Mchanga Beach Lodge (pronounced like 'Machanga', with a very short 'a' sound, closer to M'changa Beach Lodge!) opened in June 2008, on the site of a very basic old beach lodge, after it had been completely redeveloped by a very dedicated German-American couple, Thomas and Gloria Zimmermann. Having visited it in February, during the renovations, and again in mid-June, just after it opened, we're very confident that Mchanga Beach Lodge is set to be a tremendous success.
Mchanga's construction is quite simple using locally sourced materials, with eight thatched, whitewashed rooms - standing in two staggered rows, angled off from each other. Mchanga doesn't have acres of space, but what it does have has been used very well, and to good effect.
Six of the rooms are Seaview Lodge Rooms and two are Garden Suites – both cost the same! All are broadly similar, although the Garden Suites are larger and have a double 'baraza' seating area which converts into an additional sleeping spot; ideal for families. These two rooms also have a broader outdoor private terrace. However, as you might expect, the Seaview Lodge Rooms have the advantage of a direct view of the sea.
All the rooms at Mchanga Beach Lodge have simple, stylish and high quality interiors, including an intricately-carved Zanzibari four-poster bed, covered in brilliant white soft cotton sheets, fine cotton blankets and lovely turquoise and indigo batik throws, as well as a semi-circular cushion-covered baraza alcove and a small sand-covered terrace for morning tea. There is an en-suite toilet and shower beyond a stone wall, and neat storage for clothes and belongings.
Thomas and Gloria have clearly had high standards in mind for Mchanga since the start; that was clear even when the place was a building site. Touches from light switches within mosquito nets to beach-baskets with towels show great attention to detail. Equally, a thoughtful mix of hand-crafted wooden shutters, electric ceiling fans, air conditioning and traditional high-beamed ceilings all ensure the rooms remain cool, regardless of the time of day.
Mchanga Beach Lodge is located immediately beside a lovely beach between Pwani Mchangani and Matemwe – with deep, powder-sand, where the sparkling ocean is perfect for swimming when the tide's in.
Between the bungalows and the beach is a small grove of garden with plenty of palms, standing on soft sand. Here you'll find a stunning swimming pool (13m long) and an open-sided makuti bar and restaurant. Food is a seasonal mix of Swahili specials with traditional cooking methods and tropical produce making for tasty fresh food. There are open-sided beach bandas for shade, and cheerfully-covered coir loungers for sunbathing and snoozing. Boules and board games offer a bit of fun, and diving can be arranged with nearby PADI centres.
In short ... Mchanga Beach Lodge is a very new, small lodge with a lovely pool beside a stunning beach. Standards are high, yet its prices are low – purely because it's new. When we visited in June we found Gloria, Thomas and their team to be friendly, welcoming and very attentive. It is this kind of owner run service that will help to make Mchanga a fantastic spot.
Having seen Mchanga during its construction, and after it had opened, and seen the owners taking a very positive hands-on role on both occasions, we're very sure that they are setting high standards here for the quality of the lodge, and their care of its visitors. For 2008 we think that this is superb value; get here quickly before the prices rise for 2009!
Ideal length of stay: Mchanga works best as a place to just relax – and you could quite easily stay here for a week of pure relaxation!
Central facilities: In front of the Seaview Rooms and towards the beach, is Mchanga Beach Lodges' swimming pool, restaurant and bar. The swimming pool is large and rectangular, it is great for when the tide goes out and swimming from the beach becomes difficult.
To one side of the pool is the informal beach bar, which sits under a makuti thatched roof and has a floor of natural sand that extends up from the beach. The bar has totally open sides so you can sit and look out over the beach whilst you are enjoying a drink.
The floor and the sofas and chairs are built using local materials and in a traditional Zanzibari style. Sturdy posts form the main structure of the furniture, and then rope made from the fibre of coconut husks creates the seat and backs. This is all softened and made comfortable with big cushions covered in bright green and blue fabrics. All of the cushions are made by Mchanga Beach Lodge's in house tailor.
The dining room is on the other side of the pool and is a similar open-sided area, under a high thatch roof. The floor has also been left as natural sand, and tables and chairs are dotted around. The tables are covered in lovely blue table cloths that match the throws used in the bedrooms. Each table also has a small and thoughtful flower arrangement.
