Client Feedback

Hi Nick,

Simon and I had a great time in Zanzibar so I just wanted to write and thank you for all your help – it was amazing!

Thanks

Zarina

Ras Nungwi - Power Update

Further to our email of 17 December 2009, we would like to update you on the Zanzibar power situation.

Since 10 December, there has been no mainline power on the island and unfortunately, per a recent Zanzibar Government announcement, we are now not expecting it to be restored until 22 February.

However, we would like to assure you that guests at Ras Nungwi are not being affected by the power cut and this has been the case since we last emailed you on this matter, except for 3 hours downtime for essential maintenance on one occasion. We have two generators and are providing 24/7 continuous power, which we intend to continue with, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Zanzibar Palace Update

A stay in our hotel in Stone Town is the perfect start for all major tours and trips. Take a Spice Tour which is just 15 minutes by car from our hotel, a trip to Prison Island and see the turtles, a city tour to see all the culture, historical buildings in the Unesco World Heritage Site of Stone Town. We can arrange all these and other trips for our guests.

You might already know that there is an electricity problem until the 21st of February 2010 on Zanzibar. We have a generator that is capable of running 24 hours a day. We are running it almost the full day, except for about 1 hour for necessary maintenance on the generator. We have constantly enough water in the hotel. So we have an almost normal situation for all our guests.

Many other places in Stone Town are also equipped with backup generators and therefore the situation is relatively normal in the hotels, restaurants and many shops (tourist places).

All above facilities are always available, so it is not specially for the current situation only! Zanzibar and mainland are frequently hit by power and water outage, so we have had taken our precautions for much longer already.

We remind you that we have a new manager and chef de cuisine as well. His name is Gilbert van Lee originating from Belgium. Gilbert serves the finest fresh seafood that you can find on the Island in our private restaurant. Daily we have a special Tonight’s Dinner choose, with specially selected wines. The main courses vary from Jumbo Prawns, Red Snapper, Barracuda and Marlin to the famous 1kg up to 2.5 kg Char grilled Lobster. Although we mainly serve seafood, vegetarians will find their dinner with us too and meat is also available; a good example is our fine Carpaccio of Springbok as starter.

Electricity Update

A month-long power blackout in Tanzania's semi-autonomous Zanzibar is threatening the idyllic Indian Ocean island's tourist industry, officials said Tuesday.

The archipelago's main island, Unguja, has been without power since December 10 due to a breakdown affecting the undersea cable providing electricity from the mainland.

Energy Minister Yussuf Himid said the submarine cable was dilapidated and needs to be replaced as it can no longer sustain increasing energy demand.

Businesses and homes are running on generators and tourism, which accounts for 20 percent of the archipelago's earnings, has suffered.

"Already we have a drop in revenue collection and trade in Zanzibar has decreased due lack of electricity," Zanzibar President Amani Karume said as he opened a new shopping mall. He did not give figures.

"It is now the tourism season... There have been a lot of bookings in hotels since November last year, but tourists cannot stay longer because of lack of electricity," Zanzibar Association for Tourist Investors chairman Simai Mohamed told reporters.

"Most hotels have standby generators which cannot operate 24 hours. And also running generators for hours is quite expensive," he added.

Tourism Minister Samia Suluhu Hassan said: "It is obvious that tourists are not happy walking on streets in the night without lights on. Lack of power also discourages investors."

Officials said two water bottling firms have shut down because of the cuts and the island has been hit by a water shortage.

Zanzibar, whose other islands are Pemba and Mafia, has suffered prolonged blackouts in the past, including a four-week blackout in 2008.

Unguja Lodge - Update

At the moment the diving is amazing in Menai Bay: water is very clear, coral is in good condition and there is lots to be seen.

On Kizidi reef (about 18 meters) for instance we see frog fish, leaf fish, blue spotted sting rays, spanish dancers, lion fish, scorpion fish etc.
On the deeper Dolphin wall we see reef sharks, turtles, kobias and Napoleon fish.

In our gardens we see a few couples of elephant shrews every day.

Electricity Update - Fumba Beach Lodge

As you might be aware of, since the last 2 weeks the whole of Zanzibar experience an power blackout because of a fault at the main transformer. The power should have been turned on yesterday (It did for 20 minutes) but another problem occurred and we are looking at no electricity for the whole of Zanzibar for the coming 3 weeks before power will return to Zanzibar.

We at Fumba Beach Lodge are trying to get as much electricity per day by means of generators, however its not 24 hours a day. Water is not an problem as we have our own borehole and we are supplying the village as well. In the last week 2 tankers arrived on Zanzibar to offload diesel and we are stocking up 2000 to 3000 liters in order to keep going in case of shortage of fuel.

Zanzibar Electricity

Zanzibar will remain in darkness for one month after some gadget in the power supply system from Tanzania Mainland collapsed on Monday. This means Zanzibaris and visitors to the isles may be inconvenienced during Christmas and New-Year celebrations.

Zanzibar Minister for Energy, Construction, Water and Land Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid said here yesterday that the blackout might last for at least one month.

“Unfortunately the gadget known as ‘splitter’ collapsed yesterday (Monday) when technicians attempted to switch on power after days of efforts to repair the main receiver at Fumba power station,” he said.

Fumba, Unguja West is the power station receiving electricity from Rasikiromoni, Tanzania mainland through submarine cable. Mr Mansour told reporters in his office in Zanzibar that already preparations were underway to purchase the ‘splitter’ from abroad.

“We ask people to remain patient as we try to restore electricity. We expect to complete the work within one month”, he explained.

Mr Mansour also emphasized that the current 45 megawatts cable transporting power from mainland was dilapidated and needed replacement urgently to avoid frequent breakdowns in future.

Frequent power failures in the isles have caused many problems including shortage of clean and safe water, and fuel, which in turn sparked price rise of commodities and fares.

However, Mr Mansour said that there was now sufficient fuel to last at least for one month. He said the government was also working round the clock to find alternative power by purchasing generators.

“We’re considering long term plans of producing power through wind and solar though they are very expensive projects”, the minister added.