Overview

The original and the best, Safari Blue is a full day excursion on locally made, traditional sailing dhows. Safari Blue starts from the fishing village of Fumba, 30 minutes’ drive from Stone Town. Fumba is situated in the southwest corner of the island and is an ideal starting point to explore Menai Bay, officially designated a Conservation Area in 1998. The Bay has a number of beautiful uninhabited islands and sandbanks and is frequented by humpback and bottlenose dolphins.

Itinerary:

On arrival at Fumba, clients are given a briefing on Safari Blue and a life jacket demo. We then board the dhows and set off to explore the bay and spot the dolphins. We are lucky enough to see dolphins on at least 90% of our trips. Later in the morning we drop anchor by a sandbank where we set up sunshades and fit our clients with snorkelling equipment. We have a large range of sizes and high quality equipment.

Safari Blue guides, who can safely lead the snorkeling session and show points of interest, accompany our clients. For beginners or less confident swimmers, we have inflatable snorkelling vests and our guides are always on hand to teach and assist.

After snorkelling we offer fresh green coconuts (madafu) and serve some delicious snacks before we move to our desert island restaurant located beneath the shade of large tamarind trees on Kwale Island.

Lunch is a selection of kosher meals that are agreed upon before you embark on the tour.  A gastronomic fruit tasting follows with a selection of between 10 and 15 different tropical fruits. Cold drinks are available throughout the day and include mineral water, homemade iced tea, sodas and beer. Coffee and Amarula liqueur are also served after lunch.

Safari Blue includes a visit to a beautiful mangrove lagoon to swim through a mangrove forest (tide permitting). We also offer the chance to join our crew and sail in an “ngalawa”, a local outrigger canoe. Our traditional dhows return by sail arriving back in Fumba by about 17h00. Safari Blue starts from Fumba beach at 09h30 where there will be an introduction and excursion briefing, along with a life jacket and safety demonstration.

Clients then board our traditional dhows. After 30 minutes cruising there is a snorkelling stop on Kwale sandbank (subject to marine conditions) with:

All equipment included (masks and snorkels, fins, buoyancy aids)

Guides for experienced snorkellers and instruction and assistance for beginners

Rescue boat on stand-by

Sunshades erected for clients

A cool box with chilled soft drinks and mineral water, fresh coconut (madafu), local snacks and fresh fruit

At around 13.00 we go to our “desert island” restaurant on Kwale Island where clients sit under the trees at tables and wooden benches and enjoy kosher meals

The trip also includes a short walk to a huge baobab tree on Kwale Island, a swim in a mangrove lagoon and forest (subject to tides and other marine conditions) and sailing in an “ngalawa” with our experienced crew. Life jackets are on board and a safety boat on hand.

We return to Fumba by traditional lanteen sail with sundowners served en route. Safari Blue ends at around 17h00.

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