Unguja Lodge: Our full report
Unguja Lodge is a small, relaxed and rustic lodge in a lovely spot overlooking the picturesque Menai Bay ...
... Conservation area on Zanzibar's south-west coast. While there is coral in the bay, there is no coral reef to act as a barrier, so it's easy to walk out and swim here at low tide.In August 2023 we received very unwelcome reports of poor hygiene and dirty beds from a family of guests who had just arrived at Unguja Lodge. As a result we immediately moved them to another hotel and have cancelled all forward bookings with Unguja Lodge. Until we are reassured that the hotel is being properly managed we will not be making any further bookings here.
Arriving at Unguja, the path to reception winds between big old baobabs. The design of the lodge is modern and quite unique - lots of large white curving walls and high thatched makuti roofs give a feeling of space to the central areas. The coconut tree wood furniture is locally sourced, and there are bits of African art spread around such as baskets, and colourful material, which mean that despite the modern design, the lodge retains plenty of Zanzibari character.
Leading down from the reception you come to the main, freeform swimming pool, surrounded by loungers and plenty of shade, and deep enough (2.3m, 7ft 6in) for dive-training. Behind the pool is the main dining area - where tables are separated by low walls to give them a bit more privacy, while still retaining a sociable atmosphere.
Behind the dining area is the bar - with lovely low hanging lanterns hanging down from the roof, and next to this just outside are plenty of comfortable wicker chairs, where people tend to gather for a drink before dinner.
The lush tropical gardens at Unguja Lodge are dotted with baobab trees. Don’t be surprised to see colobus monkeys in the trees and fascinating elephant shrews - like oversized mice on stilts with extended noses - foraging in the leaf litter. In these gardens you’ll find the PADI dive school and shop, run by One Ocean where you can organise dives and snorkelling to the nearby coral. This is the only PADI operation in the area, and there is no minimum number of peopled required for their dives, as can sometimes be the case at other centres. There is some good diving and snorkelling to be done in Menai Bay, with at least 20 recognised dive sites and some healthy coral formations.
The beach at Unguja is completely covered at high tide - with the sea coming right up and lapping at the steps. It is lovely to be able to walk straight down into the clear turquoise waters and bathe. At low tide the beach in front of the lodge is exposed and although the beach isn’t quite the perfect white sands of the east coast, it’s secluded with few people around. During the low tide sun loungers are placed out along the beach, and at high tide you can still walk 10 minutes to a nearby stretch of beach which is exposed throughout the day.
Linked by nicely shaded paths of coral gravel, there are three different types of rooms at Unguja - three Baobab Villas, seven Seaview Villas and two Seaview Family Villas. They are very similar in price and almost the same in design. The villas are very spacious, with whitewashed walls and high thatched roofs. Curved walls act as partition to create a toilet, which has a closed door for privacy, and an open-sided shower room and an open lounge with a long oval bench scattered with colourful cushions.
The bedrooms are large and simply furnished, with a large bed draped with mosquito nets, a separate luggage room with a safe, and a sink and a full length mirror behind the bed. Above the bedroom, reached by a flight of stairs, is a loft space with a day bed to relax on. This can be a very atmospheric place to sleep at night, or can alternatively be used for a third person.
The bathrooms are simple, elegant and sparse, and local toiletries, towels and kanga wraps are provided.
The key differences between the room types are their locations. The Seaview Villas and Seaview Family Villas sit on top of a small coral shelf about two metres above the beach and all face out over the sea. You can enjoy the view from your private stone veranda, furnished with a comfy sofa and an array of cushions. These rooms are bright and airy.
The Baobab Villas are set inland and face into a little small garden around a baobab tree. Each has a small private plunge pool in your central garden and the bedrooms here are also air-conditioned and have fans to make up for the reduced sea breeze.
The two Family Seaview Villas are similar in design to the other villas, but with a slightly different layout: we found the layout a little incoherent. Downstairs is the main bedroom with en-suite facilities and a small lounge and kitchenette. Upstairs is a small lounge area and two bedrooms, each with twin beds and en-suite facilities.
Our view
In August 2023 we received very unwelcome reports of poor hygiene and dirty beds from a family of guests who had just arrived at Unguja Lodge. As a result we immediately moved them to another hotel and have cancelled all forward bookings with Unguja Lodge. Until we are reassured that the hotel is being properly managed we will not be making any further bookings here.
Zanzibar expert
Geographics
- Location
- South-west Zanzibar, Zanzibar
- Ideal length of stay
- You could easily spend four days or more at Unguja Lodge, just relaxing. The owners tell us the average number of days spent there by guests is 4-5.
- Directions
- Unguja Lodge is 62km from the airport - about an hour's drive.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- We found the food at Unguja Lodge to be very good. Breakfast was a self service buffet with a large variety of fruits, cereals, juices, cold meats, cheese and spreads. Cooked breakfast, tea and coffee could be ordered from the waiter.
Lunch was an a la carte menu with a variety of light snacks and salads, as well as more substantial meals for those who wanted them.
Dinner usually consists of 3 courses, served to your table. We enjoyed prawn bisque to start, followed by tuna steak, then a delicious mango moose. The menu is written on the board at 6pm each evening, so if you have any issues or requests just let the team know and they will try their best to accommodate. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Unguja can offer room service on request.
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included – you can expect to pay US$4 for a beer, US$5 for wine and around US$1 for a bottle of water (water is provided with dinner free of charge).
