Zanzibar hotels- Magical Africa Safaris

Zanzibar South East Coast.
South East Coast Hotels List.

The Sultan’s Palace is a small, very exclusive hotel which is part of the Relais and Chateaux Group. It opened in 1999 and provides “bare foot luxury”. The main building has a terrace overlooking the ocean and on the first floor the restaurant serves international and Swahili cuisine. The meals are memorable, mainly Zanzibari and Mediterranean.

Location – North of the village of Bwejuu and approximately 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation – 15 individual cottages, each with their own little garden overlooking the beach and Indian Ocean beyond. The cottages are extremely spacious (150 square metres) furnished to the very highest standard and each with a verandah where you enjoy your morning breakfast. Garden suites look over the gardens. The Imperial Suites provide the largest and some of the most luxurious accommodation on Zanzibar.

Facilities – There is no swimming pool, but the Hotel arranges snorkelling (from it’s own “ngalawa”, a local fishing boat, in the lagoon in front of the hotel. Scuba diving is organized through the dive centre at Breezes Beach Club and the hotel can arrange big game fishing. The central building houses the bar and restaurant as well as a terrace where afternoon tea is served. Lunches are served in the beachside restaurant.

Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort is ideally located on a blissful stretch of palm-fringed beach on the east coast with white sand and dazzling blue water – just what you’re after in a beach resort.

The spacious, cool reception area under makuti (palm thatch) is impressive, especially when you are visiting the resort for the first time. You instantly know you are in a top-notch hotel.

There is an enormous pool around which you will find guests soaking up the sun. The clientele is largely international, so you will hear a variety of accents. A little further along is the beach with a generous strip of sand with sun lounges sets a good distance apart from each other under the palm trees.

Warm hospitality comes naturally to the Swahili staff, who are impeccably dressed in long, robed uniforms. You are welcomed with the traditional greeting of karibu and we found there was always someone on hand to assist with a smile. The service is excellent.

The air-conditioned hotel has all the expected facilities: fully equipped dive and water sports centre, disco, boutiques, tennis courts and satellite television. The rooms are extremely comfortable and styled in a modern Zanzibar theme. They provide a welcome relief from the sun when you have spent the day by the pool or diving and lazing on the beach.

The eastern side of the island is greatly influenced by the tide. You can sunbathe on the beach and slip straight into the water and swim far out when the tide is high. When the tide recedes, there is a specially constructed walkway on which to walk out in a natural sea pool. There is also a sparkling swimming pool with pool bar in which to cool off during low tide.

If you are fond of buffet meals, you will be pleased to know that Karafuu serves buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner so there is always good variety.

The hotel opened in 1995 and is aptly named after the Swahili word for cloves, Karafuu, which are grown in abundance on Zanzibar (especially on Pemba).

Thinking of getting married on a paradise island? Ourselves and Karafuu will give you exciting ideas for a romantic wedding and honeymoon.

The hotel has over 90 rooms, divided into standard rooms and junior suite cottages. Only 26 of the junior suites are situated along the beachfront. The others are set a short distance back in the tropical gardens. All have easy access to the long stretch of beach.

All the rooms have makuti (palm-thatch) roofs and are decorated in a modern style with some Zanzibari characteristics. They are very clean, well maintained and comfortable.

They all have air-conditioners, ceiling fans, mini-bars, telephones and en-suite bathrooms. Each room has its own veranda and the beds have mosquito nets. In order not to spoil the romance of a beach holiday there are no televisions in the rooms. If you need to catch up on news or watch a movie, there’s a satellite television room in the main lodge.

There are 28 elegant standard rooms, which have flowing mosquito nets, marble bathrooms and balconies or verandas. The 61 junior cottages are more spacious with dressing rooms and an entrance through the lush garden.

We obviously recommend the junior suite cottages with sea views, but these are more expensive. If you are not really fussed about the extra luxuries, or the view, then the standard rooms are just as good.

We highly recommend the cuisine at Karafuu. There are theme evenings, different venues to choose from and you can even have a romantic dinner right on the beach.

