Mangapwani Beach Club and Restaurant
Located on the northwest coast of Zanzibar, an exotic island off the coast of Tanzania, the Mangapwani Beach Club and Restaurant is pure paradise. Local Fishing boats float in the shallow waters as the waves lap up onto the sandy beaches, which are located in a succession of secluded and protected coves separated by rocky outcrops.

The Islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago
The island of Zanzibar (also known as Unguja) is known as the ‘Spice Island’ because of its long-standing association with the clove industry. A low-lying stretch of land, approximately 37 km off the coast of Tanzania, it has always exerted a powerful fascination over the imagination of the world, out of all proportion to its size. Zanzibar Town, on the western side of the island is the main settlement, the best-known part of which is Stone Town. Directly east of Stone Town is the growing section of Ng’ambo whilst to the north of the town are a number of pristine beaches. At the northern tip of the island the dhow centre and tourist resort of Nungwi, whilst some of Zanzibar’s best beaches are to be found along the eastern shore. The Zanzibar archipelago also includes the neighbouring island of Pemba and numerous small islands off shore to include Changuu (Prison Island), Bawi, Cahwani (Grave Island), Tumbatu, Mnemba, Chumbe and the sandbanks of Nyange, Pange and Murogo.

The People of Zanzibar
The Swahili are not a ‘tribe’ as such, but the product of centuries of mixed heritage, the end result of which is a harmonious blend of African, Persian, Portuguese and Omani. Arab dhow-traders from the Persian Gulf first plied the islands of the archipelago around the 7th century and subsequently intermarried and founded dynasties with the local Bantu-speaking peoples. Over the subsequent centuries a golden age of Swahili culture was born and the islands became rich in architecture, gold and ivory. In the 16th century Zanzibar fell briefly under the control of the Portuguese before being freed of their unwanted violent rule by the Omani Arabs. The islands were also used as way-station by the British, en route to their Indian empire.

By the 19th century the archipelago was a flourishing commercial centre, the world’s largest producer of cloves and the largest slaving entrepot in Africa and such was the consolidated control of the Omanis that the Sultan decided to relocate his court from the Persian Gulf to Zanzibar. By 1845, with the abolition of the slave trade, Zanzibar’s commercial supremacy began to wane and by 1892 Omani control had so weakened as to allow the island to achieve independence from Oman. In 1964 the sultans where overthrown in a bloody revolution and Zanzibar was reunited with the mainland of Tanzania.

The end result of so much racial intermingling is a cultural melting pot of coastal people who are loosely termed Swahili and share a common language. And, although the majority of them are Muslims, the relaxed and colourful Swahili way of life is very different from the stricter Islamic practices of the Middle East. Traditional Swahili culture features modestly veiled women, flowing robes, bright colours, henna-painted hands and jangling jewellery. It also offers a treasure trove of literature, art and architecture whilst the Swahili craftsmen excel in the creation of ornate sailing dhows, gorgeously carved doors, delicate stonework, brass work and ceramic inlay. As for the Swahili cuisine, it has absorbed the best of a fusion of cultural influences to emerge vibrantly colourful, exuberantly spiced and steeped in coconut, lime, coriander and a profusion of exotic spices.

How to Get There
There are daily air connections between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Pemba and Arusha as well as to the Selous Game Reserve and the northern parks. There are also regular flights to Mombasa and Nairobi and a ferry service operating between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam and Pemba. Dhows also link Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Bagamoyou and Mombasa.

Where to go from here
If you have enjoyed the Serena Experience at the Mangapwani Serena, you might like to take in some of our other properties. This way you can contrast the spice island mystique with the thrill of the Great Migration or the ancient glory of Ngorongoro Crater. Here follow some suggestions to ideally complement your Mangapwani Serena Beach Club experience.

When to go
Zanzibar enjoys a typical Equatorial climate. From December to March the weather is hot and relatively dry with a cooler period from June to October. The heavy rains are from March to the end of May and the short rains usually arrive during the month of November.

What to wear and carry with you
Due to the fact that Zanzibar is a conservative Muslim society, dress for both men and women should be modest. For women, skirts or shorts to below the knee or loose-fitting long pants and modest tops with some sort of sleeve are recommended. For men, shorts to the knee or long trousers and shirts with sleeves are recommended. When travelling around the Island we suggest that you travel light, dress comfortably and carry a light jacket. Also imperative are: sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, film, binoculars and a guide book covering your area of interest.