Shooting Star Lodge stands on top of a coral cliff above the stunning Kiwengwa Beach and is a firm favourite amongst our travellers. It was built and is run by an engaging and very welcoming Tanzanian called Elly, and his lovely English wife, Lesley. It attracts a real mix of characters, who usually come together around the bar area during the day and in the evening – the result is a lovely social atmosphere.
The lounge/bar and dining area are all situated together in quite a compact garden with the infinity pool and sun deck just in front. Though it can sometimes be hard to get a spot around the very popular pool, the beach is usually quieter, with plenty of loungers going spare, and there are a few secluded corners where you can get away from it all.
Diving and snorkeling trips are organised by a nearby PADI scuba centre based at Bluebay Beach Resort. Someone will come and pick you up first thing in the morning and take you across to Bluebay, from where you will then head off to either a nearby dive site, or a slightly more distant reef on Mnemba Island.
The rooms at Shooting Star Lodge do vary quite a lot. The most simple rooms are the Garden View, which are small terraced rooms set back from the coral cliff in the gardens.
The Sea View Cottages are of a higher standard – as they are larger and all have sea views. Some have been built with families in mind with an extra level; upstairs they have plenty of space and two single beds. The Sea View Cottages have always been our favourite rooms, with plenty of space, lovely furniture and a little private veranda.
New in October 2008 were two private suites: the Kusi Suite and the Kaskazi Suite. We haven't seen these ourselves yet, but watch this space for more news of them.
With only 16 rooms, Shooting Star is a relatively small and personal beach lodge and the friendly team makes it a very enjoyable place to stay.
Ideal length of stay: From 3 days to a week or more
Central facilities: Shooting Star has lovely public areas, with plenty of comfortable seating and great views out over the Indian Ocean. The lounge is under thatch and made up of little open-sided booths on either side of a walk-way leading to the pool. Zanzibari cushions are scattered across the seats and the odd Bao board (a traditional African game) is lying around for anyone who wants to learn to play. Then the well stocked bar is just next door with a few high stools to sit on - it can be a lively and sociable place in the evenings.
The dining area is adjacent to the lounge and is furnished with intimate tables. You can either sit under the thatch, in the open air, or up on a decking overlooking the pool. If you would rather grab lunch down at the beach instead, there is a lovely little beach restaurant and lounge area. This is raised on stilts over-looking the sea and is adorned with comfortable sofas and cushions covered in traditional kangas.
Shooting Star's relatively new (2005) horse-shoe infinity pool is very beautiful. It sits in front of the lounge and dinning area, right on the edge of the coral cliff, and looks out over the beach and sea beyond – a magnificent view.
Elly and Lesley have also set up a small shop by reception which sells reasonably priced curios, sarongs, t-shirts and postcards.
Directions: It takes around 35 minutes to fly to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam, and then it's a further one hour by car to Shooting Star Lodge.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent / Owner Run
Food & drink
Usual board basis: B&B
Food quality: Breakfast at Shooting Star consists of a variety of fresh fruit as well as toast and eggs cooked how you like them. Lunch is an a la carte menu consisting of a variety of international cuisine. Dinner is then a 3-course meal with a number of choices being offered for the starter and main.
When we were last at Shooting Star, the food was alright, although not spectacular. It was always tasty, with a variety of choices including fresh sea food. However, it was also very formulaic; rice or chipati is fairly consistently served for dinner.
Shooting Star Lodge is not an expensive place to stay – and given that, the food here is not 'bad'. It is cooked properly, and always fresh. However, with a little imagination … we felt that it could have been a lot better and more varied.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes – though there are no phones in the rooms. Any room service will therefore need to be arranged in advance.
Drinks included: Drinks are not included.
Special interests
Honeymoons: Shooting Star is a fun small lodge for laid-back honeymooners who want a good-value place beside Zanzibar's long, powder-white East Coast beach.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for honeymoons in Zanzibar
Beach Breaks: The beach at Shooting Star is a lovely long stretch of white sand. When the tide is in, the crystal clear turquoise water is very inviting. Then when the tide is out, you can't swim but the exposed inter-tidal zone is a fascinating place to walk.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for beach breaks in Zanzibar
Diving & snorkelling: There's a full PADI dive centre nearby which organises diving and snorkelling throughout the area. Trips are often organised to dive in the Mnemba Island area.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for diving & snorkelling in Zanzibar
Children
Attitude towards children: Shooting Star welcomes children
Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions at Shooting Star
Activities: They will happily organize baby-sitting
Equipment: There are cots and highchairs at Shooting Star
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: Shooting Star is a very friendly and welcoming place, which will happily cater to children. There is a lovely pool and stretch of beach for playing, though there are no special facilities or activities for children.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: There is cell-phone coverage at Shooting Star, as well as a fax machine and the internet which guests are welcome to when the office isn't too busy.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio at Shooting Star
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: There is an on-site first aid kit, and there is usually a doctor on call nearby (in one of the larger lodges) that Shooting Star Lodge can access in the case of a medical emergency.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Shooting Star employs its own watchmen for the hotel and beach.
Fire safety: There are fire-extinguishers dotted around Shooting Star Lodge.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service - Extra Charge
Money: You can exchange US$, Euros and Pounds as well as travellers' cheques at Shooting Star.
Accepted payment: The preferred form of payment at Shooting Star is cash, however you can also pay for any extra costs using travellers' cheques, visa or mastercard. There is a 10 percent charge for anything other than cash; the minimum transaction for card payments is $50.
Shooting Star review
Beautiful location and well landscaped and maintained lodge. The pool could not have been better located.
Quite a bit of wildlife to be seen around the lodge, sunbirds, lizards, the odd green tree...
Shooting Star - Lodge - Average
This was the most disappointing section of our vacation. Coming from "camping" in the bush we expected the Shooting Star to be a more luxurious experience that the camps, but it was quite t...
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Shooting Star homepage Nice website with a scattering of clear, helpful pictures; well worth a look.
