Location: Lamu Island Duration: 2-4 days Availability: Year round Cost: from $500 Requirements: None What’s included: meals, accommodation, tour guide, transportation to and from Lamu.

Lamu is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm, and where the history is as mysterious and fascinating as its winding, medieval streets. The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations, all against the backdrop of wooden dhows sailing in the turquoise waters. You can choose to either stay in a hotel, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace, or you can choose to stay with a host family and spend some time in a traditional Swahili home. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience life as it is lived within the walls of the island's famous historical houses. The families you visit with will be happy to explain to you the traditions and daily routines of life in Lamu, and you may find yourself helping out the children with their school work, going with them to mosque, or assisting with the preparation of food. Since there is only one car on the whole island, you better get used traveling by donkey or bring comfortable walking shoes!

Location: Zanzibar Island Duration: 3-6 days Availability: Year round Cost: from $700 Requirements: None What’s included: meals, accommodation, tour guide, transportation to and from Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. Located about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, Zanzibar is characterized by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of its historic capital, Stone Town, where days have a tendency to slip by as you wander its ancient streets. Your tour guide will also be sure to show you the Jozani forest, famous for an astonishing variety of monkeys including Sykes, Vervets and the famous Kirk’s Colobus monkey, a unique species found only in Zanzibar. Be sure to also check out the Kizimbani spice plantations, where you can see, touch, taste and smell the wide variety of medicinal plants, fruits and spices for which Zanzibar is famous. History buffs shouldn’t miss the Maruhubi Palace Ruins and the Persian Baths built by the first Sultan of Zanzibar for his wife the Princess Shehrzard (the grand-daughter of the Shah of Persia). And for those looking to just take it easy, there are pristine beaches along the outskirts of the island, so whatever you are looking for, you’ll be sure to find it in Zanzibar.