About Anna of Zanzibar
Anna of Zanzibar, named after an old-fashioned Zanzibari trading currency – and also the owner’s daughter ...
... – is a delightful home-away-from-home located on the beautiful white-powder beach of the Michamvi Peninsula. Opened in July 2009, Anna is a blend of colonial and Zanzibari style, and has just five cosy yet spacious villas.
A relaxed atmosphere and mixture of styles combine to give guests at Anna of Zanzibar a real feeling of being welcomed into an old friend's home. We do feel some aspects of the interior decoration is a little dated, but with its beautifully quiet beach, home-cooked food, and excellent hospitality, there's much to enjoy.
Our view
A relaxed atmosphere and mixture of styles combine to give guests at Anna of Zanzibar a real feeling of being welcomed into an old friend's home. We do feel some aspects of the interior decoration is a little dated, but with its beautifully quiet beach, home-cooked food, and excellent hospitality, there's much to enjoy.
Zanzibar expert
Accommodation
5 villas
Children
Best for 6+
Open
June 1st – April 30th
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Traveller reviews of Anna of Zanzibar
1 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
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View galleryAnna of Zanzibar: Our full report
Anna of Zanzibar, named after an old-fashioned Zanzibari trading currency – and also the owner’s daughter ...
... – is a delightful home-away-from-home located on the beautiful white-powder beach of the Michamvi Peninsula. Opened in July 2009, Anna is a blend of colonial and Zanzibari style, and has just five cosy yet spacious villas.
Anna's five villas are set among tropical gardens filled with flowers, and have enough space between them to allow for peace and privacy. Villas 4 and 5 are closer to the ocean than the others with views over the white sandy beach, however as a result these are further from the main area. Each villa is divided into three rooms – a living room, a bathroom and a double bedroom. To one side of the bedroom is a spacious dressing area, which includes a large lit closet with a safe. All five of the villas are cooled completely by efficient air conditioning. The living room can easily be made into a second air-conditioned bedroom if families, triples or a group of four wish to stay.
The rooms are beautifully decorated with homely touches such as large, comfortable, sturdy wooden beds, deep armchairs, tasteful patterned wallpaper and printed bedspreads, and colorful fresh flowers. Minibars, hairdryers, tea and coffee making facilities and toiletries are provided and WiFi is available in the rooms. The bathrooms are of good size and are fitted with twin sinks, a shower and a free-standing shower. Some villas also have a bath tub. The rooms are clean and comfortable, however on our last visit we felt that the design was starting to feel a little dated.
The main area continues Anna of Zanzibar's warm and inviting feel. In the large dining room is a long wooden table and an abstract painting of Stone Town on the wall, plus sweeping curtains and dark wooden sideboards. A comfortable lounge, with Zanzibari-style sofas, coffee tables and deep pile rugs, is filled with light from a row of patio doors. Further sofas and cushions fill the adjacent TV room, where a large selection of DVDs are available for guests to watch. There's also a substantial exchange library. An atmospheric bar with low lighting forms the meeting point for pre-dinner cocktails. Outside there is a small pizza oven which we were told is in regular use. There's a large silver telescope here, too, and staff can show you how to use it, although none is a stargazing expert.
Guests may choose to eat in a number of locations, including in their own villas. A particularly popular spot is on the beach, but candlelit dinners by the pool, lit up at night, can be just as romantic. By day, the swimming pool is a focus for afternoon swims, and it's surrounded by pretty pairs of sunbeds with sail-like shades. The deep end of the pool is very deep though, and there are no depth markings, so be sure to keep an eye on any less-confident swimmers.
The beach here is particularly attractive – soft white sand, few other people, and little hassle. A small curio shop here sells clothes, local handicrafts and spices.
The spa was built in 2013 and is a great addition to Anna of Zanzibar; it has two treatment rooms and an inside bathtub – this is situated behind the main house. Trained therapists offer a few different treatments; try the Lala Salama, a full body massage in which the masseuse uses only her thumbs, for US$40 per hour.
The staff can help to arrange any excursions and activities on the island, including diving, which is arranged through a local dive center. Take a tour out in to Chwaka Bay and see the mangrove forests with their aerial roots, or sail around the coast aboard a traditional Zanzibar dhow boat.
The managers here are actively involved in community development, and most recently ran a campaign to provide local schoolchildren with benches, as they were previously sitting on the floor for their classes. For every dollar donated, Anna of Zanzibar will match it. The scheme has been very successful, and any excess funds will be used to fund the school in other ways.
