JAHAZI issue 09 - Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries, AZAM Marine

Brighter future

How solar-powered boats can revive the seaweed farming industry

Singelli family Mother and daughter

Rehema Tajiri and Queen Asher Tajiri

Swahili cuisine

Classic dishes (and where to eat them)

Jahazi is the official magazine of Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries

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The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2023 Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

8

Karibu

Safari njema

It is my pleasure to welcome you onboard your ferry crossing with Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries, the number one ferry company in East Africa.

We started out with just one vessel, the Mv Muungano, but now have a fleet of air-conditioned catamarans that provide the best possible services for Tanzanians with our latest addition to the fleet, the Kilimanjaro VIII, now ready to go (see pages 8 and 9 for details on the ferry’s official launch). Our passengers are very dear to us and we have made great efforts to ensure your experience with us is a positive one all the way from booking your tickets to the moment you arrive at your destination.

Issue 9

Follow us:

@azammarine

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Our online ticket purchasing system is a quick and easy way to plan and pay for your journey in advance. Boarding is similarly hassle free thanks to the design of our vessels and our carefully organised boarding protocols. Once we are under way, passengers can sit back and enjoy the journey with in-cabin features such as personal entertainment systems and a range of available refreshments competing for your attention with the spectacular Indian Ocean views from the cabin windows. Our ferry crossings are safe and speedy and deliver you right into the heart of Stone Town or Dar es Salaam for your business or leisure engagements.

Another bonus to travelling with us is getting to sit back and enjoy the latest edition of our onboard magazine, Jahazi! Once again, we have brought together the people and places that make the Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar so special.

You can now keep up with the latest Azam Marine and KFF news as well as some amazing images of our fleet in action on our new Instagram page @azam_marine

‘Your Safety is our Priority’.

Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries

www.azammarine.com

Latest News

From the Azam group of companies

Baby boy born on Kilimanjaro V ferry journey named after Azam Marine CEO

Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries always strives to deliver for its cherished passengers, but that pledge took on a dramatic meaning on April 14 during a journey on Kilimanjaro V from Unguja to Dar es Salaam.

Passenger Maryam Yahya Maulid started experiencing contractions during the crossing and with the help of Azam Marine staff, including our onboard doctor, she successfully gave birth to a baby boy.

ALL GO FOR CARGO

Azam Marine also offers cargo services. We have two vessels, Azam Sea Link 1 and Azam Sea Link 2, that transport passengers and cargo to between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar as well as Pemba and Tanga. These ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off meaning vehicles can be driven directly on and off) craft can transport vehicles between the mainland and the islands as well as loose cargo for businesses or personal use.

Mother and child are both doing well, and the boy has been given the name of Abubakar after the CEO of Azam Marine, Abubakar Aziz Salim.

Heartfelt congratulations to the staff of Azam Marine who were able to provide this mother with immediate care.

Bookings

With four trips a day (launch times are 7am, 9.30am, 12.30pm and 4pm) there’s no more convenient or comfortable way to travel between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island. Call 0800 785555 to book a spot.

Azam Marine also has two cargo vessels available strictly on demand and with no specific route. These vessels can transport goods to any destination in Africa as long as an agreement has been met with both parties. MV Comoro can

carry up to 1,200 tons of cargo while MV Khadija can transport 300 tons of goods. For more information on how we can get your goods to where they need to be, call +255 22 2123324 or email info@azammarine.com

Seaweed by numbers

The shallow coastal waters of Zanzibar and Pemba are dotted with seaweed farms, boosting the islands’ economy and environment. Here are some facts and figures about this sustainable superfood.

150,000

Seaweed by numbers

The number of people that benefit indirectly from the seaweed industry in Zanzibar.

1989

The year the commercial cultivation of seaweed began on Unguja (Zanzibar Island).

25-29°C

This is the ideal water temperature parameter for growing seaweed. Unfortunately, temperatures in Zanzibar are now rising above 31°C due to global warming, which is hindering seaweed production.

23,000

According to the Zanzibar Ministry of Trade, Industry & Marketing, this is the number of people working within the country’s seaweed-farming industry with the majority –around 90% – being women operating on small-scale farms.

One teaspoon

Eat just this amount of dried seaweed and you’ll fortify your body with one of the best dietary sources of iodine – a mineral that is important in boosting the immune system. Superfood seaweed is also packed with vitamins A, D, E, C and B.

16,700 metric tonnes

The amount of seaweed produced in Zanzibar at its peak in 2015. In 2020 those levels had fallen to 8.8 thousand metric tonnes. There are number of schemes in place on the archipelago to counter environmental issues and optimise farming methods to return the industry to its peak.

90%

The percentage of Zanzibar’s marine export products that come from seaweed farming.

US$ 8 million

The income generated for Zanzibar by seaweed production at its peak.

30,000

The number of known species of seaweed across the world’s oceans

Kilimanjaro

Fanfare for the ‘Falcon of the Sea’

In April a ceremony to mark the official launch of Azam Marine’s new ship, Kilimanjaro VIII, took place at Malindi Port.

Among those to get a guided tour of the 631 passenger-capacity vessel was Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi. He praised the contribution of private companies such as Azam Marine – which now transports two million people, including 180,000 foreign nationals annually between Dar es Salaam and Unguja – for helping drive the archipelago’s lucrative blue economy.

Also in attendance was Azam Marine managing director Abubakar Aziz Salim, who in his speech commented on how the arrival of the 8,000-horsepower, state-of-the-art ferry – which was built over 18 months by world-renowned Australian shipbuilder Incat Crowther – cements Azam Marine’s position as Tanzania’s leading passenger ferry service and shows how far the company has come since its humble beginnings in the 1990s.

Kilimanjaro VIII is also known as ‘Falcon of the Sea’, a moniker derived from its distinctive beak-like prow that helps the ship cut through the wind and water to reach a comfortable cruising speed in excess of 30 knots.

Kilimanjaro VIII

THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER OF SINGELI

Dar es Salaam’s hyper-speed urban dance music singeli is often seen as the preserve of the city’s youth but mother and daughter duo Rehema Tajiri and Queen Asher Tajiri prove its appeal across generations. Jahazi talks to the pair about how performing together has deepened their friendship and how their upcoming debut album is set to “blow minds”.

Q: Singeli is seen predominantly as an urban dance scene aimed at Dar es Salaam’s youth, but you are proving the music’s appeal across generations. How would you describe the audience that comes to your gigs, and do you think singeli’s sampling of traditional Tanzanian music such as taarab helps give it an ageless appeal?

