Pwani Mchangani holidays

Pwani Mchangani holidays base you in a traditional village where beach strolls and boat trips top the things-to-do list.

Village life

Pwani Mchangani’s a quintessential village on Zanzibar’s north-east coast. If you fancy getting a taste of what life’s like on the island, staying here will tick the box. You won’t find tourist shops or big hotel chains in these parts – instead, the sandy streets are lined with traditional homes and a handful of local eateries with shaded outdoor dining areas. And of course, the whole thing’s edged by a balmy beach.

A cracking coastline

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably got beaches near the top of your list of reasons to visit Zanzibar. And if you stay here, you’ll have one of the island’s best stretches right at your feet. It’s exactly what you expect from this region – a wide belt of flour-like sand giving way to pale blue, ankle-deep water as far as the eye can see. The whole thing’s lined with hotels, but their low-rise blueprints and a row of palm trees help the beach retain its natural good looks.

Sightseeing at sea

When it’s time to swap your sunbathing for sightseeing, turn your attention towards the ocean. Above the surface, there are mangrove forests and sandbanks that look like they’ve been plucked from the Maldives, and under the waves, you’ve got kaleidoscopic coral reefs, rainbow-painted fish and green turtles. Snorkelling tours take you straight to the heart of the action on traditional boats, and some include barbecue lunches as part of the package.

Serengeti safaris

Once you’ve ticked off the underwater scene, go further afield to the mainland for a chance to see the big five. Tanzania’s one of the best spots in the world to go on safari, and you can fly there for a one-day jaunt or opt for an overnight adventure in the Serengeti. It’s already a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but if you fancy really pushing the boat out, you can tag on a hot air balloon ride to get a bird’s eye view of the wildlife as the sun rises.