Good For You

What was once a low-key backpacker's hideaway is today an eco-friendly lodge offering boutique accommodation in a magical corner of Zanzibar. Perched on a coral rock on the northeast part of the island, this tranquil retreat lies opposite the spectacular Mnemba Atoll and is surrounded by swathes of pristine beaches.

There are just 12 bungalows here, all built from local materials by local craftsmen, and each suite has a private veranda with hammocks and couches overlooking the Indian Ocean. There also three luxury villas that have recently opened that come with private plunge pools and roof terraces with views accross the beach.

Enjoy breakfast outdoors and watch the ngalawas, the fleets of traditional wooden sailing boats, pass by. Or indulge in an evening cocktail as the full moon rises from the sea. Romantic and relaxed, Matemwe is a simply beautiful retreat.

Good For Zanzibar

Matemwe is part of Asilia Lodges & Camps, a small group of owner-run properties located in some of the most magical corners of Tanzania. Asilia means 'authentic' and the group aim to offer incredible accommodation while leaving no environmental footprint whatsoever and to provide the best employment opportunities possible for locals.

Len and Katharina Horlin, the two Swedish sisters who built Matemwe Bungalows in 1990, were mindful and inclusive of the villagers from the start. Money raised by the hotel has significantly contributed to the constriction of village school buildings, a school library, and a village clinic as well as the purchase of a bus for transport to Stone Town. A government water pipeline to the bungalows was extended to the village using hotel funds.

Rooms

Food

Features & Facilities

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Massage
• Internet
• Diving
• Air Con

Matemwe is a perfect place for relaxation as well as water activities. When staying here, ocean trips with snorkeling equipment can be easily arranged for you. You can sail or motor out to the local reef and discover the little island of Mnemba Atoll- right opposite Matemwe. Diving trips can also be organized for you with a professional diving center and you can discover the breathtaking underwater world of the Indian Ocean. You can also snorkel straight from the beach or during reef walks. Kayaks are available to explore the crystal clear sea.

Local snorkeling/diving sites are suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to experienced divers. Variety is the key word on the reefs around Matemwe: soft and hard corals, sponges and anemones abound, and you will be amazed by the sheer range of fish species in these waters. You might find dolphins in the water that come close to your boat to show off or - for the lucky ones - even spot a whale passing by the reef (best chance for whales in the period August - October).

See Local Info for more information about what is on offer at Matamwe.

Local Info & Activities

Zanzibar is actually the name of a group of tropical Indian Ocean islands just east of Tanzania. Pemba and Unguja are the two main islands; Unguja is the largest island and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, swaying palm trees, seafood, spices and the magic of historic Stone Town, which was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The northeast part of the island is known as Matemwe. This part of the island is well known for its fine white sand beaches, the contrasting colours of the Indian Ocean and the beauty of the coral reef of the Mnemba Atoll. Matemwe borders a small fishing village called Kigomani.

Contrary to other parts of the island, one finds few traces of other tourists when at Matemwe. The gorgeous beaches north and south of the lodge are shared with the occasional fishermen unloading their catch of the day.

Matemwe is a perfect place for relaxation as well as water activities. The lodge can help organise snorkelling and diving trips and the local snorkelling and dive sites are suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced divers. Kayaks are available to explore the crystal clear sea and from August to October you may spot whales pass by on their migration route.

Visits to the neighbouring village can be arranged for those who want to explore the local Zanzibar culture and village life and for those who wish to learn about the community projects that Matemwe is involved in.

From Matemwe, day-trips can be arranged to the historic centre of Stone Town, Jozani Forest or Prison Island. The lodge can also organize a Spice Tour for guests, a highly interesting way to learn about the great variety of spices that the island is famous for.

INSIDER TIP/S The currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. There are no foreign currency restrictions. Foreign currency or travellers cheques should be converted to shillings at a bank or Bureau de Change. Most shops or hotels will accept payment in US$.

Credit cards have limited use in Tanzania and are only accepted at a few large hotels and one or two shops in Arusha, with Visa having better coverage than Master Card.

Airport departure taxes (currently US$30 when exiting Tanzania, $20 when exiting Kenya, $6 from Government airstrips) must be paid in US$ cash only - traveller's cheques and other currencies are not accepted.

Guests are advised to bring insect repellent, a hat, comfortable shoes and sunglasses. Long sleeved shirts and trousers are essential for visits to Stone Town.

