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Zanzibar Island - Unguja - The island is unique in that it combines unique natural beauty, forests, spectacular beaches with a rich cultural heritage. The North of Zanzibar Island
Nungwi is the most Northerly village on the island and has given its name to the surrounding area. Tourist development came late to Nungwi but it has come with something of a vengeance. The North West beach of Nungwi is the most popular area for the younger travellers with loud music and rave parties. It can be fun but it is not really our style and those seeking accommodation in the many cheap beach guesthouses are best advised to check the place out on arrival and find a room on the spot. The beach is particularly beautiful, as it is one of the few areas without a coral reef which means that one can swim at all tides.
The North East coast of Nungwi is very different and Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel on the North East beach is a tranquil pleasant Hotel that we have used many times. The East Coast of Zanzibar Island
The reef runs down the whole East Coast of Zanzibar, protecting the long white sand beach which runs from North to South for miles. It is a unique location and one of the world's most beautiful beaches. We prefer the Southern beaches, as the Northern area of the coast has been slightly spoilt by the development of a number of Italian tourist resorts. Whilst not our style of tourism, it has to be said that they have not changed the nature of the rest of the island as they tend to stay for most of their holiday within the confines of the tourist complex. Our favourite area is around the pretty little villages of Bwejuu and Paje and here there is the simple guesthouse, Sunrise Hotel , run by Georges an old friend of ours. Georges is arguably the top chef on the island and in this little Belgian paradise one can eat fine continental cuisine, using the best local ingredients. Stone Town - Zanzibar Island
Stone Town, more than anything else is what makes Zanzibar so different from a thousand other tropical isles. Behind its elegant waterfront, it is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners fought with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. One of the most characteristic aspects of these ancient mansions is the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. The vivid colours and perfumes and smells of Stone town both pleasant and unpleasant leave a strong impact on the visitor. The senses are heightened and the impact is sometimes overwhelming. You either love Stone Town or you hate it, fortunately most fall in love with the town and never forget it. Most of the houses were built in the 19th century when Zanzibar island was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region. The tradition was Swahili, those commissioning the houses were usually Omani, British architects were often used as were Indian carpenters. This mixture of cultures is evident in the exotic nature of the houses. The basic building material for Stone Town was coral stone. It is a good building material but quite volatile and houses that are tampered with a liable to sudden collapse. Slowly Stone Town is being restored but the humidity and heat are a deadly mixture and it sometimes feels as though Stone Town the isolated restoration projects can not keep pace with the decline. The city is now a Unesco World Heritage Site and a Stone Town Conservation Authority has been established to co-ordinate the restoration of the town to its original magnificence. House of Wonders with the restoration of Shangani House together with Emerson Skeens has played a small part in this process. The islands opposite Stone Town
There are a group of small islands a few miles off the coast in front of Stone Town. Despite their names, Prison, Snake and Grave (Chapwani Island ) they are beautiful islands and excellent for snorkelling and for a day out from town. Prison island, perhaps the most well known, is home to giant tortoises and was once the quarantine centre for Zanzibar. It has a lovely beach but the Government run restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. There is a fee of US$4.00 per person to land on the island.
House of Wonders has built a small Hotel on Chapwani Island . It has an excellent restaurant, beautiful beaches and is full of wildlife. A visit to the historic maritime graves on the island is also worthwhile. The island is private but non resident guests are welcome for lunch US$15.00 per person and may also visit the graveyard subject to first informing reception of their visit for security. Fuji Beach - Zanzibar Island
Just a few miles North of Stone Town is the village of Bububu, which marked the end of the old railway line. There is a long white sandy beach that runs all the way along the coast. It is a beautiful beach and good for swimming, except at low tide when the coral bed is exposed.
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