Nungwi Village Beach Resort

If you’re looking for a place to put up your feet, relax and feel at home, Nungwi Village Beach Resort is a good choice. This superb little lodge is situated on a lovely strip of coastline just outside Nungwi Village in the north. The atmosphere is calm with dhows plying the azure waters in front of you.

If you love being barefoot with the feel of sand between your toes, you’re in the right spot. Firstly, there’s a good beach for lying about in hammocks and chilling under the plentiful palms. Secondly, some of the rooms are situated just a few paces from the sand. Thirdly, there’s a delightful restaurant situated on the beach, so you’re never far away from the smells, sounds and sights of the ocean.

Sandy walkways with fishing-basket lights link the reception to the restaurant and bar. The layout and all the makuti thatch gives the place a lovely village feel. There’s an open-air bar and on some nights acrobats perform after dinner. On quiet nights, if you do feel like socializing with a lively crowd, you can walk down to a variety of pubs and restaurants further along the beach. Nungwi attracts a host of tourists, backpackers and hippies, who gather here. The restaurants are all quite attractive with makuti-thatch roofs and a selection of pizza, pasta and seafood on the menu. If you’re after a special type of fish, order it the day before or early in the morning so the chef can tell the fishermen what to catch. Some of restaurants are right on the beach, others are on the rocky headland. There are sometimes impromptu, moonlit drumming sessions on the beach. Just be careful walking about on your own late at night.

The lodge can take you to see how dhows are made in the old, traditional way. There is also a natural aquarium near the lighthouse on the northernmost tip of the island. It’s actually a small tidal lake surrounded by coral rag stone which attracts the endangered hawksbill and green turtles. You can also explore the village and beaches on bicycles and mix with the local people.

We have always found the staff to be really friendly and efficient. Many of our clients have commented on what a great Zanzibar experience they had while staying here, and we certainly agree with them.

The rooms are divided into standard and sea-view rooms. 

The sea-view rooms are built in double-storey makuti thatch blocks on the beach. Our favourite are the sea-view rooms located on ground level, as you can literally step out of your room onto the beach sand. Wow! The other prime sea-view rooms are situated in the top section of the house. They have a lovely balcony on which to sit and enjoy the view. They’re simply but attractively furnished and decorated with African designs and paintings by local Zanzibarian artists.

The standard rooms are located away from the seafront in an enclosed courtyard with two wings of eight rooms. They’re fairly plain and basic (nothing fancy in the décor) but a clean and comfortable option if you’re on a tight budget. Unfortunately only 2 persons can sleep in these rooms, so they cannot be made up into triples.

The rooms have air-conditioners, en-suite facilities and double, twin or single beds.