Zanzibar Archipelago - Tanzania - page 195

Forest Reserve ( 8am-5pm) protecting indigenous coral rag forest, red colobus and oth-
er monkeys, a wealth of bird and plant species, deep coral caves and water reservoirs. There
are a few short nature trails, and it's possible to enter some of the caves. Visits can be or-
ganised with Stone Town tour operators, or with Pongwe- and Kiwengwa-area hotels.
The intimate and unassuming Pongwe Beach Hotel ( 0773-000556, 0784-336181;
www.pongwe.com ; garden-/sea-view r US$170/190; ) has 16 bungalows (including
one honeymoon bungalow with a large Zanzibari bed) nestled among the palms on a won-
derful arc of beach. Most are sea-facing (three are garden view), spacious and breezy, the
cuisine is good, and when you tire of the turquoise panoramas at your doorstep, there's an
infinity pool, fishing and excursions to Stone Town. It's justifiably popular, good value and
often fully booked.
Set on the beach south of Pongwe village, Santa Maria Coral Park ( 0777-432655;
www.santamaria-zanzibar.com ; s US$30-40, d US$60-80, tr US$90-100) is a laid-back
beach haunt with accommodation in no-frills thatched bandas, stone-and-thatch bungalows
or a newer double-storey bungalow. All have fans, bathroom and (sometimes) hot water.
There's a restaurant with basic seafood meals, and the chance for snorkelling or excursions
in local fishing boats. The beachside bar has music and a bonfire in the evenings.
Dalla-dallas to Pongwe depart from Zanzibar Town's Mwembeladu junction; take dalla-
dalla 501 from Darajani towards Amani stadium and ask to be dropped at Mwembeladu
(Tsh300, 10 minutes), from where you can get dalla-dalla 233 to Pongwe-Pwani (Tsh1500,
one hour), and then walk the last short stretch.
UROA
This nondescript village lies on a seldom-visited stretch of beach, which is better than that
at nearby Chwaka but still not up to the level of other east-coast destinations. It's a reason-
able choice if you want to enjoy the sea breezes and sand away from the crowds.
Tamarind Beach Hotel ( 0747-411191; www.tamarindhotelzanzibar.com ; s
US$68-100, d US$100-150, tr US$129, d with air-con US$130; ) , on a placid pine-
fringed beach, is one of the oldest hotels on the east coast. The gardens are scruffy and dry,
and the hotel's age is starting to show, but the stone-and-thatch bungalow-style rooms are
reasonable value, all with sea views, small porch and heavy wooden Zanzibari doors. One
room has air-con, and there's a restaurant.
Nearby is the Italian-run Uroa Bay Beach Resort ( www.uroabay.com ; s/d US$105/170;
) , with pleasant rooms in attached bungalows set around green grounds behind a
large whitewashed wall.