We took a half-day boat trip (🎟️15 USD + 23 USD conservation fee) to the famous Prison Island, or Changuu Island. It has a history rooted in controlling and isolating people. Initially, a holding ground for rebellious slaves by Arab traders, it became a quarantine station for infectious...
We spent a few days in Nungwi, a highly popular and well-regarded destination located on the northernmost tip of Zanzibar Island. It’s known for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a vibrant atmosphere that balances a traditional village feel with...
Pongwe Beach on Zanzibar’s east coast is known for its tranquil, secluded atmosphere, perfect for a quiet retreat with powdery white sand, calm, reef-protected waters ideal for swimming, and beautiful sunrises. It offers a peaceful alternative to more crowded beaches, with a focus...
Our next stop was the relaxed lakeside town of Karongi (commonly known by its old name, Kibuye), another good place to enjoy Lake Kivu. We hired a boat (50 USD / 4 hours) and visited the lake’s islands. Most famous is Napoleon Island, named for its resemblance to the pint-sized French...
Rwanda may be landlocked, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying a day at the beach. Kivu’s gently lapping waters and soft sands do the trick – throw in a few beach bars and palm trees to add that tropical feel. Rubavu (which most locals still call Gisenyi) is a sprawling town...
After a bad experience in Kisoro, we drove to relax at Lake Bunyonyi, an archipelago of 29 islands. It is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, and this remote, quiet spot makes a perfect getaway. Its gorgeous scenic views include crop terraces growing cassava and sweet potato and hilly...
Again, we had bad news in Mombasa: Our cargo was still with customs and would not be cleared in the coming days. So we decided to go to the famous Diani Beach. With a flawless, long stretch of white sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani...
Lamu is a town, port, and island in the Indian Ocean off the East African coast, 240 km northeast of Mombasa. A former Persian, then Zanzibari, colony, Lamu Island rivaled Mombasa until the late 19th century as an entrepĂ´t for gold, spices, and enslaved people. The town of Lamu, the...
Our expedition arrived in Malindi just a few centuries after Vasco da Gama’s fleet landed here in 1498. The town has had its fair share of fortune hunters ever since. It’s a bustling town that doesn’t quite have the architecture of Lamu or the easy-going charm of Watamu...
We spent day and night in Watamu, a small coastal town with a relaxed village atmosphere. It’s known for Watamu Marine National Park, which covers three bays: Watamu, Blue Lagoon, and Turtle – and they’re all white-sand, aquamarine, coconut palm-lined natural beauty. Seabirds...