Private Ngezi Forest tour from Chake Chake

Highlights

• Mgulele, mwavi, mtondoo, and mvule trees
• Flying foxes and raucous monkeys
• Vumawimbi Beach
• Pango ya Watoro cave
• "Mizimu" sacred places

All about the trip

The dense and wonderfully lush forest at Ngezi is one of the last remaining areas of primary forest that once covered western Pemba. It’s notable in that it resembles the highland rainforests of East Africa more than the lowland forests found on Zanzibar. The 1476-hectare reserve is a true double canopy with an upper layer of mgulele, mwavi, mtondoo and mvule trees towering up to 40m high with lianas snaking between them providing swings for raucous monkeys. You'll find the visitor center 4km west of Konde on the road to Ras Kigomasha.

Ngezi Forest Reserve is home to a variety of endemic bird species, the Pemba sunbirds, green pigeon, and scops owl to name a few.

The Ngezi Peninsula is the northernmost point on Pemba. Much of the area is taken up by the Ngezi Forest, which is the last remains of a huge tract of indigenous forest which used to cover most of Pemba. Ngezi is home to the Pemba flying fox, a bat endemic to the island. The forest itself is a protected area. On the east side of the Ngezi peninsula is Vumawimbi Beach, an immaculate beach with miles of white sand flanked by a pristine forest. On the western side is found the “Pango ya Watoro” or the cave of the fugitives.

If you are interested we can take some more time with you visiting the “cultural areas” these are parts of the forest that are sacred and people periodically sweep and clean to appease their ancestors. These sacred places called “MIZIMU” are used for prayers, requests, and offerings to the spirits of the dead. Local villagers recognize five such sites.

What is included in the price

• Experienced professional tour guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in a private car
• Bottled water during the tour
• All entrances fees
• Transport waiting charge
• All taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees

What is not included in the price

• Medical Insurance if needed
• Gratuities for tour guide
• International and domestic flights
• Visa fee (50 USD / 100 USD for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
• Airport/departure tax
• Personal expenses

Instructions

Not wheelchair accessible.

Not stroller accessible.

Not suitable for pets.

Not recommended for people with back problems.

Not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Not recommended for people with heart conditions.

A moderate amount of walking is involved.

Hotel pick-ups commence approximately 7 - 75 minutes prior to this time and it depends on the location of the hotel, exact pick-up time will be advised on reconfirmation. Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

COVID-19 CLEAN AND SAFE

All vehicles are disinfected regularly after each ride. We have established set protocols that we follow to make sure all of these high touch areas are disinfected in every vehicle. An emergency plan has been designed which can be followed in case of an outbreak. In the event that a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, we have action plans ready to implement. Medical support is available if required. Not all destinations have the same resources, so we anticipate the needs of our customers should they become ill.

General staff training is in place regarding new protocols to prevent the spread of Covid19.

This training is in various stages:

Initial: containing basic information about the illness, personal hygiene, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and departmental procedures.

Follow-up: reinforces the basic points and any improvements made. Plus, follows up employees’ concerns and needs.

This activity is organised by Safanta Tours and Travel comp., Chukwani street, P.O.BOX 3651, Urban/West Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania, +255 778 856 362, info@safantatours.co.tz.