Up to 4 guests
Sea Front Villa
Five villas on the front row, each with a private pool and an open view of the lagoon and Mnemba beyond. Up to four guests.
Lodges & partnersZanzibar East Coast
Kasha Boutique Hotel
Seventeen rooms on a coral ledge at the quiet end of Matemwe, eleven of them with a private pool and a clear view across the lagoon to Mnemba.
From $57 per person per night
01 / 06
- Tier
- Comfort
- boutique, seventeen rooms
- Location
- Zanzibar East Coast
About
About Kasha Boutique Hotel.
Kasha sits at Kigomani, the northern end of Matemwe on the north east coast of Unguja, on a low coral ledge a few metres above the sand. The last two kilometres in are on a dirt track through the village, which is part of why the property feels as private as it does once you are through the gate. In front of it lies the wide Matemwe lagoon, protected by a reef that sits far enough offshore to keep the water flat, and beyond that the dark line of Mnemba Atoll.
The island runs on two rhythms and Matemwe shows both. The dry months from June to October bring steady sun and the trade winds, which is why this stretch of coast is known for easy boat days. January to March is hot and bright with short bursts of rain. April and May are the long rains, when the coast empties out and the property is at its quietest. Snorkelling and diving at Mnemba is a year round trip, roughly twenty minutes by boat from the pier just north of the hotel, and dolphins are often seen on the way out. The tide matters here: at low water the lagoon draws back a long way and the reef flat becomes a walk among starfish and sea urchins, and at high water you swim straight off the beach.
There are seventeen rooms in four categories, eleven of them villas with their own private pool. Five Sea Front Villas stand on the front row with an open view of the water. Six Partial Sea View Rooms sit a row back, each with a pool of its own and a view of the sea over the roofs in front. Three Garden View Rooms face the gardens and also have private pools, and three Sea View Rooms on the first floor look out from a balcony but have no pool of their own. Every room has air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a safe, satellite television, an en suite bathroom and a private terrace with sun beds. Three of the bedrooms can be taken together as the Family Villa. Meals are at the main restaurant or by the pool, there is an open air spa in the gardens, and a small lounge with books and board games for the middle of the day.
It suits couples, honeymooners and small groups of friends who want a quiet stretch of coast rather than a resort strip, and it works well as the beach half of a safari trip because the flight into Zanzibar and the hour of road north are the whole of the journey. Families are welcome and the Family Villa is the obvious answer for two generations travelling together, though there is no club for children and the property is built around calm rather than activity.
Getting there is simple. Fly into Zanzibar, which is about an hour and twenty minutes from Kilimanjaro International or a short hop from the northern safari circuit, then drive about an hour north east to Matemwe. The hotel arranges the transfer on request.
Signature experiences
Why guests choose it.
Mnemba Atoll by boat
The reef around Mnemba is the best snorkelling and diving in Zanzibar, about twenty minutes out from the pier north of the hotel. Dolphins are often met on the way, and the trip usually runs in the morning while the water is flat.
A pool of your own
Eleven of the seventeen rooms have a private pool on the terrace. It is the difference between planning your day around the tide and simply not having to.
The reef flat at low tide
When the lagoon draws back you can walk out a long way over the sand and coral among starfish, urchins and the village fishing boats. The hotel will tell you the tide times at breakfast.
The open air spa
A small spa set in the gardens, used mostly in the flat middle of the afternoon. Treatments are booked at the property and charged separately.
Matemwe village on foot or by bicycle
The fishing village immediately south is a working one, busiest when the boats come in. It is an easy walk at low tide or a short ride, and the hotel can arrange a guide.
Gallery
A closer look.
Room types
Where you will sleep.
Up to 4 guests
Partial Sea View Room
Six rooms a row back from the front, each with a private pool and a view of the water over the villa roofs. Up to four guests.
Up to 2 guests
Garden View Room
Three rooms on the extension of the partial sea view villas, facing the gardens, each with its own private pool. Two guests.
Up to 2 guests
Sea View Room First Floor
Three rooms on the upper floor with an ocean view from the balcony. No private pool. Two guests.
Up to 6 guests
Family Villa
The whole three bedroom villa taken together: a partial sea view room and a garden view room, both with private pools, and a sea view room on the first floor. Six guests.
At a glance
The essentials, in brief.
Amenities
- Private Pool With Most Rooms
- Hotel Pool
- Main Restaurant
- Poolside Restaurant
- Open Air Spa
- Lounge with books, television and board games
- Boutique Shop
- WiFi Throughout
- Air Conditioning
- Ceiling Fans
- Satellite Television
- Safe In Room
- En suite bathroom with hot water
- Private Terrace With Day Beds
- Beach Access
- Tour Desk And Excursions
- Airport Transfer On Request
- Free Parking
- Room Service
Best for
- Honeymoon
- Couples
- Snorkelling And Diving
- Beach Extension After Safari
- Quiet Stays
- Small Groups Of Friends
Wildlife and nature
- Reef fish, turtles and rays on the Mnemba reef year round
- Dolphins often seen on the boat run out to Mnemba
- Starfish, urchins and octopus on the reef flat at low tide
- Red colobus monkeys at Jozani Forest, about an hour away
Best time to visit
When to go.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: not a best month
- April: not a best month
- May: not a best month
- June: best
- July: best
- August: best
- September: best
- October: best
- November: not a best month
- December: best
Best months
Best months: June to October and December to February.
Location & access
Getting there.
