Hotels Beyond Zanzibar
We can also offer booking reservations for beyond Zanzibar Island;

• Pemba Island
• Mafia Island
• Dar es Salaam

Pemba Island [BACK TO TOP]

Fundu Lagoon Fundu Lagoon is amongst the very best of the top end beach lodges in Tanzania and the only place on the magical island of Pemba to offer this level of service.

Location - Set out on a remote beach and accessible only by boat, the lodge is rustic chic, with stylish public areas and cool tented rooms. One of the main draws of coming to Pemba is for the superb diving, but even complete non-divers will be amazed by the marine life just below the surface and by the incredible atmosphere of being out on the water in this virginal tropical island paradise. Accommodation - here are now 16 rooms rooms scattered across the hillside above and along from the main buildings. Twelve of the rooms are standard, two are suites and two are the very latest superior suites. The lodge itself is a dreamy Robinson Crusoe affair of mangrove poles and palm thatch, concealing an interior of considerable style. To visit the magical island of Pemba is a luxury in itself. To have Fundu Lagoon as your base from which to explore, dive and relax is one of the ultimate experiences in the Zanzibar archipelago. Facilities - Continuing the theme of a kind of top safari camp on the beach, Fundu Lagoon also does the same kind of interesting things with meals that you might have encountered in the bush, with meals being taken in a variety of different locations and in different styles.

Manta Reef A superbly situated natural beach haven, especially good for marine activities and divers keen to experience the best dives that Pemba has to offer.

Location - The lodge overlooks the best stretch of Panga Ya Watorro Beach and sits above a hidden coral cave. Walks to the lighthouse and other beaches are easy , interesting and enjoyable. Accommodation - Non-divers can just as easily appreciate the natural side of thelodge, which has 12 chalets, facing the ocean and a line of vibrant tropical forest. The large central living area is comfortable decorated, and designed so that outside verandah tables benefit from their aspect to enjoy fresh breakfasts and evening meals beneath the stars. The position and design with a wide arch way to the east and west allows for a full appreciation of the sunrise and sunset. Food is excellent and freshly prepared, served with broad smiles, with a kitchen not far away for any eyes to see. . Facilities - Free seating around the verandah, is the main location for all meals. Breakfasts are english style, with a selection of pancakes, eggs, bacon, alongside fruits, mandazi or bread,coffee, tea, always served with a big smile to wake you up Pemba style. Dinner is always under the unique starry nights on the verandah, and on the beach for BBQ's on occasions. Buffet selection, fish and meats, with a cake or dessert as well as fruits. The Lodge has a fine selection of wines from South Africa as well as Chile. Beers, sodas, bottled water, soft drinks and spirits as well as local juices are all served

Pemba Afloat The best way to describe Pemba Afloat is to imagine that a friend of yours had gone off sailing around the world. The next thing you hear is a message saying that he has found paradise and decided to moor up indefinitely. Why don't you come down and stay

Location - Primarily a dive-base, Pemba Afloat consists of two or sometimes three decent-sized yachts, permanently moored in an absolutely idyllic setting by the Njao Inlet in North West Pemba. This is definitely one of the coolest places to stay on the coast of East Africa ... a real flop over the side and swim with dolphins kind of place ... completely removed from all things tacky and touristy. Accommodation - The two (or three) yachts are moored in the lagoon near the Njao Gap. The actual position is varied sometimes to take account of the prevailing weather conditions and to keep the boats in lea of land. The water is not necessarily mill-pond calm all the time, but it is very rarely if ever rough ... a gentle lapping rather than a hull-rolling storm. Food and Drink - All meals are prepared by the crew in the galley and served on-board. Most guests tend to muck and help. You are very much encouraged to treat the boats as if they were your own, except when it comes to scrubbing down the decks ... most people aren't that keen. Breakfast consists of cereal, eggs, warm bread (baked specially in the village just across the way) and jams and real Kenyan coffee.

Jondeni Guest House The Jondeni guesthouse is located in the small village of the same name, within easy walking distance from the port of Mkoani. Situated up on a hill and with no immediate neighbours, it is in a tranquil spot, but unfortunately not on the beach. The hotel has local management.

Location - The accommodation is simple and Zanzibari in style and there is a nice restaurant terrace out at the back from where you can watch over the forest and down to the sea below. By far and away the best place to stay in Mkoani. Accommodation - Accommodation is a choice of a bed in a dormitory arrangement, a double room with a shared bathroom or a double with its own bathroom. The double rooms each contain two large zanzibari beds so you could fit four people into each room. The rooms are all light, airy and comfortable. The showers are cold water only, but you can request a bucket of the hot stuff. There is no electricity but you will have a kerosene lamp in your room. Facilities - There is an affiliate dive operation based at Jondeni and with a short walk, or oxen ride, to the water's edge, you can board their motorised dhow and reach some good dive sites in the southern half of Pemba. This dive operation is not presently on our recommended list.