Queen Asher Tajiri: “Singeli has managed to penetrate across generations. It’s a kind a music that influences the audience to vibe and the energy’s always up. The audience that comes to our gigs is of all ages. They like being engaged in the music and will join in live raps from Rehema. Yes, sampling of traditional Tanzanian music helps give it an

ageless appeal, but I am well versed in various genres of music so I like creating a mix of different styles to keep the crowd engaged. Having knowledge of different musical cultures is incredibly important when performing as a DJ.

Q: Rehema, your 20-plus-year musical career includes time as

Pioneering singeli DJ Queen Asher

a performer on the TanzanianCongolese rumba scene and later with zouk. What was it that prompted you to bring a singeli influence to your music?

Rehema Jajiri: “My musical career as a Tanzanian-Congolese performer and later zouk for 20 plus years was not very successful. That was one of the reasons that prompted me to not only bring a singeli influence to my music but change the vision of some people who saw singeli as for only youths defined as hooligans. As a mother and an artist, I wanted to educate the youth to be a non-violent generation (as well as) influence adults to support and acknowledge singeli music in a positive way. Also, at that time women artists were hesitating to do singeli. Dropping on a 200-300 bpm beat you have to be a fast singer/rapper able to vibe, be energetic and a little crazy. I wasn’t afraid. I took a step and made it possible for a woman my age to do singeli.

Q: Were you immediately accepted by the singeli scene? I once attended a singeli concert in Dar with you on the bill and the mostly teenage audience were going crazy for your music.

Rehemi: “I definitely got a huge fan base and support the moment I entered the singeli scene. Who wouldn’t go crazy at a singeli live show with a woman my age on stage giving out the same energy as the young performers. It’s incredible.”

Q: Queen Asher, was it always production and DJing you gravitated towards? You are one of the first women singeli DJs. Have there been challenges?

Queen Asher: “Apart from DJing and producing, I am also a multi-hyphenate singer and songwriter. Being one of the first women singeli DJs has been a slightly challenging path. I have worked with some people who only appreciated popular artists, giving a hard time to any upcoming talent, especially women, believing we can’t be extraordinarily. There was a scenario where a group of people agreed not to train me how to DJ just to shut me down.

Q: I believe Dar singeli artists such as Sisso, Maiko and Jay Mitta were very helpful when you were learning your production skills. Did you first get to know them through your mother’s Sisso Studios connections, and can you tell me more about their mentorship?

Queen Asher: “I knew every artist from Sisso Studios through my mother. Sisso, Maiko and Jay Mitta are among my mentors along some other artists including

Performing has only strengthened the mother and daughter’s friendship

Bamba Pana, Dulla Neymar and a young artist called Mathi, who has been the mastermind of everything I do. He sacrificed most of his time making sure I don’t miss a skill. I always strive to stay organized and on top of things. It was important for me to learn skills from each artist so as to be more skillful, experienced and unpredictable.

I knew every artist from Sisso Studios through my mother. Sisso, Maiko and Jay Mitta are among my mentors along some other artists including Bamba Pana, Dulla Neymar and a young artist called Mathi…

Q: You started off, I believe, with Queen Asher producing some backing tracks for Rehema. When did you both realise that you worked well together and wanted to start performing as a duo?

Rehema: “In 2020 that’s when I started working with Queen Asher right after we came back from Nyege Nyege New Year’s Eve party in Uganda. Derek Debru [one of the founders of the label Nyege Nyege Tapes that has been instrumental in bringing singeli to a wider audience] was the one who came up with the idea that it would be nice if my daughter could be my DJ. I remember we had like a little meeting and my daughter was there too. The idea of working with her was great and unique so we considered what Debru said and here we are blowing minds.

Q: How has being in a performing group together affected your relationship? Have you learnt something about each other from the experience.

Rehema: “Performing together has brought a strong friendship bond between us. Spending a lot of time together helps us understand each other well. Queen Asher is always positive and likes to be happy all the time, so she is a joy to be with. She tells me I’m encouraging, strong and ambitious which builds courage in her. It’s amazing to have my daughter around. I do notice sometimes that people get uneasy to socialise with either me or her. Perhaps they are uncomfortable that she’s with her mother and maybe they feel like they might be disrespectful. I want to use this platform to assure our readers and fans that we are social, we both like meeting and making new friends.

Q: You have a new album coming out this year. What can we expect in the way of musical style and lyrical content?

Queen Asher: “Our album will be out at the end of this year released on the Nyege Nyege Tapes. We are in the final stages of completing it. I believe it will be the next big release. The album consists of great music that has the power to bring people together and create an atmosphere that will leave everyone feeling satisfied. So, it’s essential that I am able to draw on a range of genres and styles in order to cater to my audience.”

Q: Do you have any live shows coming up in East Africa?

Queen Asher: “We are still waiting on the dates so that we may publicly announce for our East African live shows. From June we will be going on a European tour with shows in Spain, France and Denmark. We shall announce more shows on our social media accounts for our fans to see.

To keep updated on live shows and the upcoming album, visit @queenasher_ and @rehematajiriofficial on Instagram

Rehema Tajiri has been embraced by the singeli scene

REASONS TO HEAD NORTH TO

NUNGWI

To visit Nungwi at Unguja’s northern tip is to experience Zanzibar new and old. The fishing village is the hub of the island’s centuries-old boatbuilding traditions while its expanse of white sand and easy-reach reefs has attracted a raft of tourists, high-end holiday resorts and a party-prepped beach bar culture. Here’s five activities to fit in.

life and crystal-clear waters. Tumbatu Island to the west also has flourishing coral reefs and its shallow waters and great visibility mean it is perfect for novice divers and snorkelling.

1

Meet the dhow designers

On Nungwi beach just outside the village you’ll find a group of craftsmen fashioning dhows –traditional Swahili fishing boats – from locally sourced trees. Here, boatbuilding is a skill passed down through generations with the handcrafted methods remaining unchanged for centuries. To see the finished articles in all their glory, get to the beach around 3pm when there can be as many as 40 going out at once with locals setting sail for the deeper waters of the Pemba Channel. If you are a morning person, you can see them return at daybreak, the boats hopefully laden with the day’s catch.

2

Dive the reefs

Nungwi’s position on the north coast means some of Zanzibar’s best diving sites are laid out before you. From here you have a choice to visit the amazing spots such as the marine reserve of Mnemba Island, known for pods of dolphins, abundant marine

3

The Mnarani Marine Turtle

Conservation Pond

Sea turtles are a common site while out diving, but life can be precarious for these reptiles, especially in infancy, with poachers and accidental capture in fishing nests among the daily perils. So, the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond, a protected natural tidal pool set in the coral rock behind Nungwi beach, was set up as a hatchery and sanctuary for green and hawksbill sea turtles. Visitors can get in the pool, swim with the turtles, and feed them seaweed.

