Dorine’s Things to do in Pemba

Once Upon a Time, a nice Dutch Lady called Dorine stayed with us for two weeks. She steadfastly refused to dive. “I am here to relax and see surface wildlife” she would say when we tried to persuade her otherwise. We made this itinerary for Dorine, and she happily wandered around the island doing these activities. We honed the itinerary slightly to remove the bits she did not like, and we added her personal recommendations. So if you are hanging around for a day or a month, here are some Pemba Ideas…

DAY 1

Visit the Ngezi forest

To see the vervet monkeys, various forest birds and to do the long hiking trail (5KM) to the hidden clearing with the lake.

Then visit Vumawinmbi beach, a kilometre long sandy beach near the forest.

On the way home, stop off at Tumbe, to see the not so impressive ruins. This is an archeological dig, but the area is gorgeous and the views of the sea very pleasant.

DAY 2

Visit Manta Reef Lodge for an expensive ($15) but excellent lunch and a beer.

Great views can be had of both sides of the peninsular.

The walk 500m to the impressive Lighthouse at Ras Kigomasha. You need to pay the Lighthouse keeper 2000 tsh to get up to the top. The stunning views of the Kenyan coast, and the whole of northern Pemba make it well worth it.

The Lighthouse is a 100 year old monument made in Britain and imported to Pemba . It is fascinating in itself.

DAY 3

Ras Kiyuu

This is the north eastern tip of Pemba and is has a very beautiful beach with many birds. This beach faces India and so the full energy of the Indian Ocean piles up and slams down on the shore. At low tide the exposed rock pools make for fascinating crystal clear wildlife viewing.  At high tide, the beach becomes a world class swimming and body surfing “tumble zone!”

Behind Ras Kiyuu is a large field of Savannah with a dead baobab tree just south of the beach/mini forest  packed with birds and cows.

If you have any spare time left there is the small Msitu Mkuu forest near the ras!

DAY 4

Kojani Island

Tough impolite people, fascinating island. They are the most destructive fishermen in the Islands putting nets over the coral and then beating the coral.

DAY 5

Misali Island

Too stunning for words. (the only high/low tide snorkeling beach.)

DAY 6

Ras Mkumbu

Really mediocre ruins but set in a gorgeous location.

Chake Chake Walking.

Bush walk.