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Pongwe Beach Hotel

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Family-friendly
- Superb water activities
- Luxurious dining experience
- Suites with private plunge pools

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Overview

Pongwe Beach Hotel is a real favourite, with a fantastic location, just the right level of comfort, reasonable rates and great service. Availability can be tight, but when available, Pongwe is always a strong choice.

Guest accommodation at Pongwe Beach Hotel consists of 13 beachfront cottages, four sea-view suites with plunge pools, and three garden cottages. All feature a Moroccan style en-suite bathroom and a private terrace.

Food here is fantastic. Breakfast is served on the private terraces, while lunch and dinner are served in a large palm-thatched pavilion overlooking the beach. Once a week, a local jambo trio entertains guests with music during dinner to provide a complimentary cultural dining experience.

Activities at Pongwe Beach Hotel are mostly water-based. Guests can kayak over the bay area, relax in the hotel’s infinity pools, or even take a dip in the ocean themselves. Boat trips are also available, and guests can sail dhows or take local fishing trips for marlin, barracuda, and king fish on ngalawa (local fishing boats). Other activities include motorbike trips into Stone Town and spice tours. Or, guests can decide to sit back and relax in the hammocks strung between palms along the beach. Snorkelling is possible on the reef, but currents can be strong, so is suitable for stronger swimmers only.

This is a brilliant place for those who want seclusion, but also who want some fun and games, which makes it a great spot for a family getaway. Whilst there are no special activities for children, they should enjoy themselves along the beach and in the waters, as many of the activities are suitable for all ages. Families with older children can go snorkelling around the Pongwe Reef and between dives play some beach games. Ask staff for a game of Bao, which is a popular board game in Zanzibar that they will be happy to explain and challenge guests to play. Children of all ages are welcome, but there are no babysitting facilities and no children’s play area. Cots and extra beds are available for families with children of all ages.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

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    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

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    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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