Discover The Spectacular Island Beauty

Pemba lies around 80km northeast of its sister island, Unguja, directly east of the port of Tanga on Tanzania's mainland. Less frequently visited than its neighbour, the island retains an air of unspoilt beauty, with lush green valleys of clove plantations and dark, mysterious tropical forest giving way to vast stretches of virgin beach at the coast. Pemba is smaller than Unguja, stretching 67km from north to south and 22km from east to west and at its highest point, rising to just 95 metres above sea level. Winding roads lead through the peaks and depths of the island's terrain, revealing vivid mosaics of rice paddies, mangrove lined creeks and spice plantations. Early Arab sailors, enchanted by Pemba's lush, fertile landscape and palm-fringed beaches, named it El Huthera, the Green island. But for decades the tiny island has also held a more sinister attraction. World renowned for its collective knowledge of witchcraft and the African occult, people are said to have traveled from as far away as Haiti to study the mysterious art of voodoo. Even today, people from accross East Africa, the Middle East and the Western world seek the skills of the waganga, witchdoctors, to help them find a job, win the affection of a loved one or cure a variety of illnesses and ailments. But for the majority of visitors who arrive simply to unwind and explore, the wild untouched beauty of island is bewitching enough. Pemba has three main towns;Chake Chake, the largest town and capital, is located about halfway along the west coast, the ferry port of Mkoani in the south, and dhow harbour of Wete in the north. 

Misali island is famed for its near vertical wall of living coral descending to more than 60 metres, and inhabited by huge shoals of fish. Spectacular drop-offs, exhilarating drifts and shallow coral reefs have earned Pemba the reputation of being one of the top diving destination in the world, and since the island is less visited than Unguja, you are likely to have the dive sites all to yourself.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Town Tour And Sunset Cruising

Earlier this morning you'll be picked up from your hotel in Zanzibar to the airport for your flight to Pemba island. At your arrival at Pemba Island, you'll be transfered and dropped off at your hotel in Pemba. After your hotel check-in, have your lunch then a town tour to Mkoani, main port of Pemba and visit Chake Chake, the largest town and capital of Pemba situated half way along the west coast overlooking Chake Chake creek. In the evening, you'll have an amazing experience of cruising on a local dhow boat that will absolutely walk you back to time of sailing, then you'll be transferred back to hotel for a dinner and cozy rest.

Day 2: Diving At Misali Island And Visit Ras Mkumbuu Ruins

Earlier this morning you'll be picked up from your hotel to Mkoani port for a boat trip of about 25 minutes to Misali island for a high quality diving or snorkeling in the island where marine life is abundant. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the island combined with such beautiful excursion. Then leave Misali and visit Ras Mkumbuu which is possibly the oldest settlement south of Lamu and stands at the tip of a long peninsula to the north of Chake Chake creek. This ancient settlement is thought to have been one of the largest trading cities on the East African coast during the 13th and 14th centuries. After these excursions you'll be transferred back to your hotel before sunset.

Day 3: Explore The Pujini Ruins

Depart this morning according to the tide for an excursion at Shamiani for a 45 minutes boat trip by engine or one and half hour sailing across the Emarald Bay where you could admire the transparent waters and all tonalities of green and blue of the Indian Ocean, a spectacle of nature! On the way back to your hotel take a short drive to a village of Pujini where there are remains of a fotress built around the 15th century, and unique on the coast of East Africa. The various legends surrrounding the ruins are probably more interesting than the site itself, which is largely overgrown and bearing little resemblance to a formerly impressive structure with ramparts, high walls, watchtowers and a moat. After this you'll be transferred to your hotel for a lunch, a short rest before being dropped-off at the airport for a flight back to Zanzibar or Dar es salaam.

Inclusion

• Round-trip flights
• Transfers
• Accommodation
• Meals, bottled water & soft drinks
• Marine Park Fee
• Water activities 
• Diving equipments
• Local guides

Exclusion

• Diving Insurance
• Premium drinks
• Gazebos

From $1,385 pp