Serene Tours Zanzibar 2012/13 Excursions & Tours Description

TOURS & EXCURSIONS

- Private Tours and Excursions

- Half and full day tours available, possibility to combine half days tours into a full day excursion - Daily departure morning and afternoon
Half days: Hotel start: 08:30 or 13:00 Hotel finish: 13:30 or 18:00 Full day: Hotel start: 08:30 Hotel finish: 18:00 Includes transports, entree fees, private guide and meal if stated Rates available up to 15 guests

Historical Stonetown City Tour (Half day) Discover the historic charms of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Stonetown. Please, do not hesitate to discuss with our guide, you are most welcome to optimize your tour and choose the highlights youre interested in. Our flexible City Tour can include choices of visits to the Darajani Market, Slave Market and Anglican Church, an insight to the architecture and famous Zanzibari Doors, Old German Consulate, High Court, Tip Tip House, Former English Gentlemans Club, Livingstone House, Old Fort, House of Wonders, Sultans Palace, National Museum, and much more

Spices & Fruits Tasting Tour (Half day) Since centuries Zanzibar has not only been known for its infamous Slave Trade, but as well as the Spices Island. No trip to Zanzibar can be considered complete without a visit to one of our carefully selected Spices farm; our spices tour offers the opportunity to indulge your senses with a kaleidoscope of smells, tastes and textures. From the punch of a chilli to the refreshing succulence of green coconut flesh, we promise that this tour will awaken your senses. It also provides you with the unique opportunity to purchase these exclusive spices straight from the source.

Serene Tours Zanzibar 2012/13 Excursions & Tours Description

Prison Island & its Giant Tortoises (Changuu Island) (Half day) A relaxing day on the Indian Ocean, on a small island, on the western coast, Changu is a charming little island with quite of a history. It was a private place of detention for recalcitrant slaves. In 1883, a jail was built on the island, thus its name Prison Island. The jail was never in great use, and the ruins can still be seen. The island has become a small tourist resort, where you can relax, walk around see the Giant Aldabara Tortoises or beautiful peacocks, swim or snorkel around the coral reefs. Stonetown Shopping (Afternoon) Our guides will take you throughout the small streets of Stonetown, help you bargain your souvenirs and antics to take back home. Ideally combined with Prison Island and the Dhow Sunset Cruise

Dhow Sunset Cruise (17:00 19:30) The Dhow is a traditional sailing boat of the type used for centuries for carrying cargo between Zanzibar and the Arabian Gulf. She has been converted into a beautifully restored sailing vessel, which will give you an insight into the real Zanzibar. She is equipped with safety equipment, sunshade, snorkeling equipment and boarding ladder. She is approximately 40 feet long and a crew of 6 will ensure your safety and comfort on board. Sit back and relax, enjoy the Zanzibar breezes and crystal clear turquoise waters. Try your hand at fishing with a local fisherman, have lunch on a sandbank, swim and snorkel. Every day we offer a sunset cruise or an island hop including drinks and food. Private charters are also available on request.

Serene Tours Zanzibar 2012/13 Excursions & Tours Description

Jozani Forest Red Colobus Monkey Tour (Half day) Once the whole of the Island was covered in a rich tapestry of swamp forest, evergreen thicket and mangrove now all that remains is Jozani Forest. Despite this fact Jozani still boasts an eclectic Bio-diversity, with many strange and wonderful animals residing in and below the canopy of old giants. Red Colobus monkeys are the most famous inhabitants of the forest; sub-species only found on this island, they can be seen calmly lazing around or fooling amongst themselves in the branches, their red coats a reminder of British colonial rule. But keep your eyes open and you may be lucky enough to see Sunnis (small deer), chameleons or even the Zanzibar Leopard!! (Well very lucky as they were wiped out by the government in the 1960s to stem the spread of black magic practices... but strange things happen in these parts)

