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!

Kanga shopping? No problem!

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The kanga is a colourful garment traditionally worn by women in Tanzania and Zanzibar. It’s a piece of printed cotton fabric with a border along all four sides and a central part, which decorations are different. 

Following the tradition, even nowadays kangas have a message in Swahili along the longer edge - often in the form of riddles or proverbs.

Beside being clothes, a kanga can be used in many ways - as home finishing or blanket… colors and decorations are so nice and colorful! It’s a good idea to buy some as souvenirs to bring back home after your holidays. You will find a wide choice around shops and markets.

For now, here you are a picture of amazing African prints! 

Street food… Zanzibari taste!

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Dedicated to foodies and adventurers… to the ones who are curious to try street food, during a walk around Stone Town’s colorful local restaurants and stalls.

If the question is “How does it taste?”, we have good news for you. Some of the bites and snacks that you can find along your way are very nice and tasty. We advise to avoid raw food and fish that doesn’t look fresh... but you can dare everything is well cooked!

Urojo Soup
This soup is made with tasty local spices, enriched with potatoes, kachori (spicy mashed potato balls), cassava, eggs, meat or even fresh salad. Big feed and a lot of fun!

Chipsi Mayai
A simple and popular street-food in Tanzania: fried chips in an omelette. One portion is a full meal.

Mishkaki
Grilled meat on a skewer, most favourite by local people. You can add chips, rice or ugali (cornmeal mush) and a bottle of fresh local beer.

Chapati
Traditionally Indian, chapati is a thin and round tortilla that is a replacement of bread. A take-away or a snack, to fill with your favourite ingredients.

Coconut to Drink
You can buy young coconuts, still containing fresh and sweet water, from sellers on the beach; they’ll cut off the top on the moment. What a refreshing drink!

Sugar Cane Juice
Plain or with some extra ginger, here you are another amazing exotic drink. Sellers extract the juice from the cane at the moment… so sweet!

Finger Seafood
You can find it at Forodhani, in Stone Town, and pick-up among a wide choice of fresh fish just roasted on fire. For a different dinner.

Vitumbua
Small fried cakes, made of coconut and rice, that are crunchy outside but soft inside. Great with a cup of Tanzanian black tea.

Chai
Chai is the Swahili word meaning “tea”, one of the most common drinks in Tanzania. You can have it with or without milk, plain or spicy. Either ways, will be good.

Mandazi
Typical Tanzanian doughnuts, sweet and soft… and of course, caloric. Just an indulgence, for few coins.

Mtori
The breakfast for very hungry people: mtori is a soup made with bananas and meat. Tanzanian people love to eat this early morning, and if you dare to do the same you’ll be the most welcome!

The art of Zanzibar doors

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When you walk around the tiny ancient streets of Stone Town, you will notice them for sure... beautiful carved doors locking the traditional Zanzibari homeplaces, owned once upon a time by rich merchants and traders. Such incredible and complicated carvings!

Not everybody know, but these detailed decorations have a meaning: one of the most important part of a Zanzibari house is the door, not just for safety reasons, but also as a kind of “business card” of the inhabitants.

Historically, the different areas of Stone Town where more related to a certain trade rather than others. Same way, not all doors have the same images. Styles and symbols change depending on different cultural roots. There are some recurring figures that are the key to “read” a Zanzibari door.

Flowers indicate a high class family. Chains are the symbol of a slave traders. Fishes and ropes represent a businessman dealing with fishing and vessels. Geometric shapes were for mathematicians and accountants. Beads mean jewellers. And so on…

Nearby markets, you’ll see a lot of Indian doors, built mainly for security purpose - less decorated and reinforced with dhow nails. In other areas you’ll see Arabic doors, richer in carving with visible symbols and Koranic scripts.

You need to be a good observer when you have a trip in Stone Town. So many secrets are hidden in this unique corner of the Archipelago!

When the plan is Spa...

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Beauty traditions are one of the hidden secrets of the Tanzanian coast… and we mean it! A precious heritage that still shows elements of the cultures’ mix living in these areas during the centuries, made even more unique by the production and use of natural cosmetics flavoured tropical fruit, flowers and spices.

