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Unguja Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Remote Beach Lodge
- Family Villas
- Excellent diving / snorkelling

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Overview

Situated on the western side of the southern-most tip of Zanzibar Island near the Kizimkazi Village, the Unguja Lodge is a small, friendly beach lodge. The lodge is owner run and managed, meaning that guests receive a lovely warm and very personal welcome when they arrive. The lodge itself is built on a small cliff above a quiet, tidal beach which disappears at high tide. A five minute walk takes you to a lovely secluded stretch of beach which is accessible regardless of tide.

This intimate lodge has just twelve ‘villas’ dotted around the tropical gardens. The seven ‘sea view villas’ can sleep up to 4 people in two rooms. They have a lounge as well as a private terrace and benefit from direct sea views. These villas do not have air conditioning, just a fan and the sea breeze. The 2 family houses can sleep up to 6 people and have direct sea views and private terraces overlooking the Menai Bay. Like the sea view villas, these also have a lounge, but no air con. For those seeking privacy , there are three further villas which are set back from the sea but have private plunge pools and the main bed room is air-conditioned.

The main lodge areas surround a large free form swimming pool which has ample seating areas and sun loungers. The restaurant, bar and lounge areas are divided by low curved walls affording some privacy and peaceful places to retreat. There is also a library, reading corner with internet access and small informal shop selling local arts and crafts.

Unguja is one of the few lodges in Zanzibar where, during low tide , you can snorkel or dive from the beach. On-site is the Unguja Divers, a PADI dive centre which offers various dives, PADI courses, snorkelling, dolphin trips and island visits. Alternatively spice farm tours, Stone Town visits, Jozani Forest or trip to local village can easily be arranged.

It is the little things that count. Unguja won the 2014 Boutique Hotel award for Africa's best sustainable boutique hotel. Here are a few examples:

* Filtered water used at meal times.

* Sealed water bottle in room on arrival which is filled daily with filtered water.

* Separate waste.

* Use seasonable fruits and vegetables.

* Source local produce where possible.

* 70% of the staff is from the village of Kizimkazi.

* The money from the guided village walks is used for projects in the village

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Suggested Itineraries for Unguja Lodge

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 530 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again

    MissingGodfrey R reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana on 25 September 2023

  • We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil

    MissingPhilip R reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach on 01 September 2023

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

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