Mambo Paradise

Seven, all of them doubles. Three of the seven look straight out at the ocean and four of them can take an extra bed. The whole property fits at most fourteen guests in the published rooms, which is why it feels closer to a guest house than a hotel.

At Matemwe Kigomani, at the northern end of the Matemwe strip on the north east coast of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. It sits a few steps from the village fish market, with Mnemba Atoll about 5 km offshore to the north.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport outside Stone Town is about 52 km away, a drive of roughly an hour and a quarter. The property runs the transfer in its own vehicle on request, so ask for it when you book.

The room, charged per room per night for two guests sharing, and breakfast for those two guests. Lunch, dinner, beverages, transfers and excursions are all paid separately at the property.

Yes. Children under 2 stay free. Four of the seven rooms can take an extra bed for an older child, which is charged per night and arranged with the property. The pool has a shallow end.

June to October is the long dry window and the water is usually at its clearest for snorkelling. December to February is hot and bright and takes in the festive weeks. The long rains run roughly late March to early June, which is the quietest and cheapest stretch of the year.

Both. There is a salt water pool in the garden with a shallow end, and the beach is directly in front of the property. At low tide the lagoon drains out for several hundred metres, which is part of the character of this coast.

Seafood led, because the village fish market is a few steps away and the kitchen buys there each morning. Lobster, octopus, squid and reef fish are the regulars, cooked simply and served on the first floor terrace.

Yes to both. Every room has air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom, a fridge and a safe, and WiFi reaches the rooms and the public areas.

Yes. Snorkelling trips to Mnemba leave from the beach in front of the hotel, and the owner guides island days to Stone Town, the spice farms and the Jozani forest in the property vehicle. All of these are paid separately.

Quiet, green and warm. Through the long rains from late March to early June the showers tend to be heavy and short rather than all day, the sea is warmer and the whole coast empties out. It is the cheapest time to come and the easiest time to have the place to yourself.

We have no record of a seasonal closure and the property has not told us of one, so we are treating it as open all year. If you are booking deep into the long rains, let your Expert confirm the dates with the property first.