Tanzania's Spice Islands

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Dar es Salaam International Airport.

You will be met on arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport and transferred to the domestic terminal for your short light aircraft flight to Mafia Island. A driver from Pole Pole will meet you at the airstrip and transfer you across the island to the lodge to settle in.

Spend today relaxing in the beautiful surroundings on Mafia Island. The lodge works closely with a local dive centre where you can arrange snorkelling and diving trips to the numerous reefs in Chole Bay. I highly recommend taking a trip out in a traditional dhow boat to dive and snorkel around the beautiful untouched reefs nearby, bursting with marine life.

Today you could visit the Swahili ruins on Chole Island where you can also take a guided village walk to see the island's famous colony of endangered fruit bats. If you have time, you can even look around the local dhow workshop where the islanders still use traditional techniques to build their iconic wooden vessels.

For a real treat today, you can arrange to take a boat out to one of the pristine sandbanks that are exposed at low tide. You can take a picnic to enjoy and do some snorkelling on the way. You'll return to the lodge as the tide turns and the sand starts to disappear back under the water.

Today you will fly south from Mafia to Songo Songo and then be taken on a short boat ride to Fanjove Private Island. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing in your own private slice of paradise.

At leisure on Fanjove Private Island - spend your time swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, snorkelling on the nearby reef or reading a book in the shade of a palm tree. Kayaking and diving can also be arranged with the lodge.

At leisure on Fanjove Private Island.

At leisure on Fanjove Private Island.

At leisure on Fanjove Private Island.

Today you will head back to Songo Songo airstrip for your flight north to Zanzibar. You will be met on arrival and transferred into the heart of Stone Town where you will spend the next three nights. Your hotel is in a great location for exploring on foot and has a wonderful roof terrace restaurant offering superb views out across the harbour.

Today you can enjoy exploring the sights and sounds of Stone Town - famous for its rich and dramatic history as a centre of colonial exploration and of the East African slave-trade. You can hire a guide to show you around or simply explore the charming alleyways and curio shops on your own.

Today I would recommend heading slightly out of town to one of the nearby spice plantations the island is famous for. This is a fascinating, hands-on experience as you get to taste and smell the spices as well as see them growing.

You will be transferred back to the airport today for your onward flights.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.