Geographics
- Location
- Michamvi Peninsula, Zanzibar
- Ideal length of stay
- 4 nights or more
- Directions
- Anna of Zanzibar is on Zanzibar’s south-east coast, about an hour’s drive from Stone Town.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board
- Food quality
- Food at Anna of Zanzibar is home-cooked in style, and features a mix of Swahili and European flavours.
Light lunches include seafood and pasta dishes as well as imaginative salads, while the three course dinner menu features three choices per course and is very flexible; if you want to order off menu, you can. On our last visit here we didn’t get to try the food, but in the past we tucked into bruschetta with mozzarella and tomato, and a spicy seafood curry with rice, followed by a decadent chocolate ‘bombe’, all of which was very tasty. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available for no extra cost.
- Drinks included
- All beers, house wines, sodas, juices and local spirits are included; imported spirits and non-house wine are not.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome at Anna of Zanzibar.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions here.
- Special activities & services
- There are no specific activities for children, but they are welcome to use the pool toys & floats, or watch the TV and DVDs in the TV room.
- Equipment
- Cots and highchairs are available on request.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although children are welcome, there’s not much to keep very young children entertained. It is worth noting that the pool is very deep, and there are no depth markings.
- Notes
- Children must be under parental supervision at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The lodge has a back-up generator, although there is usually a short delay when the mains power goes out before the generator kicks in. There are European sockets and adaptors and cables can be provided.
- Communications
- Excellent, free WiFi is available in the rooms, and guests are welcome to borrow a laptop. There is also reasonable cellphone reception.
- TV & radio
- There is a comfortable and cosy TV room with DVD player and DSTV. DVDs are available to borrow.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Many of the staff are first-aid trained, and the lodge has affiliations with both a local doctor, and a doctor in Stone Town. There is also a first-aid kit in reception.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- Anna of Zanzibar has at six 24-hour security guards, one at the gate and on the beach. At night there are four guards on the property.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are located in the main area.
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is available for an extra charge.
- Money
- Currency exchange can be arranged if necessary. There is a small safe in each room.
- Accepted payment on location
- No credit cards are accepted, but the lodge accepts cash payments in GB sterling, US dollars, euros and Tanzanian shillings.
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Anna of Zanzibar's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Anna of Zanzibar.
Excursions from Anna of Zanzibar
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Anna of Zanzibar. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Jambiani Village Tour
Half-day - mornings
Tear yourself away from the soft white sands of Zanzibar to get under the skin of the history and culture of Jambiani village. Join a knowledgeable local guide to discover the intricacies of day-to-day life in this traditional coastal village, with much of the profits being ploughed back into the community.
More about Village Tour
Jozani Forest Tour
Half-day or combine with other tours
For nature lovers, Jozani Forest is a must. One of the last sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey, it features a diverse range of habitats, from mangrove forests to salt marshes. Keep your eyes peeled for other forest residents, including Sykes’ monkey, bushbabies, duikers and more than 40 species of bird.
More about Jozani ForestOther lodges in Michamvi Peninsula
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club is a family-style resort that also appeals to honeymooners, and is perfect if you want plenty of facilities.
Qambani
Qambani is a luxury property on the tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, set on a low cliff above a white, sandy beach, with stunning ocean views.
Baraza Resort & Spa
Baraza is a high-quality resort, with a buzzing atmosphere and a range of activities that appeal both to families and lively honeymooners.
White Sand Villas
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa is a stylish, small resort lodge located near the town of Paje.
The Palms
The Palms is an exclusive and luxurious beach getaway - though the main areas are small – next to Breezes and sharing Breezes' facilities.
Xanadu Villas
Situated on a picturesque beach on the Michamvi Peninsula, Xanadu Villas is a sophisticated boutique hotel with six luxurious private villas.
Kono Kono
Kono Kono is a contemporary beach resort on a quiet stretch of west-facing beach on the Michamvi peninsula.
Zawadi
Set on a pretty cove on Zanzibar’s Michamvi Peninsula, Zawadi is a modern boutique hotel offering lots of space and privacy.
When to go to Michamvi Peninsula
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Anna of Zanzibar in Michamvi Peninsula
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Zanzibar in January
As on the Tanzanian mainland, January typically marks the start of the short dry season in Zanzibar. Conditions are likely to be hot and mostly dry, with temperatures exceeding 30ºC, although it is not uncommon to get a tropical shower in the afternoons. January can feel very humid at times, and this is particularly noticeable in Stone Town, although this can be tempered by the cooling sea breeze.