A totally (or should that be turtally?) amazing experience.

4

Gallop along the sands

Nungwi is renowned for its wide stretch of white beach and the Zanzibar Horse Club offers the chance to ride on horseback over that powder-soft sand. The club has 25 horses of varying ages and sizes at its Nungwi stables for accompanied rides to suit all tastes and abilities. It has recently launched a three-sandbank ride, a three-hour trip that includes riding along the sandbanks and galloping through the shallow waters. A truly unique Zanzibar experience. 5

Beats on the beach

Nungwi likes to party and when night falls the main strip of beach bars come alive with DJ sets, live music, and plenty of picturesque opportunities to share the day’s adventures with friends. Whether you want a tranquil sundowner or to dance until dawn you’ll find something to suit you. There is also the option to take a 10-minute taxi ride to nearby Kendwa, especially recommended when its monthly full-moon parties come around.

Kehinde Temitope Odutayo courtesy of Shutterstock

A solar solution FOR SEAWEED FARMING

The sight of women dressed in colourful kanga wading out to tend to their seaweed farms at low tide has become an emblematic image of Zanzibar. The work is a major source of income and independence for women in coastal communities and a driver of the much-prized blue economy on the archipelago.

But for how much longer? Seaweed farming is vulnerable to fluctuations in climactic conditions and grows best in water temperatures of between 25°C and 30°C. However, global warming has brought average temperatures in the Western Indian Ocean over that limit, especially in shallow waters close to the coast. In response, local seaweed farmers are heading out to deeper, cooler waters to set up their farms and this requires boats.

This change in harvesting method has brought challenges for the women farmers. There is the expense of buying fuel for the two-stroke outboard motors as well as hiring a male boat operator with

the strength to yank the starter cord until the motor turns over.

As well as undermining the gender equality the industry supports, the petrol motors are a pollution risk with oil and exhaust water from the engines toxic to the seaweed and the marine creatures that live around it.

Green innovation

There may be a solution –solar-powered boats. The idea was hatched at global environment summit COP 26 Conference in Glasgow in 2021 when a delegation led by Capt Hamadi Bakari Hamadi – who has been assigned by the Zanzibar government to head its Blue Economy socio-economic development programme – met with Ian McLaren of the UK Department of International Trade and members of the technical team of ePropulsion UK, an electric propulsion manufacturer that was recently won the Green Innovator Award for its sustainable technology products.

To see how the idea would

Could the arrival of solar-powered boats signal a brighter future for the environmentally sensitive seaweed farming industry in Zanzibar? A new project believes its electric engines are the answer to improving farming yields without damaging the archipelago’s prized ecosystem.

A Zanzibari seaweed farmer works with the ePropulsion engine

Electric boats

work in practice, the ePropulsion team brought a demo boat to the seaweed farming communities of Paje and Kizimkazi on the east and south coasts, respectively, of Zanzibar’s largest island, Unguja. Capt Hamadi and Dr Salum Soud Hemed, Director of the Development and Fisheries Department, were there to meet them.

The boat’s arrival was the cause of much excitement with crowds gathering on the beach to see the craft lifted by hand into the water by a 20-strong team of locals.

The reaction from the women seaweed farmers was hugely positive. Steve Bruce, ePropulsion UK’s global OEM sales director said: “They loved it. I think their experience of boats had been that it was very much something only men

could do. So, they were amazed, they could just press a button and twist the handle. I think it really hit home that ‘hey, we can actually use this ourselves!’”

Win-win situation

The engine is run by a battery charged with energy from solar panels with the plan to fit the panels to the rooves of boat sheds on the beach. The goal for the ePropulsion team was to get the women out to the harvesting areas and back –with a full load of seaweed – at 4 to 4.5 knots. The weather in Zanzibar is tropical, but the sun is not always guaranteed, but the team believes on most days the boats could run entirely on the 600W from the solar panels and a fully charged 4kWh battery could last through four days or more.

It’s a plan where everyone, seemingly, is a winner. Women in the villages are empowered to handle the farming on their own, there is employment for the local economy in building and welding the solar panel roofs and the treasured marine life of Zanzibar gets clean water to thrive in. Electric propulsion may well be a feature of the future across Zanzibar and Tanzania soon. Dr Salum Soud Hemed is looking into a programme similar to the seaweed boats for the fishing industry on Lake Victoria and ePropulsion is in talks with the Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism to see how businesses can increase their profit and protect sensitive ecosystems by offering visitors the clean, silent experience of electric boating.

The engine has a long battery life

Seaweed is a key part of Zanzibar’s Blue Economy

They loved it. I think their experience of boats had been that it was very much something only men could do.

Competition A chance to win A VIP return trip from Dar to Zanzibar

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, answer the three questions below (they are all based on features in the magazine where you’ll find the answers). Email the answers, along with a photograph of you holding Issue 9 of Jahazi on your KFF journey to competition@landmarine.org by the closing date: 10 July 2023.

Answer these three questions

Azam Marine’s latest ferry, Kilimanjaro VIII, has a bird-themed nickname.

What is it?

What is the name of the traditional Swahili sailing boats that have been built by hand in Nungwi for centuries?

What is the tentacled main ingredient of mchuzi wa pweza?

Competition terms and conditions: Prizes dependent on availability. One entry per person. Entrants must be 18 years or over. The decision of the organisers will be final. The competition is not open to employees and their relatives of Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries, Azam Marine or Land & Marine Publications Ltd. The prize does not include travel to and from destinations.

How do you like the idea of traveling between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in VIP style and all for free? Well, that’s exactly what’s on offer in Jahazi’s prize competition this issue. Thanks to Azam Marine and KFF, one lucky winner will win a VIP return ticket from Dar ferry terminal to Stone Town port on Zanzibar Island. The journey across the Zanzibar Channel will be experienced in comfort and luxury in the catamaran’s VIP Lounge. They can relax in the

Last issue’s winner

Congratulations to Gidibo Tindwa? who wins a VIP return ticket from Dar to Zanzibar in comfort and luxury aboard one of KFF catamaran’s VIP Lounges

airplane-style leather seats and enjoy the great views and plenty of natural light from the surrounding floor-to ceiling windows. The winner will also enjoy free wi-fi, their own personal entertainment console with a library of films and TV programmes, complimentary drinks and snacks and – surely best of all – the latest issue of Jahazi to read at their leisure.