"Singo" scrub praparation at Mrembo Spa in Zanzibar.

Amazing scrubs, made by dried ylang ylang, jasmine, rose and other flowers, clove, sandalwood, geranium and rosewater, and many more, are probably the most typical treatment loved by many local women. It’s a party for your sense of smell, especially if you add also some aromatherapy and relaxing massages with oils and essences. The best of the best? Choose a Zanzibari "singo" scrub, and you won't get wrong!

You can also try the henna tattoo decoration. Henna is made by pounding the dried leaves of ‘mhina’ plant, which is then mixed with water to form a paste. Decorations (floral are the most typical in Zanzibar, but also the Indian style is quite diffused, especially in the area of Dar Es Salaam) can be made on hands, feet and ankles: after the application you have to wait until the paste is completely dried, before removing the excess brushing gently.

To keep with you a little piece of history that belongs to millions of women, don’t forget to buy some perfumes, oils and essences… the best way to get back, sometimes, to the wonders of the Tanzanian art of beauty spa.

Evaluating new hotels and lodges...

As to be sure we at all time can offer our esteemed guests the best accommodations while having your adventure in Tanzania with us - we check and test out our partners.

We are now launching our new campaign - Manager's Choice - where our personal favorites will be awarded and promoted. Our other partners are still good choices, but haven't been tested the same way, or are a style which we personally don't chose.

Our testing this times will be in Zanzibar - our program will be posted later.

We will also to our ability keep our readers here on the blog and on our Facebook site updated as we proceed with our 10 day testing tour!

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Scuba Diving Mania!

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Tanzania is definitely a top destination if you are a scuba diver: this part of the Indian Ocean is full of marine life and offers the possibility of living amazing experiences, whether you are a beginner or an expert.

Let's have a look at the best locations!

Mafia Island

Thanks to its marine park in Chole Bay area, Mafia is probably the most well-known destination for scuba diving in Tanzania. In the water around the island have been registered more than 48 genera of coral and almost 400 species of fishes.

Most of the diving spot are located less than 30mt deep and this make this place a real paradise for the people who are passionate about this sport.

Last but not least from October to March it is possible to see and swim with the giant whale sharks passing by the Mafia Channel.

Zanzibar

The famous archipelago of Zanzibar, next to its amazing beaches and culture, offers also good changes of having nice diving. There are several spots suitable both for beginners and experts.

The water around Zanzibar is full of marine life, big fishes like dorado and tuna as well as small flatworms of different shapes, size and color.

One of the best places where to dive is Mnemba Atoll, a real paradise with an amazing underwater life, where it is possible to see also turtles and dolphins.

Pemba Island

The "smaller" sister of Zanzibar is considered one of the top dive site in the World, and offers the real quintessential of Indian Ocean marine life: colorful corals, sea fans, numerous species of fish of different size and color.

Around the island there are different diving spot, but the best one are located in the Northern area, where the water is exceptional clear is full of reef as well as pelagic fishes.

Diving in Pemba is definitely an incredible experience, where you can see a mix of thrilling drift dives, deep water drop off, dramatic marine walls and an amazing and unspoiled underwater environment.

Dar Es Salaam

Off of the most beaten tourist itineraries, the city of Dar es Salaam is not only the economic heart of Tanzania, but also offers an interesting and rich marine life. Most of the diving spot are located along the Northern coast of the city between Mbudya Island and Fundu Yasin.

This is also a very good choice for beginners, as prices are usually more competitive than in the more touristic areas and the sea conditions are usually good. Around Dar es Salaam there are as well some sank wreck that are possible to see during your diving.

Lake Tanganyka

To try a different experience, wonderful and unexpected, Lake Tanganyika is a very good option. In its warm water, more than 50 species of cichlids live, next to the endemic storm's water cobra and a mix of rock and sand lake floor are the panorama you will see diving in this unspoiled destination.

Reaching Lake Tanganyika is not easy and often expensive, but it can really offer a unique and unforgettable experience!