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Caption: Z a n z i b a r
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: In Zanzibar we chose to stay in Marafiki Bungalows in Kiwengwa, (about a 60 mins drive from the airport). A beautiful calm resort tucked away from the hustle bustle and calm! The owner has ensured that he used all the local artisans and materials giving it a wonderful traditional Zanzibar like cottage feel.
The in house restaurant has extremely affordable menus; this made it really easy for us ‘cause we didn’t have to go looking for cheaper food options/carry loads of packaged food. In fact, on the day we had to leave really early for our dolphin tour, our host offered to arrange for us a picnic with the most amazing chicken sandwiches, muffins and fresh cut fruits. Such is the hospitality of the Zanzibari’s and Marifiki Bungalows in particular!
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: We went to this forest trail at around 11 AM after the ‘Swim with dolphins’ activity.
The Forest trail has three sections
The Monkey viewing - Where the guide shows two to three types of monkeys and also some other various birds and insects
The Forest Trees - the guide walks you through the forest and introduces various kind of trees, its uses and the natural habitat in and around the forest.
The mangroves - they have a long bridge to walk which has mangroves all around it. You will also see a lot of crabs in this place.
Our kids loved the experience.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: ROCK RESTAURANT Rock Restaurant, a one of a kind restaurant formed on a single rock. When you google it you will see it is perched atop a rock and covered with water all over. Honestly though, I found it quite far away from our hotel and the chances are quite high that you may miss it during the high tide, which is when it has that special appeal, else it’s so ordinary you’ll regret taking time to come here!! A fine dining, but food was very ordinary for the price.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: This tour is a walking tour and the kids absolutely loved it. We know the spices that we use at home....and it actually felt great to see them in its rawest, natural form and understand the know-hows. We got the opportunity to take the kids to see the farms / fruit picking or just enjoying the nature in its abundance and I’m guessing even city people would resonate here with us.
It was an amazing experience to just walk through with the eager, interested and knowledgeable guide who patiently walked us through each and every spice, the plants, the roots and the trees.
We touched , smelled and felt the texture of everything from Cocoa bean, cotton pods, turmeric roots, vanilla beans, Zanzibar’s very own famous all spice to the most interesting of all was the Iodine drops from the bark (medicine for all cuts and bruises). THE SPICE FARM TOUR
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: Our tour organizer, arranged an affordable and fabulous day here. Snorkeling with our very own boat and our awesome local sea-diver Rashid took us to quite a few spots and we spent almost 2 and a half hours snorkeling.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: After lunch, We went to swim with the turtles and what a great experience to swim alongside turtles of all shapes and sizes. The water looks a bit mossy and grey-green, but it’s formed in a cave-like structure where the sea water seeps in and out , and I was told it is clean as it gets flushed in and out to the sea.
Mind you, we did not have any health problems after the swim though I had instructed my kids to NOT drink in any water whilst swimming as far as possible.
A very different adventure for the kids.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: At Nungwi, we enjoyed a relaxing few hours watching the sunset. The kids just lazed on the beach, whilst we adults, had the perfect opportune to indulge to spend some romantic time with each other. Here there are loadssssss of shops with the most beautiful paintings, hand painted beach towels, keychains and other souvenirs.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: STONE TOWN
Located in the city; we did this on the day we were departing from Zanzibar. This is en route the airport and since we had engaged a car we had the luxury to do this on the morning after our checkout. It takes about 3 hours to see and thoroughly enjoy the stone town.
Stone town is a crowded place so be aware of your luggage and go with your trusted guide. Here, you can really see the different influences Zanzibar had gone through; The English; the Omanis; the Indian business conglomerates. The paintings that line each and every shops are stunning to say the least and you can spend hours just gazing at them. The shops along the stone town make such a grand colorful photo op.
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Picture of Marafiki Bungalows
Caption: #stellerid #stellerstories #travel #travelphotography #wanderlust #wander #africa #explore #goexplore #beautiful #beautifuldestinations #vacation #holiday #island #beach #tourism #traveldiary #love #traveling The island is surviving on indigenous goods and tourists. It offers a good break from the City Hustle
