Enjoy the incredible aroma of coconut mats passing by the road, the sound of wooden buses passing, large mountains breaking the horizon, valleys filling the landscape with green, beaches protecting the coast from turquoise waters and spectacular tides, reefs, wildlife, sailboats and wooden boats; and these are only some of the characteristics of this wonderful paradise in Tanzania: the island of Pemba.
Towards the eastern part of the coast of Africa, forming part of the Zanzibar archipelago in continental Tanzania is the Island of Pemba, at one time named Al Huthera or “Green Island” as the locals call it due to its great mountainous landscapes, offering an unparalleled image and a tranquility like nowhere else, since it is largely not influenced by the outside world.
It is very common to see wooden buses transporting tourists, the most used route being the one from Wete to Chake Chake, and although this island does not have as much tourism because its beaches are difficult to access and because it does not have so much variety of infrastructures, those same factors are what makes the environment more virgin and natural.
Many of the people who visit Pemba fall in love with the north end of the island, the most beautiful place in the world for lovers of the underwater world. You will find coral reefs with a great variety of fish, likewise, you will see wooden sailboats, locally called ngalawas, being carried by the wind, the fishermen capturing what they will later sell in the market or leave to dry under the magnificent sun.
It is usual to see men in the market dressed in Shukas, which are pieces of cloth wrapped in the waist, and then they will leave to reunite on chai houses, or tea houses, to have a nice time and eat mandazi, a fried donut bread. In the afternoon hours, when the sun hides behind the coconut trees, the men are summoned for the muezzin prayer.
If you want to go around the island, go to the market and ask about the rent of a piki-piki, a motorcycle. You can walk on the dirt trails through the villages until you arrive at the Ngezi forest, where you will find the Pemba flying fox in the northwest of the island. The forest will take you to Verani Beach, and although the area is rarely visited, it is the perfect place to snorkel.
How to Find lt
Fly from Zanzibar island, Dar es Salaam, or Tanga; there are usually daily flights to the airport near the capital, Chake Chake. Airport tax on departure needs to be paid In Tanzanian currency. The boat journey from Zanzíbar takes from three to 6 hours, or sail by dhow from Tanga (times are erratic). We recommend you visit Pemba from December through March to avoid the rainy season.
Planning
Eat at roadside stalls or cafés where the food is cooked as you wait. To avoid the risk of an upset stomach, don’t eat salads or have ice in your drinks. Stay at the Kervan Saray Beach lodge in the north of the island for diving and stunning beaches; Pemba Crown Hotel in Wete for the budget traveler; or the luxurious Fundu Lagoon on the west coast. Take antimalarial tablets and bring plenty of mosquito spray.
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