Zanzibar West Cultural Tour (Full day; lunch included) Starting with Marahubi and Mtoni Palace, which were the Sultans two first residences before moving to Bububu to visit the Old Persian bath, the journey will then continue to Mangapwani, the word Mangapwani means Arab Coast, a direct reference to the Slave Trade, although outlawed by the British in 1845 the trade still flourished for many years afterwards furnishing many entrepreneurs like Nassor Alawi with fantastic profits; it is his chamber (Cave) that can be seen today, a chamber dug from the soft coral rag as a means to hid his precious commodity from prying English patrol ships. This part of the tour highlights not only the depth of Human misery but also the strength of endurance as these poor souls were trapped against their in horrendous heat and conditions awaiting transfer to foreign parts. Next our path leads us to Mkokotoni Fishing market where we have time to question local fishermen about the numerous species of fish to be found in the turquoise waters and also to enquire into their ancient but highly successful techniques. Then we proceed to Fukuchani Ruins to see one of the Old Portuguese Forts. Finally we learn the techniques for building a Dhow, we will travel to Kidoti to learn how to make the hand made iron nails and then to Nungwi village to see how they lay out and construction those magnificent ancient vessels. To end up the day excursion by a sunset drinks at the famous Cholo Beach Bar in Nungwi

Serene Tours Zanzibar 2012/13 Excursions & Tours Description

Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour (Half Day) Kizimkazi nestles snuggly on the Southern tip of the Island, it offers idyllic snorkeling and coastal views and an ideal starting point to spot Bottlenose and spinner dolphins. These magnificent animals school in the rich hunting grounds of the cove, employing their cunning to feed their growing appetites. Dolphins are frequently seen in this cove but like all wild animals there is never a guarantee that they will appear. An optional (upon request, US$15.) traditional Zanzibari Lunch can be arranged, youll be eating overlooking the sea and also a great chance to try some of the local dishes. Please note that we are working alongside the local guides to try and limit the amount of exposure these dolphin pods are put under. However whilst we do not condone this harassment, we feel that more damage will be done to the social-economic balance of the local villages if this revenue is removed. We feel that this tour is therefore less intrusive than if the villagers returned to fishing the cove and removed the fish from the feeding cycle

Safari Blue (Full day; all inclusive) Experience the best boat excursion in Zanzibar, departure from the village of Fumba in South West Zanzibar and we will take you to see the dolphins, sandbanks, Islands and coral reefs of Menai Bay, a beautiful conservation area. Safari Blue is a full day and includes top quality snorkelling equipment with guides and instructors, ice cold sodas, mineral water and beer, a delicious Zanzibari seafood lunch with grilled fish and slipper lobster gastronomic fruit tasting, coffee and Amarula liqueur. We round the day off by returning to Fumba by traditional lateen sail

Serene Tours Zanzibar 2012/13 Excursions & Tours Description

New Unique Tour Concept

Swahili Gastronomy Cooking Tour/Course (Half day lunch included) Discover the secrets of the Swahili Fine Gastronomy and the magic of Zanzibars spices leaving its mark on your taste buds. After been picked up at your hotel/resort, the course will be starting at Darajani market with Elisabeth, the Chef of The Seyyida Hotel & Spa, where you will discover all type of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and receive a crash course on the best possible to marry theses fresh and tasteful ingredients and ailments, to the dish you would want to cook. After having chosen fresh ingredients and learned to bargain for the best quality you will be making your way to The Seyyida Hotel & Spa, a 17 rooms Boutique Hotel located in the Historical part of town a stone throwaway from the House of Wonder, the Old Fort, Fordhani Gardens and the Palace Museum overlooking Dynasties of Zanzibar Sultans graves and the typical harbour of Stonetown. The Seyyida Hotel is best known for its cosy Zanzibar typical style, its breath taking terrace and is one the finest Gastronomic Table of Zanzibar. Freshly arrived at The Seyyida Hotel after a short stroll through rustic streets of Stonetown, tea and coffee break will be served on the roof top restaurant. Elisabeth will then brief you on the recipes of the three course menu you will learn to cook, as well as a bit of the History of the Swahili Gastronomy. Once well rested and aware you will be equipped and enter the kitchen, where the cooking lesson will take place. After preparing a starter, a main course, a desert and learn of prepare delicious kashatas, time to have an aperitif on the terrace before taking place on your specially set table where you will taste the dishes you have learned and prepared. After indulging your senses you will receive the recipes and a small gift which will help to cook, once back in your home, once again this delicious menu.

Come enjoy The Spices Islands with Serene Tours Zanzibar!