Unguja Lodge

Rooms

Built around the ancient Baobab trees, the huge thatched huts are organically designed with swirls and curves rather than straight lines, and an openness which makes you feel like you are on safari. The slightly more expensive Seaview Deluxe Suites open out to the sea (the breeze compensates for the lack of air-con), while the more secluded Garden Deluxe Suites open onto the bush garden, and come with a private plunge pool as well as air-con. All have coconut wood furniture, white-washed walls and terraces from which you can watch the sun set or rise.

The master bedroom in each has a kingsize bed, mosquito net and fan, and it's the only part of the villa that is fully enclosed. The rest is open plan beneath the vast circular thatched roof, with a cushioned seating area, and an open air (but private!) shower with hot water.

The open-plan bathrooms are equally spacious; some face towards other villas or paths, but kanga and kikoi wraps are provided so you don't have to streak from the shower into the bedroom!

If you're on a budget, the Standard Rooms - grouped 3 or 4 within a villa - have an ensuite shower room and a small sitting area; while they lack the airiness of the suites, they're fine for a couple of nights.

Features include:

• Cots available
• Fan
• In-room treatments available
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Being so remote, we'd recommend booking a half- or full-board rate so that dinner is included - luckily it's invariably a highlight. The menu may be short (2 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts when we visited), but it's excellent, and there's always a meat, a seafood and a vegetarian option. Our last dinner of fish carpaccio, grilled barracuda and cashew nut tart with unripe mango slices was particularly memorable. From time to time there are Swahili-style buffets and barbeques.

Lunch is a more casual European-style menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks, plus a specials board with a few cooked options.

Breakfast is conventional but good, with fresh fruit such as mango and pineapple, breakfast cereals and (when we stayed) fresh chocolate croissants. Pancakes, eggs and toast are available on request.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Snorkelling is great here: you're close to a reef teeming with tropical fish, such as snappers and angelfish
• There are also some fantastic dive sites for those who can cope with strong currents - these are relatively unexplored compared to the rest of the island, and can be booked through a neighbouring dive operator
• Borrow kayaks and paddleboards to explore the coastline
• Go on local village tour: you can meet the sheha (head) of Kizimkazi, see women making coconut rope and men working on their fishing nets. The fee for the trip goes directly to the school
• Dolphin tours are a highlight in Kizimkazi; at Unguja, you can go out on the One Ocean dhow and swim in the sea, with a good chance that the dolphins may choose to come and swim alongside you
• Go on a fishing trip with a local company and try to catch marlin and huge tuna
• Go swimming at high tide: you can climb directly into the sea from wooden steps at the front of the hotel
• Other day trips include Jozani Forest to see the Red Colobus Monkeys; spice farm tours to see how Zanzibar’s traditional spices are grown; and the World Heritage site of Stone Town

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Pool table
• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling
• Spa treatments
• SUP
• Swimming
• Table tennis

Kids

Children are welcome: babies stay for free and those aged 2-12 years receive a 50% discount on the adult rate.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Garden and Seaview Deluxe Suites can sleep up to 3. Families with teens could book two Standard Rooms in the same villa. All rooms and suites have showers.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 60 minutes
• Hospital: 2 hours by plane and car
• Doctor: 60 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Unguja Lodge is situated on the southern tip of Zanzibar, near the village of Kizimkazi. It's part of the Menai Bay Conservation Area, which features diverse wildlife and coral reefs.

By Air:
Stone Town (65km) in Zanzibar is the closest airport. You'll probably fly here on a connecting flight from Dar-es-Salaam (in Tanzania). It's also possible to catch a hydrofoil from Dar to Zanzibar. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports, and hydrofoil information.

From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers from the airport - see Rates. Alternatively you can grab a taxi to Unguja Lodge, which will take about 1 hour.

By Bus:
If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a local dala dala bus from the market in Stone Town to Kizimkazi and ask the driver to drop you at the hotel.

By Car:
Hire cars aren't very popular because of the bumpy roads, bad signposting and short distances involved, but work out well if you are a group of four or want complete independence. If you’re interested, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.