The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
While similar in size to its neighbouring Unguja Island, Pemba is far less developed and touristy. As a result, this island paradise has a remarkably remote, authentic and unspoilt feel to it - and the coastline is lined with gorgeous mangroves and secluded beaches. Known throughout East Africa as a centre for practicing and learning the ancient arts of traditional African healing, the island has a rich and fascinating history that the notoriously friendly locals seem eager to share with visitors. Pemba is home to three main towns and boasts a wide range of attractions. Spend your days exploring the indigenous Ngezi and Ras Kiuyu Forests, both brimming with an abundance of unusual bird and wildlife; scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters (home to a variety of marine life including mantas and turtles), or exploring the incredible Ras Mkumbuu Ruins which date back to the 11th century.