New Year is one of the most popular times to visit Zanzibar, with many hotels being fully booked over the festive period. The island generally becomes much quieter after 10th January, and prices drop too.
- Mostly hot with the occasional shower.
- High humidity, which can be relieved by the refreshing breeze.
- Very busy over New Year, with high prices and long minimum stays often
- Quieter and better value later in the month.
- Wind from the northeast, and so the southwest coast is more sheltered.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in January
Zanzibar in February
The weather in February is fairly similar to January, with days typically being hot and sunny although expect the occasional rainy spell. The humidity remains high, however the coastal areas often have a refreshing breeze. Zanzibar is fairly quiet in February, and with comparatively low prices it can be excellent value for money.
At this time the wind blows from the northeast, and so the southwest coast is often more sheltered and there can be good diving in the Menai Bay. The northeast winds can also lead to good conditions for kite surfing, with many kite surfers heading to the southeast coast and Michamvi Peninsula. For music lovers, Stone Town hosts an annual African music festival ‘Sauti za Busara’ each February. The festival's dates change each year; ask us for details.
- Variable: mostly hot and humid with some cloud and rainy spells.
- Fewer tourists and comparatively low prices.
- Popular time for kite surfing, especially around the southeast coast.
- North easterly wind, better diving in the south west of the island.
- ‘Sauti za Busara’ music festival in early February.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in February
Zanzibar in March
March sees the start of the ‘long rains’ in Zanzibar, although the exact start date varies every year. The weather can be unpredictable, with a combination of hot sunny days, rain showers, and the occasional tropical storm. The arrival of the rains lowers the humidity, and it can also lead to some beautiful sunsets – most obviously on the west coast where you can watch the sunset over the ocean. Prices remain low during March, and the island is likely to be relatively quiet.
Diving is generally not recommended during the rainy season, as variable conditions can lead to reduced visibility from rainfall runoff, and choppy water.
- Hot and humid, leading to heavy rains later in the month.
- Low prices, and the island is comparatively quiet.
- Variable weather leads to poor conditions for diving.
- The start of the rains can lead to beautiful sunsets.
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Zanzibar in April
April is typically the wettest month of the year in Zanzibar, and the long rains are in full force. The average rainfall is more than 250mm during this month, and tropical storms are common. Flooding regularly occurs, which can impact the quality of the roads, and consequently cause difficult, slow journeys across the island. Many of the hotels and beach lodges close at this time, so accommodation options can be limited. Having said this, prices are at their lowest, and if you don’t mind the risk of bad weather you can get some real bargains.
Despite the poor conditions, Easter weekend is often popular, and advance booking is recommended. Due to the strong likelihood of rain and poor conditions diving is inadvisable at this time.
- Heavy rain and tropical storms expected throughout the month.
- Areas of flooding leading to poor travel conditions.
- Many hotels close for refurbishment at this time.
- Low prices and few other tourists.
- Diving inadvisable due to heavy rain and reduced visibility.
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in April
Zanzibar in May
The long rains continue into May, and as with April you can expect thunderstorms and heavy showers, although these typically ease up towards the end of the month. Parts of the island can experience flooding, causing damage to roads and impacting travel times. The temperature typically drops a little in May, with a daytime average of around 25ºC. The rains lead to a lower humidity too, and mornings and evenings can feel a bit cooler.
Many of the hotels and lodges are still closed, however a handful stay open and prices remain low. While diving is possible, the rain and storms mean that diving conditions are not at their best.
- Continuation of the long rains, with thunderstorms and lightning.
- Flooding common, but conditions becoming drier as the month progresses
- Drop in temperatures, with cooler mornings and evenings.
- Prices low, and many hotels remain closed.
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in May
Zanzibar in June
June marks the start of the long dry season in Zanzibar. While the island still gets rainfall, especially early in the month, it’s becomes less likely as the month progresses. Temperatures remain steady, with daytime highs averaging 25ºC, and it likely to be mostly dry. Any rain you do experience is likely to be in shorter bursts rather than heavy storms and hours of continuous rain, although conditions vary from year to year.
The wind direction switches to blow from the southeast, and the northeast coast is likely to be more sheltered at this time. Diving conditions can be variable, and while they are generally good there can be some rough days.
- Variable weather: mostly hot and dry, with some rainy showers.
- Wind from the southwest, and more sheltered in the north east.
