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Zanzibar's Beaches, Unguja


Zanzibar's Beaches: An Introduction


Zanzibar - Even the name itself is an attraction! Only 15 minutes by plane from the mainland lies the wonderfully sleepy island of Zanzibar. The obvious beach tack-on to a safari in mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is East Africa's finest beach destination surrounded by coral reefs with numerous idyllic beaches lined by huge sweeping palm trees. Though most visitors spend a couple of nights in Zanzibar's Stone Town it is the beaches, snorkelling and diving that attract people to Zanzibar's shores, and with an ever increasing tourist trade it is remarkable that the island has kept its African charm.

Zanzibar is much larger than one might expect; driving from top to bottom takes about two hours. Stone Town and the airport are found on the Western edge, with a transfer from any beach lodge taking about an hour. The island's best beaches are found on Zanzibar's Eastern and Northern coastline with miles and miles of seemingly endless beaches, and a wealth of accommodation choice. Western Zanzibar (where Stone Town is located) and Southern Zanzibar have poor beaches.

Click here for detailed Zanzibar hotel and lodge reviews



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Zanzibar: When to go


Zanzibar has good weather for most of the year. Virtually straddling the equator means that the island never gets cold and so the only thing to avoid is the rain. The heaviest rainfall occurs in April and May which is when most of the beach hotels are closed and we suggest avoiding Zanzibar at this time.

Zanzibar: An overview of where to stay


We have worked on Zanzibar for longer than virtually any other tour operator, and know the island inside out. Our general rule is to try and keep away from the large hotels and don't try anything that's recently opened. In our (bitter) experience new lodges on Zanzibar have the potential to be an absolute disaster, and take a good couple of years to come up to the required standard). Take these general rules on board and Zanzibar will be absolutely magical.

Booking the best places can be challenging, as many of the island's best hotels are small and book up well in advance. To counteract this we suggest booking early but we also have an allocation in a number of the most sought after hotels on the island, and can guarantee space where others can't.

There is a huge range of hotels on the island, from the goliath mass market all inclusive hotels, (which we avoid at all costs), to the small boutique properties which can make a stay here so special. We have sent clients to every hotel over the years and through trial and error, we now have strong opinions about where to stay. The following overview, is exactly that, an overview. There are many other hotels on the island that we do not mention here. Speak to us for the full low down!

Zanzibar: Our view of the hotels - Low end


The most economical hotels that we use on Zanzibar are Shooting Star, Mchanga and Echo Beach. All are well established, good value small hotels that have good beaches and personal service. are Shooting Star is the oldest of the bunch and with its location on the top of a cliff. are Shooting Star has the best views on Zanzibar, rooms are spacious and the food and service is very good for the price.. Mchanga is a similar style lodge with the same owners, located further North from Shooting Star. Mchanga has a no children policy and with only eight rooms is much smaller than Shooting Star. The pick of the bunch however is Echo Beach. Located further South on Zanzibar's southerly East beach Echo Beach is near Breezes and Baraza offering charming accommodation and the best kitchen around. Fantastic food cooked by the owner Andrew, and a beautifully relaxed approach to service, make Echo our favourite lodge in this price bracket.

Zanzibar: Our view of the hotels - Mid range


Step up a level and you have hotels that cost between $250pppn and $350pppn. General standards are a step up from the lower end of the market and the hotels tend to have their own dive centres, and the facilities of larger resorts such as tennis courts etc. General food and service levels are very high. To start with is a hotel that we have supported since it was built: Ras Nungwi on the Northern tip of the island. Nungwi has arguably the best beach on the island and all the facilities of a large resort but with only 35 rooms. Ras Nungwi has stood the test of time to consistently deliver great service. It is a small hotel that delivers consistently great reports, at a good price, and with a superb dive and water sports school. Matemwe Bungalows is an old favourite in the office but also one that seems to split opinion amongst travellers - you are either a Matemwe Bungalows person, or you are not! The beach here is poor in comparison to elsewhere, but for those wanting to stay as far away from the crowds as is possible on the island, it is a good bet. The largest resort style hotel we use is Breezes Beach Club, a great value resort with finely tuned operations and rooms that suit families and honeymooners alike. Breezes has been around for years and has earned the reputation of best resort on the island.

