About Thanda Island
Situated about 28km off the Tanzanian coast, and 13km north of the laid-back island of Mafia, the tropical ...
... Thanda Island (also known by its original name, Shungi Mbili) measures just 250m x 200m, and is fringed by exquisite white beaches. Offshore, sandbanks and coral reefs lie under the turquoise waters of the surrounding Indian Ocean. Nobody has ever lived here, but in April 2016 an opulent five-bedroom villa opened on Thanda Island, catering to only one group at a time. So this island is always private: an exclusive retreat that you won’t have to share with anyone else.
Thanda Private Island is simply outstanding: a picture-perfect tropical island that’s stylishly designed and provides impeccable levels of service. It is a fantastic option for parties of 10–15 people travelling together looking for an all-inclusive, luxurious retreat. In our view, a stay on Thanda Island ranks among the best beach holidays available anywhere in East Africa.
Our view
Thanda Private Island is simply outstanding: a picture-perfect tropical island that’s stylishly designed and provides impeccable levels of service. It is a fantastic option for parties of 10–15 people travelling together looking for an all-inclusive, luxurious retreat. In our view, a stay on Thanda Island ranks among the best beach holidays available anywhere in East Africa.
Accommodation
7 rooms
Children
Fine for children of all ages.
Open
All year
Activities
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports




































Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the holidays. See our 54 pictures of Thanda Island to get the candid view.
View galleryThanda Island: Our full report
Situated about 28km off the Tanzanian coast, and 13km north of the laid-back island of Mafia, the tropical ...
... Thanda Island (also known by its original name, Shungi Mbili) measures just 250m x 200m, and is fringed by exquisite white beaches. Offshore, sandbanks and coral reefs lie under the turquoise waters of the surrounding Indian Ocean. Nobody has ever lived here, but in April 2016 an opulent five-bedroom villa opened on Thanda Island, catering to only one group at a time. So this island is always private: an exclusive retreat that you won’t have to share with anyone else.
A Swedish multi-millionaire originally built the villa as a holiday home for his family, who still visit a couple of times each year. From the moment you arrive on the shores of Thanda Island, either by speedboat or helicopter, you feel like you’re entering in to a moneyed friend’s beach house. Albeit very few people can claim to have a home quite like Thanda!
Painted entirely in white, the exterior of the villa has drawn influence from the ‘Kennedy Compound’ in Cape Cod. It wouldn’t look out of place on the East Coast of the United States – the only thing missing is a white picket fence! The interior has been designed in a modern Scandinavian style, where neutral space is seen as the ultimate luxury. Soft creams and relaxing pastel colours have been used throughout and on our last visit, in June 2016 – just two months after Thanda first opened – we were told that ‘everything is designed to go with white’.
Mounted on one wall of the main lounge is an extensive wine collection; on another, a stunning indoor marine aquarium contains a number of brightly coloured indigenous fish. The owners are all musical and in one corner you’ll find a number of instruments: guitars, drums and even a full-size, white, grand piano! Bose speakers and Marshall amps provide ambient music and guests are welcome to help themselves to a cigar from the humidor! There are a number of comfortable armchairs, deep sofas and a large dining table that is often used in the evening, or if it is windy outside. For those interested in stargazing there is also a state of the art telescope.
Upstairs, a cinema room features a 49-inch curved television, along with board games and a selection of toys. There is also an extensive library that includes the entire works of the owner’s favorite novelist, Ernest Hemingway.
The villa has five spacious and simply decorated en-suite bedrooms. These are cleverly designed to be interconnecting, making Thanda a very easy place for families with small children. All the rooms have king-size beds, and an extra bed can be added to each to give a maximum occupancy of 15 in the villa. Each room also features a huge walk-in pine wardrobe, and a door that opens onto a private veranda, with direct access to the beach beyond.
The large en-suite bathrooms include two inside showers, an outside shower and an outside bath. Circular windows resemble portholes and vintage marine cage lighting continue the nautical theme.
Outside, a large area of decking encircles the villa, providing options for alfresco dining. You'll also find a pizza oven, a bonfire area, table-tennis table, barbecue and cocktail bar. There are stylish places to sit in seemingly every corner, inside and out: colourful beanbags, cocoon chairs and cushioned loungers.
The most striking feature of Thanda is undoubtedly its stunning swimming pool. Unusually it is built above ground, with a glass front that results in the ultimate infinity pool: if you’re in the pool, the turquoise waters blend seamlessly into the Indian ocean beyond.
Across the island there is an area they’ve named ‘turtle beach’, where guests can sleep out in one of two rustic, open-fronted bandas. These are also used for groups that are too big to stay in the villa at once. Each of the bandas has two double bedrooms and so they can comfortably sleep eight people at a time. It is on this eastern side of the island that a yoga deck is located, which also doubles as a place to have breakfast and watch the sunrise.
Thanda Private Island also caters brilliantly for anyone who is more active. When we visited in 2016 the finishing touches were being made to a brand-new gym and tennis court. Inside the boathouse there are two Laser sailing boats and a deep-sea fishing boat, so guests can enjoy sunset cruises and fishing trips. Some of the watersports available include wakeboarding, waterskiing, jetskiing, tubing, banana boating, kayaking and paddleboarding. For all of these activities brand new kit is available and there is also staff on hand to help train beginners.
Thanda’s existence has helped to establish a new and much-needed marine reserve around the island: Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve. There are also plans to protect a marine area around the nearby Nyororo Island. So the best snorkelling and diving spots are still being discovered, but the mineral-rich water, fed by the Rufiji River delta, means that there is always plenty to see on Thanda's private coral reef. Trips to Chole Bay on the other side of Mafia Island can also be arranged if you want to dive further afield. Between November and February, whale sharks are regularly seen in the stretch between Thanda and Mafia Island, and trips to snorkel with these gentle giants can be easily arranged.
The owners of Thanda Island make much of having a low carbon footprint and place a lot of emphasis on sustainability. The whole island is powered by solar energy courtesy of a hugely impressive solar farm, and water is treated by an on-site desalination plant.
While Thanda Island commands a high price tag, it is worth noting that the cost is fixed for the whole island, so it becomes more economical with the more people that stay there.
Geographics
- Location
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Ideal length of stay
- 3 - 4 nights however there is a 7 night minimum stay from December through to March.
- Directions
- Thanda Island can be accessed from Dar es Salaam either by an internal flight to Mafia Island followed by a 45-minute boat ride from Kilindoni, or direct by private helicopter.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- Based on our visit to Thanda Island in June 2016, the food here is first class. All meals are original and prepared fresh from the high-quality seasonal ingredients. As you might expect, most dietary requirements can be catered for, and meal times are absolutely flexible.
We enjoyed a four-course lunch that was interspersed with clever amuse-bouches.
We started with mackerel tartare with orange zest and basil, which was followed by an intensely fruity watermelon sorbet. As a second starter, there was a mango, avocado and jumbo prawn salad with a coriander, soy and honey dressing. This was followed by a delicious piña colada sorbet. The main event was roast kingklip with caramelised carrots in ginger. A decadent crêpe Suzette finished off what I can only describe as the best lunch ever! - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Included
- Drinks included
- All drinks are included with the exception of premium wines and champagnes.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- Any large family looking to splash out on a private island experience for a family holiday in Tanzania should seriously consider booking a trip to Thanda Island. All of the rooms are inter-connecting and there is a huge array of activities available.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Tanzania
- Beach holidays
- Thanda Private Island offers a stunning private island experience. If the sheer number of activities on offer here isn’t reason enough to come then the location certainly is. If you are travelling as a group consider this exclusive island for a beach holiday in Tanzania.
- See ideas for Beach holidays in Tanzania
- Luxury
- Thanda Island offers the ultimate exclusive beach holiday. You only share the island with a few handpicked staff including an excellent private chef and enthusiastic water-sport instructors. Impressive décor includes locally hand-carved furniture and even a Steinway grand piano!
- See ideas for Luxury in Tanzania
Children
- Attitude towards children
- You will have exclusive use of the entire island so all children are welcome on Thanda.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- Thanda Island is very well set up for young children as toys, games, and baby cots are all provided, and the staff will also happy babysit – although they are unlikely to have child-minding qualifications.
- Equipment
- Both cots and high chairs are provided, and the rooms all interconnect, making them suitable for families with young children.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes
- Notes
- Thanda Island has a deep swimming pool and is surrounded by the ocean so children should be supervised at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is 24-hour electricity throughout the villa.
- Communications
- WiFi and cellphone reception are available in the villa.
- TV & radio
- There is an impressive cinema room with a huge TV.
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All of the rooms are plumbed in with running hot and cold water available 24 hours a day. The water is all treated by a state of the art desalination plant and is fine to drink.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The managers and many of the staff are trained in first-aid. In emergencies, the helipad can be used for a med evac.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There are guards on site 24 hours a day.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the main areas and all the staff are trained in how to use them.
Activities
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included.
- Money
- There are safes in all of the rooms.
- Accepted payment on location
- There are credit card facilities and cash in all major currencies would be accepted, although it is extremely unlikely that you will need to pay for anything on the island.
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Thanda Island's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Thanda Island.
Excursions from Thanda Island
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Thanda Island. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.

