Zanzibar-Beach Resort Recommendations?
 

Hello, seeking some recommendations on wonderful beach resorts in Zanzibar for apres Safari relaxing and water fun (Christmas). Thanks

http://gallery.uunet.be/annen/<BR><BR>I've been here fro 1 week in summer 2000! Lovely atmosphere, really quite!<BR><BR>

We stayed at the Ras Nungwi beach resort in December 1999. It was very good. Good diving / snorkelling, nice quiet beach. I thought drinks were expensive, but that's probably because we are used to paying in South African Rands and everything was priced in US$. Stayed in Stone Town for a night but the weather was terrible and as it was Ramadan (sp?) there wasn't much going on at night.

If you decide to stay in the Stone town don't miss staying at Emerson and Green. It's a wonderfully restored home that feels like 1001 nights. It is an absolute wonder and we loved it for our homeymoon last year, despite fact that the riots surrounding the election meant we shared the place with journalists! They even have a tiny rooftop restaurant with a french chef and dancing every evening. It's stunning to watch the sun set over the stone town.

Try Nungwi Village Beach Resort (in of course Nungwi) at the tip of Zanzibar. Cool to see the dhows being built and watch the fisherman bringing in their catch, while at the same time having lovely rooms and terrific food. Great people and awesome beaches.....plus it's not expensive.

I realise that this stream is quite old. But do you know what the atmosphere is like at Nungwi Beach resort? Is it very busy or quite tranquil and private? Also, do you know what kind of water sports are offered, if any?

Ras Nungwi is one of the very finest resorts you can get for the price range they offer. I was there a long time ago and the beach really was uncrowded. The biggest problem i find with other beach resorts such as Blue Bay and Breezes beach club in Zanzibar is that they are located in a row, one after the other and share the same stretch of beach [much like most hotels in Mombasa]. This ofcourse is what makes most popular beaches in East Africa crowded. Ras Nungwi's major selling point is that it's located amid a charming but remote fishing village. Apart from the beach, I especially adored the 'nostalgic Swahili' atmosphere created in the large airy living spaces. They are decorated in colorful local kikoy fabrics and allow the ocean breeze to flow freely in and out and lull you into this peaceful, tranquil state watching dhows sail by.. which, really, is the trademark of an authentic East African beach holiday. With regards to watersports, you can get all the info you need right here: http://www.rasnungwi.com/water.html

If money is NOT an issue and privacy is a top priority above all else. The best destination in Zanzibar [in my opinion] is Mnemba Island. This is a private island with just 9 beach chalets, frequented by the rich and usually famous [Bill Gates, Naomi Campbell], and the watersport opportunities are extraordinary [i hear it will be declared a world heritage site soon].

It's really the kind of place you would reserve for an exotic honeymoon or if you want to go all out and spend around $700 a night on an extremely romantic away-from-it-all holiday. Yup, it does come at a cost! My fascination with it, however is that, they charge for the experience, privacy and unmatched service rather than focus on 'stylish, non-natural accommodation'. The chalets are all made of natural materials and they are simply there to entice a feeling of exclusivity, sticking to basic room principles [no jacuzzi's or spas here]. The best part is, the island is home to giant leatherback turtles who seasonally come to lay their eggs on the island [and during a particular point in the year, you can also watch the eggs hatch and the baby turtles come out of the shell headed for the sea! A most unforgettable experience!]

Wherever you do decide to stay in Zanzibar, make sure that you take a tour of Stone Town and if possible, get a guide from your hotel to escort you around the town and point out the historical points of interest. During this excursion, grab some lunch at one of their famous roof-top restaurants which provide a view of the entire town and the ocean. Save room for kahawa and halwa [strong black coffee and a sweet Swahili dish]