A private yacht holiday is a different way to explore the islands of Africa, privacy for you and your friends as well as flexibility and fun! If one scuba dives or likes just to snorkel, yacht charter can be perfect as boats often come complete with dive equipment and dive master. Days are spent exploring different islands; it is really gorgeous. We can organize yacht charter around Zanzibar Island on Lamu Island & Mombassa Malindi and on the coast of East Africa as well as deep-water around the Indian Ocean. East African charter trips can be short; for example from Zanzibar's Stone Town to the top of the island. Given that the whole Swahili civilisation is built on sailing and that Zanzibar is the heart of Swahili culture, there could be no better way to explore these scattered tropical islands than by boat. Gliding past a wooden jahazi shipping cloves to Muscat, meeting a colorful family aboard their dhow, swopping fish-talk with a passing ngalawa, sending the local kids out for clams and mussels … this shows you a side of Zanzibari life that you won’t see in any hotel or resort. It allows you to explore secluded beaches, uninhabited islands, remote dive locations and wrecks. And it happens to be great fun, alternately, take the vessel for three nights or more either around Zanzibar or point-to-point, perhaps Lamu/Dar es Salaam via Zanzibar, or Dar/Kiwayu, or Dar or Lamu down to the Mozambique coast. One of the best sailing holidays in Africa is from Dar es Salaam to Vamizi in Mozambique. One of the absolute best charters is "Midsummer", a 34 metre ex Baltic trader and herring fishing vessel which, magnificently refitted and rebuilt, retains all the glory and feel of the days when she was originally launched in 1910.
There are just three cabins, for six guests. There are six crew. One can be either entirely proactive and help to sail this fine schooner or just relax and be pampered. She is also, perhaps surprisingly, perfect for children as she is safe (high sided) and has lots to do, from rope splicing to snorkelling. In Madagascar, there are some superb sailing trips around Nosy Be on a six berth catamaran which is fully staffed with three crew. Again, one spends the time diving, snorkelling and exploring unspoilt beaches. Please contact us for your sailing holiday in Africa.
The schooner Midsummer was built in 1910 at Vlaardingen in Holland as a working fishing vessel since when, after several reincarnations she was lately re-fitted in Italy and now offers an unforgettable taste of the romantic sailing days of old. Recently she has plied the Mediterranean seas and made a couple of Netherlands seasons before heading for the Indian Ocean and offering this unique chance to enjoy the East African coastline. Ideal for families and groups of friends, guests may decide whether to take an active role in sailing or simply relax and let the crew take charge.
Midsummer allows her guests to experience the coast and islands of Kenya and Zanzibar from an independent, exclusive and above all moveable home – all the benefits of a private house with the advantage of being able to change the scenery whenever one chooses. Of course, this private yacht is fully staffed and the six crew members take great pains to look after one’s every need. Midsummer’s celebrated chef prepares contemporary international cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood including lobster, prawns, calamari, crab and whatever fish take the bait and there are also many opportunities to sample local cuisine whenever the ship puts in. The three cabins located in the forward section of the yacht are all air-conditioned. All have fresh water showers and flush loos and the master cabin comes complete with a full sized free-standing bath which can develop quite a swell! The saloon, complete with piano to accompany any spontaneous shantying, is also where one might dine surrounded by beautiful pine panelling should an ‘indoor’ alternative be needed to the wonderful arrangements on deck, where the sun is always over the yard arm.
FACTS
Explore the Mozambique, Tanzanian, Kenyan coastlines and Indian Ocean Islands aboard the classic 120ft luxury yacht Midsummer.
We offer luxury tailor made sailing holidays in some of the worlds most desirable and unspoilt locations along the East African coastline.
Yacht Midsummer
• The Schooner Midsummer was built in 1910. She is an immaculately maintained classic 120 foot sailing schooner.
• Midsummer was rebuilt and re-fitted in Italy in 2004
• Midsummer offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience the romantic sailing days of old
• Beautiful teak decks, 6 sails
• Ideal for families, groups of friends and couples
• She allows her guests to experience the coast and islands from the independence and privacy of a private yacht
• Whilst on board, guests are hosted by a highly experienced crew of six who ensure that their every need is met
• All meals are prepared by the chef on board, with opportunities to sample local cuisine and plentiful seafood
• Midsummer can be sailed or powered by the motor
• Guests can decide whether to take an active role in sailing or simply relax and let the crew take the reins
Cabins
• Midsummer has three cabins, two twin and one double. All located in the forward section of the yacht.