Mafia Island [BACK TO TOP]

Kinasi Lodge Kinasi is the third of the lodges in the Chole Bay area. It is set up on a hillside above the bay, on the site of an old cashew plantation and has a dozen rooms arranged around a reasonably stylish central dining and lounge area.

Location - Set out on a remote beach and accessible only by boat, the lodge is rustic chic, with stylish public areas and cool tented rooms. One of the main draws of coming to Pemba is for the superb diving, but even complete non-divers will be amazed by the marine life just below the surface and by the incredible atmosphere of being out on the water in this virginal tropical island paradise. Accommodation - comfortable and reasonably priced, but overall we feel that Kinasi lacks the style and intimacy of either of its neighbours. There are 12 rooms in total. 1, 2, 3 & 4 are down by the beach and are designed for honeymooners. 7a & 7b are in one building and can be opened up into a family room with a shared bathroom All other rooms can be made up as doubles or twins. There is also a large house known as the Ghorafa which sleeps up to 6 people and has a private lounge area. Facilities - There is a nice restaurant and bar area overlooking the palm trees. There is a good beach and Kinasi boasts the only swimming pool on Mafia. Sailing and fishing trips can be arranged and there is diving available for ready-qualified visitors.

Pole Pole Located just across the bay, this small beach lodge offers comfortable surroundings and excellent Italian Swahili cuisine and is a good base from which to explore this wonderful island.

Location - Set out on a remote beach and accessible only by boat, the lodge is rustic chic, with stylish public areas and cool tented rooms. One of the main draws of coming to Pemba is for the superb diving, but even complete non-divers will be amazed by the marine life just below the surface and by the incredible atmosphere of being out on the water in this virginal tropical island paradise. Accommodation - There are just seven rooms at Pole Pole, all of which are luxury lodges like the one opposite. The lodges are arranged across the side of a palm-clad hillside, with views across Chole Bay. Facilities - The main restaurant and bar area is off to one side. Food is excellent, being predominantly swahili dishes with superb fish, vegetables and fruits. There is also a sprinkling of Italian influence in the cooking thanks to Massimo. Facilities are comfortable and easy.

Dar es Salaam [BACK TO TOP]

The Holiday Inn With its friendly efficient staff and long list of facilities, we rate this as the best hotel in Dar and recommend that all customers who need to overnight in this city use it as their base.

Location - Located in the capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, the Holiday Inn is in the city centre amongst the skyscrapers pictured opposite. Very much a businessmen's hotel with 152 rooms and business centre, this large hotel serves as the perfect transit base in Dar before heading out on safari or the islands. Accommodation - This large five story hotel with 152 rooms, two restaurants, bar swimming pool and fitness centre is, as we have said before, the best hotel in Dar. As part of the worldwide Holiday Inn brand it has the usual standards mixed with the delightful friendliness of the Tanzanian staff. Food and Drink - Breakfast is served buffet style in the Kivulini breakfast room is the usual large hotel breakfast with fruit, cereals, pastries, breads and cooked eggs, bacon and all trimmings. Not exactly inspiring, but as good as you will get in the city. Lunch and dinner are available in the Baraza Bar and Restaurant, a stylish bistro type eatery with a good al-a-carte menu. The bar is well stocked and the service friendly which makes for a pleasant experience overall. Baraza is run by the same people who own Blues restaurant on Zanzibar and Redds African Grill House in Arusha.

The Courtyard Hotel

A little bit out from the centre of town to the north, this is a reasonable small hotel, with quite good facilities and a little bit more character that the larger hotels, as well as being a little cheaper. Too far out to use as a stopover ... for the extra taxi fare you could stop at the Holiday Inn. Might be worthy of consideration if you are stopping off in Dar for a while.

New Africa Hotel The New Africa Hotel and Casino, situated in the centre of Dar es Salaam, over looking the harbour, is the perfect hotel for the International Traveller.

Location - All government, commercial and financial institutions are within walking distance of the hotel. The ferry to Zanzibar is based almost at our doorstep. Facilities - Smoking & Non-Smoking Rooms, En Suite Bathroom, Air-Conditioning, Hairdryer, Television, Satellite & Local TV, Direct Dial Telephone, Wireless Internet Access, Mini Bar, Tea & Coffee Making Facilities, Same day Laundry Service, Dry Cleaning, Direct Wake Up Calls, Electronic safes Food and Drink - The Bandari Grill Restaurant situated on the first floor is open for lunch & dinner seven days a week. It serves a wide range of continental dishes and a selection of some Indian dishes in a spacious and comfortable setting. The restaurant has always been famous for having Tanzania’s finest selection of fresh seafood. New Africa Hotel offers an extensive outdoor swimming pool area, which is exclusively available to our guests.