There is an amazing choice of five restaurants:
The main restaurant serving generous buffets
A barbeque restaurant for buffet lunch on the terrace.
The a la carte Grand Bleu, which serves spicy lobster and other seafood.
Masai Village, where you can taste local Swahili cuisine.
A floating restaurant for a private dinner on the Indian Ocean.

Karafuu is situated on the east coast, 65km from Stone Town and the airport.

General facilities:
Five restaurants.
Large swimming pool.
Discotheque.
Satellite television room.
Full water sports centre, including water-skiing, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, windsurf school, snorkelling and diving. The dive school supports PADI, SSI AND CMAS methods of diving at all levels.

Two floodlit tennis courts.
Game room with billiards, darts and table tennis.

Volleyball court and bowls
Conference room
Two boutiques and a chemist.

Room facilities:
Air-conditioner and ceiling fan
Telephone
Mini-bar
Hairdryer
Mosquito nets
Marble bathrooms.

Activities:
You can visit Stone Town, Jozani Forest, spice gardens, old sultan baths and historical sites.
Take advantage of the hotel’s water sports and excellent facilities.

Open: All year round.

Hakuna Majiwe Beach Resort is one of those rare finds that you stumble across quite by accident. Whilst on our last journey to Zanzibar in June, we saw this place being built, but ignored it thinking it was going to be a local guesthouse, not worth mentioning on our guide. Whilst sitting at the pub in Paje, we met the owners.

Upon meeting them, we immediately liked them and decided to take a look and see for ourselves…and what we discovered was one of the best-kept secrets on the South East Coast of Zanzibar.

The story starts with Claudio having a lifelong dream of coming to Zanzibar and building a lodge. Whilst finalizing the land purchase, Claudio came across a young little girl on the beach who told him she really loves the beach, as it is “hakuna majiwe” meaning “it is without stones”. The rest is history.

The owners, Claudio hails from Milan and his girlfriend Margherita from Rome. As these are the fashion capitals of the world, you can well imagine the style and ambience they have brought to their lodge. Added to this, Claudio has been very particular in using indigenous products in building the lodge and has kept the surrounding as intact as possible. He is currently trying to secure the area as a marine sanctuary.

The lodge is located on one of the most beautiful beaches on the south eastern side of Zanzibar. It is about an hour’s drive from Stone Town. A bonus is that guests are able to walk a variety of restaurants and pubs in the area, should you wish to go out and find alternative leisure.

Claudio and Margherita have used bright colours and wood to make the place look absolutely stunning. They have a fantastic bar and restaurant area situated almost on the beach under a large thatch like structure. Guests are able to enjoy cocktails and meals in charming surroundings.

There is a brand new swimming pool installed late in August 2004.

There are 16 rooms in total in semi-detached units of 2 rooms each. All rooms have ceiling fans, en-suite bathrooms with hot water and a lovely veranda facing out on to the beach.

One thing about the Italians is that they have style. The rooms all have stunning wooden floors leading from in room out on to the veranda. The rooms have been painted in a tasteful yellow and they have used dark woods for the furnishings.

We always know when a woman is present in the management of a lodge, as they have this flair of making a place feel just that much more homely. This is exactly what Magherita has done. The beautiful Zanzibar double beds blend in with the wooden floors and decor. They definitely set a new Zanzibar style.

Hakuna Majiwe also has a family room measuring 6x6 metres and can comfortably accommodate 2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults. As the rooms are semi-detached with 2 rooms, you could also house your children in the room next to you quite safely.

Cuisine is a blend of Italian, local food and international. Breakfast is served from the buffet which consists of local fruits, breads, cereals and eggs. Lunches and dinners are from an a la carte menu and is very reasonably priced. As with all Italians, they are very particular about their food quality. The lodge’s local chef, Agi, is the specialist in the local cuisines and vegetarian meals, while Claudio who comes from a restaurant background prepares the Italian specialties, fish and Japanese sushi (well he is working on it). Dining here is excellent.

Location: Hakuna Majiwe is situated in Domocuchu, near Paje on the South East Coast of Zanzibar. It is about an hour and a quarter drive from Stone Town.

