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 entrepôt 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...
