This is the oldest and second biggest city in Kenya, and is the centre of the Kenyan Coast. It is situated on the South-Eastern part of Kenya and is the biggest and most important port of East Africa. From here you can visit North Coast beaches, South Coast beaches, Malindi, Watamu, Lamu,Tana River Delta and enjoy natural beauty and living history. From its rich history to its diversity of cultures, Mombasa is strongly influences by Arabic culture and this is quite evident in the food, dress and the architecture.

It is thought to have been founded in the 10th Century by Arab traders, and it has become an important city-state and  a major port. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed there in 1498 and erected a monument, Vasco da Gama Pillar that still stands. Nearby are the Gedi ruins, an ancient walled city.

 

 

Lamu is a place like no other. Its history is a mysterious and fascinating as the wending on this island, the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport.

Thought the oldest surviving town in East Africa, the town retains an almost unspoiled 19th Century appearance and lifestyle, some of the mosques date back to the 14th and 15th Centuries, but almost all the other buildings are late 18th Century. Its narrow streets, its stone building with beautiful carved doors, its busy waterfront teeming with dhows and its fascinating people belong to a bygone age.  Lamu has changed little in 200 years. Although rapidly decaying, the town today is a living monument to its past.

Very little architectural development has taken place since this time and the narrow cloistered town plan and arabesque structures are still intact. The Island is still largely untouched by civilization which accounts for its unique charm.

Zanzibar, an East African archipelago located 6° south of the equator, lies in the Indian Ocean over 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying 650 square miles. The distance from the Tanzania mainland is about 37 kilometers. Zanzibar is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, historic town-called Stone Town, clove plantations…

The island has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Zanzibaris are very proud to host two cultural highlights every year in Zanzibar:

Essential Zanzibar Guide

Magical Zanzibar...
Zanzibar is exotic and memorable, unique and unspoiled, a hidden paradise on the Indian Ocean. Ideal destination to lay back, relax and enjoy the perfect getaway.
With the ''Magical Zanzibar'' Essential Guide you will discover some of the most spectacular sightseeing of Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has lured traders, adventurers and explorers to its shores for centuries...
Zanzibar's brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax under the African sun. The beaches in Zanzibar are paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the Zanzibar people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the centuries. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.

One of the best beaches in Zanzibar is the famous “Kiwengwa’’ with stretches of outstanding reefs and beautiful white sands. The Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski is located on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Kiwengwa beach.
Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. The history of Stone Town is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors. There are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork.

You can spend many idle hours just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. The Zanzibar Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Legendary...
The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade. They can be seen in the plantations just outside Zanzibar town, and a good tour includes opportunities to dazzle the senses with fresh spices. A detailed description is given about a variety of Zanzibari spices, and their uses in cooking and cosmetics. Visitors will be fascinated by the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments. Spices and spice oils can also be purchased directly at the plantations.

North Coast
Tours to the unspoiled north coast always end up at Ras Nungwi, a sleepy fishing village on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. It is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar, where you will be able to see the traditional methods of dhow construction. This area of Zanzibar has some fantastic beaches and nearby coral reefs which are ideal for diving and snorkeling. The local villagers have built a turtle sanctuary where injured turtles and other marine animals are nursed back to health before being released into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Kizimkazi Mosque & Dolphin Tour - Situated on the southern point of Zanzibar Island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several schools of bottle-nosed dolphins which can often be sighted following a short boat trip from the village. If you are lucky, you may be able to swim close to the dolphins which can be a very rewarding experience. Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th century mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa, and is thus worth a visit for both natural and cultural reasons.

Prison Island
Once the site for misbehaving slaves, the island lies just off the old stone town. It is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sun-bathing. It is also home to a family of giant tortoises, imported from the Seychelles in the late 19th century. This island is ideal for a day-trip with refreshments available throughout the day. It also has a small restaurant where you can enjoy freshly caught fish.

Jozani is a small yet dense tropical forest. The area is about 5000 hectares. The atmosphere lends stillness and the chirping of exotic birds gives a feeling of immediate isolation. You will find giant Mahogany and Eucalyptus trees. Towards the sea, the Western and Eastern ends of the forest are covered by dense mangrove forests abundant with life and a nursery for the plethora of marine creatures. The most noteworthy and comical characters of the forest are the Red Columbus monkeys.

They are very playful and are not shy of the humans. You may observe them but it is recommended not to touch them as they can accidentally bite and hence transmit diseases. Bush babies and Blue monkeys are also common. Chameleons although impossible to spot are also lazing around. Bush Buck a small deer species known as Sunnis are rarely spotted. The smaller species of Leopard once resided in these forests and is now known to be extinct. Thankfully, due to serious conservation measures, the forest and its inhabitants are now beginning to show a growth in biodiversity.

Tours and activities in Zanzibar can be arranged by Flight and Safari International Ltd.