Vacation Spots in Africa

Without a doubt one of my favourite vacation spots in Africa is not on the mainland at all, but on the island of Zanzibar.

It is a tiny hotel on the north east coast of Zanzibar called the Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel, and given the chance I would go back there again

Most people who take a vacation in Africa, want to go on safari, and I am no exception, but having said that a safari is not a vacation, indeed it isn't really relaxation, but quite hard work, and at the end of a week you need to find somewhere to relax.
At this point you need to decide what you want to do, and of course most people will opt for a beach vacation, possibly in Kenya, Mozambique, or Tanzania, and there are several idyllic spots.

After much thought I chose Zanzibar, and not wanting crowds of people, plus the fact I wanted a white sand beach, I chose Ras Nungwi, and was very grateful I did.

The only downside was it meant a small, dozen seater, single engine aircraft where we were compressed like sardines, for the twenty minute flight over the channel from Dar Es Salaam, to Stonetown. It was only later I realised I hadn't seen a lifejacket!!

The journey up to Ras Nungwi is a good hour plus, mostly over unmade up tracks, until we suddenly reached the north east tip of the island, saw turquoise sea, and a gate was opened to reveal our hotel.

First impressions were good, the staff very welcoming, and the family accommodation we had booked, meant quite the biggest seating outside with several highly coloured Zanzibar day beds and tables.
The rooms were spacious, and comfortable, and we instantly felt totally relaxed.

The beach was powder white, and whilst swimming wasn't an option at low tide, you were able to walk for ever it seemed out towards the reef, and there were plently of warm pools to dip into, it was just beautiful to look back at the thatched roofs of the hotel.
Swimming came into its own as the tide began to come in, and although at high tide swimming wasn't really possible as the tide covered the beach, and there were quite big waves, there was a lovely little hotel pool for our children, whilst parents lay back and unwound on sunbeds.

The food we thought was exceptional, even fresh lobster on the barbecue evenings, and some exceptional 'a la carte ' at lunch and dinner, served by friendly ever smiling staff, who took the time to chat.

The boat boy was terrific with my nervous wife on a snorkeling trip, although beware of the wallowing in the dhows if you tend to feel seasick, and then to top it all the boat boy rescued my wife's prescription glasses from the bilges after we returned fearing them lost forever.

This is a truly lovely place to spend a week, I find it difficult to understand those people who complain. It is one of my favourite Vacation Spots in Africa.