Snorkelling with Whale Sharks
Half day
A whale shark snorkelling trip off Mafia Island, Tanzania, is an unforgettable experience, offering a chance to swim alongside the world’s largest fish in crystal-clear waters. Mafia Island is one of the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks, especially between October and March, when these gentle giants gather in the warm, plankton-rich waters near the island.
More about Snorkelling with Whale SharksOther lodges in Mafia Island
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Pole Pole
Pole Pole is a small, quiet beach lodge on Mafia. It's comfortable, almost luxurious, and has a great range of activities.

Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini is one of Tanzania's most environmentally aware lodges. With tree-houses, superb diving and a fantastic location on the rural island of Chole, this is ideal if you want to get back to nature.

Butiama Beach
Situated just west of Kilondoni, the main town on Mafia, Butiama Beach is a simple beach lodge with friendly managers and a laid back vibe.

Kinasi Lodge
Kinasi is a small, personal beach lodge on Mafia Island that has the features of a larger hotel, including a large pool and spa.

Shamba Kilole
Shamba Kilole is a charming Italian-owned eco-lodge on the coast of Mafia Island, with simple rooms and friendly owner-managers.
When to go to Mafia Island
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Thanda Island in Mafia Island
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Tanzania in January
January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.
Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
- A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
- The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
- Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in January
Tanzania in February
February is during the short dry season and is one of the hottest months in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching around 33°Celsius. This can be a good time to visit, as some areas of the Northern Circuit are comparatively quieter than during the European summer months, and lodge rates are also a little lower.
The wildebeest will typically be on the southern plains of the Serengeti for their calving season, which tends to occur in a 2-3 week window in early-mid February – although this does vary year on year. This is also a particularly rewarding time for birdlife, as northern hemisphere migrants join the resident species.
- Hot and dry weather.
- Wildebeest migration calving on Serengeti’s southern plains.
- Ngorongoro Crater and southern Serengeti busy for the migration.
- Selous and Ruaha are typically quiet at this time.
- The parks are likely to be lush and green, leading to pretty landscape
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in February
Tanzania in March
The heavier ‘long rains’ start in earnest in March although exactly when varies year on year. With no need to stay close to permanent water sources, migratory wildlife disperses, and so game viewing starts to become more challenging. This is most prominently seen in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest migration may still be calving, or have moved on into the central regions of the Serengeti.
Many of the camps in the southern parks close mid March and mobile tented camps in the Serengeti will wind down towards the end of the month in order to move location or carry out refurbishments, ready for the new tourist season.
- Hot with building humidity, before the rains begin at some point.
- Wildlife viewing is variable depending on the start of the rains.
- Parks are quiet and rates are low.
- Not great for southern or western Tanzania.
- March can be a good time for birding, with many migrant species.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Tanzania in April
April is in the middle of the long rainy season and is the wettest month, with on average 250mm of rain. Temperatures are fairly high and humid in comparison to the rest of the year. Expect the bush to be lush and flowering, and alive with insects, birds and smaller animals. It is however also dense, allowing wildlife to hide, which in turn makes game viewing harder. This is a very quiet time in terms of visitor numbers.
Many of the tented camps are closed in April, however the larger lodges remain open. The rates are significantly cheaper, and so if you are willing to work harder to spot the bigger game, some accommodation bargains can be had.
- Heavy rain expected, with impressive thunderstorms and lightning.
- Many camps closed and roads impassable due to ground conditions.
- Rates are at their lowest all year round, with very few other tourists
- Places that are open are green and vibrant, wildlife more dispersed.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Tanzania in May
As Tanzania is close to the equator there is no dramatic difference in climate throughout the year, but temperatures do start to drop a little in May. The rains are likely to still be present, although potentially clearing towards the end of the month. Visitor numbers and lodge rates are still low. The wildebeest migration is making its way through the western regions of the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.
Virtually all camps in southern Tanzania remain closed, and many of the roads and tracks in the Selous become impassable.
- Heavy rains and storms are likely, this can create some dramatic skies
- Blissfully quiet in northern Tanzania, and a good time to avoid crowds
- The parks are likely to look lush and green, with long grass.
- Wildlife is likely to be more dispersed, with fewer sightings.
- The low prices make safaris much more affordable at this time.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in May
Tanzania in June
The rains come to an end at some point during the month and migratory wildlife begins to be drawn back to perennial water sources as the land starts to dry up. It’s likely that the parks will still be quite green and the grass high though, so walking and fly-camping may be unlikely. This marks the start of the season with camps reopening, but prices are still more affordable than the subsequent months.
The migration may still be in the Western Corridor, or on the move northwards towards the Mara River. Western Tanzania presents more challenging conditions for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park, as the chimps are higher in the mountains.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- A transitory time for the migration – moving from west to north.
