The following morning we went to take a final stroll on the beach by the hotel, finally managing to obtain a further wildlife photo along the way - one of the elusive beach crabs ().

Our journey to our next destination, further up the east coast of the island, diverted via the renowned Jozani Forest, Zanzibar’s nearest destination to a game reserve and one of the last remaining sanctuaries in the world of the red colobus monkey ().

Although at one time classified as an endangered species, numbers have increased in recent years thanks to conservation work by the nature reserve working closely with the local people, and it is estimated that there are now between 2,000-2,500 monkeys.

Once the home of leopards, they are still rumoured to be found here, but we wouldn’t spend too long waiting for a photograph.

Our guide took us on a nature trail, lined with eucalyptus and mahogany trees and explained the medicinal properties of various plants and told us about the animals, birds and reptiles that make their home in the various habitats of this tropical rainforest.

In addition a mangrove boardwalk takes you above a swamp (), where, depending on the tide, you can see tropical fish flitting between the mangrove roots and crabs scuttling across the mud.

We then moved onto Pongwe Beach Hotel, in time for lunch. Pongwe is about twice the size of Echo Beach, and, although delightful in all respects, didn't quite have the latter's intimacy. There is a variety of accommodation, including garden cottages (), all quite luxuriously furnished ().

A comfortable lounge (), below, together with a large pool, again overlooking the beach and ocean (), below, completed the excellent experience to be found here.

     

However what sold it for me was the presence of more feline wildlife (although not very wild) , in the shape of Pearl and Dean (OK!), (), (), seen below, and Tigger (), opposite. They all seemed to have exclusive use of one particular chair each.

     

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