 20 minutes to Jozani Forest. It is the only remaining indigenous forest on Zanzibar and here you find the largest population of the Red Colobus Monkeys, which are unique to Zanzibar.
A visit to Jozani Forest consists of three parts:
- a guided walk through the forest. The guide shows you plants and trees of interest. You are also likely to see black tail monkeys.
- a visit to the Red Colobus Monkeys: the guides know where the groups of monkeys are and they will take you there. Although they are wild animals, they are not shy and you will be able to come very close.
- a guided walk through the mangrove forest of Chwaka Bay Conservation Area. For this part of the visit you buy a separate ticket. A beautiful boardwalk has been constructed, so you are able to walk deep into the mangrove forest.
Zala Park
Zala Park is located about 20 minutes from Unguja Lodge and a visit can be easily combined with Jozani Forest. Zala Park is actually an educational centre, Groups of schoolchildren from Zanzibar are taught about indigenous animals and learn that they are harmless and should not be killed. Tourists are welcome and Zala Park is well worth a visit. You can observe indigenous animals, mostly reptiles like snakes, lizards and chameleons but also tortoises, dik diks, monkeys and hyrax. The zoo is run by the very enthusiastic Mohammed Ayoub.
From Zala Park it is also possible to walk through the forest and mangroves to the shore and be picked up by a dhow to take you back to the hotel.
Spice Tour
Zanzibar is famous for its spices. For a long period, production and export of spices, mainly of cloves, was the main income source for the island. Spices remain very important for Zanzibar. Zanzibari people use the spices in their cooking to treat ailments, for makeup and for dying.
A spice tour takes you to a spice farm where you will learn about the different spices: how they grow and how they are used. It is also a good way to visit rural Zanzibar, see something beyond the beach and the sea.
A local lunch, of course cooked with different spices can be included.
Visit to Stone Town
When you are on Zanzibar, a visit to Zanzibar Town is a must. The town reflects the Island’s rich history of trade. In the nineteenth century Zanzibar was the main trade centre on the east African Coast. Especially the old part of the town, known as Stone Town, is very nice to visit. It consists of a web of narrow streets and alleys where you can wander about for many hours. You can choose to explore by yourself or we can organize an experienced guide for you.
A combination of a spice tour and a visit to town makes for a great full day outing from the lodge.