- The parks may still be quite green, and grasses high.
- Wildlife may be dispersed still.
- Relatively low visitor numbers and good value, shoulder season prices.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
Tanzania in July
July is considered to be the start of the peak season, with no rainfall expected and pleasant daytime temperatures. As the parks dry, the wildlife congregates in fewer areas, grass is eaten and trampled by the migration, and game viewing gets better and better. The wildebeest are typically arriving in the northern Serengeti, ready to begin their period of crossings of the Mara River.
In the Selous and Ruaha wildlife sightings can be fantastic, with animals gathering around the lakes and rivers. Great conditions and school holidays mean the parks are at their busiest, with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti particularly crowded.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly and windy in the mornings and evenings.
- Great wildlife viewing, as water sources diminish.
- The most popular time of year with very high visitor numbers.
- Prices are at their highest due to the great conditions on the ground.
- To avoid the crowds consider Tanzania’s southern parks.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Tanzania in August
August is the middle of the long dry season, with clear skies and sunny weather. You can expect some cooler weather at night and first thing in the morning. Remember to pack layered clothing, so you can wrap up warm on your early morning game drives, but remain comfortable as it heats up throughout the day.
August is a very popular time to visit, so accommodation prices are at their highest and advanced booking is necessary. It can get noticeably busier in some of the northern parks – in particular the Ngorongoro Crater and northern Serengeti, as visitors flock to the area in hope of witnessing an exciting migration river crossing.
- Dry and warm daytimes, chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
- General wildlife viewing should be excellent.
- An exciting time of year for the wildebeest migration.
- Certain areas will be very busy and camps fill up fast.
- Great wildlife sightings in the Selous and Ruaha, and fewer people.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Tanzania in September
September can be an excellent time of year to visit Tanzania. As the parks continue to dry up the wildlife becomes increasingly reliant on the remaining water sources, leading to high densities of animals. Whilst early September can be busy, with fewer families traveling at this time the parks typically become quieter as the month goes on.
You are still likely to see the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti, with river crossings occurring on a regular basis. Tanzania’s southern parks are also fantastic at this time of year, generally receiving far fewer visitors than the north, and wildlife sightings can be great. Prices remain high and the weather generally remains good.
- Wildlife viewing in September can be fantastic.
- Whilst still fairly busy, often the parks are typically a little quiet
- The parks will start to become very dry, with little new vegetation
- Cooler mornings and evenings, warming up during the day.
- Prices remain high.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Tanzania in October
At the tail end of the dry season, the wildlife should be the easiest to spot, although photographers should be aware that it can be a bit dusty at this time of year, as there has been no rain for several months. Great general wildlife viewing throughout as animals are attracted to remaining sources of water. Elephant numbers are particularly high at this time in Tarangire, and Mahale and Katavi are especially rewarding with frequent wildlife sightings close to camp.
There is a chance of rainfall towards the end of the month, if the short rains commence. While prices remain high, visitors numbers are significantly lower than in July-August.
- Mostly dry and temperatures comfortably warm, with the chance of storm
- Great game viewing although the landscape can be a bit barren.
- Much lower visitor numbers than the earlier months.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Tanzania in November
In November you can expect the start of the short rains, although the start date varies every year. The rains are highly localised, and are much lighter and more unpredictable than the long rains that occur earlier in the year. These should not really interfere with your safari – as the game viewing at this time is still good - but you should pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for some short rain showers!
The majority of tented camps remain open, but some of the mobile camps in Northern Tanzania will close for the latter half on the month. Given the seasonality, camps are charging shoulder season rates so there are often some bargains to be had. Early November can offer great value for money and the weather conditions are likely to be comparable to late October.
- Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
- Parks are comparatively quiet and prices at the lower end.
- Some camps will close towards the end of the month for maintenance.
- Good wildlife sightings, but animals will disperse when rain starts
- The wildebeest migration is on the move and the location unpredictable
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Tanzania in December
December is also during the short rainy period, but this does not stop Tanzania being a popular destination to spend the festive period. Be aware that many of the lodges book up early, and charge peak rates over this time. Advanced booking is essential over this period, especially if travelling in larger family groups.
Travelling in December outside of the festive period allows travellers to make use of excellent shoulder season rates. Temperatures are pleasant with the averages of 27Celsius, although there is the chance of intermittent thunderstorms.
- Variable weather:clear & dry or cloudy with some rain and thunderstorm
- Good general game viewing in parks with low seasonality - Serengeti.
- Very quiet early in the month, becoming exceptionally busy.
- Prices reflect this – great value rising to the highest they are.
- The wildlife in southern Tanzania is more dispersed.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December

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