Special interests
- Family holidays
- With three separate bedrooms, the family villa at Unguja is a great choice for families with younger children, allowing you to all stay in the same space. The lodge is very laid back and unpretentious, with a wide stretch of beach and a pretty pool.
- See ideas for Family holidays
- Honeymoons
- Unguja Lodge is a peaceful and romantic lodge for your honeymoon to Zanzibar. For those wanting to get away from it all this is a lovely choice. With an attentive team and thoughtful management, there’s no doubt you will be made to feel special.
- See ideas for Honeymoons
- Beach holidays
- Unguja Lodge doesn’t have one of Zanzibar’s endless long white beaches, but it is in a quiet, secluded location. Dive or snorkel straight from the beach to explore the coral cliff for a special holiday experience in East Africa.
- See ideas for Beach holidays
- Diving & snorkelling
- Unguja Lodge has a PADI dive center on-site. Snorkellers and divers will enjoy the colourful coral in the protected Menai Bay area, whilst more experienced divers can even head out to new dive sites, identified only by a GPS.
- See ideas for Diving & snorkelling
- Cultural experiences
- Unguja Lodge is only a short walk from the village of Kizimkazi, with many of the staff coming from the area. The lodge supports a number of community projects and guests are encouraged to go on a village walk to explore the area and meet the locals.
- See ideas for Cultural experiences
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Unguja Lodge.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions at Unguja.
- Special activities & services
- Special meals and child-minding can be arranged.
- Equipment
- There are a few cots and highchairs at Unguja – however these are limited in number. It would be best to request these at the time of booking, to give you the best chance of getting them.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is 24hour power supply and guests can charge batteries in their rooms.
- Communications
- There is mobile phone reception at Unguja Lodge, and the lodge also has free WiFi, best in the public areas but also accessible in some rooms.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio at Unguja Lodge.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- Very good well water supplies the lodge and they use top quality purification to make it suitable for use, including UV osmosis for drinking water.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a small first aid kit and four of the staff are first-aid trained. Unguja is also only a one-hour drive from Stone Town where there is a private hospital.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There is a safe at reception for valuables and there are also security guards around the lodge: normally 3 during the day and 6 in the night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the communal areas and in all of the villas – there is also a mobile hose and pump for the villas.
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry is an extra charge - $1 – 4 depending on the item
- Money
- Travellers need to do currency exchange in Stone Town; there are no facilities for this at Unguja.
- Accepted payment on location
- At Unguja Lodge you can use US$, GB Pounds, Euros and Tshillings cash. You can also use Visa, Mastercard, however there is a 5% surcharge.
Room types at Unguja Lodge
Baobab or Seaview Villa
At Unguja Lodge there are two different suites and though they are almost the same in price and even in build – they have one key difference.
Sea-view villas sit on a small coral shelf about 2m above the beach and all face out across the sea. They also have a small, locally-made sofa on a stone veranda in front, with a bright array of cushions from where you can enjoy the view. These rooms often get a lovely sea breeze, and do not have air-conditioning.
In contrast, the three Boabab villas are all set inland and face into a little small garden around a baobab tree. Though you sacrifice a sea view, you also gain a private plunge pool, which is perfect for those wanting a little solitude and don't want to lounge around the main pool. These rooms are air-conditioned.
Apart from these differences, the rooms are very much the same. Both are very large, detached villas with white-washed walls and a high makuti thatch roofs. Each villa has a main outside door, made from palm-tree wood, through which is a large open area, almost like an entrance hall. Curved walls act as partitions to create a toilet, which has a closed door for privacy, an open-sided shower room and an open lounge. Both of these areas face outwards, either across the sea, or into the private garden.
The oval lounge area has a bench (a “baraza” – Swahili for meeting place) which is moulded out of the wall and dotted with colourful cushions. This private spot is a great place to lounge around and read a book away from any other guests.
Then set slightly back within the villa – behind solid double palm-wood doors is the bedroom. This is a large, cool room which is very simply furnished. There is a large bed set right in the centre of the room, hanging space for clothes and a chair. Behind the bed you will also find twin sinks and a full-length mirror.
Above the bedroom, reached by a flight of stairs, is a loft space with a day bed. It can be quite atmospheric at night here with the sound of the waves and the sea breeze.
The bathroom is a simple, sparse, elegant space with walls and shelves to provide a large shower area and washbasin. Local toiletries, soft towels and kikoys and kangas are provided.
Family Seaview Villa
The two family villas has the same construction and design as the other villas, but have a slightly different layout.
At the rear of the villas on the ground floor is the main bedroom with en-suite facilities. Next to this is a lounge and kitchenette
Upstairs, there is a small lounge, and two bedrooms, each with twin beds and en suite facilities.
The bathroom is a simple, sparse, elegant space with walls and shelves to provide a large shower area and washbasin. Local toiletries, soft towels and kikoys and kangas are provided.
Other lodges in South-west Zanzibar
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Chumbe Island Lodge
Situated on the tiny Chumbe Island, this lodge is an award-winning example of eco-tourism, with excellent snorkelling.
Fumba Beach Lodge
Fumba Beach Lodge is stylishly put together, with spacious, luxurious rooms, comfortable communal areas and a fantastic infinity pool.
The Residence
The Residence is a very large resort hotel in south-west Zanzibar. Each villa has its own 8-metre lap pool.