Zanzibar: Our view of the hotels - The top


Breezes sister hotels Baraza and The Palms are much more expensive, but they are amongst the finest hotels on the island. Baraza has 36 rooms and with private plunge pools offers some of the best accomodation on the island. It is our favourite hotel for families wanting the best the island can offer. The Palms is next door and with only six rooms offers a more intimate experience that fits very well with couples wanting to keep to themselves. The newly opened La Residence is a new top end resort with exceptionally high, albeit fairly expensive, service levels. The quality of the beach here is our only issue but we cannot deny their effort; your every need is attended to here! A smaller hotel also at the top end of the market, is Kilindi, an elaborately designed hotel that has amazing rooms and certainly offers the most privacy of any hotel, though the beach is not as good as it should be

But, without a doubt the best lodge in Zanzibar is Mnemba island, located off Zanzibar's North East tip. Mnemba is a small island with Africa's finest beach, and only ten rooms. Needless to say, Mnemba costs an absolute fortune, but it is exceptional. Having debated this for a long time in the office, and having staff who have viewed many of the worlds top beach hotels, we believe it is deserving of the price tag. Mnemba is one of the best beach islands in the world.


Zanzibar hotels and resorts


We have included all the lodges below ordered by our ranking, and by price. Clicking on any of the links will bring up more information; our detailed view of the lodge, video, photos, key facts etc.

Ranking
- Outstanding
- Very good
- Good
- Average
- Poor


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mnemba Island Lodge
Mnemba is a private island off the North east tip of Zanzibar. With only 10 rooms and unquestionably the best beach in Africa, Mnemba is certainly worthy of our 5 paw rating. The island is surrounded by Zanzibar's best diving and has exceeded the expectations of nearly every client that we have ever sent there, an amazing accomplishment considering the price. The finest beach lodge in Africa.
 
Mnemba
$1250pp More info & Video >


Ras Nungwi
Located on the northern tipoff Zanzibar, Ras Nungwi is an old favourite in the office and has proved over the years to be one of Zanzibar's top hotels. The quality of the beach here is superb andthe overall good value that this hotel offers has ensured it remains a popular choice. At roughly $250pppn it is cheaper than its main competitors and manages to maintain a small boutique ambiance with the facilities of a large resort.
 
Ras Nungwi
$240pp More info & Video >


The Palms
Palms is the smallest and also the most luxurious of all the hotels we use on Zanzibar. With only six rooms, complete with private pools and outdoor double beds (sala's), Palms is the perfect getaway for honeymooners or private couples. You are very much left to do your own thing here and with the larger Breezes next door, this small boutique hotel has one of the best activity centres on the island.
 
The Palms
$600pp More info & Video >


Baraza
Baraza's ethos was to merge the qualities that have made Palms and Breezes work so wel - the luxury of Palms, facilities of Breezes and smooth management of both. With 32 luxurious rooms, Baraza was the first Zanzibar hotel to cater specifically to families, while still appealling to honeymooners. Baraza has been a great success and although doesn't offer the privacy you might expect at this price bracket, it is a superb lodge.
 
Baraza
$600pp More info & Video >


Ras Nungwi - The Ocean Suite
Located at the northern tip of Zanzibar, Ras Nungwi's Ocean Suite is a private villa located in the ground s of Ras Nungwi. The perfect place to hideaway but still have the facilities of a large resort, the Ocean Suite has a private pool, bar and access to one of the best beaches on the island. This is without doubt the best private suite on Zanzibar.
 
Ras Nungwi - The Ocean Suite
$495pp More info & Video >


Matemwe Bungalows
Located infront of Mnemba Island, Matemwe is a classy small resort that offers very good levels of service and a great relaxed atmosphere. The only reason that Matemwe does not get 5 palms is the quality of the beach; it is so tidal as to disappear for long stretches, and the sea is rocky. The rest of the hotel is very good - gorgeous rooms, great food, good access to Mnemba diving and overall good value means that Matemwe gets a 4 palm rating. (Some of us would give it 5!)
 
Matemwe Bungalows
$337pp More info & Video >


Kilindi
Owned by the Elewana group, Kilindi is the newest of the top end hotels on Zanzibar. With some of the most beautiful rooms on the island Kilindi's design is certainly unique, allowing it to stand out on its own. The private pavilions with private pools and huge bathrooms are absolutely massive and offer privacy foiund nowhere else on Zanzibar. The only issue here is the quality of beach, but there really is no reason to be leaving the main hotel!
 
Kilindi
$750pp More info & Video >


Echo Beach
Found just North of Breezes, Baraza and Palms Echo Beach has consistently delivered good quality accommodation at a good price. With a relaxed, unpretentious air, Echo Beach receives 4 palms due to the value that this lodge offers, and the fact that it has all the facilities of a resort yet remains small and personal. The beach is good and the chef genuinely has cooked for prime ministers!
 
