A tour in Nungwi Zanzibar : Nungwi is among the amazing destinations to visit during a tour of Zanzibar island and it is found on the northern tip of the island.
Dhow building is among the activities which are carried out in Nungwi and it is also the busiest beach on Zanzibar island. To the south is another beach in Zanzibar which is Kendwa beach which is also known for its white sand beaches.
All throughout the year, tours can be done at Nungwi beach for an experience of sun, beach and sea. From under the shade of the coconut trees lining the white sand beaches, you can relax at the beach when visiting Zanzibar.
How to get to Nungwi beach
Nungwi beach is about 60 kilometers north of Zanzibar and the different ways of accessing it including taking a bus or renting a taxi. The route which is followed to get to Nungwi passes through Mtoni, Mahonda, Kinyasini and Kivunge. And an alternative route to use passes through north of Mahonda and continues to Mkokotoni.
Another way to explore Nungwi and the different destinations around is by walking. When visiting Zanzibar island, flights can be booked to Abeid Amani Karume international airport and another way to get to the island is by taking a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Stone town.
Activities to do around Nungwi
There is a lot to do when visiting Nungwi and they include the following;
Diving
When visiting Zanzibar island, diving is among the activities which can be carried out on tours and Mnemba atoll which is a popular diving spot in Zanzibar can be accessed by taking a boat from Nungwi.
Dolphins can also be seen during tours around Nungwi and other activities which are carried out including snorkeling and swimming.
The fish market
A small fishing village can also be visited during tours around Nungwi and during a visit to the market, there are various fish species and other sea creatures which are sold in the market. Fishermen set out early to catch the fish which is sold in the market.
Some of the fish which is sold at the fish market incudes tuna, king fish, dorado, squid, octopus, puffer fish among others.
Dhow Boat Building experience
Dhow building is among the practices carried out in Nungwi and these dhows have been used in Zanzibar for a long time.
The dhows carry different capacities of people during tours in Nungwi and can carry up to about 200 tonnes. Dhow cruises are also carried out on the Indian ocean in the morning to watch the sunset and also in the evening to watch the sunset.
When building the dhows, it takes about 2 to 4 months to complete and during tours to Zanzibar, you can also take part in an experience and get to know more about the dhow building process in Nungwi.
Visiting Nungwi Village
Visiting Nungwi village is another activity which is carried out during tours on Zanzibar island. This activity involves interacting with the local community, walking through the village, visiting the local market where fruits, local foods, arts and crafts, paintings among other items are sold. You can also get a taste of the local cuisines during a tour around Nungwi village.
Visiting the Turtle Aquarium
The Mnarani aquarium is another place to visit during a tour around Nungwi. At the aquarium, turtles can be seen as the swim in a natural coral pool and this aquarium is also a rehabilitation center for turtles which have been injured or captured. After the turtles have healed, they are taken back to the sea.
This activity works best for people who are unable to take part in water based activities as they visit Nungwi.
Visiting Stone Town
The famous Stone town is among the historical sites on Zanzibar island and it is among the oldest Swahili towns on the island.
Stone town is also at the heart of Zanzibar island and it is known for the beautiful architecture, diversity in culture among other experiences. Tours around Stone town involve taking walks along the alleyways in the town with a local guide. Stone town can also be visited for a day tour during a stay in Nungwi.
Touring the Jozani Forest
Another place to visit when taking a tour on Zanzibar island is the Jozani forest. Jozani Chwaka national park is the only national park on the island and it covers about 50 square kilometers. The national reserve is home to red colobus monkeys. Jozani forest is a good location to take part in mangrove walks during tours on Zanzibar island.
Many other activities can be done on Zanzibar island including spice tours which involve visiting the spice farms of Zanzibar and getting to know how the spices are grown and processed. This spice tour also involves tasting local foods prepared using the spices. Some of the spices are sold and can be bought after the spice plantation tour and they include cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon among others.
Best time to visit Nungwi
Nungwi can be visited at any time of the year and the best time for a tour to Nungwi is the dry season from June to October when the weather is favorable. Nungwu can also be visited around January and February.
Nungwi experiences tropical climate and has a dry season (June to October) and rainy season (March to May).
Other beaches around Zanzibar include Kendwa beach, Kizimkazi beach, Paje beach, Jambiani beach, Kiwengwa beach, Matemwe beach, Pongwe beach among others.
Visit Zanzibar island and explore different sites during a tour of Nungwi beach.
