Photos from Mnemba Island
Popular Trips to Tanzania
The trips below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch, and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
How does Mnemba Island compare to other options in the area?
Mnemba Island sits in a league of its own as the only private island lodge off Zanzibar's coast. While the main island has plenty of beachfront resorts and boutique hotels, Mnemba offers something completely different - you're on your own pristine island with just 24 guests maximum.
Compared to the larger beach resorts on Zanzibar's main island, this is much more intimate and exclusive. You won't find crowds, beach vendors, or any of the typical resort atmosphere. Instead, it's pure barefoot luxury where the focus is on marine activities, conservation, and that castaway-on-a-private-island feeling.
The trade-off is that you're more limited in terms of exploring different restaurants or shopping, but that's exactly what makes it special. If you want variety and nightlife, stick to Stone Town or the main island resorts. If you want to disconnect completely on a conservation-focused private island, Mnemba is unmatched in the region.
Room Types
Mnemba Island has 12 palm-frond thatched bandas nestled in tropical forest, including one Family Banda option that consists of two linked rooms.
Each banda features an open-air design with no windows or doors, allowing sea breezes to flow through, plus a private veranda and personal beach sala. The interiors showcase curvilinear shapes inspired by nautilus shells, with scrolled headboards featuring Zanzibar woodcarvings.
Standard bandas rely on overhead fans and natural ventilation, while the Family Banda includes air conditioning and heating.
Banda (Beachfront)
Located along the beachfront, this room is 94 m² and designed in the nautilus shell spiral with an open-air concept featuring no windows or doors for natural integration with the tropical forest and ocean.
The room has a king-sized bed with a scrolled headboard crafted by Zanzibari artisans and is fitted with an en-suite bathroom featuring both indoor and outdoor showers with a glass-beaded curtain.
You'll find a private Beach Lounge with a day bed and sun loungers, plus a dedicated beach sala with traditional Zanzibari loungers for ocean relaxation.
Family Banda
Located along the beachfront, this accommodation is 94 m² and comprised of two separate bandas connected by an interleading wooden walkway, each with its own en-suite bathroom and private veranda.
The twin banda can accommodate children with convertible bedding options, while the main banda features a double bed, both drawing inspiration from the nautilus shell design with natural colours and coral accents.
You can access the beach directly from both bandas, and each unit includes floor-to-ceiling louvred blinds and private beach salas for family enjoyment.
Room Rates
Prices at Mnemba Island Lodge start from $2,550 per adult sharing.
Banda
- Per adult sharing: $2,550 (April-May, October-December); $3,450 (January-March, June-September, December 21-31)
Family Banda
- Family rate based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing: $10,200 (April-May, October-December); $13,800 (January-March, June-September, December 21-31)
*Prices are variable and subject to change. Please contact us for the latest rates.
*Mnemba Island closes annually from April 8 - May 20.
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Activities at Mnemba Island
The warm waters surrounding Mnemba Island offer endless ways to connect with the ocean. You can snorkel vibrant coral reefs directly from the beach, paddle glass-bottom kayaks over the house reef, or venture deeper with scuba diving to explore spiral coral walls.
Traditional dhow cruises at sunset and dolphin spotting trips provide gentler ocean encounters, while stand-up paddleboarding and Hobie catamaran sailing add adventure to calm afternoons.
Evening brings candlelit dinners directly on the beach with waves at your feet, while mornings start with sunrise yoga among the trees.
Beyond the water, the island's conservation initiatives invite you to participate in meaningful projects. Join coral restoration efforts by building your own coral frame, assist with the coral nursery, or follow turtle tracks during nesting season with the conservation team. The behind-the-scenes conservation tour reveals how this private island protects rare Aders' duiker antelope and nurtures indigenous trees.
Mnemba Island FAQs
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How do I get to Mnemba Island?
Getting there is pretty straightforward but involves a couple of steps. You'll start with about a 90-minute drive from Stone Town or Zanzibar airport to the mainland departure point. From there, it's a quick 10-15 minute boat ride directly onto the island's beach.
Here's what you need to know about the boat transfer - there's no jetty, so you'll need to wade into the water to get on and off the boat. It's all part of the barefoot island experience, but just be prepared to get your feet wet. Also, boat transfers only run during daylight hours for safety reasons.
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What type of accommodation does Mnemba Island offer?
The island has 12 thatched beach bandas spread along the coastline, including one dedicated Family Banda. Each banda captures that barefoot luxury vibe with mosquito nets, natural textures, and your own private beach lounge area right outside.
The Family Banda is a bit different from the others - it's got air conditioning and heating, while the standard bandas rely on overhead fans and those lovely sea breezes. All bandas embrace that natural island aesthetic where you're just steps from the sand.
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Is Wi-Fi available at the lodge?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, including in your banda. So you can stay connected if you need to, though you might find yourself forgetting about the outside world once you settle into island time.
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What activities are included in my stay?
Your stay covers a fantastic range of water and wellness activities. You can enjoy 2 scuba dives per day (you'll need PADI certification), plus snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding whenever you want. There's also a daily scheduled yoga class and a sunset dhow cruise that's absolutely magical.
All of these depend on weather conditions, which is just the nature of island life. Beyond activities, everything else you'd expect is included - all your meals, house wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, tea, coffee, laundry service, and even emergency medical evacuation cover.
The main things not covered are premium beverages like champagne and fine wines, diving courses if you're not certified, phone calls, shopping, tips, and personal items. There are also some local taxes and fees that aren't included in the rate.
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Can they accommodate special dietary requirements?
Yes, they can handle halaal and other special dietary requests, but you need to book these in advance so the kitchen can prepare properly. Just note that kosher food isn't available, so if that's a requirement, this might not be the right fit.
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Is the island suitable for families with children?
Absolutely, though it works best for families with children 8 and older. The lodge can only accommodate 2 children under 12 at any one time, and there's a dedicated Family Banda that sleeps up to 2 adults and 2 children.
Since the island isn't fenced, children need to be with an adult at all times. But there's a great WILDchild program with activities like scavenger hunts, pirate ship trips, snorkeling, beach picnics, and even baking turtle biscuits with the chef.
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What diving options are available if I'm not certified?
Even if you're not PADI certified, you've got options. They offer PADI Bubblemaker and Discover Scuba programs for children and first-timers. If you're feeling ambitious, you can do the full PADI Open Water Diver Course right there on the island - it's a 4-dive certification that gets you qualified to dive up to 18 meters.
For certified divers looking to advance their skills, there's the PADI Advanced Open Water course that extends your depth limit to 30 meters. They also offer refresher courses if you haven't been diving in a while.
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How can I incorporate Mnemba Island into a wider Tanzania trip?
Mnemba Island works beautifully as either the perfect start or end to a Tanzania adventure. Most of our guests combine it with a mainland safari - maybe the Serengeti for the Great Migration or Ngorongoro Crater for incredible wildlife density.
The timing works really well because you can fly directly from safari airstrips to Zanzibar, then transfer to Mnemba. Some people prefer to do their safari first and then decompress on the island, while others like to start with the island's tranquil pace before heading into the bush.
If you book with us, we handle all the logistics - flights between destinations, transfers, and making sure everything flows smoothly.
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What's the best time to visit weather-wise?
June through March gives you the best conditions. You'll get some humidity, but the sea breezes provide nice relief. The main rainy periods are April to May and again in November, though November's rains are usually shorter.
Temperature-wise, you're looking at around 26°C (79°F) during the cooler months of June to October, and about 28°C (82°F) from December to February. It's pretty consistent year-round, which is why the marine activities work so well.
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Popular Trips to Tanzania
The tours below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch, and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
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