The word Mchanga comes from the Swahili for “sand”, and at Mchanga Beach Lodge there is certainly no shortage of sand! Mchanga Beach Lodge opened in July 2008, on the site of a very basic old beach lodge, but only after it had been completely redeveloped. This was by a very dedicated German-American couple, Thomas and Gloria Zimmermann. We have visited several times and on our most recent visit in December 2009 we found a small, simple yet very effective and delightful beach lodge in a great location.
Mchanga is set on a fairly small site, but they have used the space very well. There are eight cottages in total - six of these are Sea-facing Lodge Rooms which are in two rows, angled slightly to provide a degree of privacy, and a great view over the pool and to the sea beyond.
The two Garden Suites are slightly larger, and have a double Baraza seating area which can be converted into an extra bed - a great option for families. They have a larger outdoor private terrace, although they don't enjoy quite the same views as the Sea-facing lodge rooms.
Inside, the rooms are fairly simple, but they are stylish with a lovely Zanzibari bed and a covered baraza alcove. Brightly colored blue and turquoise throws and cushions make the rooms feel bright and airy. Electric ceiling fans, air-conditioning and high ceilings ensure the rooms remain cool. A small en-suite toilet and shower room adjoins.
Mchanga is really starting to settle into its surroundings now, and the gardens are lush, bright and colourful. The beach itself has an abundance of beautiful white-powdery sand, and the ocean is perfect for swimming when the tide is in. When it's out - the 13m pool has comfy seats to relax around - and a volleyball net for those feeling a bit more active!
There is a small, but interesting, shop, featuring hand picked art made by talented local artists. Gloria is very keen to support local artists through her shop. There are also essentials such as sun cream and other toiletries.
The thatched dining area is shady, and the glass sides provide some shelter from the breeze. The food is tasty and uses plenty of local ingredients and spices. The bar has plenty of colourful cushions on wicker chairs to relax in, and there are open-sided beach bandas and loungers for sunbathing on the beach. Tours and excursions around the island and diving with a local dive-centre can be arranged.
Overall, Mchanga is a simple lodge run by a very dedicated couple in a great location. It's the perfect place to unwind and relax and enjoy the unpretentious and friendly atmosphere.
Directions: From Dar es Salaam, it's about a 20-minute flight to Zanzibar, and then the drive to Mchanga Beach Lodge is about an hour (it's 50km).
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent/Owner-run - by Gloria and Thomas Zimmerman
Staff: Camp/Lodge Manager: Gloria and Thomas Zimmerman
Bar staff: Joseph and David Chef: Hashim
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: Unfortunately we didn't get to sample the food in 2009, however when we visited in 2008 we found the food at Mchanga Beach Lodge to be very tasty. The Zanzibari chef (who is still there now) 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. Try the delicious Zanzibar omelette! 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 and mandazis (East African breads which are similar to doughnuts though contain rather less sugar). Muffins and pancakes are usually available and copious amounts of fresh fruit salad are served in large coconut shells.
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, burgers and snacks as well as some larger dishes to choose from.
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 September 2008 we thoroughly enjoyed a meal of zucchini and ginger soup, king prawns in a Swahili curry, and a dessert of a date and cashew cake. Other options were potato pancakes with mango chutney to start, and tandoori chicken as a main course.
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 $2 and it is approximately $4 for a local beer.
Children
Attitude towards children: Mchanga Beach Lodge welcomes 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.
Activities: No
Equipment: No
Generally recommended for children: Yes – for slightly older and more mature children.
Notes: There are no kids clubs or organized activities here for children, but there is a lovely beach and a large pool. Parents should note that children are their own responsibility and they 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 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 access in the shop which is $5 for 20 minutes.
TV & radio: There is no TV and Radio here.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Mchanga Beach Lodge has a basic first aid kit on site and there is a nearby doctor that can be called in an emergency. There is also a hospital in Stone Town which is about a one hour drive away.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Mchanga Lodge is accessed through a secure front gate which is manned by an asakari (a guard) 24 hours a day. There are also a few askaris around the lodge during the day and night, and the beach is patrolled.
Fire safety: Mchanga Beach Lodge has a fire extinguisher on site.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available here, for a small extra charge. The laundry is machine washed and line dried.
Money: Mchanga Lodge doesn't have the facility to change large amounts of money for guests.
Accepted payment: When settling your tab at the end of your stay, cash payments are preferred in either Tanzanian Shillings or US$. The lodge doesn't accept credit-card payments.
Mchanga Beach Lodge review
Gloria and Thomas run a great beach lodge - they were really welcoming and helpful. Each night they'd come round for a chat before dinner which is a great way to raise any minor issues or to make ...
Mchanga Beach Lodge review
Excellent location.Simple but comfortable rooms Attentive service.Very good beach.
Local staff very well trained
Very good pool
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 - with lots of useful information so definitely worth a visit.
