6 days best of Zanzibar
A cycling holiday almost all around Zanzibar
6 days best of Zanzibar
This cycling holiday takes you almost all around the exotic paradise island Zanzibar. Instead of continuing up North to the most touristic area we cut from West to East to explore the amazingly green agricultural areas.
We have picked out our favorite spots and activities: sunsets over the Indian Ocean and over the mysterious Stone Town, sailing with traditional dhow and plenty of soulful African villages. Along the way our guide will show you the life on Zanzibar and you can taste ripe fruit, freshly made juices and local specialties. Does not this sound like one of the best cycling holidays you can have?
If you would rather cycle all around Zanzibar check out our ”7 days all around Zanzibar tour”.
Route
Jambiani/Kizimkazi/Stone Town/Pongwe/Jambiani
Max distance per day
42 km
Min distance per day
22 km
Days on bike
4
Days off bike
2
For whom
Curious, culturally interested cyclists that has some km in their legs already
Highlights
Sunset over the horizon in Kizimkazi
Sailing with traditional dhow
Enjoy breakfast with amazing view
Sunset over the horizon and the roofs of Stone Town
Spice tour at our favourite family farm
Best time
June-March
Clothing
Shorts and t-shirt. Bring scarf to cover shoulder in the villages and town
Travel companion
Private
Guide
English speaking guide
Price from:
1095 USD pp incl all in the itinerary described
From our gallery
Tour Plan
Day 1: Jambiani
Transfer to Jambiani. Afternoon briefing about your Zanzibar cycling holiday with guide and test of bicycles.
Meet a piece of Africa in the authentic village Jambiani where you will see goats, ducks and lots of cheerful kids running around. According to us the best beach on the East coast with a long white sandbank allowing for amazing swims at low tide. Short or long explorative walks at low tide where the villagers go out to grow the seaweed and pick mussels for dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Casa Beach Hotel with perfect beach location and spacious pool. Here you can explore both the village and the beach.
Casa Beach Hotel
Dinner, excl.drinks
Day 2: Kizimkazi
Today cycling to Zanzibar’s Southern point, Kizimkazi (23 km) for traditional dhow sail and stunning sunset. We pass through the authentic village Makunduchi with its red clay huts and banana trees showing you a bit of Africa. On the way to another Zanzibar village, Mtende, we stop and try the exotic fruits being sold along the way. Here you will experience life as lived in a Zanzibar village with no tourism.
IN the afternoon you will go sunset sailing with a traditional dhow, Mimi the dhow. You can swim and snorkel from the dhow and just enjoy the ocean while you are being served some fruit and drinks.
You sleep at Karamba Resort, chosen for its sea view rooms and the evening atmosphere at sunset. Also because, Kizimkazi is a sweet authentic village. With a bit of luck you can observe the fishermen arriving with their catch and visit the fish auction. And maybe you can watch the dolphins from a distance.
Karamba resort
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Excl.drinks
Day 3: Stone Town
Today is a true bicycle day (56 km) on tar road, village road and off road- as you wish ! A long, but flat, stretch to Stone Town. In Unguja Ukuu, a small authentic and lush village by the mangrove forest, you take a traditional dhow boat and cross the bay to Fumba. Once on the other side you sit by the sea to eat our lunch. Then your bicycle holiday continues to a magic place- Stone Town.
Stone Town is a UNESCO world heritage site. A humming mysterious place where people live and enjoy their life on display in the narrow alleys. Here Africa meets Oman and India and as you stroll along the swirling streets you can see, feel and smell the mix of different cultures and heritages. The Stone Towners cook their food on the street, children are playing and the men plays bao in the corner sipping a coffee. There is no hurry here.
18.00 Dinner at Emerson Spice is more than a dinner. Its a whole experience. Your cross kitchen 5 course dinner will be supplemented by the call for prayers reaching up the roof from all over town. Dinner starts at 19.00 but you will be there 18. 00 to enjoy the sunset. (drinks excl).
Emerson Spice
The Seyyida Hotel, is a favorite of ours much because its stunning roof top where you can follow the action on the promenade and the harbor. The interior design is inspired by Zanzibar’s eclectic cultures with influences from many cultures. Its located in the middle of Stone Town making it the perfect place to discover town on your own.
Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner incl. Excl.drinks
Day 4: Pongwe
This is a lush and green day! On your way to Pongwe ( 44 km) you pass the Spice farm and farming areas. You stop for a tour at our favorite family farm where you will see, smell and try the tropical fruits and spices in season: vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, lemon grass, cloves, ylang ylang, cumin, garlic, ginger, coriander, pepper, tamarind, chili, oregano and many others. Lunch will be eaten with raw material from the farm.
After this nutritious visit you continue to Pongwe, a traditional village know for its seaweed farms that the women take care of. Seasons Lodge is a favorite for its special location and quiet atmosphere. Mornings are amazing here so if you enjoy the morning light- get up early.
www.seasonszanzibar.com
Breakfast, lunch and dinner excl. drinks
Day 5: Jambiani
After lunch we continue to Jambiani and return to Casa Beach Hotel. A refreshing swim or a beach walk before dinner. Time to celebrate you have bike all around the coconut paradise Zanzibar.
Casa Beach Hotel has a location allowing you to both enjoy one of Zanzibars best beaches and see how life is lived in a traditional Zanzibar village. And then there is a very nice pool too. What more can you ask for?
Casa Beach Hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner excl. drinks
Day 6: Departure
Breakfast
Gallery
