Zanzibar has a lot to offer to visitors, read more about it here:

Matemwe, East Coast, Zanzibar

Matemwe is a quaint and charming fishing village on the North East Coast of Zanzibar, 1 hour drive from Stone Town. It is a quiet residential area with a few beach villas, small family resorts, beach bars and restaurants. The villa is located within the lively community where locals get on with their daily activities such as fishing, harvesting seaweed, playing football on the beach or swimming in the lagoon. Unlike maybe some large resorts and hotels, we encourage you to have interaction with locals ! Zanzibari are very friendly and social people.

At high tide you can swim as the ocean is 10 meters away from the house. At low tide the lagoon is even more beautiful as the women harvest seaweed and the fishermen come back from deep-sea fishing on traditional Dhow boats. If you walk five minutes towards the reef you can swim at low tide in the natural pools. Some people only swim at low tide as the colours are even more amazing!

Kitesurfing

High tide also brings a stronger breeze,  ideal for kite surfing in the deep turquoise warm waters. Matemwe beach stretches over 12 km of pristine white sand and tropical palm trees. Approximately 10 km driving distance away, Waikiki surfclub has become a real hotspot for kite surfers and one of the easiest places to learn. It appeals to beginners, intermediate and advanced kite surfers alike. Kite surfing in front of the villa is only possible at high tide and for kite surfers with experience.

Sail in the lagoon

Please your self with a sailing trip in the laguna on a traditional  “ngalawa“ (trimaran) and discover the pleasures of sailing the latin way (one sail)

Snorkeling and swimming with dolphins/sandbanks

Don’t leave Zanzibar without snorkelling the turquoise blue waters. We invite any aqua-fanatics for some lovely exploration of tropical fishes and reefs! Mingle with tropical fish, there is abundance of tropical colorful little fish: parrot fish, Lion fish, Zebra fish, Triggerfish, Goat fish, Cornet fish, Eel, Squirrel fish, Surgeon fish, Blue seachub, Yellow Boxfish, Butterfly fish and many more. You can go with our own motor boat or hire a dhow, one of the amazing local boats which are a unique attraction. You would experience how people used to sail in the past. Enjoy a the freedom by jumping into the crystal clear water and enjoy the beautiful underwater world of corals, fishes, shells ..

Dolphin trips: Don’t let anybody convince you to drive to Kizimkazi – in south of Zanzibar – to swim with dolphins! You will find them in the early morning around Mnemba Island, 20 minutes by motorboat from the villa.

Golf

The Seacliff hotel (30 minutes drive) has the only golf course on the island of Zanzibar. Golfers will enjoy a 9-hole Matkovitch course with its club house, under-cover driving range and practice greens, while enjoying the natural features of the island.

To top it all, two of the last holes are played along the Indian Ocean. The course has been designed with variation in distance and direction on the front and back 9 to create an experience of playing full 18 holes. The course has a par 71, which includes short and long par 4’s and a couple of drivable options.

While parents are golfing, children could take advantage of the wonderful pools of the hotel, and the whole family could order dinner after the wonderful sundown from the terrace.

Beachbars & restaurants around the villa

Should you want to eat out then we can recommend the following places at walking distance:

Seles bar & restaurant, 250 m along the beach is the lively place where expats and tourists alike are used to meet up for a cocktail or a cold beer, or watching an international football game.  To the south, some 250m along the beach, Zanzibar Retreat is offering good food as well. 

Diving

Zanzibar is renowned for its diving and especially around the Mnemba Atoll which is very close to our villa.

For more information please visit www.scubafishzanzibar.com.

This diving school is managed by Yong Mi from the Netherlands and Fabian from France. They ensure the best material and the best diving instructors. You can also request beginner or refresher lessons in our own pool, which is a nice bonus!

Fishing

www.fishingzanzibar.com is the number one on the island, visit them at  www.facebook.com/fishingzanzibar.

Of course, we also have our own boat of course to go fishing. It may take a while to catch a nice fish as everyone knows. We have some basic fishing material but if you are a real ‘connoisseur’, better bring your own rods and material. Anyhow, spending the morning on the water for the catch of the day may be an enjoyable experience.

Stambulli, one of our gardeners is an experienced fisherman as well, and he will be happy to help.

Spa, Massage and Yoga

Should you look for a relaxing hotel spa experience, we can recommend the Seacliff Hotel Spa (30 minutes drive) or Melia Hotel Spa (15 minutes drive).

In Stone Town we recommend Mrembo Spa (www.mrembospa.com). They are the best in town.

Along the beach in front of our villa you may find local ladies offering massages, however these are not necessarily professional massages.

For yoga, have a look at Yoga Zanzibar on www.yogazanzibar.com

Spice Tour

Zanzibar is known as  “Spice Island” and is still the n°1 producer for cloves, but many others spices are to be found on the island as well. Feel free to ask our private driver Nondo, he will drive you to a spice farm on the way to Stone Town. It takes about 1 hour.

We highly recommend this, especially if you are a foodie and like to cook. You may want to avoid the tea they offer you at the end of the tour though. 

Stone Town

A visit to Zanzibar will never be complete without a tour to the ancient Stone Town. The place for civilisation, cultural and religious fusion and tolerance. Countless historical sites and palaces to visit and not to be forgotten, all the vibrant market places, the ancient slave market of course, but fruits and fish markets as well.

Have lunch at the Lukmaan restaurant, near the slave market, an unforgettable african experience. Walk the narrow streets of Old Town, let yourself being impregnated by the spirits, the history of all old houses, souvenir shops and so on.

Freddy Mercury was born in one of them!

Have a sundowner cocktail or fresh beer on the terrace of Africa House. This is quite touristy but still the best place for the daily sundown spectacle. When the night falls down over old town walk to Forodhani gardens, near the House of Wonders. Forodhani is for Stone Town what Jemma el Fna is for Marrakesh. A place where people meet and eat from the several food stalls. Be sure to try the Zanzibari pizza and delicious sugarcane fresh juice with ginger and lemon.

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