Private Tumbatu Island cultural village tour from Stone Town

Highlights

• Rare opportunity to experience something really authentic
• Get an insight into the lifestyle and religious practices of the villagers
• Discover the magnificent baobab trees that are about 900 years old

All about the trip

The inhabitants of Tumbatu island on the North-East coast of Zanzibar live an isolated life and the island is powered entirely by solar panels, allowing them to be independent. Everyone who is not from Tumbatu, even people from Zanzibar, needs a written permit by the village eldest to enter the island. This trip is a rare opportunity to experience something really authentic.

Visit and discover the tradition and culture of Zanzibar

Tumbatu Island is a dagger wedge-shaped and the third-largest island 14sq km lying northwest of Unguja Island together making up Zanzibar, part of Tanzania in East Africa. It is about 30 minutes by boat from Mkokotoni and 1 hour from Nungwi. There are two common villages namely, Jongowe and Kichangani, both have an estimated 20 000 number of peoples living in and is surrounded reef rocks and corals that making it somewhat isolated from the rest of Zanzibar, even though its southern shore is only two kilometers from Mkokotoni on Unguja. Tumbatus are famed for their pride and safeguarding the Swahili traditions of which they strictly conserve. Historically who belong to the Shiraz ethnic group claim descent from Persian royalty which reputedly arrived in the ninth century, and there are important ruins at Makutani in the southeast of the island which were once one of Zanzibar's main settlements.

While exploring the beauty of this island you will have the opportunity to visit and discover the traditions and cultural activities of the people, such as Voodoo a local horoscope search that peoples use on their problems solving, business-wise, good luck, disease and other superstitions believes, tools used on this searching is a smooth piece of wood with sands and little sharp-pointed stick, after you will have a chance to visit baobab trees about 900 years of age. Take a short break of you leisure before sailing back to your hotel for overnight.

What is included in the price

• Experienced professional tour guide
• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in a private car
• Snorkeling gear (life jacket, mask, and flippers)
• All entrances fees
• Taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees
• Boat charter
• Mineral water during the tour
• Transport waiting charge
• Fast responsive ambulance services
• Emergency medical crew
• Handling for medical evacuation

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 suitable for pets.

Leave your valuables at the hotel, if possible.

Not wheelchair accessible.

Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions.

Bookings can only be accepted for persons under 15 years of age when accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them.

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.