A complete change of scenery on the island of Pemba

Seen like that, the island of Pemba seems isolated. But don't worry, it's easy to get to. From the main island of Unguja, simply take a plane to Pemba. In just half an hour, you'll be flying from one paradise to another. What's more, you'll be travelling in small planes that fly at low altitude, giving you the chance to admire the magnificent panorama offered by the Indian Ocean.

If you feel like it, you can opt for the ferry boat, but the crossing is a little longer... It takes at least 8 hours to reach Pemba from the capital of Stone Town. But sailing to Pemba is a sure way of finding yourself in a lost and enchanted paradise. While the main island of Zanzibar attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year (more than 500,000 in 2019), the island of Pemba has just a few thousand (6,000 in 2019). As you will have gathered, this haven of peace has the luxury of being preserved from mass tourism, much to the delight of those who venture there.

Like everywhere else in Zanzibar, it is customary for tourists to enjoy long stretches of white sand, snorkelling in the clear waters of the lagoons lining the beaches, and enjoying a good cocktail at sunset. Pemba is no exception to the rule, but has something that the rest of the archipelago doesn't really have any more; places untouched by people where it's not uncommon to find yourself alone. Fans of absolute peace and tranquillity will be enchanted by this place. It's also an island that's often favoured by honeymooners looking for the intimacy of a romantic paradise far from everyone and everything.

The island of Pemba boasts a rich and varied coral reef. There is a wide variety of coral and scuba diving enthusiasts will be delighted by the impressive aquatic flora and fauna that can be found in these waters. You're sure to catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins, turtles or the majestic manta rays as you make your way around a patch of reef. Depending on the season, you may also witness the majestic ballet of other giants of the ocean. From August to September, the humpback whale migrates through the Zanzibar archipelago. And from November to March, the world's largest fish, the whale shark, sails offshore. Whether you opt for scuba diving or snorkelling, your sea outings will be memorable and magnificent.

What's more, the green island, as it is nicknamed, will win you over with its abundant natural beauty. This verdant island is the lungs of the archipelago. Tropical forests and unspoilt mangroves enhance this image of a wild island. And don't forget that Zanzibar is also known as the "spice island", with vast clove plantations in Pemba. There are also beautiful coconut, banana and rice plantations.

Although warming up in the sun is the most popular activity for tourists, don't forget to explore the island's rainforest. The Ngezi forest once covered almost the entire island. Today, a vast 2,500-hectare expanse of it remains, and has been transformed into a protected national park. During your visit to the park, you can choose between two trails that take you into the intimacy of the forest. The shorter "joshi trail", which lasts around 1 hour, allows you to observe colobus monkeys, birds of all kinds and bats. If you opt for the longer hike, you'll cross the entire forest to reach Vunawimbi beach. It's the perfect combination of a beautiful forest walk and a well-deserved swim. And if you want to take the experience a step further, why not take a night hike and discover the island's galagos (a small African primate) and owls?