Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to start running again without making any significant safety improvements so we recom-
mend asking about particular ships before buying tickets.
Schedules exist more in theory than reality.
Sea Bus
(economy/1st-class US$40/45) boats,
the fastest and least likely to cancel, depart Dar daily at 7am and Zanzibar at 10am arriving
in Pemba about 1pm. They leave Pemba at 8am.
Sea Gull
(economy/1st-class US$20/30)
runs only three times a week leaving Dar at 10am and Zanzibar at 10pm; it arrives in Pemba
about 6am the next morning. It turns around from Pemba at 9.30am. Safeguard your lug-
gage on the overnight trip.
Sepideh
(economy/1st-class US$45/50), the least reliable, only
travels between Zanzibar and Pemba. Boats leave Zanzibar at 8am and take about seven
hours. Sometimes they turn around right away and sometimes wait until the next day to
return. Tickets for all companies can be booked commission-free at various businesses in
Chake Chake, Wete and Mkoani. It's usually possible to buy tickets at the last minute, but
buying as early as possible is the best plan.
Normally there's an infrequent (less than weekly on average) boat between Wete and
Tanga. Though it wasn't running at research time, service should resume again. Passengers
are prohibited on the semiregular dhows connecting Wete to Tanga and Mombasa, Kenya,
but captains regularly let them on board for Tsh15,000 to Tsh20,000. Inquire around the
port if you're interested. See the boxed text,
Click here
for information about the realities
of dhow travel before trying it.
An immigration officer usually meets the boats to have arrivals from the mainland fill out
a meaningless card. If you don't see them at the port and you aren't coming from Zanzibar,
you're supposed to go the immigration office and sign in.
GETTING AROUND
Pemba is small, but getting around by public transport takes time and patience. Crowded
dalla-dallas (and a few comfortable coasters) plod down the main roads, most of which are
sealed, but for many places you'll have to get off at the nearest junction and walk, wait
for a lift or try to negotiate an additional fee with the bus driver to deliver you. There are
few taxis. Cycling is an excellent way to explore Pemba; distances are relatively short and
roads are lightly travelled.
PEMBA PECULIARITIES
Tourism in Pemba is different from anywhere else in the country, even Zanzibar.
Keep the following in mind.
