Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Extension
Zanzibar and the other less well known islands like Chumbe and Mafia are the ideal place to relax after your safari. The accessible coral reefs of the Zanzibar Archipelago and Mafia Island are revered by divers and snorkellers, indeed a full day’s diving at Mnemba Atoll is said to offer everything! For the less energetic Both green and hawksbill turtles nest on Zanzibar. Humpback whales can be seen off the shores of Zanzibar and Chumbe around September. Bottlenose dolphins are easily seen from the southern shores. Jozani Forest is the last stronghold for Kirk’s red colobus monkey and the red-bellied coast squirrel. For a taste of Zanzibari culture and history we highly recommend a night or two in Stone Town, it’s a real melting pot of African, Indian and
Arab culture.
Zanzibar Serena Inn - Stone Town
Zanzibar’s Serena Inn is converted from two historic seafront buildings in the heart of Stone Town. This hotel has kept an aura of charm, and its impressive architecture recalls the island’s former grandeur. The Inn offers international standards with comfortable rooms and personal service. All the rooms have spectacular sea views and the décor reflects the islands rich Arab, Indian and African heritage. There is a fabulous freshwater swimming pool which overlooks the Indian Ocean. The restaurant is excellent and has nice relaxed ambience. The Serena Inn makes an ideal base from which to explore Stone Town, or to take day trips to explore the stunning coastline of this exotic island.
Beyt al Chai - Stone Town
Beyt al Chai (house of tea) which stands across a grassy square from the Serena. Originally built by an Arab merchant, this had always been someone's home and its French manageress, Agnes, still offers very relaxed hospitality. It has just six en-suite rooms spread over three floors and furnished with authentic Zanzibari furniture. We'd recommend the Sultan and Prince rooms here; their original, individual style reminds us of E&G in its heyday.
A lovely feature of Beyt al Chai is their sumptuous lounge with honesty bar (local and imported alcohol), stylish solid wood furniture with azure cushions and self-service stereo. Only breakfast is served here, so in the evenings you can eat at a local restaurant (Agnes will happily recommend the best), or simply wander over the road to Serena - returning past the night watchman to let yourself back in.
Hurumzi – Stone Town
In our view this is the most stylish and elegant hotel in Zanzibar. It is set in the heart of Stone Town, and this wonderful mansion has been beautifully restored to create a very intimate small hotel with just nine very individual rooms. All rooms have double beds with en suite bathrooms, but no phones, TV's or even wardrobes necessarily! Only the downstairs rooms have aircon. Note: there is no pool. E&G Tower Top Restaurant is one of the finest on the island.It lies lies high among the minarets, temple towers, and church spires. It is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary eating venues in the world. Located on the roof of the building, it makes guests feel as if they're on top of the world as they sip exotic drinks and watch the sun disappear into the Indian Ocean. The Muslim call to prayer accents the eastern setting of Arab-style pillows and small tables and the Hindu Temple chimes remind visitors that they are far away from the stress they left at home.
Chumbe Island marine park offers a unique nature travel experience. This private island situated just off the coast 8 km south of Stone Town is covered in beautiful undisturbed forest and is surrounded by virgin coral reef.
Accommodation is in 7 stunning eco building build using local materials and coconut palm thatch. All rooms have solar powered lighting and en-suite facilities. This is the ultimate barefoot experience. Hospitality here is first class and there are plenty of activities on offer to keep you busy. Snorkelling straight off the shore is superb.
Pongwe Beach - Zanzibar
Set on a tranquil beach Pongwe is a guesthouse with 5 star hospitality and service. You can dive into the crystal clear waters of the Indian ocean, or stretch out and soak up the sun on the beach. The resort’s beautiful gardens surround ten beach front Zanzibarian cottages. You will find various locally hand-crafted Zanzibarian doors and traditional beds. All cottages have en suite bathrooms, with Moroccan style walk in showers. Each cottage also has its own private terrace
Ras Nungwi - Zanzibar
On the northernmost peninsula of Zanzibar Island, Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel overlooks a sparkling expanse of iridescent Indian Ocean. The lush gardens drop down onto one of the finest and most unspoilt beaches on the island, which in turn is fringed by a wide and thriving coral reef. Infused with the laid-back, exotic yet ultimately natural spirit of Zanzibar, this is the place to relax and enjoy all that this extraordinary part of the world has to offer.
The surrounding reefs create one of the most exciting areas to dive and snorkel, and are home to flourishing populations of dolphin, turtles, and countless other marine species. The hotel has an on-site fully equipped PADI Gold Palm 5 Star dive centre and dive adventures are available for all experience levels including beginners, who can be trained to full PADI certification by our resident instructors. A wide range of other watersports is also available
All 32 rooms are tastefully furnished, with hand-crafted four poster beds and indigenous decor, and all have balconies, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, hair-dryers, electronic safes and en suite facilities with deluxe bathroom amenities.
