Zanzibar & Matemwe Guide

Discover the fantastic things to do on your holiday in Zanzibar and our Matemwe guide.

ZANZIBAR GUIDE

Zanzibar Island

The verdant isle of Ungujua, the archipelago’s principal island commonly referred to as Zanzibar, is a green gem that lies some 50km off the coast of East Africa. Zanzibar has for many centuries been a destination for travelers and traders due to its position within the Indian Ocean’s trade wind cycle. In addition to the aquamarine beauty of Zanzibar’s coastline, its labyrinthine capital, Stone Town, is an exceptional heritage site. Arab, Indian and 19th century European houses, as well as mosques, churches and temples all attest to the influences on which Zanzibar’s unique culture draws. The island’s historic wealth was based on the trade of cloves, slaves and ivory under the Omani Sultans of Zanzibar who ruled (at least nominally) until shortly after Independence from the UK in 1963. Today Zanzibar is increasingly open to the interest shown by travelers drawn to its fascinating heritage, stunning beaches and marine life.

Zanzibar Town /

"Stone Town"

Stone Town is a city of prominent historical and artistic importance in East Africa. Its architecture, mostly dating back to the 19th century, reflects the diverse influences underlying the Swahili culture, giving a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. For this reason, the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

MATEMWE GUIDE

Stretched out along Unguja’s (the main island in the archipelago) stunning northeast coast lagoon of tropical Zanzibar, Matemwe has emerged in recent years as the island’s low-rise, chic beach destination far from major hotel developments. About an hour’s drive from Stone Town out in the shamba (countryside) Matemwe’s is largely a place of fishing and seaweed farming.

Matemwe Village

The village has retained a strong community ethos with few inhabitants hailing from elsewhere. Chickens, goats and ducks roam free during the day while at night bush babies are about. Groups of inhabitants sit outside on their benches in the shade and chat away much of the day. There is no great sense of rush. And why should there be? They live in tropical paradise after all. The recent arrival of exclusive, low-rise villas and small hotels catering to the international travel market has expanded the village’s economy since the early 2,000s, providing hospitality employment and opportunities for local artisans, famers and entrepreneurs. With the population having a high proportion of children who play outside their homes or down on the beach, the village has a distinctly youthful feel to it. Having maintained its authenticity while welcoming hospitality businesses along its beach, the Matemwe’s future appears promising. With each relative contributing in different ways, whether in cash from their job at a villa or hotel, or as the family’s fisherman, goat herder or fruit grower, family members share what they have with each other for the greater good.

Matemwe Beach

Undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Zanzibar, Matemwe Beach promises a paradise beach holiday. The beautiful, palm-fringed beach is of pure white sand and stretches for miles along the stunning lagoon. This is the place to come if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday in Tanzania, away-from-it-all. Fishing dhows punt up the lagoon at dawn on their way to Miuni channel and then on out past Mnemba Island. At dusk they sail back, their lateen sails unfurled in the afternoon breeze. One can walk for miles in both directions along Matemwe’s majestic beach only occasionally coming across other people. A near continual shore breeze affords natural air conditioning throughout the year.

Mnemba Island

Matemwe is the best place to stay in Zanzibar if you like to dive or swim with dolphins – just a 30 minute boat ride will take you to some of the most spectacular underwater landscapes in the Indian Ocean.

THINGS TO DO IN ZANZIBAR

Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do in Zanzibar. The tropical island paradise promises a wealth of interesting activities, from exhilarating pursuits like kite surfing and diving, to breathtaking snorkeling and swimming with dolphins, and the spice tours and architectural wonders of historic Stone Town.

Kite Surfing & Sea Kayaking

Matemwe offers a wide variety of marine activities on the broad and protected northeast coast lagoon including kayaking and kite surfing courses.

Diving, Snorkeling & Swimming with Dolphins

Mnemba Atoll, just off-shore, offers some of the most spectacular diving and snorkeling anywhere in the Indian Ocean. Its renowned coral reef and piercing turquoise shallows are of exceptional natural beauty and are home to a staggering abundance of exotic marine life, including playful wild dolphins. If you don’t have a PADI diving certificate you can happily snorkel in the far-reaching shallows around glorious Mnemba. For those who do have their PADI or wish to study for it, our partner dive centre, One Ocean Dive Center (www.zanzibaroneocean.com), provides excellent diving & snorkeling for all levels. For a truly unforgettable experience, consider one of our dolphin boat safaris  with lunch on a piercing white sand bank, with afternoon snorkeling for the more active.

Yoga on Matemwe Beach

Saluting the sun as it rises over Matemwe’s lagoon is an experience to cherish. The great expanses of fine white sand and rose dawn hues mirrored in the shallows all the way to the reef, afford stunning vistas to early risers. Our open air yoga space overviewing the Indian Ocean is exactly what all the yogis appreciate.

Stone Town – Culture, Shopping & Spice

To experience more of Zanzibar’s rich culture we can organize shopping and cultural visits to Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose architecture is unparalleled in East Africa in its richness and diversity. As you stroll along the narrow alleyways past an array of artisan and curio shops of the old town you will come across an exceptional variety of structures from arabesque palaces to Anglo-Indian municipal buildings that reflect the diverse influences underlying Swahili culture, with a unique mixture of Arab, Persian, Indian and European elements. A spice tour is highly recommended.

Nature Tours

To see Zanzibar’s wildlife on land we will happily organize bespoke, half day or day-long excursions from Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas for you to see chameleons, lizards, exotic, rate birds, beautiful Zanzibar butterflies and the endangered, red Colobus monkey, in their protected tropical forest habitat at the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, where rich mangrove forests stretch into the Chwaka bay.

Village Tours

For those interested in experiencing the vibrant and welcoming village life of our local fishing community, we are very happy to walk our guests around Matemwe to meet some of our friends and the relatives of our team who all live in the area.

Pampering Massages

Just being in Matemwe, with its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery, will make you rest, but our massage therapists will help to loosen tense muscles,  relax and unwind. 

Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas

Matemwe, Zanzibar

HOTEL CONTACT

+255 779 729 001

info@zanzibarsunrise.com

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