Calvin K

FROM FARM TO TABLE

Enterprising small-scale farmer Khunti Bashiri is using sunflowers to create a brighter future for herself and her community. The young woman from Pandambili in the Dodoma Region of Tanzania cultivates and transforms her sunflowers into nourishing and healthy sunflower oil.

Word of Khunti’s achievements reached visual artist Calvin K and he decided to document her work in photographs to showcase the dedication of women small-scale farmers that has been integral to making Tanzania one of the top 10 producers of sunflower oil in the world. Calvin says: “She is an inspiration to all those who strive to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system.”

Check out more of Calvin K’s wonderful work at calvink.co.tz

Five films to look out for at the Zanzibar Film Festival

The 26th Zanzibar Film Festival (ZIFF) takes place between June 24 and July 2 with a programme of cutting-edge cinema from Africa and beyond screened at venues across the island. Here the festival’s director, Martin Mhando, picks his films to watch out for.

Since its launch in 1997, the Zanzibar Film Festival (ZIFF) has gone on to become the largest cinema event in East and Central Africa with a reputation for showcasing groundbreaking films and emerging talent from all over the world.

This year’s festival has been given the theme of ‘Finding Identity’ with all the feature films, short films and documentaries selected for competition –with prizes including the festival’s prestigious ‘Golden Dhow’ awards

– exploring the many aspects of identity. Screenings take place at some of Stone Town’s most iconic and historic venues –such as the Old Fort – while there are also plenty of pop-up screenings at locations across the island. The opportunities to involve communities in some of the more rural parts of Zanzibar is an important part of the nine-day celebration of film music and art.

While ZIFF is an opportunity for East African creatives in the film industry to spread the word on their work and network

for more opportunities, the event seeks to be inclusive and to sweep up the entire island in the magic of cinema. To this end there is free entry to films for Zanzibari children, a Women’s Panorama that provides a focus for women’s issues and screenings in some of the island’s most remote villages.

A constant factor in the growth of ZIFF has been award-winning film director and academic Martin Mhando, who has been the festival’s director since 2006. Here he selects some of the films to watch out for.

A scene from NIA

A Story of Bones (UK)

In 2012, Annina van Neel became the chief environmental officer for a US$ 355 million project to build an airport on the British overseas territory of St Helena. The UK Government envisioned the finished airport bringing more tourists to the remote South Atlantic Ocean island and continues with the development even when the remains of 325 bodies – part of an African burial ground estimated to be the resting place of 10,000 former African slaves – was discovered on the land. Annina’s conscience would not allow her to continue in her role and instead she joined forces with renowned African American preservationist Peggy King Jorde and a group of disenfranchised islanders – many of them descendants of the formerly enslaved – to fight for the proper memorialisation of these forgotten victims. Her tireless search for justice is affectingly chronicled by directors Joseph Curran and Dominic de Vere.

Martin says: “The insensitivities of the colonial world regarding role race played in its history is discussed here in all its rawness. As the “developed” world’s view of itself becomes more critical so do we hope for our dream of egalitarianism to come true.”

Fraiha (Qatar)

This animated film is among a raft of recent releases considered to represent an exciting new wave of Qatari cinema. It was directed by Hossein Heydar, the Creative Director leading Qatar studio Nefaish Animation, who received funding the Doha Film Institute (DFI), which is committed to promoting local creatives such as Heydar and to promote film appreciation, education, and the development of a vibrant Qatari film industry. This animated short film explores the hidden story of a successful businesswoman and mother and was also selected to screen at Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival before coming to ZIFF.

Martin says: “What a beautiful rendition of hope in the face of despair. A charming story that allows viewers to enter a child’s world and not only experience it but more important understand what love is. Based on the real-life childhood events of writer-director Amal Al-Shammari, this tale focuses on six-year-old Amal overcoming her classroom literacy struggles with help from her loving mother, Fraiha.”

Katope (Tanzania)

This story of a young girl with magical origins who embarks on a perilous journey to put an end to a drought that her existence has brought to her community. The 13-minute film was co-created by husband-and-wife Walt and Rebecca Mzengi Corey and was shot in the village of Nzali in the Tanzania’s Dodoma Region and is told in the local language Gogo and Swahili. Director’s Walt original film idea was one of the winners of a competition organised by Unesco and Netflix with the international streaming service financing the filming of the six winning films in its series African Folktales Reimagined. ‘Katope’ is inspired by a traditional Tanzanian tale, updating the story with a fearless female protagonist and celebrating the transformative power of love, magic, and sacrifice.

Zanzibar film festival

NIA (Tanzania)

This visually stunning futuristic adventure has been described by its executive producer Seko Shamte as “a blend of art and film”. Nia, which means ‘purpose’ in Swahili, tells the story of Mwahamu, is a brilliant young student who aspires to graduate from Africa Utopia University class of 2028. However, tragedy befalls her and she is left feeling hopeless and depressed. The film then fast forwards to the year 2064 with the entire world in peril. One of the future world’s inhabitants believes only Mwahamu can save them and he tries to make contact. This cool slice of Afrofuturism has already been available to view on Clouds TV and YouTube, but ZIFF provides an opportunity to experience its eye-popping visuals on the big screen.

Married to Work (Kenya)

Another film with a Netflix connection with this Pan-African romantic comedy being released on the streaming service earlier this year. The screenplay is co-written by Tanzanian Angela Ruhinda – creative director of Black Unicorn Studios, which was behind hit film Binti in 2021 – and directed by Kenyan Philippe Bresson. The film is shot in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and follows an ambitious Kenyan woman, who despairs with her demotivated boss (played by Tanzanian actor and comedian Idris Sultan, whose original concept the film is based on). The feeling is mutual, but the pair are forced to feign feelings for each other when they pretend to be married to secure a lucrative client and save the real estate company from bankruptcy. If you think the couple continue disliking each other throughout the film you haven’t watched many rom-coms recently, but this perky, enjoyable film shows East Africa can do glossy cinema.

Martin says: “Married to Work presents Zanzibar as the ideal wedding location. This tourism-focused romantic comedy allows viewers

glimpses of magic of Zanzibar, and we are much the richer for it.”

For a full list of films selected for ZIFF 2023, go to zifffestival.org

For updates on special festival guests, screening times and locations and festival-related events, visit @zanzibarinternationalfilmfest on Instagram.

