From
Seashore to Safari: Pemba Island and Manta
Resort
by Jerry W. Bird, Editor
Not long ago, thanks to
Nicola Colangeno and the Coastal Aviation
team in Dar es Salaam, we discovered that
East Africa's Swahili Coast is the ideal
place for the laid back vacation of a
llifetime. In these enchanted islands that
have won the raves of our readers and travel
industry colleagues from near and far, we
learned the true meaning of the Swahili
expression 'Pole-Pole,' which we readily
adopted as our motto. Together, those catchy
words and a local song by the same name, are
sure to invoke a feeling of euphoria, Swahili
style.
Our first-ever Seashore
to Safari experience was a rare chance to
enjoy the best of two worlds - the many
delights of an Indian Ocean Swahili
Shangri-la and a world class safari at camps
in Selous and Ruaha. Details on these and all
Tanzania National Parks can be seen in the
"Tanapa" section of this Best of Africa World
Edition. Coastal Aviation services the three
main islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago -
Pemba Island in the North, near the Kenya
border - Zanzibar (Unguja) in the middle -
and Mafia, Island, southernmost of the chain.
The big three, and dozens of smaller islands
off their shores provide an opportunity to
explore by canoe, sailing boat, ferry, motor
launch or the classic 'dhow,' which has plied
these warm, idyllic waters for many
centuries.
History and
Culture
The dhow is a symbol of
the local culture. This traditional Arab
sailing vessel has one or more lateen sails,
and is seen along the coasts of the Arabian
Peninsula, Pakistan, India, and here in East
Africa. Some dhows accommodate as many as 30
persons They are a reminder that while the
western world slumbered through the Middle
Ages, here on the Indian Ocean coast, trade,
commerce and civilization thrived. It became
the meeting place for cultures from China ,
the Indian subcontinent, Persia and Arabia,
each adding to the mosaic and fabric of the
rich Swahili tapestry. A common sight along
the Swahili Coast of East Africa, the dhow is
honored by the Festival of Dhow Countries in
June and July.
(http://www.ziff.or.tz/)
Gem of the Indian
Ocean
Pemba is a jewel from a
sparking necklace of large and small islands
in the famous archipelago, 50 km north of
Zanzibar. Most fertile of the 'Spice Island'
group, Pemba has been the prime source of
most of Zanzibar's famed clove production, in
addition to other cash crops. Pemba is also
the East African hub of traditional medicine,
where folks from as far away as Central
Africa come for healing or to learn the
ancient arts. A blessing for today's visitor
is the fact that Pemba was closed to all
foreigners until the 1980s. That's why the
beach areas a so pristine and uncrowded.
Pemba is geologically older than Zanzibar
Island and was settled earlier than its
better known counterpart
Sport and
Adventure in the Deep
The sport of Bull
Fighting was introduced by the Portuguese,
first of the Europeans to become involved in
this area. This spectacular activity can be
seen in different villages. Of special note,
Pemba is earning worldwide notice for its
outstanding dive sites, with vertiginous
drop-offs, untouched coral and a great
variety and abundance of marine life.
Chake-Chake, the mid-island capital of Pemba
is perched on a hill, with a view of the bay
area and the Misali Island, where the tides
determine when a dhow can enter the harbor.
To its west, on the Ras Mkumbuu Peninsula,
visitors will discover some of the oldest,
best preserved ruins in the archipelago. Why
is Pemba famous for its rich fishing grounds?
Here, between the
island and mainland is the deep 20 miles wide
Pemba Channel, known as one of the most
profitable locations for game fishing on the
East Africa coast. With a booming tourism
industry in Zanzibar and the coast of
Mainland Tanzania, many adventure travelers
from the USA, UK and beyond, have been
attracted to the more pristine, less-crowded
Pemba Island. The catalyst is 'dive tourists'
who relish the uncrowded and unspoiled reefs
the island offers to experienced
divers.
Visitors enjoy Pemba's
Swahili culture, beach activities,
snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, exploratory
tours, cruises and world class diving at some
of the finest reefs or the deep waters of the
Pemba Channel. Where there's great fishing,
there's also fabulous seafood - so be
prepared to enjoy.
New World Class
Project
Over a decade ago
Monsoon Empires, The Management company, laid
the foundations on northern Pemba Island to
create its first land based accommodation.
They knew that their discriminating clients
would enjoy the bliss of being alone on an
island and exploring undiscovered reefs, and
empty beaches. As they said at the time, "We
built simple structures, called them tented
rooms, and used a small boat to get around.
How simple it was to please people then. Then
ambition and competition set in. We did
whatever we could to improve our level of
accommodation, services and excursions. We
moved on to wooden chalets, coral rooms,
yachts.
A bigger lounge. A
bigger verandah. A pool. But still no end in
sight." Early this year the resort was
acquired by Resort Investor, and the resort
is now run by the management company Monsoon
Empires. The new owners have developed the
first underwater resort, based on a
successful concept from Sweden, planned to
launch on Pemba during 2009.
Recent
Developments
During the period of
April to August, the Manta Resort has gone
through a major facelift, with new guest
rooms and public areas. At the heart of the
resort you will find Oxygene Pemba, a PADI 5
star Dive Center, offering a combination of
diving, snorkel ling, fishing and water
sports.
• In the front
there will now be six Seafront Villas,
dedicated to comfort and romance. The
honeymoon market as well as guests that
demand elevated levels of service is a
growing segment of business.
• Air conditioned,
large bathrooms, private sea side verandahs -
all the trimmings.
• The brand new
Village are ten cottages nicely set in the
gardens with wooden floors, mosquito net
covered king size beds, lamu screen floored
en-suite bath rooms, and a makuti-thatched
verandah &endash; all with views overlooking
the Pemba channel.
• The sea side
Kipepeo Spa offers all customers soothing
massage treatments that have become an
expected service in boutique
lodges.
•A watersports
centre, a swimming pool, and a beach lounge
will form the hub of the clients' social life
during the day.
• Dining
facilities have been increased, as well as
the main bar and lounge relaxing area,
overlooking the amazing views of the Pemba
channel. The Manta Resort has the potential
to become the most unique ocean product in
the world.
The Manta Resort,
Pemba Island, Tanzania
www.themantaresort.com
+254 (0)
41471771/2,
info@themantaresort.com
Coastal Aviation .
safari@coastal.cc
Tanzania Tourist Board
ttb@ud.co.tzTanzania
National Parks (Tanapa)
info@tanzaniaparks.com
Festival of Dhow
Countries.
www.ziff.or.tz