Mosquito nets over all beds ensure a peaceful night's sleep, with the sound of the ocean rounding off a relaxing day in paradise.
Hakuna Majiwe - Zanzibar
'Hakuna Majiwe', the local name for the hotel ground, means 'place without stones'. As individual as its name, this beach hotel has a special atmosphere, being different to other hotels. Set on a fabulous 6 kilometres white-sand palm fringed and desert beach, cooled by the ocean breeze, is the perfect gateway to an exotic African paradise. The hotel consists of 20 rooms in beach bungalows, facing the ocean. All rooms have en suite facilities and a private verandah. The restaurant overlooks the ocean and offers excellent Italian and African food.
Matemwe Beach - Zanzibar
Matemwe Beach is a small guesthouse which is located out on its own on a long stretch of classic palm-lined, white sand beach on the North East coast of Zanzibar Island. Just off-shore from the guesthouse is the world-famous Mnemba Atoll, whose circling reef has some of the best diving in East Africa. Along the beach from us are palm-thatched villages, where friendly local people live a traditional life dominated by fishing. Matemwe really is close to the classical notion of paradise. At the guesthouse our intention is to provide a high standard of accommodation and hospitality at reasonable prices.
The Shooting Star - Zanzibar
The Shooting Star Lodge is a small, relaxed family run hotel, located on a headland on the eastern side of Zanzibar. Set amongst lush tropical gardens, Shooting Star Lodge overlooks the beautiful fine white sands and coconut palms of Kiwengwa beach. The atmosphere is intimate and tranquil, with spectacular views across a coral reef to the azure Indian Ocean beyond.
accommodation is of a high standard in traditional Zanzibari style, with white limewashed walls, high beamed ceilings and large windows.
The 10 air-conditioned Sea View Cottages are light, spacious en-suite room , with high beamed ceilings and large windows. All have traditionally carved wooden Zanzibari beds, with beautifully dyed mosquito net canopies and matching Tanzanian ‘vintage’ bed covers, along with coconut wood wall mirrors and other hand-made teak wood furniture.
Fundu Lagoon – Pemba Island
Fundu is on Pemba Island, the sister island to Zanzibar lying across the Pemba Channel to the north. The hotel is situated on a remote and beautiful beach on the south western side of the island and is only accessible by boat.There are sixteen tented bungalows, offering spacious accommodation inside and out, set under makuti (thatch) roofs on wooden decks and each with a view over the ocean. The rooms are equipped with large double or twin beds, mosquito nets, ceiling and standing fans, and indoor and outdoor seating areas. Each has an ensuite bathroom with fresh hot water shower, toilet and basin. The rooms are connected to the main buildings by sand walkways. Some rooms are situated along the beachfront with the remaining on an elevated position overlooking the ocean. Four of our sixteen accommodations are suites with their own private chill out decks and plunge pools. Two of which are superior beach suites with extensive space to relax and a large plunge pool.
Chole Mjini - Chole
Imagine treehouses built into baobab trees, with four poster beds inside, surrounded by tropical vegetation and ancient Shirazi and Omani ruins, on a tiny tropical island off the coast of Africa. Then imagine a lodge which has been constructed by a Robinson Crusoe family, in complete harmony with both the environment and local people, generating revenue for village projects such as schooling and healthcare. Chole Mjini is all of these things ... a truly remarkable place and somewhere that is a real privilege to visit.
This lodge more than any other is like a bush camp by the sea. Here you will encounter that same sense of being at one with nature as you might in one of the more remote game parks on the mainland. But this is, of course, a very different environment and instead of game-viewing, the days here are filled with walking, sailing, diving and exploring the forests and villages of Mafia, the least developed of the three main islands on the coast of Tanzania. Here at Chole you can get a real tangible sense of the old Swahili Coast. In a world which is becoming increasingly pre-packaged, even here in Tanzania, Chole is a refreshingly off-the-wall quirky kind of place which will appeal to people who are prepared to put themselves out a little bit to really visit somewhere unique and characterful. This is somewhere which can really get into the blood. Chole is not for everyone, but it is one of a handful of places in Africa which we get consistently passionate and positive feedback from our guests.
Pole Pole – Mafia Island
Consisting of just ten bungalows, this owner managed lodge offers first class personal service "Pole Pole" means "take it easy" in Swahili. Situated in the Utende area of Mafia Island, the resort is Archipelago's main base. It is set in a shady, breezy spot facing a sea of the deepest blue and looking over at the islands of Chole, Juani and Jibondo. Each bungalow covers 60 sq m with personalized fixtures and finishings. The floors are made out of hard woods (afrormosia, one of the rarest and valued tropical woods), the furniture from mahogany and the door and window frames from doussi. The beds have wooden slats and high quality spring mattresses. Bathrooms have double washbasins, king-size showers, bidets and toilets.