Where and When To Go 
African Countries Islands of the Indian Ocean What to Expect / Highlights
African Countries Islands of the Indian Ocean What to Expect / Highlights
Indian Ocean Islands: What to Expect / Highlights
LAMU, KENYA
Lamu is a Kenya's oldest living town, founded in the 14th century. Fly over the integrated waterways to get to the tiny airstrip on Manda Island. From there you take a large motorized dhow across the canal to the Lamu. No automobiles are allowed on the island so you will find locals, mainly Muslim (women wearing traditional bui buis), walking or biking the narrow streets. This stone town has quite distinctive architecture, huge carved doors, narrow streets, hidden inner courtyards and many mosques. In addition, the white sand beaches, superb seafood, and the relaxed, friendly style make this a wonderful destination.Time to go
Year round as temperatures range steadily between 72-87 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect high humidity (particularly high in May in Lamu and lower in February in Lamu).MAURITIUS
Visit this wonderful tropical island and you'll spot giant water lilies, soil in seven colors, crystal-clear lagoons, wide-spread volcano landscapes and spice markets. There is also fantastic diving.BAZARUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
The string of beautiful islands creating the Bazaruto Archipelago is best known for its warm, clear water for diving amongst beautiful staghorn corals and tropical fishes from tiny clownfish to moray eels and black-tipped reef sharks. There's a large protected pool for snorkelers as well. This area is also home to East Africa's last viable population of the endangered dugong (of the same family as the manatee). The islands to visit in this archipelago include Bazaruto (Indigo Bay Island Resort) and Benguerra (Benguerra Lodge), less than a mile apart (and Magaruque for day trips). These islands have high dunes, inland lakes and beautiful beaches and are home to over 160 species of birds. Fly and lure fishing is also very popular and the lodges host annual big-game fishing competitions.SEYCHELLES
Some of the richest flora and fauna to be found in the Indian Ocean is located in Seychelles. The idyllic white sand beaches, cinnamon and vanilla plantations, exquisite turquoise lagoons and endless island charm brings people back. Snorkel to see the brilliant-colored coral or walk through virgin forests to spot birds, such as the Flycatcher, and species of plants, like the "coco de mer" (double coconut) that are not seen anywhere else in the world. Seychelles is often referred to as the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean".MAFIA, TANZANIA
Mafia is an Indian Ocean island with gorgeous islets and beaches all to one's self. It offers world-class diving (ranked among the top three in the world), snorkeling close by, historical sites and a natural, untainted culture. Lying just off Africa's original Garden of Eden, Tanzania, with its prolific wildlife reserves and national parks, Mafia is a complete experience in a single destination. Mafia has been unscathed by the crowds (and sometimes dangers) that now visit Zanzibar, and is perfectly situated to take advantage of all Tanzania's attractions. There are daily connections to northern Tanzanian wildlife areas (Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara) and the south (Ruaha, Selous, Mikumi). Just an hour from Mafia step into one of the most primal of wildlife areas, the Selous Game Reserve. Kinasi Lodge is a paradise of flowering plants and features beautiful little chalets overlooking the beach. Go fishing, windsurfing, kayaking or mountain biking. Take guided excursions to cultural and historic sites, go bird-watching and take marine nature walks, picnics on isolated islets and beaches, road safaris to explore the north of the island with overnight camping options, and boat excursions. Combined with superb food and a wide range of relaxation and therapy treatments, this could possibly be heaven.Time to go
September through October is ideal as the weather is still cool and the days are clear and sunny. This period coincides with superb game-viewing conditions in all wildlife areas of Tanzania.February and March are hot and humid but are a great time for diving outside the Bay, on the walls along Jina Reef, Juani and Kinasi Pass. This is also the low season for visitors. The first quarter of the year also coincides with the start of the annual Serengeti migration in Ngorongoro-Serengeti, so is a wonderful game-viewing time.
PEMBA ISLAND, TANZANIA
Pemba Island is 30 miles north of Zanzibar and is famous for its spices and coconuts. Isolated from Arab and then European colonization, it has remained completely untouched and unspoiled by any modern development. The few visitors that do go to Pemba go there for its diving and snorkeling and island romance and charm?Pemba has without doubt some of the clearest water in the world and most beautiful reefs. Although part of the Zanzibar archipelago, Pemba is a destination in and of itself with numerous surrounding islands and islets spread all along its coast. Pemba has some of the world's best diving and fishing and because it is not as traveled as its more famous neighbor, Zanzibar, it is that much more pristine. The best place to stay here is at Fundu Lagoon Resort.Time to go
During February the weather is extremely hot and the sea is as cool blue as it gets, yet the monsoon blows gently from the North-East with a fresh breeze. The calm, clear mornings and flat seas of February provide the opportunity to get out onto the water (scuba dive in the pristine reefs, go fishing or sailing, take a speedboat to view hundreds of spinner dolphins cavorting in the dawn light across the lagoon.November is a surprisingly wonderful time to be here! It's low season so there are great bargains to be had. It is also the time of short rains so every two or three days there is a magnificent tropical downpour! It's the most steamy and exciting thing to be caught in - it lasts for less than half an hour, and then the sun comes out and burns everywhere dry again in an instant. November is the clove harvest on Pemba Island.
August through to November are great diving months. At Misali Island, the marine conservation area just 15 minutes away, the sea is flat and calm and visibility is 65-130 feet. There are beautiful corals, a dazzling array of reef fish and Eagle Rays and Devil Rays abound. Turtles come in to nest, and sometimes whales pass by. You will see lots of Moral Eels, Leaf Fish and Cleaner Shrimp. The South-East monsoon blows steadily up to November, making it great weather for sailing.
