Tanzania’s lovely islands

Tanzania’s lovely islands | Honeymoon Destinations | Romantic Travel Destinations 

Tanzania is famous for its magnificent safaris, rich indigenous African culture, and, of course, Mount Kilimanjaro. Nonetheless, its bustling coastal life is something not to be missed! Tanzania’s islands are thus a must-see on your list of things to do in Tanzania. The lush and paradise-like beaches make you think you’re in the Caribbean, yet you’re actually in East Africa.

So, let us plunge into Tanzania’s amazing aquatic life! Explore its palm-fringed, azure blue and white sand beaches, premium resorts, and other attractions. Tanzania’s most popular and private islands for your dream beach holiday are listed below.

Get motivated! Choose your favourite island and design your own vacation, or select from the options created by our specialists!

 

Chumbe Island Coral Park

Chumbe Island Coral Park is a private nature reserve that has won several awards. It lies only a few kilometres off Zanzibar’s southwest coast, near Stone Town. The reserve comprises a coral reef sanctuary as well as a woodland reserve. It has a tourist and education centre, a small eco-lodge, natural hikes, and historical monuments. All structures and operations are eco-friendly, with a zero-impact on the environment.

 

Accommodation

The accommodation on Chumbe Island is quite unique in many ways. Because there is just one lodge on the island, with only seven bungalows, it seems rather roomy – even when the facility is full. The design of these seven bungalows is so amazing that they allow both solitude and the flexibility of open-air living.

All bungalows have a view of the sea, and it only takes 30 seconds to walk from your hammock to the warm tropical surf lapping at your feet. Even dining on the island takes into account the natural marine ecosystem.

They not only provide wonderful African, Zanzibari, Arabic, and Indian cuisine, but they also have a fish purchasing strategy that assures sustainable seafood gathering. Chumbe Island is the epicentre of luxury and sustainability!

 

Environmental consciousness

The island’s guest houses are built in an environmentally responsible manner. It’s something only Robinson Crusoe could have imagined! These designs have almost little influence on Chumbe Island’s ecosystem.

Rainwater collection, photovoltaic electricity, solar water heating, composting toilets, and vegetative grey-water filtering are all part of the system. You may rest certain that you are helping to keep the island clean throughout your stay.

 

Please keep in mind that Chumbe Island is closed every year from April 1st to June 3rd.

 

Fanjove Private Island

The Songo Songo Archipelago, a series of five islands south of Mafia Island, includes the Fanjove Private Island. The Indian Ocean’s warm waters sustain the unique flora and wildlife of this enthralling planet, both on land and in the sea. The coral reefs here attract a large number of turtles, which lay their eggs on the island from April through July. On occasion, schools of dolphins visit the island. You may also see several bird species that utilise the island as a rest stop on their migration route.

When the butterflies arrive in January, the island transforms into a colourful paradise! From May through September, you’ll be able to see humpback whales as they pass by on their way to the Indian Ocean. You may be sure that the scenery and fauna will be a visual delight!

 

Accommodation

The all-inclusive island has a lot to offer! Picnics on a sandbar, sunsets with a glass of wine in a dhow boat, kayaking, and mangrove excursions are all options. You will stay in the ecobungalows on Fanjove Island, which are six ecologically friendly bandas composed of natural materials and powered by solar energy. The eco-suits are designed to make the best use of available space, energy, and landscape.

You may appreciate the beauty of this island in the most personal way with the seating space on the second level and an open-concept bathroom beneath the stars. The ideal location for a couples’ getaway or a group of adventurers seeking a discreet, yet distinctive, stay on one of Tanzania’s islands.

 

Mafia Island

Mafia Island is an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This island is still wild and unspoiled, so there are no paved roads and few tourists. It’s reminiscent of Zanzibar a few decades ago. The islanders are quite kind and the ambiance is quiet.

