Top choice in Zanzibar Island
The unassuming Pongwe Beach Hotel has 20 bungalows among the palms on a deep arc of bleached white sand. Most rooms are sea facing (three are garden view), spacious and breezy, and deliberately have no air-con, no TV and not even glass in the windows to ensure you fully immerse yourself in this idyllic location.
There's a small swimming pool and an excellent restaurant, and when you tire of the turquoise panoramas at your doorstep, sea-fishing trips and other excursions can be arranged.
17.28 MILES
An icon of Stone Town, the House of Wonders rises in impressive tiers of slender steel pillars and balconies overlooking the waterfront. Its enormous…
18.97 MILES
ZALA (Zanzibar Land Animals) Park was founded as a project to help local people appreciate the value of wildlife, with funds raised by tourist visits. The…
17.34 MILES
One of the best ways to ease into Zanzibar life is to stop by this waterfront public space. It's a social hub for tourists and locals alike; there's a…
17.02 MILES
With its peppermint-green latticework balconies and sculpted clock tower, this 19th-century charitable dispensary is one of the most attractive landmarks…
17.18 MILES
Carefully curated by the renowned historian Said al Gheithy, this delightful little museum tells the story of Princess Salme, a sultan's daughter who…
17.18 MILES
The tall spire and grey-yellow walls of the Anglican cathedral dominate the surrounding streets in this part of Stone Town, while the dark-wood pews and…
17.17 MILES
Occupying several large buildings along the waterfront, this was the palace of Sultan Seyyid Said from 1828 until it was largely destroyed by the British…
16.43 MILES
Jozani Forest is the largest area of indigenous forest on Zanzibar Island. Situated south of Chwaka Bay on low-lying land, the area is prone to flooding,…
1. Kiwengwa-Pongwe Forest Reserve
1.91 MILES
Set back from the main road between Kiwengwa and Pongwe, this reserve protects a swathe of indigenous forest and its wildlife, including groups of the…
11.66 MILES
Sultan Seyyid Said built this bathhouse at Kidichi (11km northeast of Zanzibar Town) in 1850 for his Persian wife, Scheherezade. The royal couple would…
14.63 MILES
Overlooking the coast, away from the heat and hustle of Zanzibar Town, Mtoni Palace was built for Sultan Seyyid Said in 1828. It was home to the sultan’s…
14.99 MILES
This large natural cavern with a freshwater pool was originally used as a source of drinking water for local people and is rumoured to have been used in…
15.52 MILES
This dark cell cut into the coral rock was used as a holding pen to hide slaves after the legal trade was abolished in the late 19th century. From here it…
15.73 MILES
Maruhubi Palace was built outside Zanzibar Town in 1882 for Sultan Barghash to house his impressively large harem. A few years later it was destroyed by…
7. Jozani-Chwaka National Park
16.43 MILES
Jozani Forest is the largest area of indigenous forest on Zanzibar Island. Situated south of Chwaka Bay on low-lying land, the area is prone to flooding,…
8. Jozani Sea Turtle Sanctuary
16.67 MILES
The aim of this community initiative is to help local people benefit from tourism and conservation. In three large pools you can observe sea turtles and…