• All cabins have en-suite fresh water showers and flush toilets
• The master cabin is complete with a full sized free standing bath
• All the cabins are fully air conditioned
• The saloon is beautifully panelled with large sectioned Oregan pine throughout complete with upright piano and eight seater dinning table
• The stair cases are Mahogany and teak throughout
• There is a constant 220v power supply to the cabins and a inverter system for silent running, for the recharging of batteries etc
• The mater cabin is accessed from the deck and the twin cabins are accessed from the main saloon
Getting there
• Guests can join Midsummer from any of the main anchorages and ports along the East African coast and Indian Ocean islands. These include: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Pemba, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Mafia Island and the northern Quirimbas. Transfers to and from the nearest embarkation point are included
Activities
• Guided snorkelling trips
• Dhow sailing / Sunset cruises
• Beach picnics / private dinning on any of the Pemba Island itineraries
• Water Sports including: water skiing, wake boarding, tubing etc
• Cultural and Village visits
• Spice tours on Zanzibar and Pemba
• Stone Town visits: attractions that make Zanzibar famous. These include Tippu Tip’s House, The House of Wonders, The Palace Museum, Livingstone House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Forodhani Gardens, the Zanzibar Archives, the Mosques of Stone Town and Mbweni Ruins
• Visit to Prison Island – the main attraction here is a population of giant tortoises that have been on the island since the 18th century
• Visit to Chapwani Island – apart from an exquisite beach the main attraction on the island is an old cemetery that dates back to World War 1
• Scuba diving (Extra Cost) at US$45 nett per person per dive
• Blue water / deep sea fishing separate boat supplied (Extra Cost) Use of boat for deep sea (blue water) & fly fishing – This can be arranged at an additional cost of US$ 1000 per day two crew included
Recreational Equipment
• Fishing Equipment
• Masks, Fins and Snorkels
• Water Sports Equipment including - water skis, wake board, tube etc
• Piano in the main Saloon
• CD Stereo
• Avon Tender 4m with 40hp Motor
• Mares Dive equipment: 4 complete sets onboard
Water Sports
Midsummer offers a selection of water sports, which include: water skiing for beginners and the experienced, tubing and wakeboarding. We carry an Avon 4 meter tender, which is ideal for a variety of water sports.
Diving
The East African coastline and offshore islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia offer what is regarded as some of the best diving in the world. It is not uncommon to see whale sharks, turtles and manta rays in a single dive .
Midsummer carries diving equipment on-board. To maximise the diving experience for guests we use local expertise to co-ordinate and guide our dives. Guests who want to dive, but do not hold a certified licence can do so following a Discover Scuba Course run by a qualified diver on-board .
ishing
Aboard Midsummer we carry two sets of medium - heavy game fishing rods fitted with 20lb line, used for trolling off the back of Midsummer, or from our tender in the mornings of early evening depending on the set itinerary of the day.
For specialist, blue water fishing itineraries in search of large game fish, we arrange the following: An itinerary that starts from Shimoni Island Southern Kenya and runs for 4 nights ending up at Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island, this itinerary will cover fly fishing and deep sea game fishing. We need advance notice to organise this.
Game fishing boats can be arranged at an additional cost of US$ 1,000 per day, two crew included in this rate Captain and deckhand (Commissionable at 20%)
Game fish found in this area of operation
Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Dogtooth tuna, Dorado & Sailfish.
Dining
Contemporary international cuisine – our celebrated chef will prepare a variety of dishes with the emphasis on fresh seafood including lobster, prawns, calamari, crab and assorted fish. Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notification.
Dress Code
Informal. When visiting the villages guests will be asked to dress modestly and appropriately
Gratuities
In the yachting world the gratuities are normally around 10% of the charter fee.
What to Bring
During the summer months from October to April the temperatures are 30oC plus. From May to September daytime temperatures are still hot however a light sweater might be required in the evenings
• Lightweight cotton shirts / T-shirts
• Swimwear
• Lightweight shorts / trousers / skirts / informal evening wear
• Beach sandals
• Hat preferably a wide brimmed sun hat rather than a cap
• Sunglasses preferably polarized
• Strong sun block
• Long sleeved shirts for fly fisherman
• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
• BINOCULARS – ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL – you’ll be using these all of the time and it’s really worth having a decent pair. We recommend 8x30s or 7x42s
• Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion
• Insect repellent e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc
• Waterproof / dustproof bags / cover for your cameras
• Camera, Camera bag. Bring extra camera batteries and triple the amount of film you think you will use and chargers for cameras and video cameras
History of Midsummer
‘Midsummer’ was built in 1910 at Vlaardingen, Holland. At this time she was a working sailing and fishing vessel.
In 1937 she was re fitted with a B&W Alpha diesel engine one of the first produced and accommodation for the crew was added.
‘Midsummer’ sailed through the Baltic Sea carrying a variety of cargo from coal to sulphate. Twenty years later she was converted to a gravel carrier and operated out of Denmark. In the late 1970’s she was taken out of commission with her engine in perfect condition and lay idle.
During the mid 1990’s ‘Midsummer’ was sold to the present owners, she was stripped to the bare hull and completely rebuilt as an ocean going yacht, complying with both the technical and safety requirements of the MCA code of practice for vessels of her class.
‘Midsummer’ has undergone further refurbishments to her both interior and exterior with attention and detail given to re-creating a classical yacht.
In 2002 ‘Midsummer’ completed a Mediterranean season and headed towards the North Sea and the inland waters of the Netherlands. During this time she participated in numerous classic regattas and festivals, including The World Harbour Days in Rotterdam. After 94 years she was home and able to show off her splendour and glory in her own waters.
After completing her season in the Netherlands, it was decided that Midsummer should be re-fitted and put into commission in an East African project based in Kenya and Tanzania.
Entry Requirements
Visas are currently required by all nationalities. It is advisable to pre-arrange this before departure. However visas can be issued on arrival in Tanzania and Kenya. (If this could be done in advance, this will speed up arrival times). The Captain will arrange the entry requirements if the yacht is due to end the charter in another country than originally starting in.
Luggage Limit
As per airline specification (LAM 30kgs)
If you are due to travel on light aircraft 12kgs in soft bags is normally accepted.
