Everything is thriving...

Stawi Projects are collaborations between friends and partners who are doing meaningful work in Zanzibar to promote environmental awareness, directly support the creative community, and create opportunities for artists to thrive.

 

Regeneration is something beyond sustainability. We aim to be a catalyst in the regeneration of Zanzibar life, to help more people, grow more food, support more wildlife, grow more trees. We want people to prosper without destroying the resources that they depend on and see that everything is thriving.

Nature Sanaa

with Our Green Company & Zanzibar Wildlife

 

In Zanzibar we are surrounded by rich natural beauty and fascinating wildlife from the ocean to the forest to the skies. Wildlife abounds even in the heart of Stone Town, if we know where to look for it. Discover Zanzibar’s hidden natural wonders through the arts with expert ecologists and storytellers from Our Green Company and Zanzibar Wildlife.

 

“Sanaa” is Kiswahili for a piece of art or artisanship. Nature Sanaa is telling nature’s stories through art that is inspired by, or (sustainably) derived from natural materials. Workshops, galleries and educational events are hosted around Stone Town. Botanical gardens are thriving at Tarawanda with the purpose of providing education around indigenous plant species and inspiration for art.

More about Zanzibar Wildlife

Conservation Education

with JANE GOODALL'S ROOTS & SHOOTS - TANZANIA

 

Stawi is pleased to have partnered with Jane Goodall and her organization in Tanzania to play a role in nurturing the compassionate leaders of tomorrow. The Roots & Shoots model says: youth aren’t just the future, they’re the present. The initiative supports the next generation in understanding the power and influence of their voice and actions to create change.

 

Our collaboration seeks to create awareness in Zanzibar around the interconnections of people, animals and the environment through a forest conservation project. We aim to lead compassionate citizens who consider their impact on all living beings on our planet, and who work to improve the lives of others.

More about roots & shoots

Permaculture & organic Living

with The Practical Permaculture Institute Zanzibar (PPIZ)

 

Located in Shakani Village, 10km from Stone Town, is The Practical Permaculture Institute Zanzibar (PPIZ). PPIZ offers permaculture training courses, to encourage harmonious, sustainable and productive living environments while greatly reducing the work and energy required to maintain them.

The institute is not only limited to providing training about permaculture, but also teaches permaculture as a holistic sustainable way of life, creating resilient communities, and striving towards zero waste.

 

The Vision: “Transforming Zanzibar into complete organic and eco-friendly island.”

The Mission: “To provide quality practical permaculture education that will change livelihoods, and empower and impact the communities to ensure sustainable economic development.”

 

Together, PPIZ and Stawi are implementing projects and fostering residencies that promote agroecology, permaculture, and organic farming, emphasizing sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation. Our collaboration also supports social enterprise projects that blend business and social impact by addressing both environmental and communities-related concerns, advocacy and empowerment through permaculture.

More about PPIZWatch the video

sustainable & seasonal farming

with Msonge Organic Family Farm

 

Msonge Organic Farm is a 15ha, multi-enterprise farm, growing food for their own household use, sale to the local community, delivery to tourist hotels, and allowing room for events such as a weekly farm-to- table to spread the success of organic farming.

 

The Vision: A farm that will develop into a self-sustaining ecosystem, requiring little to no input and management. The whole farm is considered to function as a living ecosystem, of which we are an integral part.

 

The Philosophy: We are custodians and respect the inheritance that was left to us. Msonge Organic believes that sustainability begins at home, we must respect all life and exhibit instinctual behaviour and manage rather than control. We believe that welfare profit is of greater value than economic profit.

More about MsongeFarm to Table Lunch

marine conservation & education

with chumbe island Coral Park

 

Discover an incredible tropical paradise on Chumbe Island, located 8 km west of Unguja in Zanzibar. This fully protected island is home to a stunning Coral Reef Sanctuary and Forest Reserve that is entirely funded through ecotourism revenue. Witness the incredible biodiversity, rare species and abundant marine and forest life at this one-of-a-kind, multi-award winning destination!

 

 

Explore the island’s ecosystems, savor traditional Zanzibari cuisine, and rest well in the knowledge that your visit will directly contribute to the continued conservation of the island and facilitate free environmental education and programmes for local school children and communities. Experience the beauty of Chumbe – a paradise island with an unparalleled commitment to conservation.

