Zanzibar with its pristine white beaches has always been considered a luxury destination by many a traveler. However, getting there has been a bit of a challenge for Kenyans because there were limited options to getting there with the most popular being going by road to Dar and then a ferry to the Island. Which can be quite hectic for some, this is why I was quite elated when I heard that Jambojet had launched a flight to Zanzibar.
Other than the flight, Jambojet has also partnered with various hotels such as Essque Zalu, Neptune Beach Resort and tour companies in Zanzibar to come up with an unforgettable holiday experience. The experience caters for the diverse needs and preferences of the various types of travelers ensuring that you get a seamless and stress-free holiday.
With the launch of the flight, I was lucky enough to be among the first people to utilize it to the Island destination. The flight to Zanzibar originates from Mombasa, which meant that we had to board our flight to the coast early enough to allow us to spend some time there before catching our next flight. This is because the Jambojet flight to Zanzibar departs from Mombasa at around 15.35 PM arriving in Zanzibar at 4.30 PM, this meant that we had a 5-hour layover in Mombasa. We took the time to tour the coastal city as well as sample the local cuisine and got back to the airport in time for our flight.
Being that Mombasa and Zanzibar are so close we landed after what seemed to be a very short time. We quickly filled out the immigration forms and stepped out of the airport where we found our ride patiently waiting for us. Our first stop was at a forex bureau where we managed to change our Kenyan currency to Tanzanian notes making us instant millionaires.
Our next stop was the Essque Zalu hotel which was some distance away but what I can say is that it was worth the journey because it totally exceeded my expectations. The hotel was everything that one could have dreamt of and more making it a perfect welcome to Zanzibar. After, checking in we quickly made our way to our respective rooms so as to freshen up and get ready for dinner as by this time we were famished.
We had our dinner practically on the ocean on a specially built platform which was quite interesting. Here we were treated to the local cuisine which was quite tasty and we washed it down with a glass of wine. After eating to our fill, it was time to sit back and unwind after a long day with the soothing sounds of the ocean as we gazed at the stars. At some point, fatigue got the better of me and I decided to retire for the night because we had an early morning excursion.
On Thursday, we woke up bright and early as we were to picked up at 8 AM for a submarine tour. We took our breakfast in good time and set off towards the Stone Town where the offices of Zanzibar Submarine Tours are located. After about a two-hour journey we got to Stone Town and I could not help but think that it had a lot of similarities with the one in Mombasa albeit cleaner. At the Zanzibar Submarine offices we were quickly given a safety instructions given that we were going to the deep sea. As well as a band to prevent nausea for those who are prone to motion sickness.
After the briefing, we took off in a speedboat to where the submarine was docked. To my pleasant surprise it was an actual submarine though it does not completely submerge. We got off the speedboat and onto the submarine and set off towards Bawe Island while the guide gave us a brief but interesting history of Zanzibar. We were also given a tour of the submarine which allows one to view under the water from its lower deck.
We rode the waves for a few kilometres after which the Captain stopped the submarine and we were all requested to go to the lower deck. From here we were able to see various types of fish as we as coral reefs. We also managed to see a German warship which was sunk by the British during the second world war. I have to admit that they had a better view than the glass boats that we have in Kenya. After taking in all we could of the underwater world, it was time to go to Bawe Island for a well deserved snack.
Given the fact that the submarine can’t move in shallow water, we were transferred to a speed boat which took us to the island which only appears during low tides. At the Island, we found that the guys at Zanzibar Submarine Tours had set up a table on the beach with snacks to last us for days. We quickly settled down and started enjoying the views while quenching our thirst with some madafu. Being Kenyans we proudly exported our culture by teaching the staff from the tour company some of our dances including Kudade which they absolutely enjoyed. Unfortunately, the tide started rising which meant that our time at the island had come to an end. We quickly got back to the speedboat and headed back to the mainland.
We finished off the itinerary for the day with a Tazanite tour whereby we were taken through the history of how the gem came to be discovered as well as how it is processed. Interestingly we came to learn that it was first discovered by Maasai herdsmen who didn’t know of its value till someone took it to London for evaluation. Also, that it is also mined in only one area and is bound to be depleted in twenty years. We came out of this tour a couple of thousands richer after each one of us was gifted a rock as a souvenir.
On our last day in Zanzibar, we got a chance to visit a turtle sanctuary. Here we got to learn about the various turtles found on the Island and how they usually take care of them. We also got a chance to feed and pet them which was quite interesting.
With our time in Zanzibar coming to a close, I could not help but feel elated having ticked off a holiday destination from my bucket list and in such a grand way. So, in case you take a trip out of town for a bit of rest and relaxation, look no further than the Jambojet in Zanzibar experience.