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Kimbilio Lodge
Kimbilio Lodge

About Kimbilio Lodge

Kimbilio Lodge is a small beachfront guesthouse located in the picturesque and historic port town of Kilwa ...

... Masoko, on the southern stretch of Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline. This area is quite off-the-beaten-track, and those few travellers who reach here are often attracted by Kilwa’s history or scuba diving.

For travellers who want to get a off the beaten track and dig deeper into Tanzania’s rich cultural history, then Kimbilio Lodge offers a good base to explore the surrounding ruins. Kilwa’s other lodges are of a far lower standard; this is by far the best option. Don’t expert luxury or a smart beach retreat here; instead come for an insight into local Tanzanian life and an opportunity to explore.

Our view

For travellers who want to get a off the beaten track and dig deeper into Tanzania’s rich cultural history, then Kimbilio Lodge offers a good base to explore the surrounding ruins. Kilwa’s other lodges are of a far lower standard; this is by far the best option. Don’t expert luxury or a smart beach retreat here; instead come for an insight into local Tanzanian life and an opportunity to explore.

Elizabeth Chapman

Elizabeth Chapman

Tanzania expert

Accommodation

6 rooms

Children

Best for 12+

Open

All year

Activities

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Boat trip

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Fishing

Fishing

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Watersports

Watersports

Traveller reviews of Kimbilio Lodge

1 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


100%
1 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
1
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr WfromEssex

Arrived 14 Feb 2023, 3 nights

"Kimbilio Lodge review"

"A lovely simple lodge on the edge of the sea in Kilwa. …" Read Mr W’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr W.fromCheshire

Arrived 9 Aug 2019, 1 nights

"Kimbilio Lodge review"

"A very welcoming stop-over …" Read Mr W.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Kimbilio Lodge reviews

Kimbilio Lodge: Our full report

Kimbilio Lodge is a small beachfront guesthouse located in the picturesque and historic port town of Kilwa ...

... Masoko, on the southern stretch of Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline. This area is quite off-the-beaten-track, and those few travellers who reach here are often attracted by Kilwa’s history or scuba diving.

Kimbillio Lodge sits on the white sands of Jimbazi Beach in a small cove on the eastern side of the town. The lodge is simple in set up and has a laid back atmosphere in keeping with the general lifestyle of this sleepy coastal town. It’s generally used as a base to dive the surrounding waters, or to take a day trip to the nearby ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara.

Kimbillio’s six spacious circular cottages face towards the beach and are functional rather than luxurious. Three have large wooden-frame double beds covered in mosquito nets and raised about a metre off the ground; one room is set up as a twin; and the other two are family rooms (with extra beds in the rooms). The netted windows are covered with colourful kanga fabric and the stone floors are left, for the most part, bare to keep the rooms cool – although they can feel a little Spartan and dark inside.

A small writing desk, a luggage rack and bedside tables make the room feel a little more comfortable and provide some space to put away your belongings. There’s also a lockable trunk in which you can store valuables. The large bathroom at the back of the cottage has a toilet, hot shower (remember to turn on the hot water about 20 minutes before you want to use it) and a single sink.

The main areas at Kimbillio Lodge consist of a covered dining area and small bar, behind which a TV that generally plays BBC World News throughout the day and evening. A small seating area and bookshelf provide somewhere to relax in the shade during the hot midday sun. Just in front of the dining area is a large swathe of decking overlooking the sea. A few deckchairs are set up out here and you can watch the world go by as the locals go about their daily business up and down the beach.

On our last visit to Kimbillio Lodge in June 2013, they were just in a process of changing managers and there was some talk about building new rooms, and changing a few smaller details. However, for the time being, the lodge looks set to remain as it is.

The main reason the majority of people base themselves here is to do some of the activities on offer. The very friendly dive-master/manager, Nazim, is on hand to lead the diving. If guests want to do any PADI courses then advance notice is required, so that they can get someone in to certify it.

Diving is a popular activity in Kilwa, but unless you’re very experienced we’d advise diving only between September and March. From June to August the high winds and choppy waters can make diving difficult. In June 2013 a double-tank dive cost US$110.

Of great historical interest are the nearby Kilwa Kisiwani ruins. You’ll need about three hours to explore them and on our last visit (June 2013) entry cost US$50 per person and included tuk-tuk and boat transport, entry fee and a guide. Four hours away are the ruins of Songo Mnara, which costs around US$65 per person. Although Kimbilio don’t run the tours themselves, they employ a local guy called Oswald, who gave us a fascinating tour and was more than willing to answer any questions we had.

Other activities include a guided village walk (US$30) and visit to a local salt farm (US$25). Keen fishermen can organize excursions with local tour operators, but it’s not cheap: a local trip costs form US$300 and up to US$1,000 for deep-sea fishing.

Geographics

Location
Tanzania Coast, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
Spend two to three nights here to explore the surrounding ruins.
Directions
Kilwa airstrip is a 20-minute flight from Mafia, or a 50-minute flight from Dar es Salaam. The lodge is then a 10-minute drive by car or tuk-tuk.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
Breakfast at Kimbillio Lodge is usually taken outside on the decking overlooking the sea. You begin with a fruit salad, followed by toast and eggs cooked to your liking. The fresh mango juice that accompanied it was delicious, although the instant coffee may not be to everyone’s liking!

Lunch and dinner at Kimbillio are both set menus. We found the food to be very good indeed. Unsurprisingly, the menu is almost exclusively based around seafood. On our last visit, we enjoyed some amazing fish samosas served with a simple salad for lunch, followed by fruit. For dinner we started with fried calamari, followed by grilled lobster with potatoes and curry sauce.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
There is no room service.
Drinks included
Drinks cost extra: a beer costs around US$4, while a soda costs about US$2.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcomed, but generally the lodge feels better suited to adults or children aged 12 plus.
Property’s age restrictions
There aren’t any specific age restrictions.
Special activities & services
None
Equipment
None
Generally recommended for children
There isn’t a huge amount to entertain children here, although the family rooms do offer a good sleeping arrangement for families with older children.

Communications

Power supply notes
They also have a back-up generator in case of a power failure.
Communications
There is free WiFi for guests to use, but it wasn’t working on our last visit and this seems to be a common problem. However, there is usually good cellphone reception.
TV & radio
There is a TV in the bar/dining area.
Water supply
Mains

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The lodge has a simple first-aid kit onsite. For more serious accidents, there is a doctor ten minutes away in Kilwa, and Dar es Salaam is an hour’s flight, or a three-hour drive away.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
The lodge has a security guard at night.
Fire safety
There are a couple of fire extinguishers dotted around, but there are plans to put a more formal procedure into place.

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Snorkelling

    Snorkelling

  • Watersports

    Watersports

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Laundry is possible at a small extra cost .
Money
There is a lockable trunk in the room to store valuables.
Accepted payment on location
The lodge only accepts cash. Either US dollars or Tanzanian shillings are best, but they also normally accept euros and the British pound.

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Kimbilio Lodge's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Kimbilio Lodge.


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When to go to Tanzania Coast

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Kimbilio Lodge in Tanzania Coast


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 27Celsius, 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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