The soul of Zanzibar
7 days around the Spice Island
This bike tour all around the exotic paradise island Zanzibar show you the heart of the city and the soul of the villages. You will lay on the white sanded palm fringed dream beaches and swim in the crystal clear turquoise Indian Ocean.
We have picked out our favorite spots and activities: sunsets over the Indian Ocean and over the mysterious Stone Town, mangrove forest, soulful African villages, snorkeling at the world famous Mnemba atoll and swimming with dolphins in the crystal clear turquoise waters of Kizimkazi. Along the way our guide will show you the life on Zanzibar and you can taste ripe fruit, freshly made juices and local specialties.
Max distance per day: 65 km
Min distance per day: 20 km
Non scheduled days: 0
Days on bike: 6
Day 1 Jambiani
A piece of Africa- a chunk of Zanzibar
Transfer from airport or harbor to Jambiani. Briefing 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 high tide and explorative walks at low tide where the villagers go out to grow the seaweed and pick mussels for dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Red Monkey Lodge with a laid back barefoot atmosphere. Maybe the Red Colobus Monkeys pays a visit for breakfast.
www.redmonkeylodge.com
Dinner, excl.drinks
Day 2 Kizimkazi
Red Clay huts and dolphin swim
Early morning departure to bike to the Southern point, Kizimkazi (22 km) forDolphin spotting. We pass the village Makunduchi with its red clay huts and banana trees showing you a bit of Africa.
We can stop and try the exotic fruits being sold along the way. Passing the coral rock village Kizimkazi you will have a good view of how the people live their life.
In Kizimkazi we take a boat looking for dolphins that comes here for resting and breeding. The likelyhood of seeing them is 95 %, however being wild animals there is no guarantee.
After the dolphin swim we eat a local lunch and rest by the quiet and beautiful beach of Kizimkazi. If the tide is coming in you can observe the fishermen coming in with their catch and watch the fish auction. And if you are lucky you can watch the dolphins from a distance.
We sleep at Karamba Resort, chosen for its sea view rooms, the evening atmosphere at sunset and the possibility to see more of the dolphins. Also because, Kizimkazi is a sweet little village. www.karambaresort.com
Breakfast, local lunch and dinner. Excl.drinks
Day 3 Stone Town
A UNESCO World heritage site
Today is a true bicycle day ( 56 km)on tar road, village road and off road- as you wish ! A long, but flat and comfortable, stretch to Stone Town will take you through villages and busy areas showing you the real life on Zanzibar. Together with your guide you will choose which roads to take: village roads, short cuts, main road, off road... We will stop along the way and eat a simple local lunch. Along the way we will find fruits and other things to try. After a day full of experiences you will be rewarded with an amazing dinner experience.
Stone Town is a UNESCO world heritage site and a humming mysterious place where people live and enjoy their life on display in the narrow alleys. Here Africa meets Oman and you can see, feel and smell the mix of different cultures and heritages as the citizens cook their food on the street, children are playing and the men plays bao in the corner debating what the next move should be.
18.00 Roof top dinner at Emerson on Hurumzi . Best roof top in town where you will enjoy 270 degrees sea view accompanied by the call for prayers and the tingling sound from the Shiva temple below. Drinks excluded ( sunset and drinks around 18, dinner starts 19).
https://www.facebook.com/emersononhurumzi
Overnight at Kholle House - a personal boutique hotel filled with antiquities following the Spice Route to Zanzibar. A feeling of home and lots of beautiful balconies and terraces to enjoy.
www.khollehouse.com
Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner incl. Excl.drinks
Day 4 Chueni/Bububu
Spice farm and tranquility
After breakfast departure to Spice farms (20 km) for a tour 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.
Ride to Chueni /Bububu for dinner and overnight at Mangrove Lodge (6km). Mangrove Eco-lodge is surrounded by a tropical garden with spices, coconut palms and mango trees. The sunset can be watched while lying on the warm sand.
www.mangrovelodge.com
Breakfast, lunch at the farm and dinner. Excl.drinks
Day 5 Nungwi
To the Northern tip of Zanzibar
Early morning ride to northern point, Nungwi via Mkokotoni, a small genuine fishing village where locals take the boat to Tumbatu and where you will find fruit and fish market. (53km). Nungwi is the most exploited place on the island but still very cute and Zanzibari. You have the village to explore just behind and the sea here is amazing and with no tide to talk about you can swim from the shore 24/7. Today you have a lunch box since it is hard to find good food along this stretch.
Afternoon, dinner and overnight in Nungwi, Flame Tree Cottages. Flame Tree Cottages is a peaceful place with small villas. We love that they serve breakfast on your private veranda and that the beach- and nightlife is merely a 200 m away.
www.flametreecottages.com
Breakfast, lunch box and dinner. Excl.drinks
Day 6 Pongwe
Sugar cane farms and a privateparadise
Early morning departure to Pongwe(45 km). We will pass through the Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest – rich both in fauna and flora species. Here, if lucky, you can spot Red Colobus Monkeys, Sykes, Blue Monkeys, Sunni antelope and several species of snakes, 47 bird species and 100 plant species including many medicinal species. Beside the forest you will visit a sugar cane farm and pass beautiful rice fields.
Seasons Lodgeis 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 and dinner. Dinner eaten along the way on your own expense.
Day 7 Jambiani
Jambiani – dinner celebration
At Chwaka ( 13 km) we catch a wood dhow and pack bikes and ourselves to cross Chwaka Bay.Then we follow the coastline to Jambiani (22 km). Going all around the island is celebrated with a special dinner at Red Monkey Lodge. Maybe the Red Colobus Monkeys comes to celebrate with you.
www.redmonkeylodge.com
Breakfast, lunch box and dinner. Excl.drinks
Day 8 Departure
Transfer to airport or harbor or to your next destination
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Bikes and equipment
We have bikes in various sizes, equipped with bottle holders and baskets on the steering to keep necessities such as sun block, camera etc. We have water bottles and helmets briging your own helmets is preferred.
Luggage
If 2 people the guide will bring the luggage on his bike- one 15 liter bag per person. The remaining bags will wait for you at the final destination.
If more people the luggage will be transported to the hotel every day.
Drinks
Water, soda and other drinks along the way and for lunch and dinner are paid by the guests.
Release of liability
Bike Zanzibar take the safety of our guests very serious and we take extra precautions when biking on the road. You travel on your own risk and Bike Zanzibar does not take responsibility in case of accident, death etc. You will be asked to sign a Release of liability prior to departure.
Payment
50 % paid minimum 40 days prior to arrival. The remaining to be paid 15 days before arrival.
Cancellation policy
If between 40 and 20 days before the day of arrival 50% of the total price will be charged.
If between 19 and 8 days before the day of arrival 75% of the total price will be charged.
If between 7 and 0 days before the day of arrival 100% of the total price will be charged.
Price USD per person
Price for low-season
15 March - 30 June
1 November - 20 December
2-4 pax 5-7 pax 8-10 pax 11-20 pax
1545 1495 1445 1395
Price for high-season
11 January- 14 March
1 July - 31 October
2-4 pax 5-7 pax 8-10 pax 11- pax
1595 1545 1495 1445
Price for peak-season
21 December - 10 January*
2-4 pax 5-7 pax 8-10 pax 11-20 pax
1645 1595 1545 1495
*during peak season the island is full and it can be hard with bigger groups unless willing to prepay for keeping rooms
Single price: 70 % of the price for shared double
This trip can be customized to preferences and fitness of the group. Itinerary and prices can vary according to season and room availability. Note that presented hotels are booked according to availability else an alternative will be presented.
Helen Ingvarsson
Bike Zanzibar