Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Lodge

The beautiful Matemwe Lodge (formerly Matemwe Bungalows) is located on the quiet north-east coast of Zanzibar, a tropical island east from Tanzania and can be visited all year round except April-May. It has 12 stand-alone en-suite bungalows with private verandas overlooking the ocean and is perfect for a relaxed tropical island experience. The intimate restaurant offers a range of seafood specialties as well as high-quality meat and vegetarian dishes. Guests can unwind by the attractive multi-level swimming pool with pool-side bar and can spend the day enjoying many varied activities including snorkeling, diving, massages, reef walks, dhow trips, village visits, spice tours, day trips (Stone Town, Jozani Forest, Prison Island and more).

Location

Zanzibar Island is a tropical island east from Tanzania measuring 60 miles long and 20 miles wide. Zanzibar is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs, its palm trees, its seafood 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 weather and natural beauty – the contrasting colors of the Indian Ocean, the fine white powder sand of the beach, the extreme beauty of the coral reef of the Mnemba Atoll and the wild bush vegetation. Matemwe Lodge borders a small village of fishermen, Kigomani, who go out sailing with their armada of traditional dhows on a daily basis.

When to go there?

Matemwe Lodge is an excellent stay at almost any time of the year, as Zanzibar has a tropical climate which is fairly stable – average temperature never drops below 25 degrees. Water temperature is just as nice with an average temperature of 20 degrees. Matemwe Lodge is closed during the rain season.

How to get there?

Zanzibar has an international airport with direct connections to Europe and regional destinations (o/a Dar es Salaam, Nairobi). Travel by sea is also possible: there are regular ferry services between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. We can arrange transfers for you to/from the airport, the sea port or Stone Town.

Facilities

Matemwe Lodge has 12 en-suite bungalows available built from local materials, each with a personal touch. While the sea is always available, a multi-level swimming pool is available to refresh guests during the sunny Zanzibar days. All the rooms, as well as our restaurant are directly overlooking the Indian Ocean. You can enjoy the comings and goings of the local ngalawa fishing fleet from the comfort of your veranda, from the poolside relaxation area or from the restaurant. Matemwe Lodge is tucked between two perfect, white-sanded beaches, inviting you to relax and unwind.

All 12 suites have private verandas where you can laze in your own hammocks. Although mosquitoes are rare in Matemwe, all rooms are equipped with a large mosquito net. The suites have large king-size beds especially suited for honeymooners. An extra single bed makes them also suitable for small families.

Seafood is the specialty of the house, with all produce bought daily from the local markets. Lunch is a buffet offering a delicious mix of African and European flavors. Dinner offers a choice of main courses between fish, meat and vegetarian.

For the early birds the sunrise is a sight to savor. Early morning, tea and/or coffee and delicious cookies will be served at your veranda. In the evening, the full moon rising out of the sea is a wonderful romantic experience you’re not likely to forget. On moonless nights gaze and get lost in the star-filled sky.

The pool-side bar under the palm trees on the sand is a peaceful retreat, as is our swimming pool overlooking the ocean. Also, you can enjoy a cocktail in the relaxing lounge area, overlooking the ocean and the activity of the fishermen.

For those who need to keep in contact with the world outside, we offer internet and telephone facilities in our main building. Television still didn’t make it into Paradise.

Activities

Matemwe Lodge arranges ocean trips with snorkeling equipment, which enables you to enjoy the local reef and discover Mnemba Atoll in a relaxed and informative manner. They also organise diving trips in co-operation with a professional diving centre. For the ones who don’t like boats, snorkeling can be done straight from Matemwe’s beach or during reef walks. Kayaks are also available to explore the crystal clear sea.

Local snorkeling / diving sites are suitable for all levels of experience, from beginning snorkellers or 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 to be found in these waters. You might find dolphins in the water or – for the lucky ones – even spot a whale passing by the reef (best chance for whales in the period August – October).

Visits to the neighboring 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: Matemwe Lodge has created strong, mutually beneficial relationships with its neighbors and has undertaken various community projects, including the building of a local library.

From Matemwe Lodge day-trips can be arranged to the historic centre of Stone Town, Jozani Forest or Prison Island. We can also organize a Spice Tour for you, a highly interesting way to get introduced to the great variety of the spices that the island is famous for.

Weddings & Honeymoons

Candle lit private beach dinners under the stars, Champagne breakfast, honeymoon suites, aromatic massage oils… Matemwe Lodge offers special packages for honeymooners and is proud to offer dream weddings at its pristine beaches.

Honeymoon packages can include other destinations to create an unforgettable honeymoon in Tanzania or Kenya, combining a romantic stay at Matemwe Lodge with an exclusive and intimate safari.