Nungwi Village & Mnarani Aquarium

– Real Village + Real Turtle Rescue

See How We Build Dhows, Fish & Save Turtles – My Village Tour

My friend, everyone goes to Kendwa beach and takes selfie. But do you know how people in Nungwi really live?

I was born in Nungwi. My father built dhow boats. My mother makes rope from coconut. I want to show you my village – not the beach resorts, but real life.

And we finish at Mnarani Aquarium – the FIRST turtle rescue in Zanzibar (30 years saving turtles, not new). Big natural lagoon, right on the ocean, where turtles are saved and released.

This tour is slow, local, human. No rushing.

FULL PROGRAM – YOUR 3-4 HOUR REAL NUNGWI

Tours daily: 9:00 AM & 2:00 PM – Morning is cooler for village walk

9:00 AM – Meet at Your Hotel or Nungwi Beach & Village Walk Starts
I meet you at your hotel in Nungwi/Kendwa, or at the big Nungwi junction if you are in Stone Town. No car needed inside village – we walk pole pole like locals.

9:15 AM – Dhow Shipyard – How We Build Boats With No Nails!
First stop – the famous Nungwi dhow shipyard. You see men building 15-meter boats by hand – only wood, hammer, and knowledge from father to son. No blueprint, no machines. My uncle Juma has built 100 dhows in 40 years. He will show you how we burn wood to bend it, how we use coconut rope. You can try to hammer! You will smell fresh wood, hear the sea.

This is the last place in Zanzibar where dhows are still built like 300 years ago.

9:50 AM – Village Life – Rope, Fish Market, Kids
We walk through village:

• Mama making rope: Coconut husk to rope – you try!
• Fish market: Fishermen come back at 9AM with night catch – tuna, octopus, barracuda. Noisy, fresh, real. I show you how we auction fish.
• Fish drying & boat nets: You see how we preserve fish with sun and salt.
• Kids & School: Kids shout “Jambo!” High five! We pass primary school – you can bring pens if you want (I tell you ethical way).

I tell you stories – how Nungwi men fish for 7 days in deep sea, how women run everything at home, why houses are made of coral.

10:30 AM – Mnarani Aquarium – Turtle Rescue & Conservation
We walk 5 minutes to Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Aquarium – right on the beach, where Nungwi beach ends.

This place was started in 1993 by local fishermen – the oldest turtle rescue in Zanzibar. Not for money, for protection. Big lagoon, natural, filled by ocean tides – not concrete pools.

Inside:

• 30-40 rescued sea turtles – Green Turtles, Hawksbills, some 150+ years old!
• Keeper shows you which turtles were caught in nets, which were injured by boat, which babies hatched from protected nest last week.
• You can feed them seaweed – they come close, open mouth!
• For $10 extra you can swim with them (optional) – water chest deep, very safe.
• Baby turtle hatchery – small nests protected from dogs and people. If you come Dec-March, you might see babies being released to ocean at sunset – magic!

Your ticket ($10) goes directly to conservation – buying fish for turtles, paying night guards to protect nests on beach.

11:15 AM – Nungwi Lighthouse & Natural Swimming Caves
After turtles, we walk to Nungwi lighthouse (1890) – small, white, best view of whole north coast – you see Mnemba island, Kendwa beach, Tumbatu island.

Then we go to hidden coral caves with fresh water – you can swim if you want! Local kids swim there daily.

11:45 AM – Local Coffee at My Mama’s House (Optional but my gift)
We finish at my family house – my mama makes Zanzibar coffee with ginger and cassava. You sit, you rest, you ask me anything about Nungwi life. No shop pressure, no selling. Just family.

12:00 PM – End at Nungwi Beach – Free Time
I leave you at Nungwi beach for swimming. Or I walk you back to hotel.

BESTSELLER COMBOS:

NUNGWI VILLAGE + BARAKA TURTLES + KENDWA BEACH – Full North Day
9AM Nungwi Village + Mnarani → 11AM Baraka Aquarium Swim → 12:30PM Kendwa Beach Lunch & Swim
From $55 – See both turtle rescues + real village.

NUNGWI VILLAGE + MNEMBA SNORKELING
9AM Mnemba snorkeling with dolphins → 12PM Nungwi Village & Mnarani
From $65 – Best for ocean lovers.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
✅ Local Guide – me, born in Nungwi
✅ Village Walking Tour (Dhow shipyard, market, rope making)
✅ Entrance Fee to Mnarani Aquarium ($10)
✅ Turtle feeding seaweed
✅ Bottled water
✅ My photos for you
✅ Pickup FREE in Nungwi/Kendwa

NOT Included: Baraka Aquarium (if you add combo), lunch, tips, optional turtle swim ($10 at Mnarani)

DETAILS YOU ASK ME:

• Duration: 2.5-3 hours walking, easy flat walk 2km
• Is it touristy? No! This is my real village. Only 2-6 guests with me. You see real life, not show.
• Difference between Mnarani & Baraka? Both rescue turtles – Mnarani is older (1993), natural lagoon on ocean, focus on nest protection & release. Baraka is newer (2019), bigger pools, you swim inside included. I love both – Mnarani = more natural & historic, Baraka = better for swimming. Best do both!
• Can I swim with turtles at Mnarani? Yes, optional $10 – you go in lagoon with them. At Baraka swimming included.
• What to bring? Covered shoulders for village (respect), hat, comfortable shoes, camera, small cash for mama coffee tip.
• Is it good for kids? Yes! Kids love dhow building and turtles. Easy walk.
• Will I see turtle release? If you come Dec-March nesting season, sometimes yes! I will tell you if babies ready.

PRICE:

• Nungwi Village + Mnarani Aquarium: From $25 per person (from Nungwi/Kendwa)
• From Stone Town: From $40 pp (includes transport)
• Nungwi Village + Mnarani + Baraka Swim: From $45 pp
• Private Village Tour (just you & me): +$10
• Kids under 6 FREE

Group 4+ = $20 each