Mafia is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago and is bordered by some of the world’s richest coral reefs. The Mafia Island Marine Park, which includes coral reefs, mangrove forests, and lagoons, covers over half of Mafia’s coastline. This is the Indian Ocean’s largest protected area. Divers and snorkelers will love the barrier reef.

It features 50 distinct reefs and over 460 different fish! Mafia’s spectacular and pristine diving sites have been a well guarded secret. Because mangrove trees encircle the majority of the island, the deserted beaches are not as vast as those in Zanzibar, but they are nonetheless stunning.

The island’s greatest attraction is its stunning aquatic life.  This is the area to see humpback whales, turtles, and the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. As a result, Mafia Island is a one-of-a-kind destination for visitors and honeymooners to unwind after their Tanzania safari.

 

Accommodation

Mafia Island, like Zanzibar and Pemba, has a variety of lodgings to select from. We have included our personal favourites from each of our three categories for your convenience. This is the Mafia Kivulini Lodge for Silver. A gorgeous and rustic lodge at an inexpensive price, with all the conveniences need for a great beach trip. The lodge features clean and well-equipped rooms with verandas that overlook a lovely garden with palm and coconut trees.

Pole Pole Bungalows, an exquisite and one-of-a-kind eco-lodge, is our recommendation for Gold and Platinum. To prevent environmental contamination, it treats waste water with a cutting-edge purifying technology.

Furthermore, depending on the level of luxury desired, the bungalows and suites each have their own distinct features. Each room and suite has its own ensuite bathroom, vintage décor and private terrace with views of the surrounding countryside. If you go Platinum, you can swim in your own plunge pool built into your veranda, overlooking your own beach front!

Please contact us for personalised guidance on including Mafia Island into your safari plan. It is also feasible to combine a visit to Mafia Island with a visit to Zanzibar or Pemba Islands, or with a fantasy safari on the mainland.

 

Mnemba Island

Mnemba Island, off the northeast coast of Zanzibar, is a private barefoot paradise owned by &Beyond (a luxury safari firm). With its spectacular scuba diving spots, corals, fish, and stunning ocean vistas, a triangle shaped reef – part of the Marine Protected Area – surrounds this island.

This is how you remain!

For guests with a bigger budget, the &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge offers nothing less than top-notch, high-class luxury. The lodge provides excellent, yet modest rustic-chic beach bandas. There are just twelve bandas, each with a maximum capacity of 24 people.

Two of them are family bandas connected by a boardwalk. From your banda, you can see the Casuarina pine forest and the pristine sandy beach. And you get to relax on your own little length of beach!

The dining and bar areas provide a beautiful view of the beach as well as breathtaking views of adjacent Zanzibar.

On your beachfront balcony, a private butler will bring you a late breakfast of tropical fruits, freshly squeezed juice, and Tanzanian coffee. If you wish to toast the spectacular sunset, fresh sushi and cold champagne may be discreetly given to you on the beach loungers.

Or perhaps you’d rather a romantic candlelit meal on the beach? That is also an option! Similarly to yoga classes, massages, and a variety of water sports activities.

 

A varied marine life

Larger ocean animals, such as three distinct kinds of dolphin, humpback whales (from July to September), and whale sharks, can occasionally be seen here. And the turtle nesting season lasts from February to March, with nests hatching on the beach!

 

Pemba Island

Pemba Island is one of the Zanzibar Archipelago’s lesser-known islands. However, it is a favourite honeymoon location. If you’re seeking for peace and quiet, as well as a romantic ambience, here is the place to be! The coral reefs that encircle the entire island provide an incredible playground for snorkelers and divers.

The Pemba canal is home to an abundance of marine life and resembles an underwater paradise. A wide variety of colourful fish, sharks, dolphins, and even whales may be seen here. Also, make sure to check out the various watersport activities. Kayaking, kite surfing, and wind surfing are all options, as is a romantic sunset trip on a classic sailing boat.

