What to do in Zanzibar from Kiwengwa

Sheltered by the coral reef, the Kiwengwa lagoon is perfect for snorkelling and swimming in calm water. A trip aboard a traditional dhow takes you out to the sandbanks that surface at low tide and to the best diving spots, alive with colourful fish, turtles and the occasional ray.

Further south, at Kizimkazi, you set off early in the morning to swim with dolphins. Keen scuba divers will also find beautiful drop-offs off Mnemba, the island's most celebrated atoll.

Inland, Jozani Forest is home to the red colobus, a monkey species found only in Zanzibar, which you can watch along shaded trails and a raised mangrove boardwalk.

The spice farms are a reminder of why Zanzibar earned its nickname as the Spice Island: clove, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg all reveal themselves on a guided tour. Finally, Stone Town, the World Heritage old town, is easily explored in a day: narrow lanes, the market, historic houses and the seafront.

Staying in Kiwengwa means having a central base: most excursions are reached by car, and the villa's house manager helps you shape each day around what you feel like doing, book trusted operators and set departure times around the tides.

Allow at least a week so you can alternate between lazing by the pool, beach days and two or three excursions without rushing. Families particularly enjoy having a quiet home to return to between outings.