Zanzibar Island-Magical Africa Safaris

Zanzibar island.

ACCOMMODATION, RESORTS & ZANZIBAR HOTELS.

We describe just some of the hotels on Zanzibar and the islands of Pemba and Mafia. There is no official grading of hotels, but those we describe are all of a standard that people expect when arranging or booking accommodation in Zanzibar. We have set out the hotels according to their location on the island.

Stone Town and Surrounds
Stone Town Zanzibar is the oldest Town in the island and has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. All buildings, therefore, have to retain their original exterior features which means that hotels are converted from former 19th century mansions like Emerson Green Hotel, the Dhow Palace Hotel) or former commercial buildings (like the Serena Inn Zanzibar and Tembo House Hotel Zanzibar
There is a wide range of hotels in Stone Town Zanzibar, from the luxury Serena Inn, to the basic guesthouse. We have detailed some hotels that have been popular with our clients and we encourage people to stay in hotels located on well-lit streets. Unless specifically requested, we do not book budget accommodation in Zanzibar and guesthouses, as most really are basic. Diving in Zanzibar is popular. More info > >

The North Coast Zanzbar
Nungwi Village, where fishing and the building of dhows are the main industries is at the very north of the island about 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town. Over the years it has become a popular destination for backpackers. The hotels we describe are of a better standard, providing clean ensuite rooms. There are a couple of dive canters near the village providing a wide range of water-sports. Most people book accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, as there is a choice of places to eat/drink in close proximity to each other. More info > >

North East Coast Zanzibar
With a reasonable sealed road most of the north east coast can be reached in less than an hour from Stone Town. Along this stretch of coast there are different types of hotels, from the very “resorty” type catering for people on package, all-inclusive holidays to the small “boutique” style hotels such as Zanzibar matemwe Bungalows, Matemwe Beach Village and the Shooting Star Inn. Of the resort hotels we favour those that cater for visitors from a variety of countries, such as the Zanzibar blue Bay Beach Resort. Accommodation tends to be on a half board basis as most hotels are some distance from other places to eat. Most beaches on this coast are of tropical island dreams; with palm trees lining the beach and at high tide the azure ocean is calm, protected by the reef.

South East Coast
Though only about 30 miles from Stone Town, the going is slow as the second half of the trip is on an extremely rough road, the journey takes about 1.5 hours. The beach stretches for 15 miles, or more, and is flanked by palm trees and a number of interesting fishing villages. The hotels cater for all grades of visitors from the very exclusive Sultan Palace zanzibar, Zanzibar breezes Beach Club with its wide range of facilities and comfortable rooms, to the smaller Sunrise Hotel, Sau Inn and the very acceptable budget accommodation at the Zanzibar palm Beach Inn. More info > >

Pemba Island Tanzania
North of Zanzibar, Pemba Island is reached by plane with several half hour flights each week, or a tortuous 4-hour ferry-trip, really not recommended. Pemba is primarily a destination for scuba divers as it has little more to offer the visitor than they experience on Zanzibar. We give details of the exclusive lodge of Fundu Lagoon.

Mafia Island Tanzania
South of Zanzibar, Mafia is served by several local airlines with flights via Dar es Salaam. The island is almost untouched by tourism with only a few places for visitors to stay. It is not a destination if you are looking for a beach holiday, the main attraction being the Mafia Island Marine Park, the largest marine reserve off the East African Coast, where scuba diving and snorkelling are extremely rewarding. A visit to Mafia must rank as one of the world’s true “away from it all” destinations, so do not expect frills.

*See other relevant general information on your Kenya tour.

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