ZANZIBAR
PEMBA ISLAND
Pemba Island is part of Tanzania's Zanzibar Archipelago, off the coast of East Africa. It's known for its lush, green hills and clove plantations. The Pemba Channel, with its coral reefs and abundant marine life, separates the island from mainland Tanzania. The main town, Chake Chake, has a ruined 18th-century fort with a museum. Offshore, Misali Island is home to the Fischer's turaco, a colorful rare bird.
Pemba is the second largest island. It is well known for its trade of cloves and the island is often referred as”the Green Island”, thanks to it’s vast landscapes of forests, mangroves and plantations.
The Zanzibar Archipelago has a diverse history, due to its strategic location, it became the epicentrum of the Eastern African trade routes. Different cultures such as Africans, Arabs, Persian, Indian and European all left their footprints here.
After the nautical industry started to develop more and more and Pemba became less interesting to use as a hub, the people of Pemba started to shift slowly to agriculture and fishing which is now their main source of income. Tourism is really limited to a hand full of small boutique lodges spreaded over this wild and rural island.
Tourist attractions
Pemba is a paradise for diving as well as for bird watching, beach lovers cultural & heritage and big game fishing. The beaches are absolutely breathtaking. Most beaches are isolated with lime stones, the quietness and private sunsets are the things that make your travels all worth it.
On Pemba island, Mother Nature has reclaimed her rights and her kingdom remains untouched and unlimited. She rules every inch of the island. This generates an amazing amount of energy and creates a very warm and smooth atmosphere.
You will be amazed by the light around here, by all the shades of green and blue reunited in this place. Whether underwater or on land, the diversity of flora and fauna is incredible, much to the delight of both divers and hikers.
This blue and green island is an adventure on itself, whether you’re ready to explore the very much alive seabed of the Indian Ocean or to walk on unspoiled white sand beaches. You can also sail into the vibrant mangrove and discover a rich and bright culture. Pemba is a paradise for everyone looking for inner calm and peace. This place has something magical and very unique. This kind of magic will offer you something that goes beyond your expectations.
Whether you are travelling alone, as a couple, as a family, with friends and whatever your budget is, you will find your place on Pemba. You don’t need a lot of money to travel around this island. The locals do not own in quantity, but rather in quality. They do not own a lot of material things, but what they own is more valuable. The word “own” doesn’t really matter here, it’s more about what people have to offer to each other, to their family, to their friends, to their neighbors or to you. What matters in Pemba is to live in a stable, peaceful and healthy way, all together. People here have a huge heart, and they are always ready to share everything. That’s why inequality isn’t such a big issue here as everybody knows how to live together, in perfect harmony.
Clothing And Dress Recommendations
If visiting Pemba or any coastal town don’t forget to take a swimsuit, as it is invariably warm. Ladies are recommended to take cotton skirts, blouses and dresses. Sandals are a must for this environment! On the beaches and within the confines of hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity is not. As over a third of the population in Pemba is Muslim, it is therefore not etiquette for ladies to walk around in public displaying their legs and shoulders. Remember to dress modestly as short shorts, miniskirts, vests and tank tops will be frowned upon.
Good to Know
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Visa Requirements
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