Zanzibar and Pemba Island offer an extraordinary mix of culture and watery wonderlands, from the Arabian history of Stone Town in Zanzibar to the practice of voodoo on Pemba, with a good smattering of brilliantly white beaches washed by startlingly turquoise waters.
Where
The area is crammed with diverse marine life, but of particular interest are the schools of humpback whales and pods of dolphins that congregate off the shores. A marine biologist can join a yacht to accompany the journey, providing laser-sharp insight into the area.
How
The Explorations Company, which specialises in matching clients with philanthropic adventures, organises exclusive yacht charters on an Ocean 750 catamaran with an on-board marine biologist. Dr Gill Braulik, based in Zanzibar, will join guests sailing around these beautiful archipelagos to spot and research whales and dolphins.
Her organisation is connected to the Zanzibari government, and an additional donation of €5,000 goes towards future research and conservation. Days are spent diving in areas such as the tiny, uninhabited Misali Island, where the reefs are filled with hard and soft corals, while on land are sunbirds, flying foxes, endangered coconut crabs and caves, rumoured still to be used for voodoo.
Excursions inland explore Pemba’s ancient forests, and afternoons might be spent snorkelling around the pristine Mnemba Island atoll, kayaking with cavorting pods of dolphins just south of Tambatu, or visiting Fundu Lagoon for beachside cocktails.
When
October and November are peak season for whales and dolphins in the region, and this is also when wind and sea conditions are calm.
By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...
Premium service from one of the world's most knowledgeable travel companies
24/7 contact number
Your holiday is fully protected by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018
Flight-Inclusive Bonding: We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and hold ATOL Number 7159
Flight-Exclusive bonding: Your holiday is further protected by our membership of ABTOT Membership Number 5197