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TUMBATU ISLAND ADVENTUREšFull Day ā¶ļø $115
102 km
Tumbatu Island Unguja North Region TZ
See route
Bespoke Day Tours & Activities (which canāt be arranged last minute)
The large and seldom visited island, just off the northwest coast of Zanzibar is inhabited by the Watumbatu people who speak their own dialect of Kiswahili and claim to be descendants of the Shirazi from Persia. When in the 9th century Shirazis first came to Unguja and Pemba, they came as traders. They arrived on dhows during the northeast monsoon (November - March), bringing Islamic pottery, Chinese porcelain, dates and clothes, among many other items; and returned home to Persia with slaves, ivory, animal skins, tortoiseshells and some food products, much of which originally came from the mainland. Some of these people settled in Unguja Ukuu, Kizimkazi and Tumbatu in the 13th century. - F u l l D a y - T U M B A T U I S L A N D A D V E N T U R E 1 Pax - US$ 235 / 2 Pax - US$ 145 / 3 Pax - US$ 125 / 4 Pax and more - US$ 115 per person This is a truly unique experience! Tumbatu is one of Zanzibarās best-kept secrets, as the inhabitants are very selective about whom they grant access. To enter the island you need special permission from the elders. The Watumbatu ā inhabitants of Tumbatu - are living in a very close-knit, self-supporting community. Many of them have never been to Unguja. You wonāt find cars or scooters there; Tumbatu has only one road to walk on, even though this is the place where in the 11th century, the Shirazi built the first stone building in the entire Zanzibar Archipelago! Arriving at the beach of Ras Mskitini, you will see how the Watumbatu prepare their fishing nets and fish traps, as well as how they build and maintain their boats ā all by hand! After a short walk, you will arrive at the school of Ras Mskitini and learn about who built the school and the importance of the huge old baobab trees to the community. We will show you the unspoken secrets of Tumbatu, as they are world famous for witchcraft, but also how the women create an income through "Ukili" (plaiting palm leaves). There are ruins of ancient Persian type scattered along the shore in the southeast of the island, opposite Mkokotoni. The age of these ruins has not been definitely determined, but an Arab named "Yakut", mentioned their existence in a geographical dictionary at the beginning of the 13th century
TUMBATU ā special information: The Tumbatu Island Day Trip is a very special excursion and is only possible based on the trust of the communityās elders. Therefore we have put together the following information and guidelines; please read it carefully and follow it, for the benefit of all.
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Please follow the rules and directions given by your guide and show respect to the Watumbatu at all times.
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Photographs are only allowed after you get permission from our guide.
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NOT allowed is beachwear or shoulder-free T-shirts! It is best to wear wide, long trousers (which will be provided for men as a gift to take back home) with a Polo Shirt or T-shirt!
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You have to wear a khanga (which will be provided for ladies as a gift to take back home) around your hip and for women a scarf/ khanga to cover your hair!
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You may have to walk knee-deep in the sea the boat and the beach before entering the boat or reaching the island, depending on the tides. You need waterproof shoes and clothes which can be pulled up or get wet.
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Sun protection and a hat/cap are really important.
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During this excursion, we are not able to serve a regular lunch. We will provide lunch boxes, packed with seasonal fruits & soft drinks.
Please ask for additional transfer costs if you donāt stay in Kendwa or Nungwi.
