The Tides Lodge: Our full report

The Tides Lodge is deliberately low-key and relaxed in style and well integrated into the local community.

Its remote location means you will not have to share the beach with hordes of other tourists, allowing you to really relax and enjoy the tranquility that the lodge has to offer.

**Unfortunately The Tides closed in 2020 and seems unlikely to re-open. Please contact us at Expert Africa for the latest information**.

The Tides’ central, open-sided dining and lounge area, is a good place to relax and socialise with other guests. This is also where you'll find the bar and a list of daily specials. If you fancy a break from the beach, the good-sized swimming pool is a short stroll from the dining area, and has comfortable loungers and thatched umbrellas.

The lodge has nine well-spaced breezy cottages, each looking out onto the Indian Ocean. Seven are thatched and suitable for two guests. If you’re travelling with children you might prefer one of the two stone bungalows, which have two separate bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

All the rooms here have been tastefully decorated with a rustic charm. Inside you’ll find a large bed, draped in a mosquito net, with blue linens and colourful cushions, all of which are made using Tanzanian cotton by a charity supporting disabled workers in Iringa, near Ruaha National Park. To one side is the en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and solar heated shower. The light wooden furniture and artwork throughout have been lovingly made by staff members. There are also nice touches such as straw hats, beach bags and kikois for use on the beach.

Each cottage has a private verandah, with a hammock and deck chairs, and a king-size swaying beach bed overlooking the ocean.

The lodge believes that they can touch more lives than just that of their guests. They work hard to bring employment and social development to the local village of Ushongo, and source as much as they can from across Tanzania. From the food to furnishings, everything here has been carefully and thoughtfully selected to empower the lives of others - and in turn make a positive impact. It’s an excellent example of tourism and sustainability working hand in hand.

Most guests who choose to come to The Tides will enjoy simply just relaxing and not doing very much, however various activities can be organized. When we visited in 2019, we really enjoyed a guided walk through Ushongo village with a member of the bar team, who showed us the school, clinic and water pump, all supported by the lodge.

The lodge has kayaks, stand up paddle-boards and a sailing boat for guest use (at no charge), and it is a possible to organize deep sea fishing and scuba diving. Day trips to the Maziwe Marine Park for some snorkelling and a picnic are popular, and the lodge can even arrange day trips to Sadaani National Park.

If you’re a larger family or a group of friends travelling together The Tides has a private house - Mawimbi Villa which can be rented on an exclusive basis. Talk to us for more details on this.

Our view

The Tides is the perfect laidback beach getaway for those who are wanting to visit a rural stretch of coastline. Don't come expecting lots of activity, this is really a place to come and unwind at a lodge that is positively working together with the local community and championing all things Tanzanian.

Jessica Plumb

Country manager: Tanzania

Geographics

Location: Tanzania Coast, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay: 3-4 nights is probably long enough to spend here as activities are limited, however if you enjoy simply relaxing on the beach than you can easily spend longer.
Directions: Flights from Dar es Salaam (1 hour) or Kilimanjaro (2 hours) to Pangani Kwajoni airstrip. The Tides Lodge is around 10 mins drive from the airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: The Tides sources most of its food locally, supporting the Ushongo village and ensuring that the food is as fresh and tasty as possible for the guests. The local fisherman provides the lodge with a variety of seafood and this is complemented with seasonal fruit and vegetables from local small holdings.

The current manageress is a professionally trained chef and has been working closely with the kitchen - and it shows. We found the food at The Tides extremely good.

Breakfast is a typical set up with a choice of tropical fruit, breads, jams and spreads, as well as the option to have a cooked breakfast, with tea, coffee and a selection of juices.

For lunch there is a selection of light snacks and meals including salads, burgers, fish cakes and kebabs. We enjoyed the coconut crumbed prawns with a chili dipping sauce and salad.

Dinner is a nightly set three-course menu, and the chef takes inspiration from local ingredients and spices. We were treated to the most spectacular seafood platter, including a whole lobster. It was delicious and wonderfully prepared, if far too big for one person! To start we had a spinach ravioli and desert was a rich chocolate and passion fruit torte with vanilla ice cream.

Food preferences and dietary requests can be catered to with advance notice.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: If staying on 'All Inclusive' all drinks are included, even cocktails, otherwise drinks are an additional cost. You can expect to pay around $2 for a soda, $4 for a beer, $8 for a cocktail and $35 for a bottle of wine.

Children

Attitude towards children: The Tides welcomes children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: There are no age restrictions at The Tides.
Special activities & services: There is a childrens menu and babysitting can be arrange with one of ladies in housekeeping.
Equipment: Cots and highchairs can be provided.
Generally recommended for children: This is a very family friendly property, although parents should supervise their children at all times - especially at the pool or on the beach. There is no lifeguard at either and there can be strong undercurrents.

Communications

Power supply notes: 24 hour electricity with a back up generator. Plugs in rooms.
Communications: Wifi can be accessed in the bar area. There is patchy cellphone signal.
TV & radio: No TV, but guests can usually watch big sports matches at the local village bar.
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: Fully plumbed. Desalinated and filtered water provided for drinking.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There is a basic first aid kit on site and management are trained. There is a doctor based 20 minutes away who can visit if needed. Their nearest hospital is in Tanga or Dar es Salaam.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Gated entrance at the front of the property. There is a night watchman patrolling the property in the evening.
Fire safety: Fire extinguishers in the room and a fire meeting point on the beach.

Activities

Birdwatching
Boat trip
Snorkelling
Watersports

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Extra charge unless staying on an All Inclusive package.
Money: No money exchange. There is a lockable wooden trunk in guest rooms and valuables can also be left in the managers office.
Accepted payment on location: All major currencies including US Dollars, Tanzanian Shillings, GB Pounds and Euro. Credit cards (including Amex) can be accepted with a 5% surcharge.