Ground Floor Sea View Room
A ground floor room facing the sea, with twin beds, a private ensuite bathroom and breakfast for two, a few steps from the garden.
Lodges & partnersPemba
Waterfall Retreat
A small oceanfront retreat on the quiet coast of Pemba, minutes from Mkoani and a boat ride from the reef at Misali Island.
From $40 per person per night
01 / 06
- Tier
- Comfort
- Bed and breakfast
- Location
- Pemba
About
About Waterfall Retreat.
Waterfall Retreat sits on the south west coast of Pemba, the green, hilly island to the north of Unguja that most visitors to Zanzibar never reach. The setting is a stretch of coast at Makombeni, a few minutes from the ferry port at Mkoani, with thatched white buildings set in a lawned garden of palms and banana plants and the sea below. The retreat opened in 2026 and it is small, quiet and deliberately uncrowded.
The rooms are simple and well made. There are sea view rooms on the ground and first floor with twin beds, and freestanding panoramic bungalows with a king bed and a wall of glass facing the water. Every room has a private ensuite bathroom. Bahari, the oceanfront restaurant, cooks fresh local seafood with vegetarian and international dishes, and the open terrace is where the day ends, with the sun going down over the channel.
Pemba is the reason to come. The island is less visited than Unguja, the culture is more traditional, and the water is very clear. The retreat arranges boat days to Misali Island for snorkelling over the reef, trips out to the sandbank and through the mangroves, dolphin tours, and a visit to the community it works with. It is run as part of a waqf social enterprise under Waterfall Charity, which also runs a masjid on the property, a school and a farm, so a stay supports the place you are staying in.
It suits couples and families who want somewhere quiet and real after a safari, groups travelling together, and travellers who would rather see a less visited island than a busy resort strip. It suits less well anyone looking for a pool, a spa or a choice of restaurants, because those are not what this place is about.
Signature experiences
Why guests choose it.
A day at Misali Island
A boat out to the island off Pemba's west coast for snorkelling over clear reef. Arranged by the retreat and paid at the property.
The sandbank and the mangroves
A trip out to a sandbank exposed by the tide and through the mangrove channels along the coast.
Dolphin tours
A morning on the water looking for the dolphins that move along this coast.
Sunset at Bahari
Dinner of fresh local seafood on the oceanfront terrace, facing the sunset.
Gallery
A closer look.
Room types
Where you will sleep.
First Floor Sea View Room
The same twin bedded room one floor up, which buys a wider view over the water. Private ensuite bathroom and breakfast for two.
Panoramic Sea View Bungalow
A freestanding thatched bungalow with a king bed and a wall of glass looking straight out over the trees to the sea. Private ensuite bathroom and breakfast for two.
At a glance
The essentials, in brief.
Amenities
- Sea View From Every Room
- Private ensuite bathroom in every room
- Bahari, the oceanfront restaurant on site
- Fresh local seafood, with vegetarian and international dishes
- Breakfast Included
- Half board and full board available on request
- Airport and ferry transfers arranged by the retreat
- Island excursions arranged by the retreat
- Masjid On The Property
- Quiet, Uncrowded Setting
- Group And Family Bookings
Best for
- Couples
- Families
- Groups
- Retreat Stays
- Beach Extension After Safari
- Travellers who want somewhere less visited
Wildlife and nature
- Reef fish and coral around Misali Island
- Dolphins Along The Coast
- Mangrove Channels And Their Birdlife
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: not a best month
- November: not a best month
- December: not a best month
Best months
Best months: January to February and June to September.
Location & access
Getting there.
Location
Pemba
Arriving by air
Fly from Kilimanjaro or Arusha to Zanzibar, connect on a short domestic flight to Pemba airport near Chake Chake, then about 45 minutes by road to the retreat. There is no direct flight from Kilimanjaro to Pemba.
By road
Not a road trip. Pemba is an island, so guests coming from Kilimanjaro fly to Zanzibar and on to Pemba rather than drive.
On the map
Where it sits.
5.335° S, 39.652° E
What's included
What the rate covers.
Included
- Accommodation charged per room per night, for one or two guests
- Breakfast
Not included
- Lunch and dinner (half board and full board are available at the property)
- Beverages
- Airport, ferry and flight transfers, arranged by the retreat and charged separately
- Excursions: Misali Island, sandbank and mangroves, dolphin tours and the community visit
- Tips And Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Items Of A Personal Nature
Frequently asked
Questions, answered.
Where is Waterfall Retreat?
On the south west coast of Pemba Island, the quieter northern island of the Zanzibar archipelago, at Makombeni near Mkoani. The ferry port at Mkoani is about 7 minutes away and the retreat sits on its own stretch of coast looking out over the water.
How do I get there?
Most guests fly into Zanzibar and take a short domestic flight to Pemba airport near Chake Chake, then a transfer of about 45 minutes to the retreat. The ferry from Zanzibar lands at Mkoani, 7 minutes away. The retreat arranges airport, ferry and flight transfers, priced separately.
What is included in the rate?
The room, charged per room per night for one or two guests, and breakfast. Lunch, dinner, transfers and excursions are paid separately, and half board or full board can be arranged with the property.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Children up to 2 years stay free, and from 3 years a child counts as a guest at the full rate, which on these rooms means they take one of the two places in the room. Your Expert can help you work out the right rooms for a family.
When is the best time to visit Pemba?
June to September is the long dry season and the most settled weather, and January and February are hot and bright. April and May bring the long rains, which fall more heavily on Pemba than on Unguja.
What is there to do?
The retreat arranges boat days to Misali Island for snorkelling, trips to the sandbank and the mangroves, dolphin tours, and a visit to the local community. These are booked and paid at the property.
Is there a pool or a spa?
No. The draw here is the sea, the quiet and the island itself rather than resort facilities, and we would rather say so before you book.
What is the food like?
Bahari, the restaurant on site, faces the ocean and cooks fresh local seafood alongside vegetarian and international dishes. Dinner is served on the terrace facing the sunset.
Is the retreat a good fit for Muslim travellers?
Yes. Waterfall Retreat is run as part of a waqf social enterprise under Waterfall Charity, which also runs a masjid on the property, a school, a farm and community projects. Pemba itself is a traditional island.
What payment terms apply?
A 50 percent deposit is due when the booking is confirmed and the balance before arrival. Groups of more than two rooms pay in full in advance, and changes or cancellations inside 60 days of arrival are charged at 90 percent.
What's nearby
Worth the short trip.
Misali Island
A short boat ride off the west coast, known for its reef and clear water.
Mkoani
The island's main ferry port and a small working town, about 7 minutes away.
Chake Chake
Pemba's main town, near the airport, about 40 minutes by road.
Plan this stay
Build a trip with Pemba at the end of it
Build your bespoke Tanzania safari with our team. Real lodge rates and itemised pricing throughout.
Build & price your trip