- Diving conditions variable, dependent on the wind and rain.
- Lower prices and generally good weather can lead to great value.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
Zanzibar in July
July is a very popular time to go to Zanzibar, and this coincides with the long dry season. July and August are the school holidays throughout much of Europe, and Zanzibar can often be busy with families. Weather conditions are generally hot and dry and pretty ideal for a beach holiday, however there is still a chance of an occasional short shower. Conditions for diving are typically pretty good, however this will be dependent on recent weather conditions.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival takes place in July, with lots of people flocking to Stone Town to soak up the atmosphere. The dates for the festival change every year, so chat to Expert Africa for details.
- Typically hot and dry with clear skies, although showers are possible.
- Can become very busy, with many families traveling during holidays.
- Zanzibar International Film Festival takes place in Stone Town.
- Great beach weather result in high prices.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Zanzibar in August
August is one of the most popular times of year to visit Zanzibar, and with good reason; this is one of the driest months and it is typically hot with clear skies – ideal for relaxing on the beach. Many families choose to visit during August, and the island can be busy, and this is particularly noticeable in Stone Town and around the more popular snorkelling sites.
High demand can mean that many of the more popular hotels and beach lodges can be booked up more than 6 months ahead, so advance booking is crucial. Due to the popularity and great beach weather prices are high.
- Hot and sunny, generally ideal for relaxing on the beach.
- Popular time for families and the island can be busy.
- High demand leads to higher prices, and advance booking is essential.
- With little rain falling and causing soil run-off, the sea is clear.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Zanzibar in September
September is an excellent time of year to visit Zanzibar. Weather conditions are typically very good, with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 20¬–30ºC. September is also one of the driest months, averaging 50mm of rain during the month, however rain showers are still possible. Due to the great beach conditions prices remain high, however with fewer families travelling in September the island can be a little quieter at this time.
September to December are often some of the calmest months at sea, which can result in superb conditions for diving. The wind typically blows from the southeast, and the northeast coast can often be a little more sheltered. You can find some beautiful snorkelling and diving spots around Mnemba Island.
- Warm temperatures and clear skies, with the off-chance of rain.
- Fewer families travelling, and the island can be a little quieter.
- Great beach weather means that prices remain high.
- Relatively calm seas result in good conditions for diving.
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Zanzibar in October
October is the tail end of the dry season and you can generally expect hot, dry conditions. The short rains typically start in early November, and so this does mean that there is an increased likelihood of rainy spells as the month progresses. October remains a popular month to travel, particularly so during the European half-term school holidays, and advance booking is advised.
With high demand and great weather prices remain high, however there are some long-stay special offers to be found. South-easterly winds mean that the northeast coast can be more sheltered and conditions for diving can be good.
- End of the dry season, generally good beach weather.
- Increased chance of rain, particularly near the end of the month.
- Popular with families during the half-term school holiday.
- High demand means prices remain high.
- Northeast coast generally more sheltered.
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Zanzibar in November
The short rains start during November, however their exact start varies year on year. You are likely to experience a mixture of hot, dry days with the occasional tropical shower, however we find that short showers can actually be quite refreshing. With the start of the rains the humidity can shoot up and while the coastal properties tend to receive a pleasant cooling breeze Stone Town and the island interior can feel quite hot and clammy.
Prices drop in November and there are some real bargains to be found. This time of year can be great value for money, especially near the start of the month when the weather conditions are very comparable to late October. The demand is generally lower, and the island starts to feel much quieter.
- Variable weather: mostly hot and dry but with some clouds and rain.
- Hot temperatures, with humidity on the rise.
- Less busy than October, and with lower prices it can be great value.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Zanzibar in December
December falls in to the short rainy season, and the weather can be variable. Days are likely to be hot and humid, with the occasional patch of rain, although showers can be a blessing in disguise as they help to lower the temperature. Early December is fairly quiet and prices are low, however this changes dramatically over Christmas and New Year.
The festive season, from around 20th December to 5th January, is arguably the most popular time to visit Zanzibar. Prices are at their highest, and long minimum stays are imposed. Due to the very high demand booking early is essential, especially if you’re a group or a large family. Book six months to a year in advance, or even more, if possible.
- Variable weather, with a mix of hot, sunny days and tropical showers.
- High humidity, which may be mitigated by the cool ocean breeze.
- Quiet with lower prices earlier in the month.
- Busy and exceptionally popular over Christmas and New Year.
- Advance booking over Christmas and New Year is essential.
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
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