Pemba

Pemba Island – The Green Island of Zanzibar

Pemba Island is part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago, located about 50 km north of Unguja (Zanzibar Island). It is separated from mainland Africa by the Pemba Channel. Formed around 10 million years ago, Pemba is hillier and more fertile than Unguja. Small-scale farming is common across the island, while cloves remain one of its most important cash crops. Together with Zanzibar and Mafia Island, Pemba is part of the famous Spice Islands.

Language and Culture

Swahili (Kiswahili) is the main language spoken on Pemba Island, although English is widely used in hotels and by tour guides. Learning a few basic Swahili phrases is a great way to connect with the island’s friendly and welcoming people and enrich your travel experience.

Pemba Island

In the past, Pemba Island received very few visitors because of its remote location and concerns about political unrest. The island was mainly known for its traditions of herbal medicine and local spiritual practices. Today, Pemba is home to a diverse population, including people of Omani Arab, Shirazi, and Swahili heritage. The vast majority of residents are Muslim.

Nature and Local Life

Pemba Island remains much quieter than nearby Zanzibar, attracting only a small percentage of its visitors. Most of the island’s population depends on small-scale farming and fishing for their livelihoods. One of Pemba’s greatest attractions is its rich marine environment, featuring coral reefs, mangrove forests, small offshore islands, and the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Ngezi Forest Reserve

In far northeastern Pemba, dense and wonderfully lush Ngezi is one of the last remaining areas of indigenous forest that once covered much of the island, and as close to rainforest that you’ll get anywhere on Zanzibar. Protected by a 1476-hectare reserve, the forest is a true double canopy, complete with vines providing swings for the monkeys. The entrance gate and visitor centre is 5km west of Konde, on the main dirt road to the Kigomasha Peninsula.

From the visitor centre, two nature trails tunnel through the forest, and off-trail walks are allowed. All visits must be done with a naturalist guide, some of whom speak English. Most visitors follow the Joshi Trail (Tsh16,000 per person), which takes about an hour and is good for spotting birds, red colobus monkeys and Pemba flying foxes (especially in the early morning and late afternoon). The ruins of the sawmill that stood here until the 1960s can still be seen.

Home to rare bird species, endemic flora, and the iconic Pemba flying fox, this forest is a haven for nature lovers and conservationists. The forest reserve features well-maintained walking trails, towering trees, and a rich biodiversity that makes every visit a unique discovery. The experience walking through a double canopy tropical rainforest makes is a real adventure and spiritually uplift in this environmentally challenged world.

In Zanzibar and Pemba primary education (Standard l – Vll, typically ages 7-13) is legally compulsory and free of charge. Though often lack of finances forces the teaching to take place under a bit alternative circumstances and sometimes lack of furniture gives the pupils no other choice but to sit on the floor.