Behind the rooms is a special 'Boules' area – which has a sandy lane and is perfect for playing the classic French game. There is also a games area planned, which will feature board games such as scrabble, checkers, chess and backgammon.
When we visited a few weeks after they opened, Gloria was also planning the shop – which when ready will feature hand picked art made by talented local artists. Gloria is very keen to support local artists through her shop. There will also be essentials such as sun cream and other toiletries.
The main areas of the lodge use simple ideas, natural and locally sourced materials to good effect. The lodge isn't overly stylized, but it feels very in-keeping with its surroundings. It has a crisp simplicity that is done very well.
Directions: From Dar es Salaam, it's about a 35-minute flight to Zanzibar, and then the drive to Mchanga Beach Lodge is about an hour (it's 45km).
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Thomas and Gloria Zimmermann
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: When we visited in June we found the food at Mchanga Beach Lodge to be very tasty. The Zanzibari chef used plenty of local spices and traditional flavours in the cooking as well as fresh ingredients. We particularly enjoyed the fresh seafood!
Breakfast includes fresh fruit followed by eggs cooked to your liking. There is also a choice of fresh juices, tea and coffee. In addition to this you can expect freshly baked bread homemade jam and some traditional Swahili breakfast options such as chapattis mandazis, these are East African breads which are similar to doughnuts though contain rather less sugar.
As most guests stay on half board here (though you can opt for b&b and fb – talk to us about this) lunch is an a la carte menu with prices. There will be a variety of lighter dishes such as sandwiches and snacks as well as some larger dishes.
Dinner is then a three course meal, served to your table in the dining area. There will usually be a choice of two starters, one of which will be homemade soup. Then for the main course there are three choices – one of which will be a vegetarian option, the second will be meat, whilst the third will be seafood. When we were there in June we thoroughly enjoyed a meal of spicy tomato soup, king prawns in a Swahili curry, and a desert of a pancake stuffed with fruit and drizzled in syrup.
Once a week Mchanga Beach Lodge are also going to hold a 'Forodhani Gardens' barbecue night. This is a night based on the Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town – an open air food market where travellers can browse the length of the food stands before choosing what they want to eat. There is usually an abundance of barbequed fish, prawns, lobster, chicken, meat, as well as salads, chips and chapattis.
We especially liked the mix of traditional flavours, authentic Swahili influences and western dishes in the cooking at Mchanga Beach Lodge. It allows travellers to experience a little of the taste of Zanzibar – and is very tasty.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No
Drinks included: Drinks are not included, but are reasonably priced. A soft drink is about £1 and it is approximately £2 for a local beer
Children
Age restrictions: Mchanga Beach Lodge welcomes children who are over the age of twelve years.
For children between the ages of 12 and 16, there is a 20% discount if sharing one of the Garden Suites with their parents.
There is no discount for children staying in the Seaview Lodge Rooms.
Generally recommended for children: Yes – for slightly older and more mature children.
Notes: There are no kids clubs or organized activities here for children, and parents will need to supervise them at all times.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: This is primarily a place to relax and to get away from the outside world. As a result there are no phones or internet here. However, there is cell phone reception around the lodge – Mchanga Beach lodge asks that you avoid using your phones in the communal areas. There is also internet in the office which can be used in emergencies.
TV & radio: There are no TVs or radios here.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Mchanga Beach Lodge have a basic first aid kit on site and there is a nearby doctor that can be called in an emergency. There is also a hospital in Stone Town which is about a one hour drive away.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Mchanga Lodge is accessed through a secure front gate which is manned by an asakari (a guard) 24 hours a day. There are also a few askaris around the lodge during the day and night.
Fire safety: Mchanga Beach Lodge has a fire extinguisher on site.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available here, for a small extra charge. The laundry is machine washed and line dried.
Money: Mchanga Lodge doesn't have the facility to change large amounts of money for guests.
Accepted payment: When settling your tab at the end of your stay, cash payments are preferred in either Tanzanian Shillings or US$. The lodge doesn't accept credit-card payments.
We want you to understand more about Mchanga Beach Lodge. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Mchanga homepage This is a new site - which may be still under construction. Click above to check.
