January in East Africa

I'm going to Ethiopia in mid/late-January for work, and I'm planning
on taking a couple weeks off before then to relax somewhere in East
Africa.

I'd be very interested in visiting Zanzibar or Seychelles (preference
is for Zanzibar), or maybe Mombasa. All these places seem to be ideal
for just lounging around, taking in beautiful scenery and swimming in
the ocean.

Does anyone have any experience in these places early January? I hear
mixed reports about the weather. It seems to be the rainy season for
Seychelles--is it a bad time of the year to visit Zanzibar? And is
there enough to do there besides lounging and swimming? My travel
partner doesn't dive, so it'd be great if there were nice places to
take walks, see sights, etc. What about food? We're both fairly
experienced travelers, and have lived in various parts of Africa.

Many, many thanks for your help.

Regards,
dave

In message
(dave) wrote:


Does anyone have any experience in these places early January? I hear
mixed reports about the weather. It seems to be the rainy season for
Seychelles--is it a bad time of the year to visit Zanzibar?
Sorry can't help with this part of your question.
A brochure I have to hand has it as OK to visit in Jan, but not Seychelles

And is there enough to do there besides lounging and swimming?
Oh yes.

My travel partner doesn't dive, so it'd be great if there were nice places to
take walks, see sights, etc.
Oh yes.
Stone town is very interesting.
Other parts of the island have various attractions: historical, spice tours, etc.
Great snorkellng at Chumbe Island (very easy if you can swim)
Visit the Zanzibar Red Colobus at Jozani Forest

What about food?
No problem. Lots of choice in Stone Town.
A dinner at Emerson and Green aka "New Emerson" is a **Must**.

I've got some pix & info of Zanzibar and Chumbe Island on my website starting at:
http://www.v-liz.co.uk/safari/tanzan...bar/zanhom.htm

The Bradt Guide to Zanzibar will give you lots of ideas.

Lots to fill a fortnight in Zanzibar; but have you thought of doing a safari
on the Tz mainland? - mid-Jan the calves start to be dropped in the Serengeti.

Liz

--
Virtual Liz at http://www.v-liz.co.uk
Kenya; Tanzania; India; Seychelles
New Aug '03: Namibia
"I speak of Africa and golden joys"

In message , dave
writes
I'm going to Ethiopia in mid/late-January for work, and I'm planning
on taking a couple weeks off before then to relax somewhere in East
Africa.

I'd be very interested in visiting Zanzibar or Seychelles (preference
is for Zanzibar), or maybe Mombasa. All these places seem to be ideal
for just lounging around, taking in beautiful scenery and swimming in
the ocean.

Does anyone have any experience in these places early January? I hear
mixed reports about the weather. It seems to be the rainy season for
Seychelles--is it a bad time of the year to visit Zanzibar? And is
there enough to do there besides lounging and swimming? My travel
partner doesn't dive, so it'd be great if there were nice places to
take walks, see sights, etc. What about food? We're both fairly
experienced travelers, and have lived in various parts of Africa.

Many, many thanks for your help.

Regards,
dave
Liz has given you some good advice. Regarding weather in Mombasa and
Zanzibar in January: It`s the hot season of course. Usually fine with
the occasional shower. We had downpours after the New year in Malindi
on more than one occasion but it didn`t last long.
Pat
--
Pat Anderson

i take it your travel partner is a man than?