Hotel facilities:
Restaurant
Bar area
Swimming pool

Room facilities:
16 Rooms (all sea view)
Ceiling fans
En suite bathroom
Hot water facilities
Mosquito net
Large veranda.

Activities:
Snorkelling
Bicycle rides
Fishing
3 boats (4.5m, 5m and 6m all with 50hp motors)

Services:
Massage service
Laundry
24 hours doctor on call
Airport transfers

Hakuna Majiwe is open all year round.

The Sunrise Hotel is a good mid-range hotel. European owned and managed. Set in lush gardens, this delightful small hotel is right on the beach. There is a genteel, old-fashioned atmosphere and the staff are well trained and attentive.

Location – 3 kilometres north of Bwejuu, just over 1 hour from Stone Town.

Accommodation – The ensuite bungalow bedrooms are clean and cool with ceiling fans and small veranda.

Facilities – The restaurant has an excellent reputation, not surprisingly as it is supervised by the owner, George Noel who has a background of catering in Belgium. The bar overlooks the beach/ocean. A small swimming pool has recently been added.

The Sau Inn is a locally owned and managed hotel providing mid-range accommodation. There are other hotels in close proximity which give alternative places to eat, as well as the possibility of taking meals with local people in their homes.

Location – At Jambiani, a large fishing village approximately 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation – The accommodation bungalows are set in attractive tropical gardens. There are 3 rooms in each bungalow, rooms are quite small, ensuite, traditionally furnished, with verandas overlooking the gardens.

Facilities – The central building which contains the dining area, bar and reception, has open sides and looks over the beach and ocean. The Hotel will arrange snorkelling over the reef in front of the hotel, swimming with dolphins at Kizimkazi, visits to the Jozani Forest etc.

Palm Beach Inn is owned/managed by Niala Jadawi who used to be an MP and still carries considerable influence. The budget/mid-range hotel is set in well-tended gardens overlooking the beach. There is a tranquil atmosphere with a definite local feel.

Location – In the heart of Bwejuu Village, about 1.25 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation – The clean, en-suite rooms are air-conditioned with fridges, fans are colourfully decorated. Some of the rooms are set back a little from the beach. There is 1 family room.

Facilities – The restaurant serves local food, including seafood specialties. Excursions can be arranged. There are other places to eat in the village.

Paje By Night. With its funky and vibrant atmosphere, Paje is the place to go to have fun in a relaxed setting close to a beautiful beach.

If you’re allergic to fancy air-conditioned resorts and want something more in touch with its surroundings, Paje by Night is the place to be. This vibrant, budget hotel, situated near the magnificent Paje beach on the eastern coast of Zanzibar, simply oozes character and charm.

Paje by Night has one of the best atmospheres on the island, thanks to the brilliant team of fun-loving managers and staff. A young Italian by the name of Marco, whose lively character is infectious, runs it. You are bound to love him and feel instantly relaxed.

The barmen and waiters are equally vibey and great to be around, making Paje’s bar the social hub of the area (hence the name Paje by Night). The restaurant serves excellent meals at reasonable price and is well regarded in the area.

There’s a central fireplace around which to gather and socialise in the evenings and listen to the occasional impromptu drumming session.

A sandy pathway leads through the coconut palms to one of the most beautiful beaches on Zanzibar. Not only is it postcard perfect-swaying palms, soft white sand and gorgeous turquoise sea –the water is deep enough to swim at high and low tide. This is an enormous bonus when compared to other beaches on this coast that are greatly affected by tidal variances.

Another plus is the fact that Paje is not your typical beach resort. You do not get regimented rows of sun lounges set out hardly any space between them. This beach is an authentic window on the pulse of Zanzibar.

Village life carries on in a quiet, tranquil fashion. Sometimes the beach is totally deserted. At other times you’ll see local women harvesting seaweed in the water, fishermen venturing to sea in an outrigger canoe or villagers cycling past with their fish baskets.

No one disturbs you much. There might be the occasional group of children asking for money or pens and paper, but they are usually friendly and not invasive.

You can lie anywhere you want on the beach or find a private place in-between the palm trees. You can even enjoy a coconut oil massage right on the beach or have your hands and feet painted in traditional Muslim henna pattern (of course, that’s if the village women are about).

