kerikeri

hi everyone:

i posted this on a similar thread but am still wondering:

for some reason i remember reading reports of volunteer students being held up at gunpoint on pemba and other very unpleasant daytime robberies at zanzibar's beaches in maybe 2005/2004 and that's why i never went.

was this false information? was this a crime wave that has since been curtailed? i either read it on us state department web site and or the bbc web page.

thanks in short if anyone knows the current crime situation on those beaches, or had read these reports, too?

kerikeri

p.s.

i'm asking because i may have a work trip to the region at the end of summer and dream of those beaches, but not if they are dangerous during the day.

thank you

kerikeri

also- can you tell me when YOU went and where YOU stayed? that will help me determine the safety.

(i know a lot of things sound scary from afar and are fine up close, so thanks if you've been and can respond).

sandi

I certainly can't say that such things don't/didn't happen, as they can occur anywhere. Pemba is a very remote island, with few high-end resorts, mostly cottages and bungalows, so it's certainly possible, if locals saw foreigners, they also saw an opportunity.

Zanzibar is busier, but how many guest prefer to be on the beach vs at the pool, who can say. We were on ZNZ in June '05 and the beach was devoid of anyone but resort guests and few a that. Most (not all) of the resorts here are remote enough that locals (but for those who work at the resorts) have to go out of their way to get to.

However, a good portion of the "bad" things that happen in Africa that do make the paper or CNN, are rare... the reason they make the news.

It's always best not to take anything of importance/value if expecting to spend time on the beach (even when at home). You leave important papers, passports, airline tickets and most of your money back at your room in the safe or the main resort reception safe. And, of course, do not wearing jewelry (including wedding rings or gold/silver of any sort)... a good time to take out your $10 Timex. Whether this will keep those who are up to no good regardless, not trying to rob someone, no one can say, but why tempt it.

Eben recently posted a review of the various properties on Zanzibar; don't know how much time he actually spent on the beaches, but there is no mention of such occurences or tales of any.

kerikeri

thanks for that- even knowing that the resorts are remote is actually a relief.

i was more concerned in that the crimes were midday rapes as opposed to robbery.

do you recommend your resort/ your area? i'll look for your trip report and read up on where you stayed.

thanks.

kerikeri

and just to clarify: i am asking a very specific question as to whether this is something that is an ongoing concern ie: like you wouldn't stroll in hillbrow johannesburg because of the ongoing violence...is there a regular ongoing concern that people are attacked on these beaches?

(as silly as this sounds, those of you who have seen my posts know i have been a lot of places alone and i am not asking this as a blind fear of all things african question, but rather does anyone know if this was something that was being perpetrated by a known group who have ceased, or is this something that is a constant concern?)

thanks sorry to go on and on...

tooafricamad

keri keri
You STILL HAVE NOT answered my post on Zimbabwe but still carry on like a silly little girl. Whats UP WITH YOU???????????

sandi

keri - honestly, I had not heard of this particular "group of thugs" - but that's not to say this didn't happen. There have been many tourists on the beaches of Zanzibar since this particular incident, and there hasn't been anything posted here, not do I recall reading in the African media.

As with travel anywhere, incidents will happen, we only hope it's not to us. So you pack your common sense along with everything else and stay aware of your surroundings.

See Eben's thread on the various beach properties on Zanzibar (some new or less visted) and check them out. I can't be specific, but there are any number of small, mid-sized or large resorts at all prices from which to choose.

tuckeg

Last year we were advised by locals to be careful if walking to Nungwi from Kendwe and do only do it during the daytime. There had been several robberies at knife-point (almost all after dark) recently. Otherwise that area was safe.

Queenie

There were 2 issues I remember in the Fall of 2005 on Pemba.

The first involved 4 or 5 protestors being killed in a political march on the island. As is common, there was violence surrounding the elections.
i was on the island 2 weeks after that incident, and there was an elevated military presence.

I also recall a murder on a dive boat during that time. Motivated by theft. This was highly unusual.

I have been to Pemba twice and would not hesitate to go again. Just don't march in any political protests.

kerikeri

thanks so much.

i appreciate that and i'll look for eben's post.

g'night.

kerikeri