Here you are in Zanzibar, enjoying the beach and the sea. But perhaps you’d like to meet some of the local people, especially the women, to find out more about their lives, their school days, meet their families and hear about their dreams. But where to start? You don’t speak Swahili and maybe not many of the locals speak English. And it seems that most of the tour guides are men. We’d like to introduce you a group of young people who’ve been working hard at their English language skills since 2016. They’re the first students from their village to go to university in Zanzibar and they are committed to helping their families. They love meeting overseas visitors and finding out about their lives as well as talking about their own homes and families.
Lunch with the locals tour: You’ll be picked up from your hotel at 10.30 or 11am and taken to a village on the East Coast of the island. Our bilingual tour guide (English/Swahili) will introduce you to Mulhat, who will welcome you into her home. Mulhat studied Local Government at University and is now a young mother living with her extended family. Mulhat will give you insights into the lives of herself and her friends and introduce you to her friends. After welcome drinks and a chat, Mulhat will cook a delicious local lunch for you while her friend demonstrates the art of henna decoration. You’ll learn about Swahili Kanga culture and have the opportunity to try one on or buy one! After lunch there’s a walk around the neighbourhood to meet other young families and you can take photos with your new friends. You’ll get back to your hotel around 3.30 to 4pm.
Lunch with the locals: Tour lasts 5 hours and cost depends on pick up location. Please email ann.dieckmann0@gmail.com.
Fishing village and school tour: We offer a tour that will help you get to know more about the fishing village Unguja Ukuu and the people who live here. Unguja Ukuu is the ancient capital of Zanzibar and is one of the oldest trading posts along the coast where early Islamic influence came to the island. The tour includes the hidden cave where people have come for millennia to ask for help and leave offerings to the gods. You’ll learn about a famous local, Mohamed wa Joka, who was famous for forseeing the future, finding lost children and working some remarkable magic. Along the way you’ll meet some of the villagers who work as farmers, shopkeepers and fishermen and visit a typical house and shop. Our tour guide/driver can collect you from hotels in Stone Town or the East Coast and there’s also the option to stop at Jozanzi Forest along the way.
Village Tour: Tour lasts 6 hours and cost depends on pick up location. Please email ann.dieckmann0@gmail.com.