Kayaking

Experience the beauty of our coast from a different angle. Join us for a kayak tour to our mangrove forests?

We arrange full or half day trips to Njao Gap, which features large areas of untouched and undamaged mangrove forests – some of the best preserved areas in Eastern Africa.

Depending on tides and your diving, we would leave after lunch at our Lodge. Ideally with a high or incoming tide, we would take the kayaks and our back up boat. By boat, we would motor closely to the entry of the mangrove channels, and there we would get into our kayaks. Our kayaks are single sit-on-top sea kayaks, and are stable and strong. Single means: you do not have to work with someone else to paddle or steer, so no arguments about that!

Once in the mangrove channels, we stay quiet, and move slowly so you do not disturb the birds, the peace and quiet of this lovely green kingdom.

The channels are myriad, and some go as far as 4 miles into the trees.  Most offer a circular route only, meaning we will have to turn back at the end come back the same way. This is not a problem, there is always something else to see!

On the kayak itself is more then enough space to bring a camera and binoculars. Cameras should be kept in a dry-bag (we have them for rent) or should be in a housing – just in case it gets wet!!

If you are not too sure about your kayak abilities, you can leave the camera on our back up boat for the first channel, get a bit more comfortable and then take it on the second one.

We do need a high or incoming tide to be able to access the mangroves. This means that sometimes we offer the tour in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. You could dive first, have lunch, then go out for a kayak trip. Alternatively, we kayak in the (early) morning, come back for lunch, go out for an afternoon dive! Or simply relax after the paddling...

*No previous experience would be required, but you do need to able to swim.

Longer Tours:

-If you feel like a full day expedition, please come and talk to us. We can easily arrange for you a combined, full day of fun in the Njao Gap:

Snorkel, do a single dive or a try dive in the morning, with a picknick lunch on a beach. Change mode of transport to our kayaks for a mangrove forest visit, and afterwards we guide you along the coast back to our hotel, just before sunset.  A back-up boat will stay with us the whole day.

Drinks, lunch, snacks provided. No previous kayak experience is required, but you do need to be dive certified or do a try dive with a dive guide, and reasonable fitness is required – it’s a long day!

*Bring a hat and sunscreen... and some watershoes. We do the rest.

Multiple-day kayak trip  'Pemba North to South' –

For Small groups, we have a trans-pemba paddle, which is truly exciting, Very few people see this angle of the Pemba coast. This is a real expedtion.

We will be dropped off at the Lighthouse beach at Ras Kigomasha, and first set out to the sandbank north of here for a photoshoot of us and our kayaks – the before of a great 'before and after' set of photos.

From here, the furthest northern tip of Pemba's Terra Firma (well, part time underwater terra firma)     over the next 3 days  and 2 nights we will slowly paddle our way down the coast of Pemba.  Along the Njao Gap, to the islands of the Fundo Gap, past the Kashani and Uvinje rocky islets and bays, and eventually an exciting crossing over open water on your last day to Misali Island.

A back up boat with engine, captain / cook, kayak guide, food & drinks, all emergency equipment, dry gear, camping equipment and snorkel equipment will come along.

Camping will be on small outer islands, uninhabited but for monkeys and birds,  with no facilities other then the ones we bring... and we will bring along: our best bushcook, eat fresh fish, wash from a solarheated shower bag strung up in a tree, drink strong sugary and spicy tea and a dug hole as a toilet, sit around an open fire at night to chat and warm the tired shoulders -  sleep in a small tent or under the open stars before getting on to our kayaks in the early mornings at dawn again. You will be hot, thirsty, salty and awed- so be aware what you bargain for….

On the final day, you will end at Misali Island's powder white beach for a well-deserved glass of champagne or beer, and our 'after' photoshoot!

From Misali Island you will be transported back to Weisha Harbor by boat, where a car will be waiting for an easy ride back up to our Hotel in the north. You will be welcomed back as heroes! And showers will await you...

You will see dolphins pass by, paddle along local dhows and fishermen, watch the sun set and the sun rise from the seat of your kayak, get salt in your hair and everywhere, float over awesome reefs, and carry yourself past countless coconut trees on the horizon... This is an amazing, but tough way to see Pemba, and can only be done when you have previous kayak experience, are a good swimmer, are over 18 years old, are fit and healthy and book in advance !

A maximum of 4 people can join this trip.

*Due to weather systems, seasonal winds, rains and prevailing currents, this trip is not always available.. but we will try as often as we can !