Zanzibar Travel Guide
Zanzibar Travel Guide
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Around Zanzibar Town
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South of Zanz. Town
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Where to Stay

Zanzibar Travel Guide

Where to Stay



Mbweni Ruins


(13 rooms) Ø 024 223 4578/9; f 024 223 0536; e hotel@mbweni.com; www.adventurecamps.co.tz. Situated in the grounds of the Mbweni Ruins, this small hotel is widely rated as one of the best of its type in and around Zanzibar Town. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, each with large bathroom, AC, canopy beds, tasteful furniture and small private balcony. The hotel is set in extensive well-maintained grounds with a lush botanical garden and nature trail, and a swimming pool overlooking the beach.

The food in the terrace restaurant overlooking the sea is recommended, with many visitors staying in Zanzibar Town coming here for lunch or dinner, combined with a swim or a walk in the grounds. Lunches are between US$5 and US$10, and a full evening meal is US$10–25. There is a free shuttle service to and from town, and transfers to/from the port or airport cost US$10 for 4 people.

The ruins are open to visitors, and sometimes the hotel arranges atmospheric open-air dinners amongst the pillars and arches of the school chapel. Nearby mangroves provide good birding, and the hotel has its own list of birds and butterflies seen in the grounds and further afield. The staff are keen naturalists, and can advise visitors on all aspects of local natural history.

US$100/180 sgl/dbl, b&b; US$15/25 pp, HB/FB suppt.

Zanzibar Beach Resort


(60 rooms) PO Box 2586; Ø 024 2230208; f 024 2230556; e znzbeachresort@zanlink.com. This hotel (formerly the Fisherman's Resort, and before that the Zanzibar Reef) is about 7km from Zanzibar Town and 3km from the airport, between the areas of Mazizini and Mbweni. The hotel is set in landscaped grounds overlooking the sea, with 60 en-suite rooms, and aimed more at groups (discounts are available), although individual tourists stay here as well.

The rooms are in large 2-storey chalets with whitewashed walls and thatched roofs. There are rooms in each chalet, 2 larger ones at the front with sea views, and 2 smaller ones at the back. All rooms have canopy beds, big bathrooms and a nice veranda, although the furniture seems unnecessarily heavy and dark. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and disco, squash court, gym, swimming pool, conference room, and facilities for fishing and watersports.

US$100/130 sgl/dbl; US$20 pp sea view suppt. US$10/18 pp HB/FB suppt.


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