Getting there

We departed Johannesburg on the services of 1time at 07H45. The check in was very efficient with friendly check in staff throughout. This gave me the impression that the staff of 1time really enjoyed their work. The aircraft interior is very spacious with comfortable leather seats and ample leg room. The on board menu is divine as you are given a choice of delicious fresh sandwiches, wraps and snacks including biltong and many other nice treats that you can select on a pay for per item, after the complimentary drink and meal. The presentation of the food was really lovely. Credit cards and cash are accepted for payment. The drinks trolley provided a constant supply of refreshments throughout the flight which was to be around 3 hours and fifteen minutes until landing in Zanzibar.

We proceeded to immigration control and purchased a visa on arrival at a cost of USD 50 and this took no time at all. After collecting our luggage we were offered a warm welcome to Zanzibar. There were traditional dancers and soft drinks all arranged by Gallery Tours on arrival at the airport. After the festivity we got into our comfortable air conditioned transfer vehicle and were transferred to the hotel within an hour and a half.

La Gemma Del’ Est

La Gemma Del’ Est is situated at Nungwi on the north eastern coast of Zanzibar less than 50km from the airport and about 55 minutes from Stone Town on the West coast. The property is owned and operated by Planhotel. The resort is set in an expanse of lush tropical gardens with the sea in a 360 degree view all around.

We were taken to our suite which overlooks an expanse of turquoise ocean. The décor is modern with exquisite pieces of traditional Zanzibarian furniture throughout the rooms.The bedroom is complete with a king size bed draped with a mosquito net. The lounge area has a large table and a full lounge suite where you can relax. Both areas open onto a verandah and a stretch of garden that overlooks a breath taking view of the ocean.

Our lunch was taken buffet style at the Pavilion Restaurant, which also overlooks the ocean. The buffet offered a wide selection of dishes and salads. That evening we prepared for our welcome dinner set out for us on the beach. The theme was a Masai show, with live African music and dancing. The food was superb, with a variety of fresh seafood, Italian and Swahili dishes. We enjoyed the evening on the beach listening to the Zanzibarian band and later went up to the bar at the sunset lounge. The lounge is located on stilts on the sea, so the mood is very romantic there.

The following day after a leisurely buffet breakfast of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit juices and muffins and many other choices at the Pavilion Restaurant, we departed for our Zanzibar spice tour. In the past, Zanzibar was known as a spice island, famous for exporting, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg and cardomon across the world. Nowadays the spice plantations are a tribute to the island's past and tours to the plantations are very popular. A visit to a spice farm gives you an insight into local life and you are able to touch, smell, taste and feel the tropical fruits and spices. After this wonderful tour, we traveled on towards the Mapenzi Beach Club for inspection. The resort has a lovely feeling on entry, but what is really striking is the makuti palm roof at the entrance. This is one of the largest to be found in East Africa. The rooms are really spacious with many of them sea facing. Our lunch was taken at the main restaurant which is set high up and has sea views. The food was buffet style, very tasty and fresh with great salads and a fabulous spaghetti bolognaise as well as excellent beef. We transferred back to La Gemma and stopped en route to inspect the Planhotel Dream of Zanzibar Resort. The property has breathtaking sea views and should be complete by November this year.

Evening cocktails at La Gemma were served at the Coral Cove bar and this was followed by a pool barbeque dinner. We were treated to a lively and colourful fashion show, the models were stunning looking local girls and this was thoroughly enjoyable. The dinner was buffet style with an amazing variety of really outstanding fare. I am going to mention some of the dishes which will give you an idea of what is on offer. The salads and starters consisted of grape fruit with avocado relish, seafood salad, papa prawms, hawaian salad and waldorf salad. The main courses for the grill consisted of lobster, rock lobster, king prawns and calamari kebabs, marlin steak, rib eye steak and chicken kebab, garnishes were a variety of flavoured rices, vegetable gratin and potatoes in different styles. The deserts were really wicked and you could enjoy tiramisu, mango mousse, tropical fruit salad and angel cake to name a few.

The following morning I decided to try out the scuba diving at the hotel. The dive centre is well kitted out and very professionally run. We chose to do a dive at Shamzys, this was a short and comfortable 15 minute boat ride to the site. The depth was around 20 meters and suitable for entry level and experianced divers. There is a lot of fish to be seen on this small reef and we encountered radial firesfish, Mauritian scorpion fish amongst the many other species. This is excellent for macro photography and I was most impressed. A dive costs around 44 Euro with your own equipment. There is a great water sports centre and canoeing and wind surfing are readily available. We enjoyed a lovely lunch of fresh fish and salads at the pizzeria next to the beach bar.

Later that evening were attended the official opening of the Boabab Conference Centre, 2008 Zanzibar Event. The newly built conference centre is a very modern piece of architecture with water features and spacious areas for cocktails. We met with the Minister of Tourism and Culture amongst other dignitaries that were invited to this prestigious occasion.

The Gala dinner was beautifully set out for us in the conference centre which comfortably accommodated seating for well over a hundred people. The menu was a set one and consisted of a seven course dinner. To mention some of the delectable dishes, starters was king prawns presented in a young coconut, followed by consome royal, half lobster thermidor, beef Wellington served with gratinated cauliflower roses and sautéed potatoes and ended with ice cream tart flambé and petit fours. A menu fit for a king no doubt. A wonderful and memorable evening was enjoyed by all.

Our last day was spent having a leisurely breakfast before the check out at 10H00. We were transferred to the airport shortly after, for our flight departing Zanzibar at 13H30. The lTime flight on the way back was very comfortable once again and in no time we arrived safely at OR Tambo, with the most beautiful memories of Zanzibar.

In Conclusion

Zanzibar is a true Africa experience with many accommodation options ranging from rustic to five star luxury hotels. The destination is warm and welcoming and suitable for honeymooners and families alike. Many diverse activities can be arranged from Zanzibar including safaris into Tanzania, sunset and dinner dhow cruises to Prison island, beach barbeques on deserted islands, or just snorkelling and lazing on the pristine white sand beaches. Stone Town is famous for the bazaars of handcrafted antique furniture, curios and carved doors. A visit to Freddie Mercury’s house is a great experience.

General Info and Tips

Visas are obtainable on arrival,your passport must be valid for at least six months after the return date. Yellow fever vaccinations are compulsory for re entry into South Africa after visiting Tanzania. These vaccinations are valid for 10 years and can be obtained at a travel clinic, along with advice regarding malaria and other recommended precautions.

Money changing facilities are available at most hotels, but the rate is better at the banks in town. Travel with US dollars as these are also accepted for payments at hotels. The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, when we travelled it worked out to around R1 = Tsh 10. Do not convert more money than you need as Tsh cannot be exchanged for dollars or rands.

With Special Thanks

A very special thanks to all the wonderful people who made our stay in Zanzibar so unforgettable.

• 1Time – Sponsoring our flights, meal and beverages on board
• Plan Hotel La Gemma Dell’Est – Complimentary accommodation, and fully inclusive package
• Gallery Tours and Safaris - Complimentary Spice Tour and transfers