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The best beach hotels in Tanzania

The characterful Zanzibar Island is Tanzania’s most loved and well-known beach spot. However, there are an awful lot of incredibly mediocre hotels on the island, so picking the right one really is make or break. Luckily, there are still a few excellent boutique hotels on the island. In the wider archipelago are the private islands of Mnemba and Fanjove which offer a truly exclusive beach experience. On the mainland coast, there is only one lodge worth talking about. Ras Kutani is one of the finest beach lodges in East Africa. Let me take you through each one in detail. Xanadu Xanadu Villas are the crème de la crème of luxury beach villas in Zanzibar. Nowhere on the island quite lives up to the luxury it exudes from the villas themselves, to your private butler, the Michelin standard food and your private pools… Xanadu is king for a private villa experience on Zanzibar. You can experience this luxury from $400 per person per night in their most reasonably priced villa; Umande. Zuri Zanzibar Zuri Zanzibar is bigger than Xanadu – at 52 rooms it is by no means the intimate option. However, each room is nestled in their beautiful tropical gardens, making the experience a relatively private one given its size. Zuri has without a doubt the very best beach on Zanzibar Island. Starting prices are $345 per person per night for their staple garden bungalows. Mnemba Private Island Mnemba Island, although part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, is not on Zanzibar Island itself. Mnemba Lodge is a private island off the coast of Zanzibar and the very best of barefoot luxury beach-chic experience Africa has to offer. The “bandas” are spread out across the beautiful beach, and all offer everything you need but in an utterly authentic sense. If you love authentic hideaways, exclusivity and have around $1,700 per person per night, then Mnemba would be a beach holiday of a lifetime. Fanjove Private Island Fanjove is Mnemba’s rustic and much cheaper alternative. Nowhere is better than this private island if you love an off the beaten track, cast away experience, but without paying the big Mnemba price. Getting here is an adventure in itself, but well worth the slightly more expensive internal flights, and the beautiful boat ride in. The ultimate Robison Crusoe adventure can be yours from $385 per person per night. Ras Kutani Ras Kutani is the only beach lodge worth mentioning on Tanzania’s mainland coast. It is not only the most personalised and tranquil lodge on the mainland coast, but probably throughout East Africa. The thing which sets it apart from every other lodge is that it is owned and ran by a safari company, so you are guaranteed a truly memorable experience. Anyone who has been on safari before knows the levels of hospitality are above and beyond any beach hotel they have ever stayed in… But not this one! Ras Kutani is truly unbelievable value at $350 per person per night. Marc Harris is Managing Director of Tanzania Odyssey. Tanzania Odyssey is a leading tour operator that has specialised in Tanzania since 1998. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Marc Harris

Marc Harris is the Founder and Managing Director of Tanzania Odyssey and Africa Odyssey. Marc founded the companies in 1999 after a 2 year stint exploring and guiding all over Africa and still enjoys regular visits to this amazing continent. We are safari experts, long-established specialists in all aspects of African safari itinerary planning and ground management across sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, whether you are dreaming of the ultimate walking safari through the heart of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park or a champagne breakfast in the Masai Mara, whether you wish to encounter wild gorillas or enjoy the ultimate Indian Ocean island beach break, we will design the perfect itinerary for you.

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11 Comments

  1. Fanjove really does look like the ultimate desert island castaway experience. I don’t suppose it would take too long to walk round the island.

  2. Quite a timely post as I’ve been thinking that we might go to Zanzibar. Useful warning that there are a lot of mediocre hotels on the island. I fear that some of these recommendations might be a bit beyond my budget for this year. Anyway I’ll look very closely at all the options before booking.

    1. What is your budget? Let me know what you are after and I can make some recommendations.

  3. I met somebody once through a mutual friend who had lived in Nairobi. Anytime somebody mentions a place in Africa, I certainly feel a sense of wonder to visit. Is Zanzibar a safe place to visit? And what about visiting Tanzania in general? Thanks.

    -Gary

    1. Yes Zanzibar is safe – most activities are local to your hotel. You can walk around Stone Town alone, though you may get hassled to buy things! Tanzania in general is full of very friendly people and beautiful places. As with anywhere in the world, at night you must be careful but that is about it.

  4. My friend and I will be travelling to Zanzibar next month and staying with a friend over there. It’s really great reading your writing and thanks a lot for this guide, I’m looking forward to tasting the local food, go swimming and explore Zanzibar.

  5. These are tough times for those of us who like to travel. I’m awake early and found myself scrolling through the back pages of A Luxury Travel Blog. Though I’ve got to admit that picture stopped my finger scrolling. I think I’ll add the beach in Tanzania to the list of places I want to get to when normal service resumes.

    1. I was doing something similar and this post stuck out to me. Couldn’t you just see yourself relaxing at a villa like Xanadu right now? I love that view with those purple skies at night. Really a gorgeous choice for a destination in East Africa.

  6. I would love to know what hotel should I stay at in Zanzibar? I traveling by myself as a single woman and love to feel comfortable in an hotel/resort and not stand out as the single person. lol

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