More about Chumbe Island

Nature School Field Classroom

with Labda Kesho & Zanzibar Wildlife

 

Bespoke educational activities for groups or individuals interested to dig deeper into Zanzibar’s wildlife and ecology. Supporting local schools with guides & experts around environmental awareness and celebrating Zanzibar’s ecology thorough topics like: The moon & tides, intertidal ecology, mangroves at low / high tide, shore bird identification and behavior, coastal clean-up, coastal conservation, coral rag and moist forest nature trails, tropical agro-ecology, botanic gardens, marine mammals, birds, coral reefs discovery, snorkeling, seagrass and sandbanks.

 

From the mangrove forests to the Indian Ocean, your nature classroom takes you aboard a unique 42 ft double deck catamaran offering an alternative to the traditional marine tourism model, with a focus on providing tours to observe marine mammals, birds and bats, and coastal fishing culture.

Labda Kesho Steelboat

Sustainable Community Tourism

with Kawa Training Center

 

Kawa Training Center believes “the best way to learn is by doing.” It is a social enterprise providing opportunities for youth to learn about, access, and participate in the sustainable tourism economy. They offer on the job learning environments for students, employment for graduates, income to support education programs, and a positive socio, economic, and environmental impact on society.

 

Tourism should contribute to sustainable development, and respect the fragile balances that characterize many tourist destinations, in particular small islands and environmentally sensitive areas. Tourism must consider its effects on the cultural heritage and traditional elements, activities and dynamics of each local community. Kawa’s Blue Bikes tours offer an eco-friendly way to explore Stone Town, and their Cafe Blue is a place to eat, relax and learn about their recycling and forest conservation projects happening in Zanzibar.

About Kawa Training Center

Cultural tourism & the Arts

with Sauti Za Busara

 

More than an annual music festival celebrating artists from across the African continent, Sauti Za Busara also supports the growth of up-and-coming artists, promotes cultural tourism in Zanzibar, and provides learning opportunities to the arts community.

Sauti za Busara is a flagship event of Busara Promotions that takes place every February in Stone Town, contributing to the growth and professionalization of the creative sector in Zanzibar.

 

The festival gives the chance for local and international artists to perform on the same stage, with learning and networking opportunities for emerging artists, creative professionals and people in the industry. Collaborative workshops are hosted where artists, professionals, and festival invitees can meet, eat, interact and exchange throughout the days.

Through our partnership, Stawi offers spaces to host more incredible artists and provide a platform to share their music with the world.

Upcoming Festival

Migombani Botanical Garden

Zanzibar's Natural Gem

 

Tucked in the heart of Zanzibar, Migombani Botanical Garden is one of the island’s oldest green spaces, founded in the 1870s by British botanist John Kirk. Home to a rich variety of tropical plants, many introduced by Kirk, the garden offers a peaceful retreat with lush paths, vibrant flowers, and fascinating plant species.

A perfect spot for nature lovers and history enthusiasts, Migombani lets visitors explore Zanzibar’s botanical heritage away from the crowds. For locals, it’s a place to reconnect with nature and celebrate the island’s rich biodiversity.

Discover the timeless beauty of Migombani where history and nature thrive.

Sauti za Busara

A Celebration of Zanzibar's Rhythms and Soul

 

For over 20 years, Sauti za Busara has been Zanzibar’s ultimate music festival, celebrating the island’s vibrant cultural heritage and its deep connection to Africa’s diverse musical traditions. This electrifying event, set against the stunning backdrop of Stone Town, brings together artists from across the continent and beyond, blending traditional rhythms with modern beats in an unforgettable fusion of sound and energy.

More than just a festival, Sauti za Busara is committed to sustainability, ensuring that every performance, gathering, and experience leaves a positive impact on the environment and local community. The festival promotes eco-friendly practices, supporting green initiatives that help preserve Zanzibar’s natural beauty for future generations.

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and sustainability, and be part of a movement that honors Zanzibar’s rich heritage while embracing a more sustainable future. Sauti za Busara is where the past, present, and future of African music come together in harmony.

Upcoming Festival