There are other small guesthouses tucked away behind the palm trees, but no large hotels on this stretch of coastline.

Call it what you will, Paje by Night is somewhere in-between a funky backpackers, a beach guesthouse and a small, budget hotel. It does not look much on arrival, but don’t that faze you. The management has done its utmost to spruce up the place.

As you walk around you will see ethnic paintings and colourful patterns decorating the walls, hammocks calling out to be lazed on, a craft centre full of gorgeous things to buy and gardens flourishing in between the coral pathways. The rooms are simple, but very comfortable, clean and tidy.

Guests are offered a range of activities. You can go fishing with a local fisherman in his dhow and enjoy a meal at his home in the village. Paje is also situated close to Jozani Forest (8km away) and Kizimkazi (25km away), which means excursions are less costly than you’ll find in Stone Town.

You can also hire bicycles or motorbikes and explore. If you want to dive, we recommend catching a taxi to Breezes Beach Club further up the coast.

If you are after a true Zanzibar experience, value-for-money accommodation and loads of relaxed fun, Paje by Night is hard to beat.

There are 18 rooms arranged in rows on the outskirts of the property. They all have ceiling fans, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms (except the family rooms, which share a bathroom). Not all the rooms have hot water, which is not too much of a problem in the hot Zanzibar climate.

There are 10 standard rooms, five king-size rooms and two deluxe rooms. Four of the standard rooms are suitable for families and have inter leading doors and one shared bathroom.

The best rooms to choose are the deluxe as they are large and have hot water. However, do not be too disappointed if these aren’t available as all the rooms are comfortable and the shower water is more lukewarm than cold. If you’re with a few friends, there are rooms, which can be made into triples, with three single beds.

The accommodation at Paje by Night is simple, but clean and comfortable. This is a rare find in Zanzibar as most budget places have dodgy rooms.

The hotel’s manager, Marco originates from Venice and ran a restaurant in Stone Town before moving to Paje. His restaurant know-how, combined with the natural flair of the Swahili chefs, makes the restaurant a great hit with guests and visitors.

During the day, the open-walled restaurant serves the most awesome pizzas, as well as a variety of a la carte options. For dinner, you can choose from this menu or find out what special is being prepared. We highly recommend the three-course Swahili dinner. It is a treat and is exceptionally reasonable, given the prices at some restaurants in Zanzibar.

If you are a tea drinker, ask for their spiced tea – it is so tasty you will never want to drink standard Ceylon again.

From Paje by Night’s open-walled bar you can gaze down a sandy path lined with coconut trees to the dazzling blue ocean beyond. In the day, when guests are not lazing about the beach, they gather at the bar to play cards or bao (the traditional Zanzibar game), to read a book or to just be sociable.

At night things are rather festive when guests from nearby guesthouses join in, musicians perform and barmen get creative with cocktails. When the evening winds down guests sit around the roaring fire pit in the sand and tell stories under the stars.

If you feel like eating elsewhere, just for a change, there is fun and reasonably priced restaurant down the beach to the left of Paje. Here you can sit and look out at the ocean with your feet on the beach. If you place a seafood order the day before or in the morning, the fishermen will try to catch it for your lunch or dinner.

Paje by Night is situated on Zanzibar’s east coast near the village of Paje. It is about an hour’s drive from Stone Town.

General facilities:
Restaurant
Bar
Craft shop

Room facilities:
Mosquito nets
Ceiling fans
En-suite
Only deluxe rooms have hot water.

Activities:
Numerous guided tours are on offer at Paje. You can visit the largest mature forest on Zanzibar at Jozani Forest, see the dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or a trip to Stone Town.

Go fishing with a local fisherman in a dhow.
Have your hands or feet painted with henna by a local villager on the beach. You can also informally book a coconut oil massage with a group of women who are sometimes found on the beach.
Hire a bicycle, car or motorbike and explore the area.
Go diving with the Breezes dive centre. (There is a dive centre located on Paje beach, but we do not recommend you use it. We have had issues with their safety considerations and qualifications of the dive masters. This dive centre is in no way affiliated with Paje by Night)

*See other relevant general information.

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