Tanzania is not only about game viewing and hikes; it also offers incredible beaches, luxurious beach resorts and a fascinating history with eclectic architecture reaching as far back as the original Arab settlers. Sunny Safaris encourage you to take some time to acquaint yourself with Tanzania’s other marvels.
Read about the different beach destinations below:
Zanzibar
Cinnamon; cloves; nutmeg and pepper; 50 km (31 mi) off the east coast of Tanzania lies the spicy paradise of the island of Zanzibar. Relax after the thrills of your safari with a blissful beach holiday on the powder-white sands. Explore calm lagoon waters and coral reefs, or stroll the historic center of Stone Town with its rich cultural heritage.
Pemba Island
‘Al Jazeera Al Khadra’ – the Green Island, as Pemba is known, is a mixture of natural wonder, ancient ruins, and magic! Not opened to foreigners until the mid-1980s, Pemba is a center for traditional medicine. The Ngezi forest is home to the Pemba Flying Fox, the biggest fruit bat in the world. The ruins of mosques mingle with the forests and lagoons, while small and large scale farming dominates its hillier landscapes. Pemba is still one of the world’s largest clove producers.
Mafia Island
Along with Zanzibar and Pemba, Mafia forms the Spice Islands Archipelago. 160km (100 mi) south of Zanzibar, located 20 km (12 mi) offshore from the Rufiji River Delta, the lesser known and less traveled Mafia Island and its coral reefs are a scuba diver and snorkeler’s paradise. Its eleventh-century ruins and varied ecosystems offer visitors lots to explore, all in a quieter, less touristy environment than its northern counterparts.
Pangani
At the mouth of the Pangani River in northeast Tanzania, lies the coastal town of Pangani.
A former hub of the Arabic slave trade, this historic town is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It remains an important center of commerce as it is a significant producer of sisal, maize, and bananas.
Saadani National Park is the only park where the Bush meets the beach. Located along the coastline of the Indian Ocean, the park contains a unique combination of wild and marine life. Here is one of the few places in Africa where big game has been known to stroll on the beach, and elephants swim in the ocean.
Bagamoyo
The port town of Bagamoyo, located 75 km (46 mi) north of Dar es Salaam, was once the most important port trading town along the coast of Central East Africa. Today the town is a hub of ruins and museums celebrating its rich past. Dhow building (traditional sailing vessels) is a large focus in the town adding to its historical charm.