Location
Zanzibar East Coast
Arriving by air
Fly Kilimanjaro International to Zanzibar in about an hour and twenty minutes, then transfer by road about one hour to Matemwe. There is no airstrip at Matemwe; Zanzibar is the arrival airport for the whole island.
By road
Zanzibar is reached by air. From Kilimanjaro International it is about an hour and twenty minutes in the air to Zanzibar, then a road transfer of roughly one hour north east to Matemwe, the last two kilometres on a dirt track.
On the map
Where it sits.
5.839° S, 39.357° E
What's included
What the rate covers.
Included
- Accommodation in the room category booked, for the number of guests the rate covers
- Breakfast daily at the main restaurant, served from 07:30 to 10:00
- Use of the private pool that comes with the room, where the category has one
- Use of the hotel pool, the gardens and the beach access
- Wifi throughout the property, including in the rooms
- Air conditioning, ceiling fan, safe, satellite television and a private terrace in every room
- Baby cot on request at no charge
Not included
- Lunch and dinner. A half board upgrade is offered at 51 USD per adult per night and 25 USD per child under 7 per night, added to your booking
- Drinks and anything taken from the poolside restaurant or the lounge outside breakfast
- Airport transfers. The property charges 50 USD per car each way for up to four guests and 10 USD for each additional guest, settled with the hotel
- Late check out, offered until 16:00 at half the room rate and subject to availability on the day of departure
- Spa treatments, excursions, boat trips and anything booked through the tour desk
- Tips And Gratuities
- Items Of A Personal Nature
- Zanzibar inbound travel insurance, 44 USD per person for the whole stay, compulsory and bought online at visitzanzibar.go.tz before arrival
- Zanzibar infrastructure tax, 4 USD per person per day, paid by guests directly to the hotel
Frequently asked
Questions, answered.
How many rooms does Kasha Boutique Hotel have?
Seventeen in total, of which eleven are villas with their own private pool. There are five Sea Front Villas, six Partial Sea View Rooms, three Garden View Rooms and three Sea View Rooms on the first floor.
Where exactly is the hotel?
At Kigomani, the northern end of Matemwe, on the north east coast of Unguja. It faces the Matemwe lagoon with Mnemba Atoll offshore, and the last two kilometres of the approach are on a dirt track through the village.
How do guests get there?
Everyone arrives through Zanzibar airport, which is about an hour and twenty minutes in the air from Kilimanjaro International. From the airport it is roughly one hour by road north east to Matemwe. The hotel arranges transfers on request and charges for them separately.
What is included in the rate?
The room for the number of guests the rate covers, breakfast at the main restaurant, wifi, and the private pool that comes with the room where the category has one. Lunch and dinner are not included, and a half board upgrade can be added to your booking.
Are families with children welcome?
Yes. Children below four sharing with an adult stay free, and the three bedroom Family Villa takes six guests, which suits two generations travelling together. There is no club for children, and the property is built around quiet rather than organised activity.
When is the best time to visit?
June to October is the driest stretch and the most reliable for boat days and snorkelling. January to March is hot and bright with short rains. April and May are the long rains, when the coast is at its quietest and the hotel is at its lowest price of the year.
Is there a minimum stay over Christmas and New Year?
Yes. The property does not accept bookings of fewer than six nights from 23 December to 6 January.
Can you swim off the beach at any time of day?
Not always. Matemwe sits on a wide lagoon and the tide draws back a long way at low water, which turns the reef flat into a walk rather than a swim. The hotel pool and the private pools cover the low tide hours, and at high water you swim straight off the beach.
What is there to do nearby?
Mnemba Atoll is about twenty minutes by boat from the pier just north of the hotel and is the best snorkelling and diving on the island. Nungwi is about half an hour by road, Kiwengwa about twenty five minutes, Jozani Forest and its red colobus monkeys about an hour, and Stone Town between one hour and ninety minutes.
Do the rooms have air conditioning and wifi?
Every room has air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a safe, satellite television, an en suite bathroom and a private terrace with sun beds. Wifi runs throughout the property, including in the rooms.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation 30 days or more before arrival is free. Cancelling or changing 29 days before arrival costs half the total. A no show, or a cancellation or change 15 days to arrival, is charged in full. The booking is paid in full 30 days before arrival.
Is a single traveller charged the full room price?
No. A single occupant gets twenty percent off the villa rate in high and peak season. In low season the two guest price applies as published.
Do I need travel insurance to visit?
Yes. Visitors to Zanzibar must hold the Zanzibar inbound travel insurance, 44 USD per person for the whole stay, bought online at visitzanzibar.go.tz before arrival. Tanzania residents are exempt. If you enter mainland Tanzania first for a safari, the mainland policy covers you instead. It is paid by you directly and is not part of our quote.
What's nearby
Worth the short trip.
Mnemba Atoll
A protected marine reserve about twenty minutes by boat. Snorkelling and diving on the reef that rings the island, usually taken as a morning.
Nungwi
The village at the northern tip, about half an hour by road. Deep water that swims at any tide, a turtle sanctuary and a busy evening beach.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
About an hour south. The last stand of the island forest and the place to see the red colobus, taken as a half day with a guide.
Stone Town
The old quarter of Zanzibar City, between one hour and ninety minutes by road. Carved doors, the spice market and the waterfront, usually a half day on the way to or from the airport.
Kiwengwa
The next stretch of coast south, about twenty five minutes away, with a longer beach and more places to eat.
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