Matemwe Beach House

Matemwe Beach House (with its own private chef and activity guide) is superb for family beach holidays. Personal attention, accommodation and service come together to give you a once-in-a-lifetime tropical island escape. A superb range of activities keeps the entire family entertained!

The warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are on your doorstep, which means snorkelling, kayaking, boat trips and diving excursions are easy to arrange – although you may find lazy days relaxing in the private swimming pool and soaking up the tranquil surroundings equally appealing.

Secluded Matemwe Beach on the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar Island is perfectly situated opposite the spectacular diving and snorkelling reefs of the Mnemba Atoll and surrounded by some of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Privacy and exclusivity are paramount at Matemwe, where the beach is still one of the quieter and more exclusive locations on the island.

Matemwe Beach House is situated slightly south of Matemwe Lodge, right on the beachfront. A short walk across the beach provides access to the lodge and all its facilities, including the spa and open-air restaurant.

The house sleeps six people in two double bedrooms on the ground floor and has a mezzanine bedroom with two single beds, all with mosquito nets. Both downstairs double bedrooms are air conditioned. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with shower and the second bathroom contains a bath and shower.

You’re free to structure your days as you desire to suit your family’s needs. A wide range of family-friendly activities and excursions are on offer to suit all ages and activity levels, and your private pool awaits on those days when you feel like staying in. It’s entirely up to you.

A 30-minute boat ride away is Mnemba Island and the world-renowned coral reef that provides some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling in the world.

Other exciting activities include a fascinating reef walk, learning more about the endangered turtles of the island, a tour of the exotic Stone Town, a cultural visit to Prison Island, a fragrant Swahili cooking class, or a tour of the local village, among others. Also on offer is stand-up paddle boarding, kite surfing, Ngalawa sailing trips and water sports.

All the food is sourced locally (including fruit and vegetables), and seafood is bought from local suppliers who use sustainable techniques. This means, for example, that the staff do not buy net- or spear-caught fish but only that caught on lines. Meals are a mix of gourmet-style cooking and traditional Zanzibari cuisine with loads of seafood. The buffet-style breakfast includes fresh fruit, muffins, croissants, cereal and yoghurts as well as a full English breakfast.

Lunch and dinner are three-course meals: choose between two starters, three main dishes (including a meat, fish and vegetarian option) and two desserts. Simpler meals can be arranged for children. Mealtimes are entirely flexible and can accommodate your schedule and mealtimes as you desire, including earlier meals times for children, should you require this.

Tuesdays and Fridays are barbecue night (with a range of seafood and meats) and Sunday is a Swahili buffet, offering a large selection of traditional dishes enjoyed communally at Matemwe Lodge.

The House offers picnic lunches during excursions to the sandbank and Muyuni beach. Guests who go on the Stone Town tour or spice tour can be taken to a restaurant in Stone Town if they wish.