Africa

For over two thousand years the East African coast has lured travellers and traders alike from many distant shores. Zanzibar became the most powerful centre of a rich and lucrative trade route with Asia supplying gold, ivory and slaves, serving as the main power base for the Sultans of Oman and a gateway to the African continent for a number of European explorers such as Speke, Burton and Livingstone. Now offering visitors idyllic white sandy beaches and a wealth of historical and cultural interest, Zanzibar is the 'jewel in the crown' of the East African coast.

The tranquil and relatively little visited islands of Pemba to the north of Zanzibar and Mafia to the south of Dar es Salaam offer a fascinating insight into a traditional way of life little changed over the centuries. Just a handful of small lodges operate on these islands, ideal for those seeking world-class scuba diving and deep-sea fishing opportunities.

Meanwhile the mainland Tanzanian coast to the north and south of Dar es Salaam offers a delectable and unspoilt stretch of coral sand that extends for mile upon mile. This part of the coast has just a few farming and fishing villages dotted along its shoreline with nearby coral reefs and natural lagoons offering shelter to myriad forms of ocean life. A place of immense contrasts, this Indian Ocean coastline remains mysterious, beautiful and intriguing.