Ease STRESS at work

Achieving a healthy work-life balance has been a wellness goal for some time now. However, while we may meditate, walk in nature and socialise to maximise our downtime, are we being as self-supportive during work hours? Here are ten practical tips that will see your cortisol plunge and your career soar.

1

Set the limits of your workday

More of us than ever are working from home and while this has its perks – no commute, freedom to work in your pyjamas, and your kitchen footsteps away for snack breaks – it also can blur the parameters of the working day. Studies have been carried out that reveal home workers put in more hours during the work week yet were no more productive than their office counterparts. A solution is to set time blocks for your work to give your day structure and ensure you stay focused. You should also agree on a time when work stops each day to prevent it from taking over your home life. It helps to introduce an activity that signals to you that the workday is over, such as going out for a jog.

2

Set goals and keep checking in on them

Goals help you stay focused on the most important tasks. Set achievable daily and weekly goals and put them somewhere you will see frequently, such as on the fridge or bathroom mirror, so you can always be reminded of what you are working towards.

Know the difference between urgent and important Not knowing which tasks to prioritise at work is a recipe for stress and indecision. Unimportant and non-urgent tasks such as scrolling social media or shopping online should be avoided as barriers to productivity, but it is key also not to be constantly reacting to urgent tasks such as answering every email as it comes in. Major urgent tasks such as covering for a sick colleague or completing a last-minute deadline need to be dealt with swiftly or delegated. This should leave you more time to deal with important tasks that contribute to your long-term values, mission, and goals. Sometimes an important task can also be urgent, but this is unusual. When you’re focusing on an important task, you can work in a responsive mode, which can help you stay rational, calm, and open to new opportunities.

3

4

Share your goals at work

When you make it clear to colleagues what you are working on and how you are going to do it, you are less likely to be burdened with tasks that derail those intentions. It also gives you full control over how you are going to tackle a problem and takes away potential stress and anxiety.

5

Analyse your productivity

Everyone’s energy and focus tend to ebb and flow throughout the day. Analysing when those periods of flow state or distraction occur is key to maximising your time at work. If you are a morning person, best to use those early hours to get your most pressing and challenging tasks done while reserving simpler tasks such as checking emails for the afternoon.

6

Focus on one thing at a time

Multitasking may seem like a great way to get many things done at once, but the latest science suggests that it is less productive than doing a single thing at a time. There are even studies that suggest that multi-tasking shrinks the brain. So, if you find yourself trying to juggle work, family, health, and socialising it may be time to start compartmentalising. Being busy does not always equate to being productive.

7

Plan your holidays

Not scheduling annual leave to your work timetable will not end well. Feeling work is too hectic to contemplate time off usually results in burn-out and your holiday becomes more like sick leave. Not fun. Book dates for your break at the start of each year, make sure your colleagues know about them, and factor them into your work schedule early so there is no stressed-out rush to get tasks completed before you jet off.

8

Minimise digital distractions

When you have a deadline to hit, it is tough to get into a flow state if your phone/laptop is perpetually pinging with notifications. Most smartphones come with work mode settings to silence these interruptions and you can similarly keep your desktop distraction-free by closing all communication tabs. Then pop on the noise-cancelling headphones and channel your peak creativity.

9

Clean up your computer

I don’t mean wiping the doughnut crumbs from your computer keys after your morning snack (although you should do this too – a recent US study found that keyboards are 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat) but rather organising your computer’s desktop. Important items should be archived in folders or sub-folders so they do not get lost and are easily retrieved. Easy access to these files along with your favourite apps will ensure minimal delays when you get to work. 10

Write a to-do list

Make the most of the quiet and the promise of each morning by using the time to draw up a to-do list for the day. It must be achievable (ticking each task complete will be very rewarding) so limit it to around five tasks and select the order you’d like to complete those tasks. It will focus your day and will bring you back to the day’s purpose should surprise events momentarily derail you.

CLASSIC ZANZIBARI DISHES (AND WHERE TO EAT THEM)

Zanzibar’s storied heritage of trade with the Middle East, Portuguese invasions and immigrants from India coupled with its bounty of natural resources from seafood to spices has given the islands a unique and vibrant food scene. Here’s a guide to some of the islands’ best dishes (and where to eat them).

Mchuzi wa pweza (octopus coconut curry)

What is it?

Octopus is one of the tastiest and healthiest delicacies to enjoy in Zanzibar. The protein and anti-oxidant-packed crustacean is in ready, fresh supply here. As the Indian Ocean tide begins to ebb, you’ll see the coastline become busy with an army of Zanzibari men and women holding sticks and spears on the hunt for octopus trapped in coral rock pools. The day’s catch often ends up sliced and cooked in coriander, and then simmered in a fragrant coconut cream sauce in this Zanzibari classic dish.

Where to eat.

Lukmaan Restaurant is something of an institution in Stone Town. Renowned for its range of freshly made Zanzibar traditional cuisine, you can find excellent examples of every dish on this list here at its daily buffet, but we’ve gone for the mchuzi wa pweza. Join the crowds of locals – always a good sign of a restaurant’s quality – and pair you curry with rice of the restaurant’s homemade coconut bread.

Lukmaan Restaurant, New Mkunazini Rd, The Mkunazini Baobab Tree, Stone Town, Zanzibar City.

Opening hours: 7am to 9pm daily.

Bokoboko

What is it?

This hearty dish which is part porridge, part soup is made with ground meat, wheat and spices. Its popularity in Zanzibar stems from centuries of Arab influence on the Swahili coast. In Arab cuisine the dish is known as Harees and is flavoured with sugar and melted butter or ghee.

Where to eat.

Another local favourite for Zanzibari food in Stone Town is the lunchtime restaurant Al Jabry. Among the array of traditional Swahili favourites on its menu is a superb lamb bokoboko which packs in the flavour with a medley of local spices, including ginger, cardamom and cinnamon sticks.

Al Jabry Restaurant, Tharia St, Stone Town. Opening hours: 12-2pm daily.

Zanzibar Pilau

What is it?

Here’s another hearty Zanzibari favourite. This rice dish draws on the Swahili coast’s cultural connections with the Middle East and India with its name derived from ‘polow’, the word for rice in Persia, where the dish is believed to have originated. The flavour of the rice is bolstered with variety of nuts, dried fruits and vegetables as well as being flavoured by the islands’ rich array of warming spices such as clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. The Zanzibari version often comes served with a cucumber ‘salsa’ on the side.

Where to eat.

Top-floor restaurant The Silk Route rewards diners with fantastic views over Stone Town and a menu full of traditional dishes that reflect the Indian influence in Swahili cuisine. The pilau here is a fragrant delight.

