Travel stories

Adventure cycling tour Zanzibar

Arriving in Jambiani
We started our cycling trip in Zanzibar on November 29th with a lovely relaxing day in Jambiani. The weather was perfect, with a cooling breeze, and we spent the morning in the pool. Around 10:00 our bikes and guide arrived, and we were able to try on the bikes and ride them in on the sand right away. We were given an extra bag for luggage, which turned out to be a perfect fit. In the evening we enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Nur Beach Resort and had time to completely relax.

Cycling to Mtende
Today was the first real cycling day. At 9:30 we left for our new accommodation in Mtende. It was hot, but luckily the wind brought some cooling. The route was not easy, with many bad roads, but we cycled through picturesque villages where the children greeted us cheerfully. We stopped along the way for peanuts and fruit, and our guide shared many stories about the island. In Mtende we were welcomed by the staff of the green lodge full of trees and playful monkeys in it. The day ended with a boat trip over the sea for the sunset, although unfortunately it was shortened a bit by a storm. Nevertheless, it was an impressive and nice day.

To Kiponda and Stone Town
Today we cycled to Stone Town, a ride of about 30 km. It was cloudy, which made the temperature pleasant, and we were able to cycle well. Along the way we stopped for exotic fruits such as mangoes and red bananas. The last part was a big off-road challenge, but we managed well. In Stone Town we had to pull our bikes into a small boat to cross, and then we travelled by truck to the city centre. In the evening we enjoyed dinner at the beautiful, Arabic-inspired The Seyyida Hotel & Spa.

Spice Farm and Babubu
We started the day with a bus ride to a Spice Farm, where we tasted all sorts of fruits, including lychees and jackfruit, and learned about the spices of the island. The ride there was an adventure in itself, with the bus getting more and more crowded. After the Spice Farm we cycled to our resort, the Mangrove Lodge in Babubu, a quiet spot with a beautiful beach and a swimming pool. We had the opportunity to have dinner on the beach, which was a great way to end the day.

Long day of cycling to Nungwi
Today we had a long ride of 56 km on the program. We were a bit worried about the heat, but luckily it started raining, which made it much more bearable. On the way we stopped for lunch and cycled through a school, where we were warmly greeted by the children. When we arrived in Nungwi, we enjoyed the beach at Flame Tree Cottages and a barbecue on the beach with a local band, a perfect end to a long day.

To Pongwe
Today we cycle to Pongwe, a ride that took us through more poor areas. The guide told us about a new apartment building for the local residents, but we couldn’t help but think about the difficult living conditions. On the way we met many children who waved happily. The resort in Pongwe was a fairytale, with a house for ourselves, overlooking the beach and the ocean. A beautiful place to relax.

Last day of the bike tour
Today was our last day of cycling, and what a day it was! The temperature was high, but we had gotten used to the heat and adjusted our pace. We crossed a bay in a small boat, bike and all. Great. We had lunch in a restaurant on the beach and cycled the last bit on the hard sand of the beach. It felt like paradise when we arrived at our resort. After a refreshing dip in the pool, we enjoyed dinner at the resort. We also saw some monkeys in front of our house – a perfect end to a great bike tour.

Relaxation in Jambiani
Today we gave ourselves time to relax. The resort felt like a bounty island, with beautiful new facilities and a welcoming atmosphere. We swam, cycled a bit, walked along the beach and enjoyed the slow pace of the island. It was a day to take it all in and enjoy the simple pleasures of Zanzibar.

Monkeys and a local party
In the morning we saw monkeys again, this time the Zanzibar colobus monkeys, which showed themselves in abundance. It was special to see how the little ones climbed through the trees, while the adults played quietly around us. In the evening we went to a small park for a traditional children’s party. It was great to see how the girl posed in her beautiful traditional outfit and the cake was cut. Very special moments to experience.

Cycling to Paje
This morning we cycled a nice bit to Paje. The weather cleared up, and we spent the rest of the day at the pool. In the evening we cycled in the dark to a pizzeria, another new experience but completely fine. The food was surprisingly tasty, and we enjoyed a delicious meal in a cozy atmosphere.

Rain and a local dining experience
Today there were showers for the first time since we were in Zanzibar. We took a walk by the sea and enjoyed the refreshing water, until a heavy rain shower caught us. Luckily we had our swimwear on, and it only made the experience more adventurous. In the evening we went to a small local chicken restaurant, where we unexpectedly met the first Dutch people. It was a cozy, authentic experience.

Monkeys and a nice dinner
After a lovely bike ride to the city in the wind in the morning, we enjoyed a quiet day at the pool. In the afternoon we enjoyed another monkey show. The monkeys just move across the land and come to the tree in the resort for the berries. In the evening we ate at the pizzeria again, a lovely restaurant with a nice atmosphere.

Flight to Dar es Salaam
On our last day in Zanzibar we take a domestic flight to Dar es Salaam. The plane is small, but the flight is super fun and an adventure in itself. We arrived at a different part of the airport, but were met by a driver who took us to terminal 3.

This trip was for us a perfect combination of adventure, relaxation and discovery. Zanzibar not only challenged us physically but also enriched us emotionally with its beauty and the warmth of the people we met along the way.