Valentine's weekend - special offer!

Last minute bookings - Valentines weekend only 85 $ for full board per person!

We still have some rooms and bungalows available - so just send your booking to lighthouse@pakaadventures.com to get your romantic weekend!

We are located 40 km south from the Kigamboni Ferry, it takes about 1 hour to get there.

Check www.lighthousebeachlodge.com for more info!

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Dhow, the Zanzibari way of sailing

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It’s nice to book a day trip on a traditional boat, during your stay in the coastal areas of Tanzania or in Zanzibar! “Dhow” is the name of the type of boat that you will frequently see and eventually use, here. Dhow are part of the sea landscape.

The art of building “dhow” boats is part of Zanzibari culture and one of the greatest crafting industries in this area, especially in Nungwi.

The engineering behind dhow construction is extraordinary. Up to the present time, these boats have been built exactly as it used to happen centuries ago – entirely by hand, without support of any modern tool and technology.

In Zanzibar you will see many of these small boats, mainly used for fishing or during touristic itineraries. But the structure of a dhow is incredibly stable and reliable, suitable for long trips in the Ocean. In the past, very large dhow were used as cargo ships, carrying over 200 tons; they used to have crews of approximately thirty people!

Not everybody know, but actually Zanzibar and the Tanzanian coast are not the only places where these boats are commonly used for everyday business: you can find them in many surrounding countries bordering with the Indian Ocean, as well as in Red Sea and the Persian Gulf – up to Dubai!

Little turtles on the way to the sea!

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One of the cutest creatures you can meet along the coasts of Tanzania is the endangered green turtle. 

Not everybody know, but there are seven species of marine turtles and two of them nest in this area.  This is the reason why it will be probable for you to assist to hatch, especially if you spend some days nearby a beach area.

Sea turtles in Tanzania are under threat as a result of centuries of human exploitation for food, oil, leather and ornaments, as well as mortality associated with incidental capture in the fishing industry, marine and land-based pollution and degradation of feeding habitats. Unregulated coastal development poses a significant threat to nesting beaches.

Sea turtle ecotourism in Tanzania is being proudly led by coastal communities. Community Conservation Officers monitor the nest during its 55 day incubation period and protect it from potential predators including mongoose and monitor lizards. When it is ready for hatching, community Turtle Tour Guides lead you to the nest while telling you all the amazing sea turtle facts that you never knew.

We support Sea Sense, a Non Government Organisation (NGO) that works closely with coastal communities in Tanzania to conserve and protect endangered marine species including sea turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins and whale sharks - and it’s possible for us to arrange, when possible, a trip to see turtles hatchling.

If you are in Dar es Salaam it’s so easy. Sea turtle nests are locted on beaches just 30km south of the city! For more info visit www.seasense.org.