The Silk Route, Mizingani Road, Stone Town.

Opening hours: 12pm to 3.30pm and 6pm to 10pm daily.

Urojo

This dish is also known as Zanzibar Mix and it is emblematic of the melting pot that is the archipelago with Swahili and Indian culture combining in this hearty, complex soup. Actually, to call it a soup doesn’t really do justice to its calorific hit with potatoes, sev (crispy chickpea flour noodles), fried bhajias, peanuts slowly simmering in a stock of turmeric, mango and flour. It is often piled even higher with boiled eggs and mishkaki grilled meat and finished off with kachumbari (tomato, onion, and cucumber salad) and a splash of fiery pili pili sauce.

Where to eat.

The rooftop Taarab Restaurant offers fantastic views over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean which are the stunning backdrop to some equally impressive food. The menu includes some traditional Zanzibar favourites, among them a super tasty urojo with the added touch of cassava strips fried to an irresistible crispiness.

Taarab Restaurant, The Spice Tree, Shangani, Stone Town

Opening hours: &am to 10pm daily.

Biryani

This is another India-influenced dish that has thrived in Zanzibar with the islands’ spices making the dish truly shine. The rice is cooked with a spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cumin, chilli, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves, and then mixed together with a meat or fish curry. Popular meats include fish, goat, and beef.

Where to eat.

As its name suggests, the Secret Garden restaurant is a hidden gem in Stone Town. Once a roofless ruin adjacent to the Emerson Spice Hotel, it has been turned

into a wonderfully atmospheric dining and live music location (Fridays are dedicated to live music which mixes traditional Swahili music with jazz) that becomes truly magical at night with the stars above you. The menu is renowned for its interesting twists on Zanzibari classics and there are two biryani options here – goat or vegetable – both served with classic Indian yoghurt sauce raita and mango pickle.

The Secret Garden, Tharia Street, Stone Town

Opening hours: 12pm to 10pm daily

WE ALL DIVE IN A YELLOW SUBMARINE

From July, Zanzibar is to get a brand new family-friendly reef exploring experience in the form of a semi-submarine that launches from Stone Town

Yellow submarine

Exploring the rich undersea world of the coral reefs of Zanzibar is one of the most popular pursuits for visitors to the archipelago. But diving or snorkelling is not for everyone: it can be impractical for families with young children, those that are not strong swimmers or shoppers in Stone Town who find themselves rather overdressed for a dip.

However, a new venture is offering a splash-free reef tour from the comfort of a submarine.

Zanzibar Submarine Tours will begin offering daily trips from Stone Town harbour from July. The company’s bright yellow semi-submarines have a seated viewing chamber 1.80 metres below the water surface to give passengers a diver’s view of the Indian Ocean coral reefs. A full HD screen provides information on the marine life you’ll see through the glass.

The tours leave Stone Town every hour and explore the beautiful corals surrounding Bawe Island, which is around 7km from shore and home to the second largest barrier reef in Zanzibar. Longer tours will also allow time for a beach picnic on a nearby sandbank.

For more information, visit zanzibar-submarine.com/

Choose your tour

The ‘Classic Reef’ Tour

A 90-minute round trip to Bawe Island with welcome drink.

The ‘Royal Beach’ Tour

This three-hour trip begins with the trip to Bawe Island, but guests are then transferred by a private tender for a Zanzibar-style brunch, sunbathing, and swimming.

The ‘Sunset and Moon’ Tour

One for the romantics. Beginning in the late afternoon, this two-hour trip takes guests on a harbour cruise and a chance to take in the sunset (with a complimentary sundowner, obvs) from the semi-submarine’s deck. As darkness falls, the vessel’s LED lights illuminate the sea bottom for an unforgettable nighttime journey.

‘VIP’ Tour

Want the submarine just for yourself and friends or a significant other? Well, the craft is available to hire out for private tailor-made tours

EXCLUSIVE ESCAPE

The Isaraya Luxury Over Water Villas are the latest high-end addition to the five-star Konokono Beach Resort on Zanzibar’s south-east coast. With private access to the tranquil waters of Chwaka Bay and butler service, they are the ultimate luxury escape in Zanzibar.

Location

The Michamvi Peninsula on Zanzibar’s south-east coast is renowned for its stretch of pristine white-sand beaches shaded by towering palm trees. The five-star Konokono Beach Resort occupies a spectacular slice of this paradisiacal setting with views out to shimmering, sheltered waters of Chwaka Bay.

Guests get to soak up this haven of oceanside tranquillity with accommodation options including beach pavilions built on the sand and a range of villas nestled in the resort’s lush gardens offering options for couples, larger groups and families. All are footsteps from the lapping waters, but the resort gets guests even closer with its latest launch. The Isaraya Luxury

Over Water Villas are built on a wooden jetty that curls out into the ocean from the beach. Each of the five villas has a sun deck for

uninterrupted views to the ocean horizon. It’s a front-row seat for some spectacular sunsets. The deck also gives direct access through a private stairway to the crystal-clear waters below.

For all its hideaway charm, the resort is still just over an hour’s drive from historic Stone Town with its Swahili heritage and around half that to national reserve Jozani Forest.

Atmosphere

Guests here feel close to nature and a world away from the everyday. The resort’s position on the peninsula and the thick vegetation that shrouds the beautiful beach – the ‘wow factor’ of the reveal is always a highlight of stays here – makes it the perfect hideaway. A stay at the villas ramps up that exclusivity even further with guests in their own over-water world. Each room with its makuti thatched roofs blended in

with teak, mahogany and mangrove wood is designed with all the luxuries you would want and offers its own private access to the water, butler service and the jetty even has its own restaurant exclusively for Isaraya patrons. Villa guests can venture on land and use any of the resort’s facilities, including its

outdoor pool overlooking the bay, restaurant, spa and gardens.

The resort treads lightly in its wild location so local flora and fauna can thrive and guests can connect with abundant wildlife here in peace and reconnect with themselves. Konokono preserves close to half of its extensive grounds as a conservation area with wild denizens including the red colobus monkey and Aders’s duiker.

Accommodation

Each water villa has its own secluded terrace with a 35m² sundeck, an infinity plunge pool and direct access to the Indian Ocean. It is a great spot to relax on a sunbed and watch the rosy romantic sunsets of Chwaka Bay. These can be enjoyed with a sundowner or an outside dinner. Speak to your friendly butler to set that up.

