South East Zanzibar

A visit to the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar is sure to treat you with a colorful bouquet of things to do and see. I spent a week in the south-east part of the island and only scratched the surface.

30 photos in total.

Crystal clear water, blue skies, sandy beaches and your own private water taxi. All the ingredients for a fantastic island getaway.

Zanzibar is well known for exporting carved wooden doors. Here a young boy carves shapes into a solid peice of wood using a hammer and chisel.

The finished product.

Low tide exposes a landscape of coral as far as the eye can see.

Children at the spice plantation.

A myriad of colourful spices and fruit can be found at the spice farms accross Zanzibar.

Nutmeg fresh from the tree.

Special 'soap berries' can be used to wash your hands. Simply add water, and rub them together.

South East Zanzibar

South East Zanzibar

The ceiling of the bath house at the highest point in Zanzibar - only about 120m above sea level.

South East Zanzibar

Local girls picking up shellfish during low tide. The ocean provides a large part of Zanzibar's food and every opportunity is used to gather what is available.

A mangrove forest exposing its roots during low tide.

A Kite spider in the Jozani forest.

Ants engulf an insect on the forest floor.

Red Colobus monkeys, unique to the island of Zanzibar, take some time to groom each other. These monkeys are very playful and comfortable around people, although never getting close enough to make physical contact.

Red Colobus monkeys only have 4 fingers on their hands, and no opposable thumb.

South East Zanzibar, Jozani Forset.

South East Zanzibar.

A Hermit crab cautiously emerges from its home.

During a day trip to one of the small uninhabited islands, we were treated with an incredible spread of food, including lobster, prawns, coconuts, fruit salad etc. All prepared without any electricity and very few utensils, right there in the wild.

Uninhabited islands like these dot the Zanzibar coastline.

South East Zanzibar.

Early morning view from the guest lodge we visited - Kilima Kidogo.

Local taxis, called 'Dhala Dhalas' are a cheap way to get around Zanzibar. That's if you don't mind a tight squeeze. These taxis are often completely overloaded with people hanging off the sides and back. The roof is also utilized for storage and sometimes almost doubles the height of the taxi.

In Zanzibar there's a different approach to fueling up. A quick chat with the attendant and we're off without paying a cent. Apparently you pay next time, or 'when you have money'.

South East Zanzibar.

South East Zanzibar.

South East Zanzibar.