Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Nungwi is a charming little village at the northern tip of Zanzibar.

Be aware that being in Nungwi is like being in little Italy. There are tons, tons, tons of Italian tourists. So much so that the local people have learned Italian as a business language. Likewise all menus commonly serve pizza and pasta in addition to the local foods.

The 'boat yard' in Nungwi, with its tapping and tamping and seemingly casual activity, calls for photographs. At sunset about 50 boats leave from Nungwi, all of them with white sails at a certain angle, to go deep sea fishing at night: another beautiful sight.

The aquarium on the north coast of Nungwi near the lighthouse, rears small turtles found on the beach until they are large enough and then released to survive in the sea. The aquarium is a natural pond with seawater that seeps through the cliff at high tide. There is also a python, monitor lizard, and tortoises that can be handled.

There is not much to see in terms of snorkeling off the shore due to fishing. So don't expect to see a lot snorkeling outside of a trip to Mnemba - except for sea urchins!

Be prepared for very little relaxing time walking along the beach. It's overrun with teenagers who try to sell you on snorkeling trips and other services. While this may be a tiny bit helpful, it's annoying when you are trying to walk along the beach at sunset and someone stops you every 10 meters. These people are trying to make a living, yes, however it really ruins the experience you have walking along the beach.

Scuba dive around Mnemba atoll. ($180USD with East Africa Diving for double dive) or use Diving Poseidon for $120USD for 2 dives. Most of the dive centers also offer night dives, while the reef is not so great during the day, the night dives give you a chance to see all kinds of life that isn't out during the day including octopus, Spanish dancers, and even cuttlefish.

From Stone Town the journey on surface roads takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on the delays of road obstacles and police checkpoints, and number of stops the driver makes en route. There are several options available:

1. Hire a car and self-drive: $50USD / day
2. Hotel-arranged transport in private car or 4WD: $50-60USD each way
3. Hire taxi from Stone Town ferry terminal: 15000-40000TSH ($10-30 USD) each way depending on which part of Nungwi and how many passengers would be travelling. Remember to NEGOTIATE!
4. Ride dalladalla #116 from Darajani/Creek Road in Stone Town: 2000TSH ($1.30USD) per person is the regular price, but the operator may insist you pay a "tourist rate" of 5000TSH ($3.30USD).

Take a 2 hour sunset cruise on a dhow down to Kendwa and back ($15USD per person). Alternatively, hire the whole dhow and enjoy a private cruise, lingering where you wish ($40USD). Clever negotiation may get you free snorkling equipment hire and a stop at Kendwa where you can leap over the side and snorkle on the reef. Visit the Mnarani Aquarium/Sea Turtle Conservation area (7000TSH or $5USD per person)

Adventure around the Northern region of Zanzibar with 'Nungwi Cycling Adventures'. Nungwi Cycling Adventure is an exciting new tour taking people around some hidden and beautiful places in the north villages of Zanzibar. You get a bit of exercise, a bit of culture and a bit of history all in a fun half day trip on a bicycle.

Although Nungwi is a quite friendly and safe place to be, there have however been some theft cases whereby the guests' belongings were stolen. Some basic care should be taken whilst handling money, Most of the hotels do have a Safe for keeping Guest's Money which should be used for storing the hard cash and valuables.