The interiors also maximise the priceless views with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout – you can even gaze over the waters from your bathtub – but should you want to prioritise a good night’s sleep each window has blackout shutters. There are plenty of modern comforts such as flat-screen satellite TV, luxury bathroom with free toiletries, air-conditioning and enormous beds.

Food and drink

Meals and more are included in your stay here and, in keeping with the care-free vibe of the resort, you can enjoy them whenever and wherever you want. The Isaraya Restaurant on the jetty caters just to villa guests for breakfasts, lunch and dinner, but there are options to enjoy meals in your room, sun deck, by the pool, the cliff-top Konokono Restaurant with panoramic views of the bay or even the beach. The cuisine is a fusion of international and local flavours with the kitchen

team making full use of Zanzibar’s famous spices and the wealth of freshly caught seafood.

Facilities

There are plenty of opportunities to bask in the natural beauty the resort

HOW TO GET THERE

is considerately nestled in. There’s the infinity pool with fantastic views of the vast beach. You can walk for kilometres along the white sand or venture into the lush forests that run sentinel to it. The resort’s Jungle Health Spa is a great place for some self-care with a range of treatments from expert staff.

There are also options to go snorkelling or scuba diving with the coral reef that fringes Zanzibar offering excellent opportunities to observe diverse marine life.

The resort can also organise trips to explore the of treasures of Unguja, Zanzibar’s biggest island, with options including tours of Stone Town, the spice and herb plantations, Jozani Forest and boat trips to some of the smaller islands in the archipelago. That’s if you can drag yourself away from the calm and comfort of the resort.

Precision Air flights from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar take around 20 minutes. A taxi from Zanzibar Airport or Stone Town will take one hour and 15 minutes. The hotel can arrange your transfers to and from the airport. The transfer is complimentary one way for minimum stay four nights and return for minimum stay six nights (only for bookings through the website). For more information, visit isarayazanzibar-water.com or @isarayazanzibar on Instagram

Sunsets here are spectacular

Sun and Moon

We have something special for our younger travellers in this edition of Jahazi. This charming short story was written and illustrated by Tanzanian schoolgirl Petra Kidanka. When the country’s schools were closed from March to June as part of 2020’s lockdown, Petra’s mother encouraged her then 10-year-old daughter to write her ideas down in story form. The results were so impressive that six of the stories were published as Petra’s Untold Stories that same year. Thank you, Petra, for letting us share one of those stories, Sun and Moon, in Jahazi today.

Once upon a time there were The Sun and The Moon. The Sun and The Moon were best friends, but they had never met. One day The Sun called The Moon and said: “Hey Moon will you please come to my birthday party tomorrow?”

The Moon said: “Sure, but we have never met”.

Then The Sun said: “So how are we going to meet?”

The Moon said: “I don’t know, please describe your place.”

Then The Sun said: “OK. Um... on top of me there are lots of clouds and skies and it’s bright”

Then The Moon said: “Bright? I’ve never seen that place before but I will try to find out.”

On next day in the morning The Moon was getting ready to go to the birthday party. On the way he was looking for the place but didn’t find it until the party was almost starting.

The Sun called The Moon and said: “Hey Sun, hurry up because

my birthday is almost starting”.

Then The Moon said: “Am trying my best to find you”.

The Sun said: “OK!”

The Moon missed the birthday party. At night, The Moon called The Sun and said: “I am sorry I missed your birthday Sun.”

The Sun said: “It’s okay you tried.”

Then The Moon went ahead: “Do you want to come to my birthday party next week?”

The Sun said: “Sure… but where do you live?

The Moon said: “Um... I live in a dark place filled with stars.” then The Sun said: “Dark place! I’ve never seen that place before. But it’s okay I will try my best to find it.”

One week later The Sun was getting ready to go to the party, after getting ready she started looking for the moon’s house but she did not find it. After a few hours The Moon called The Sun and said: “My birthday party is almost starting so hurry up.” Then The Sun said: “Am trying my best to find your house.” But The Sun did not find the house.

At night The Moon called The Sun and said: “Hello Sun how are you doing?”

The Sun replied: “Good, but sorry I missed your birthday party, Moon.”

Then The Moon said: “It’s okay but how come we never meet?”

Then The Sun said: “I only rise when it’s bright.” And The Moon said: “And I only come out when it’s dark”.

Then The Sun said: “So you rise at night. The Moon said: “I think so, and you only rise during the day because during the day its bright, right? The Sun replied: “I think so and I set at night”. Then The Moon said: “And I set during the day.” Then The Sun said: “So we can never meet but only talk through phones.

PETRA KIDANKA

Written and illustrated by Petra Kidanka. For more information on how to purchase Petra’s Untold Stories, email sbalisidya@gmail.com

THE BEST PERSONAL TRANSPORT TECH

Give the matatus a miss and take control of your urban mobility with these personal transport gadgets.

Minifalcon

E-scooters are an even more lightweight option than electric bikes, but the Cruzaa City X600 takes that portability to another level. Once your journey ends, you can fold it up and fit it in a backpack. The scooter impresses as a ride as well with a top speed of 25 km per hour and a range of 25 km on a single charge. To recharge it, simply clip off the battery and plug it into any normal plug socket in your office, home, or college. The battery also has a USB charging port to charge up your phone/ tablet and a built-in Bluetooth high-definition speaker so you can soundtrack your trip with your favourite music.

Where: electrodebikes.co.uk

Price: US$ 739

Onewheel Pint X

Onewheel is the fastest-growing board sport in the world. It certainly is a one-of-a-kind experience with the rider taking a side-on stance on a platform that seesaws over a single wheel. Tip the platform forward and the onewheel goes forward and speeds up, tip it back and it slows down and stops. Riding it feels like flying over the pavement. The Onewheel Pint X can take up to 18 km on one charge (a light bar tells you how much charge you have left on your ride) and reach a top speed of 18km. It is just as capable of handling off-road trails as it is urban streets so there are huge opportunities for one-wheeled adventure. Wherever you go, the linked Pint app will record your travel history.

Where: onewheel.com

Price: From US$ 1,400

Gyroor Hover Shoes

These self-balancing electric shoes combine the feel of roller skates and hoverboards for a cool riding experience. The shoes for adults and children balance themselves as soon as you stand on the footboards, but beginners may appreciate the supplied stabilizer rod that can be fitted between the two shoes for the first few outings. Soon you’ll be taking the shoes up to their top speed of 10 km per hour and enjoying longer journeys with a full battery charge taking you 10 km. Gentle movements on the footboards allow you to move forwards, backwards, turn and stop so you may soon be throwing in a few dance moves on your way to work.