 

Accommodation

Take a short peek at our top three favourite accommodations:

For the Silver category, we recommend Pemba Lodge, Pemba’s first real ecolodge focusing on the island’s guests, wildlife, and people. The five basic, yet beautiful African-style huts are intended to provide comfort and a peaceful oneness with nature.

We strongly suggest The Manta Resort for our Gold category. A quiet island getaway that emphasises real Swahili hospitality while providing contemporary luxury.

The resort features a submerged room that provides an incredible experience that you should not miss! Furthermore, their community initiatives to preserve Pemba’s African history, revitalise its marine life, and promote unique and sustainable tourism are commendable.

Finally, our Platinum category includes the multi-award-winning boutique hotel Fundu Lagoon. A modest and exclusive mangrove-fringed luxury resort that can only be reached by boat. With its jungle-like settings, the twelve private hillside and beachside rooms and suites provide comfort and seclusion.

Honeymooners will enjoy a complimentary bottle of prosecco, a massage, and a private supper to begin their days of pure tranquilly, relaxation, and romance! Please keep in mind that Fundu Lagoon is not suited for children under the age of 12.

 

The Island of Green

Pemba Island is also known as the “green island.” The major reason for this is its rich and fertile soil, lush green hills, and dense vegetation. As a result, this pristine island is densely forested, with mango trees and large clove plantations. Small-scale agricultural (rice, cloves, cinnamon, bananas, cassava) and fishing support one-third of the population. Finally, Pemba’s biodiversity is not just stunning below sea level. There are also bush babies, flying foxes, and vervet monkeys on the island!

 

Pemba Island can be combined with a stay on Zanzibar Island, Mafia Island, or a Tanzania Safari on the mainland. Please contact us for personalised guidance on incorporating Pemba Island into your safari itinerary.

 

Zanzibar Island

Zanzibar Island is recognised as Africa’s tropical paradise, with some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Miles and miles of white sandy beaches lined with palm palms are found here, surrounded by the pure turquoise sea of the Indian Ocean.

Zanzibar, together with Pemba Island and numerous other smaller islands, form the Zanzibar Archipelago.  Zanzibar Island provides a laid-back beach lifestyle as well as a wide range of activities, a colourful culture, and a rich history.

You may embark on a spice tour or swim among tropical reef fish in the magnificent coral reefs.  Zanzibar Island provides all you need for a wonderful vacation. See below for our own top three Zanzibar island lodgings and itineraries.

 

Accommodation

Zanzibar’s beaches and resorts may be found in all four cardinal directions. But the east coast of Zanzibar is our particular favourite, owing to its beautiful and tranquil beaches, numerous activities, and diverse multi-cuisine restaurants that can satisfy even the most discriminating palate.

Our travel specialists believe that this side of the island provides the greatest overall Zanzibarian experience. We have limited down our three personal favourites to three price groups because there are so many resorts and lodges.

We propose Fun Beach Hotel for the Silver category, which has 42 rooms with pool or beach views and contemporary facilities for optimal comfort. Next Paradise is an oceanfront boutique resort with 25 tastefully equipped accommodations and superb restaurants in our Gold category. The rooms are divided into many types, each with its own unique set of amenities.

Finally, for our Platinum category (drumroll…) – Qambani Luxury Resort. Within its six differently themed villas, this resort provides the most gorgeous and opulent vacation in Zanzibar, with outstanding service. The elegant and flowing strokes in the interior designs and artworks allow each villa to tell its unique narrative while maintaining a home-away-from-home vibe. Qambani is the epitome of elegance and comfort!

 

A rich cultural and historical heritage

Because of their rich history in spice trading and the numerous spice farms, the Zanzibar islands are known as the Spice Islands.

The old Stone Town is a fascinating melting pot of cultures. Foodies and cultural fans can visit the Sultan’s Palace, the House of Wonders, and the Darajani or Forodhani food markets. The possibilities are literally limitless here!