Zawadi Hotel | Best Tanzania Beach Lodges

The place

I bury my feet deeply into the bright white sands of our pristine beach, admiring how it contrasts with the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. Happily chasing the incredible marine life that takes advantage of this protected cove, the only sign of my partner is a snorkel jutting out of the water. After a busy week of safaris, it’s absolute bliss to be relaxing here on the south coast of Zanzibar, just north of Bwejuu on the Michamvi Peninsula. Zawadi Hotel looks out over us from above, its six elegant villas dotted along a low coral cliff.

The room

After a quick plunge in hotel’s infinity pool we walk through the palm trees and abundant bougainvillea to our villa to change. As we open the sliding glass doors we’re struck at how light and airy it is inside. The cream and white theme is continued with light wood flooring, painted wooden furniture and woven rugs, set around our massive four-poster double bed in the centre of the room, swathed in mosquito nets. I fling myself on the couch, wondering if anyone actually watches the satellite TV with so many other wonderful things to do. I’ve been eyeing out the freestanding bathtub since we arrived, and I decide to take a soak before dinner while my partner uses the rainfall shower. I love that the window is placed to give me views out into the gardens while I relax. I almost feel like I’m in a spa … which reminds me I must indulge in a spa treatment on our terrace before we leave. While we’ve been getting ready the sun has started to set, so we pause to take in the glorious display of colour from our terrace before heading to dinner. If we’d been ready sooner we could have watched the entire affair from the restaurant, which is open-sided to ensure nobody misses nature’s shows. As the moon rises, we’re served exotic cuisine with local spices – everything freshly caught and just picked. It’s as delicious as we’d been told, easily surpassing our expectations – which pretty much sums up everything about our experience here.

After a quick plunge in hotel’s infinity pool we walk through the palm trees and abundant bougainvillea to our villa to change. As we open the sliding glass doors we’re struck at how light and airy it is inside. The cream and white theme is continued with light wood flooring, painted wooden furniture and woven rugs, set around our massive four-poster double bed in the centre of the room, swathed in mosquito nets.

I fling myself on the couch, wondering if anyone actually watches the satellite TV with so many other wonderful things to do. I’ve been eyeing out the freestanding bathtub since we arrived, and I decide to take a soak before dinner while my partner uses the rainfall shower. I love that the window is placed to give me views out into the gardens while I relax. I almost feel like I’m in a spa … which reminds me I must indulge in a spa treatment on our terrace before we leave.

While we’ve been getting ready the sun has started to set, so we pause to take in the glorious display of colour from our terrace before heading to dinner. If we’d been ready sooner we could have watched the entire affair from the restaurant, which is open-sided to ensure nobody misses nature’s shows.

As the moon rises, we’re served exotic cuisine with local spices – everything freshly caught and just picked. It’s as delicious as we’d been told, easily surpassing our expectations – which pretty much sums up everything about our experience here.

What sets it apart

There’s a lovely feeling of being spoilt at Zawadi Hotel. The staff here are both cheerful and attentive, going out of their way to ensure we have a special time. It’s wonderfully peaceful here too, but if we want more action we have the convenience of a complimentary shuttle to Zawadi’s sister lodges (Baraza and The Palms), where we may use the spa and tennis court, enjoy watersports or visit the boutique. Then there’s the sense of romance of being on this idyllic and laid-back island, the hours whiled away swimming or snorkelling in the ocean or the nearby lagoon, the beachside lunches and the candlelit dinners under star-swept skies. Mnemba Island, famed for its diving, is also a short boat ride away.

There’s a lovely feeling of being spoilt at Zawadi Hotel. The staff here are both cheerful and attentive, going out of their way to ensure we have a special time.

It’s wonderfully peaceful here too, but if we want more action we have the convenience of a complimentary shuttle to Zawadi’s sister lodges (Baraza and The Palms), where we may use the spa and tennis court, enjoy watersports or visit the boutique.

Then there’s the sense of romance of being on this idyllic and laid-back island, the hours whiled away swimming or snorkelling in the ocean or the nearby lagoon, the beachside lunches and the candlelit dinners under star-swept skies. Mnemba Island, famed for its diving, is also a short boat ride away.

At a glance

Private and laid-back beachside retreat with six guest villas, each with their own plunge pools and outdoor terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean. The lodge has a large infinity pool, outdoor bar and restaurant.
Private plunge pool, private dining and flexible schedules.
Spa treatments (additional cost), yoga, nature gym, running track, tennis, watersports (additional cost), scuba diving (additional cost), swimming pool, pedalboats, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling, reef shoe walks, cycling, Stone Town tour (additional cost), nature safaris (additional cost), island tours (additional cost), and swimming with dolphin (additional cost).
Children are welcome from 16, or at any age if the hotel is booked on an exclusive basis.

Private and laid-back beachside retreat with six guest villas, each with their own plunge pools and outdoor terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean. The lodge has a large infinity pool, outdoor bar and restaurant.
Private plunge pool, private dining and flexible schedules.
Spa treatments (additional cost), yoga, nature gym, running track, tennis, watersports (additional cost), scuba diving (additional cost), swimming pool, pedalboats, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling, reef shoe walks, cycling, Stone Town tour (additional cost), nature safaris (additional cost), island tours (additional cost), and swimming with dolphin (additional cost).
Children are welcome from 16, or at any age if the hotel is booked on an exclusive basis.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.