Where: gyroor.com

Price: US$ 219

REVIEW

By Mark Edwards

AMX e-bike

The lightweight, high-performance bikes in the AMX range are perfect for the urban cyclist who wants the pedaling boost of an electric motor. You can decide how much you need from the rear wheel motor with five levels of assistance that can be selected on the handlebar keypad. Whatever level you choose, the AMX provides a noise-free ride. They are built for busy city commutes with large disc brakes for sudden stops, integrated front

and rear lights, Kevlar balloon tyres for comfort on rough terrain, and a waterproof frame. A full charge will give you up to 42 km of assisted cycling and if you are locking up your bike in a public place you can easily detach the battery from the frame and take it with you.

Where: analogmotion.com

Price: US$ 2,282

Skatebolt Breeze II

The urban sport of skateboarding is growing in Tanzania with skate parks in cities such as Arusha and Dodoma (should Rwanda be referenced?). Still, if you are more interested in going long distances than performing tricks and flips, an electric skateboard can save you time and effort. The Skatebolt Breeze II is a longboard with four-speed settings. It can take you up hills of up to 30 percent gradient and even when it reaches its top speed of 45 km per hour it maintains a smooth ride thanks to its bamboo and glass fiber board and shock-absorbing 100mm PU wheels. It is also water resistant so even rainy days won’t stop you from cruising the streets.

Where: urbanbikesdirect.com/ Price: US$ 599

Our fleet

Experience the finest, modern and swift ferry services in Tanzania

Our Catamarans

We have a fleet of eight vessels with a speed range of 25 knots up to 40 knots allowing passengers to be in Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam within 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Kilimanjaro VII

Kilimanjaro VI

Kilimanjaro V

Kilimanjaro IV

Travel information

Our services

Onboard hospitality services:

WiFi

Free Internet on board all our catamarans

Entertainment

Library of movies and TV shows to watch

Snacks

Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or Juice

VIP Lounge

Luxurious Lounge Dedicated to VIP and Royal class passengers.

Need to know

25 Kgs

Permitted Luggage is 25 kgs per person. Any additional will be chargeable.

Consumption and carriage of alcoholic beverages is highly restricted.

No refund policy on missed travel date or time. In case of cancellation, office should be informed at least two hours prior to departure.

Online bookings are not considered confirmed until a payment has been made.

Travel tips

All foreign passengers (not Tanzanian citizens) are required to carry their passports when traveling between the islands of Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania. Foreign passengers are required to pay for their tickets in US$. We do however accept payments in UK Pound Sterling (GBP) and Euro (€). All other currencies are not acceptable.

Foreigners with resident permits or exemption certificates are allowed to pay for their fares in Tanzanian Shillings and will be charged the normal fares applicable for citizens. Tanzanian citizens are encouraged to carry some identification to prove their citizenship. We recommend all passengers to buy their tickets from our offices in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Pemba and from our approved travel agents throughout the country. Please do not buy tickets from people in the streets claiming to be our agents.

Ferry schedules

DAR - ZNZ

Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

7 AM

9.30 AM

12.30 PM

4 PM

ZNZ - DAR

Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam

7AM

9.30AM

12.30PM

4PM

ZNZ - PEM

Zanzibar to Pemba

7.30AM (WED, THU, SAT, SUN)

PEM - ZNZ

Pemba to Zanzibar

7.30 AM (THU, FRI, SUN)

9AM (TUE)

PEM - TAN

Pemba to Tanga

2.30PM (SUN)

TAN - PEM

Tanga to Pemba

11PM (MONDAY)

Our destinations

Let us take you to Tanzania’s coastal cities and the islands of Zanzibar

Dar es Salaam

This fast-expanding city – population four million and counting – is Tanzania’s commercial and cultural hub. Traces of Dar’s beginnings as a Zaramo fishing village can be seen at the Kivukoni front where dhows dock at dawn laden with the night’s catch for the bustling fish market, but now gleaming skyscrapers dominate the skyline. This modern metropolis rocks around the clock with a vibrant music, food and art scene, but if you prefer to relax there are a string of serene beaches in easy reach as well as the nature escapes of Pugu Hills and Mikumi National Park.

Zanzibar

Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibar archipelago, is a treasure trove for tourists. Those who snorkel, scuba or windsurf will love its reef-protected cerulean

waters while its vibrant and unique Swahili heritage will fascinate culture vultures and its famous spices perfume the air and flavour the food. Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries delivers you to one of the island’s greatest attractions, Stone Town, the capital’s ancient port. Here you can explore its maze of bazaars, cafés, mosques and mansions that are vestiges of the island’s pivotal role in trading along the East African coast.

Pemba

As its Arabic name, which translates as “the green island”, suggests, Pemba has a lush landscape, combining the cultivated and the wild. There are plantations of banana, coconut and cloves as well as expanses of mangrove forest. With far fewer hotels than its Zanzibar big brother Unguja, 80 km south, it provides an exclusive escape for the adventurous traveller with remote attractions including the dense canopy of monkey-magnet Ngezi Forest and the private paradises of isolated sandbanks. Its white sand beaches are ringed on all sides by coral reefs which offer some of east Africa’s best snorkelling and diving – with marine life including humpback whales in July and August.

Tanga

When its sisal farming was in full flight, Tanga was earmarked as the capital of Tanzania, but it now offers more low-key charms. It still has a busy port – the second largest in the country – with our ferries crossing to Pemba – and plenty of attractions for the visitor. Its history as an Arab trading post before the Germans and British vied for colonial control in its sisal

Dar es Salaam waterfront Gideon Ikigai / Shutterstock.com

Pemba Island

heyday has left a town with some fascinatingly eclectic architecture, especially the gothic Bombo Hospital. The ocean offers great dhow sailing, there is a rich coral reef for diving enthusiasts and Tanga’s proximity to the Saadani National Park makes it the only city with a wildlife sanctuary incorporating a marine park in the region. Other nearby attractions include the Amboni Caves and the Swahili trading outpost of Pangani.

Contacts

Bookings: azammarine.com

+255 22 2123324

info@azammarine.com

Follow us: @azammarine

kilimanjaro fastferries

officialazammarine

Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries

Opposite St. Joseph Cathedral Sokoine Drive, PO Box 2517

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Email: info@azammarine.com

www.azammarine.com

Tel: +255 22 212 3324

Tanga

Puzzle page

Deep sea fun and puzzles

Sea spell

From the letters supplied in each box can you spell out the name of the sea animal?

FIND THE WAY TO ALL THE PEARLS SPOT THE SEVEN DIFFERENCES