It's worth remembering that domestic flights have a luggage limit of 15kgs per person.

There are no televisions at Matemwe.

Zanzibar's tropical climate ensures that temperatures are usually above 25 degrees year-round. Matemwe closes during the rainy season in April and May.

Sustainability

The Honeyguide Foundation

The Honeyguide Foundation is a grassroots organization dedicated to community support and the conservation of wildlife through long-term community partnerships. Established in 2006 by the Asilia Group, the Foundation is an independent entity that supports specific projects in the areas where the Group has a presence.

The foundation is trying to cover a wide range of different projects, such as education by providing teacher training, material improvements and scholarships, supporting small local, eco-friendly businesses, initiation of land use plans and environmental initiatives that aim to conserve community resources, community health care initiatives and conservation awareness and conservation awareness initiatives. Many communities, especially in the rural areas where Asilia operates, are poor, lack education, and may not even be aware of their basic rights to land, water and honest leadership.

With more than a decade's experience in Tanzania, Asilia believes the most successful projects are those initiated from within a community - rather than imposed from outside. A selected community must be able to articulate its issues, needs and vision to the Foundation, rather than simply being handed a solution. The Foundation aims to evaluate sensitively the status and progress of each community's capability as well as to monitor and help guide the individual projects. By encouraging self-awareness and good leadership at a focused, grass-roots level, the Foundation envisions that their partner communities will pull themselves out of poverty, and become stable, imaginative and progressive contributors to the preservation of the country's wildlife and wild places.

Matemwe

Matemwe is part of Asilia Lodges & Camps, a small group of owner-run properties located in some of the most magical corners of Tanzania. Asilia means 'authentic' and the group aim to offer incredible accommodation while leaving no environmental footprint whatsoever and providing the best employment opportunities for locals.

Len and Katharina Horlin, the two Swedish sisters who built Matemwe Bungalows in 1990, were mindful and inclusive of the villagers from the start. Money raised by the hotel has significantly contributed to the constriction of village school buildings, a school library, and a village clinic as well as the purchase of a bus for transport to Stone Town. A government water pipeline to the bungalows was extended to the village using hotel funds.

Matemwe is also working to provide school materials such as books, chairs, desks and blackboards, sponsors a school lunch program, and fund scholarships for further education (including university level studies and hotel studies). The lodge partly funds and participates in an annual village clean-up and contributes to the village's sea turtle protection program, paying a guard to protect the crucial Hawksbill Turtle nesting ground

Over 60% of the staff in the lodge are from the villages close to Matemwe. As an employer Matemwe has good medical insurance for all employees as well as pensions and tries to employ as many Tanzanian managers as possible.

The Matemwe Retreat was built by local craftsmen, and where possible from local materials. Walls are of local stone and roofs are made of makuti (woven palm leaves). Most of the furniture is made from locally produced coconut wood. Soft furnishings are produced by Zanzibari women and the matting by the blind association in Stone Town. A solar panel system ensures hot water to the lodge.

Getting There

The international airport at Dar es Salaam is serviced by a number of airlines including Air France, Air India, Air Tanzania, Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air and South African Airways.

From Dar es Salaam, ferries leave four times a day for the 2-3 hour journey across to Zanzibar.

Matemwe can arrange to pick up guests from the ferry terminus on Zanzibar.

Transfers

One way to Stone Town: $55, other locations on request

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

All rates are in US Dollars ($) and are per person per night sharing and include all meals, drinks (except premium wines and champagnes), guided walks and government tax.

Matemwe Suites - Low Season

$230 per person

Matemwe Suites - High Season

$260 per person

Matemwe Retreats - Low Season

$345 per person

Matemwe Retreats - High Season

$390 per person

Single Occupancy

Matemwe Retreat: supplement of US$100-150 (low/high season) Matemwe Suites:supplements of US$60-100 (low / high season)

• Low season runs 6th January- 31st of March, 1st – 30th June, 1st September- 20th December.
• High season runs 1st – 5th of January, 1st July – 31st of August, 21st – 31st of December.
• Matemwe closes during the rainy season in April and May.

booking & cancellation policy

A 30% non refundable deposit secures the booking, the remainder is payable at Matemwe at least 30 days prior to arrival.

For any cancellations less than 30 days before arrival: 25% of your payment will be refunded. For cancellations less than 3 days prior to arrival no refunds will be made. .

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.