Echo beach
$200pp More info & Video >


Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club has been around for years and is probably the best of the larger resorts. With approximately 75 rooms divided into standard rooms, deluxe and suites, Breezes Beach Club also has one of the best activity centres on the entire island. A superb choice for families and one that also appeals to honeymooners; a great all round resort.
 
Breezes Beach Club
$200pp More info & Video >


Baraza
A new addition to the nearby Palms/Breezes portfolio, the ethos has been to merge the qualities that have made Palms and Breezes work so well, the luxury of Palms, facilities of Breezes and smooth management of both. Untried as yet, with 32 luxurious rooms, Baraza will be the first Zanzibar hotel to cater specifically to families, while still appealling to honeymooners!
 
Baraza
$600pp More info & Video >


Kasha
Kasha Boutique Hotel is located on the North East coast of Zanzibar, in the northern part of Matemwe. The Hotel has no beach which is its only downside, but the 11 luxury Villas come complete with small pools and are good value. The lodge has great views over the lagoon of the Mnemba Atoll coral reef.
 
Kasha Boutique Hotel
$280pp More info & Video >


Mchanga Beach Lodge
Mchanga Lodge is a laid back small beach hotel just south of Matemwe. With only eight rooms and a no children rule, this lodge offers well priced rooms and a laid back approach to beach accommodation. Mchanga is the sister hotel to Shooting Star and a great choice at a superb price.
 
Mchanga Beach Lodge
$175pp More info & Video >


Shooting Star
Shooting Star has been around for years and is an old favorite of ours. Privately owned by a local Tanzanian and with the best views of any Zanzibar lodge, this lodge is charming and beautifully unpretentious. Couple this with the fact that it is superb value and you can see why we have sent so many people here. A great little beach lodge.
 
Shooting Star
$175pp More info & Video >


Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe has long been considered Zanzibar's best value hotel, simple and with a beach to die for. We have given it a 4 star rating however as newcomers nearby are upping the ante in terms of service and comparable prices. Nevertheless, Pongwe provides good value, and a great beach.
 
Pongwe Beach Hotel
$120pp More info & Video >


Unguja Resort
Much of what we love about Zanzibar is its amazing beaches. Unfortunately, Unguja's beach is virtually non-existent, and for that reason alone we cannot give it any more than an average rating. It is a shame, as the rooms and management are both fantastic.
 
Unguja Resort
$230pp More info & Video >


Matemwe Retreat
On a recent visit to Matemwe Retreat we felt sadly let down by the quality of the rooms, the beach and value for money. The service was good and the food was good, but not to the standard we had expected. In summary, fine enough facilities and accommodation, but we prefer Matemwe Bungalows.
 
Matemwe Retreat
$574pp More info & Video >


Fumba Beach Lodge
Fumba's unique selling point is that it is located away from the crowds of Zanzibar's east coast. However the area the lodge is located has poor beaches in comparison to virtually everywhere else... on the basis of failing Zanzibar beach appeal, Fumba will only ever get 2 palms!
 
Fumba Beach Lodge
$250pp More info & Video >


Blue Bay
Blue Bay is your perfect example of a good package resort, sold to the masses on cheap package holidays. We are not fans of this style of accommodation but do realise the need for this kind of market and would say that Blue Bay can cater well for families. We prefer Breezes.
 
Blue Bay
$180pp More info & Video >


Ocean Paradise
Ocean Paradise is another example of package tourism at its nastiest. The hotel looks good from the outside, and does have a good beach. However the food and service are notoriously poor. The up-side is that this is reflected in the price; .but in our view it sits alongside the worst of Zanzibar's large resorts.
 
Zanzibar Ocean Paradise
$180pp More info & Video >


The Z Hotel
The Z Hotel fits into a market for young single professionals who are looking to enjoy Zanzibar's party atmosphere. It is certainly not a hotel for honeymooners, and neither is it for more mature clients. Families may well enjoy the area for the activities on offer, but we were not impressed
 
Z Hotel
$235pp More info & Video >


Gemma D'ell Este
10 years ago Kendwa was Zanzibar's most sought-after traveller destination. A beautiful, unspoilt beach, with a handful of $20 a night bamboo and thatch bungalows. Then came Gemma, a 300 roomed colossus, loved by the Italian market. Needless to say we cannot stand it! But it really does have an exceptional beach.
 
Gemma Del Este
$250pp More info & Video >





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