World Air Travel & Tours Pemba Island, Tanzania
Pemba Island – The Green Island
Pemba Island lies approximately 80 km northeast of Zanzibar Island and is fairly close to the coastline of the Tanzania mainland. Pemba is the second largest island in the archipelago and it was referred to as “the Green Island” by the Arabic mariners in reference to the profusion of lush foliage they encountered after their journey south along the arid coastline.
The reefs and channels make for East Africa’s finest diving and Pemba Island is a highly rated game fishing destination. The Pemba’s themselves embody the coastal Swahili in their warm welcome and dignified manner.
Pemba is still the predominant global producer of cloves yielding around 70% of all the world’s cloves, but now plays its more traditional role of being an island paradise with small inter-island trade. Pemba Island also has a strong reputation as a ‘magic’ island, a centre for ju-ju traditions of medicine and wizardry.
Pemba attracts relatively few tourists, but those that do venture to this lush island are rewarded with magnificent, unspoilt natural beauty.
How to Get to Pemba Island
There are scheduled charter flights, which are available daily in the mornings and afternoons. Pemba is accessed via most airports in East Africa, via Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam. The island can also be accessed with direct local flights, with several charter airlines that operate smaller aircrafts.
Please contact World Air Travels & Tours to arrange your flights to Pemba Island.
Where to Stay on Pemba Island
Fundu Lagoon
Fundu Lagoon is a remote and peaceful resort, only accessible by boat. It is set on a beautiful beach in the south west of Pemba Island.
Rooms and Description
There are 18 rooms, consisting of canvas tents set under makuti (thatch) roofs on wooden decks, all with views over the sea. The rooms are equipped with large double or twin beds, mosquito nets, ceiling and standing fans, and indoor and outdoor seating areas. Each has an ensuite bathroom with fresh hot water shower, toilet and basin. They are 8 Hillside rooms (standard bungalows), 4 Beachfront rooms (standard bungalows), 1 Beach Suite, 1 Jungle Suite and a 4 Superior Suites.
Restaurant and Facilities
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main dining area or at the jetty bar with a three course lunch and dinner, all with a choice of dishes of international standard. Some meals will be served on the white sandy beach. There are three bars, one of which is situated a third of the way along a long jetty which stretches way out into the sea.
Activities
Diving, fishing, snorkeling and short excursions to the surroundings can be arranged.
The Manta Resort
Manta Resort is elevated and crafted along an idyllic island beach situated on a cliff-face overlooking a heavenly, five km stretch of beach along the Kigomasha Peninsula on the northern tip of Pemba. The resort offers privacy, romance, adventure, and water sports on East Africa’s finest island sanctuary.
Rooms and Description
Manta Resort offers 17 stylish and comfortable rooms in various price categories:
Six newly built sea front villas. These air- conditioned villas are spacious and private, with a centred king size bed and large en-suite bathroom. A secluded sun terrace faces a spectacular ocean sunset. The newly built garden rooms are open plan makuti thatched rooms situated in our gardens. They all feature a centered king size bed covered by a mosquito net, en-suite, open plan bathroom, and a comfortable verandah to relax on. They are not air conditioned.
Two pairs make up the four Superior Garden Rooms with views of the sea between the foliage. With interconnecting doors this is an excellent choice for families or larger groups. The Superior Garden Rooms are air conditioned with a king size four poster bed and private covered terrace. Additional single bed can be added into the room, and the barazza lounger can be converted into a bed for children.
Restaurant and Facilities
The Manta Resort team will treat you to a mouth-watering variety of fresh locally caughtseafood as well as a variety of beef, chicken and vegetable dishes, some of which have a distinct Pemba touch to them. Most meals are served on the main verandah overlooking the ocean, but the pool deck and beach are also utilized for a change of scenery whenever possible.
The well-stocked bar serves drinks all day on the beach and throughout the resort. And you can sample a delicious fruit platter and snacks whenever you feel puckish.
Excursions
There are different excursion that can be arranged from here including snorkeling, big game fishing, dolphins and whale watching, the sandbanks, kayaking; bird watching and diving round the untouched coral reef surrounding the entire island. They also range from walks to local villagers to guided tours through the ancient Ngezi Forest to searching for the endemic Pemba Flying Fox.