We have decided to celebrate Happy Black History Month from the Motherland, recently travelling to East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania. As well as our clients celebrating their birthday in Kenya or our Intern Francis which we sent on his first Solo trip to Accra, Ghana. Spending the British Black History Month in the Motherland is a former tradition of ours, for some pre-winter sun, connect with locals, culture, great food and the occasion to reconnect spiritually as well.
We would like to share with your various accommodation options for your next stay in Zanzibar:
1. Budget Family-owned hotel in Stone town city centre, to have access to all amenities within close reach: Local cafes, restaurants, accessibility to nearby ATMs, and taxis to move around the island, suppliers for local excursions. Typical budget £130/ $150 USD for a week in a single room with en-suite bathroom, inclusive of breakfast.
2. Budget Single room, in a newly reconverted Guest house, single room with shared bathroom/ toilets in Stone town city centre. Typical budget £130/ $150 USD for 8 days, inclusive of breakfast. Simple and practical better comfort that a Youth Hostel. Proximity to nearby amenities, excursions, safe neighbourhood.
3. Budget-friendly Premium or Medium range Flat share, Double room with en-suite bathroom, very spacious and always sold out! This is a gem with a daily budget of $25 with modern decoration and shared living room, kitchen and washing machine. Proximity to nearby amenities in Stone town city centre, excursions, safe neighbourhood. If you want a more homely stay at budget friendly price.
4. Budget-friendly Double rooms in Villas in Paje or Bungalows / private beachfront villas in Michamwi. We will be reviewing different ranges of them, from pricing to comfort level, and onsite services that makes your stay a different & unforgettable experience!
5. Luxury beachfront beach, if you are in the mood for a honeymoon-style holiday, why not? There are many on the Coastline of Zanzibar in between, Nungwi, Bejwuu, and Paje and to choose from at different price ranges and with amazing facilities like infinity pools, onsite Spice farm, and night-time cinema.
1. Budget family-owned hotel or mid-range hotel
As I wanted to vary my future experience, I’ve also booked a single ensuite room in a family run hotel in Stone town. I did appreciated the colourfulness of the room wall and the fact that it was equipped with natural organic skincare and body wash products in the bathroom.
A mid range hotel will offer additional amenities such as:
Private suite, you can have a friendly staff which will store your fresh bottles of water during your stay to help be attentive to your needs whenever needed.
· Friendly staff.
· Paying laundry services
A dedicated hotel restaurant where:
· Complimentary breakfast is being served
· On demand meals can be cooked for you should you wish
· Recommend you or call a local taxi partner for you should you ask reception when needed
· Security guard at night to ensure your safety
Benefits:
· Additional paying services
· Night guard security
· Friendly staff
Inconvenience:
· Location may not be right by a beach, but in the city centre, you will need to take a taxi to access the most prised beaches on the island.
Hotel Emerald Palm, Stonetown, Zanzibar island, Tanzania
Pricing range: Less than 130 USD- 150 USD / £125 - £140 for 7/8 nights
Spice Hotel, Ensuite Single Room, Stone town, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
Out of season in April May price are lower less than £200/ $230 for 8 days, in high season in December January price go up to £600/ 700 USD a week for a single or double room ensuite
3. How to choose your room in a Guest house/ Flat share?
1. Go do some research on websites like booking, com, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, Hotels.com, Vrbo.com
2. Filter by your destination main city(ies) depending if you are doing a road trip, backpacking or moving staying in one location
3. Look at the past guest reviews and filter by your traveller profile (solo, family, couple, groups of friends)
4. If you are a female solo traveller pay attention to local, proximity to taxis, ATMs nearby, proximity to the beach or attractions, local supermarkets, restaurants, safety or noise at night, access to nightlife and how can you come back safely.
5. Feel free to connect with your guests and ask questions via the platform DM/ messaging systems or via WhatsApp a few days prior to your arrival. That will help you in your final selection.
6. Make your selection and Book online
7. Closer to your arrival date add the host on your what’s app and communicate to find your way around the accommodation, or tell them about your arrival date and time for a smooth check-in experience. I don’t hesitate to ask for early check-in if I had an early flight to avoid roaming around and carry tiredness with heavy luggage, refresh, have a shower and get a restful nap. If not possible, ask to drop your belongings to the luggage/ storage room instead.
Benefits:
· Access to the local network for food spots, taxis to hire,
· Recommendations on best tours to do and places to visit locally. Cheaper accommodation type
Inconvenience:
· Shared Kitchen if you want to cook during your holidays
· Shared bathroom depending on your room type, you need to think about how long you can handle it if you’re a woman or if you rather favour your privacy depending on cultural affinity.
· You could have some noisy neighbours at night, or lack of sleep due to the guesthouse hosting pets.
· It won’t have the medium luxury feel of a resort or dedicated Breakfast facility. You will probably have to have breakfast in a nearby partner café or restaurant, so include more time in the morning to get ready before getting on with your day.
Pricing range : Less than 25 USD- 30USD / £30 - £35 per night in Central Stone town, Zanzibar island
Spice Nest Apartment, modern Flat share, Stone town, Zanzibar – Double bedroom for rental
Price range from 25 USD a night available on booking.com
Digital Nomad Cave, modern Flat share, medium range Stone town, Zanzibar – Ensuite Double bedroom for rental
We would recommend transiting in Stonetown 1/2 day on your arrival, as it's very close to the airport for transfer. and 1/2 days at the end of your stay. the UNESCO Heritage city , and its old narrow street is great to visit , but can feel too hot and bustly at time.
It's giving a bit of Marrakech vibes sometimes with all the street shop vying for your attention.
They are some haven more peaceful landmarks to discover during a day tour, as the past of the island was market by various invasion European , Indian & Arabic which has forged the make up of it cuisine, language, people and culture.
If you are after a modern Swahili Flat, with ensuite and shared bathroom, then this very central
flat is the ideal stop for your short stopover while discovering the old city.
Price range from 25 USD /35 USD a night depending on season available on booking.com
4. Budget-friendly Double rooms in Villas in Paje
If you love Paje and the feeling of waking up with sand at your feet, you'll love the feeling of safety, with secruty gards at night and a kind German sheperd to make you safe during the day. Just the bright sight of the pool waters will be enough to refresh you when the heat strikes!
Nakupenda Villa's is owned by a French & Tanzanian couple, it has multiple rooms with en-suite bathroom of about 20-30 m2 size.
Located at the hear of Paje, behind the Mwani center, the Seaweed Harvesting farm and Skincare expert, price depending on season £25- £40 / $30 to $45 per night, depending if you take a double room with shared bathroom or ensuite.
or Budget-friendly Double rooms in Airbnb House in Paje
Nikola's House is comfy, very clean , the maid comes every day at 9.30 am tto tidy up. You will ahve access to a shareable bathroom and kitchen to store some of your watrer bottle, juice and food if you're doing a long stay.
It's a favorite for digital nomads, as you can work in the garden, there are fans and electici plugs to keep you refreshed and motivated when the heat strikes. We met a couple of Digital nomad who was there since 2 months and cooking every day.
If not most loacl and touristy restarurant are 5-6 mn walk from the house. So it's great for variety and accessibility! remember to give a try to the local Swahili cuisine enj.
Paje famous beach is accesible by bajijiji the local Tuk Tuk for only 5,000 TZS a ride.
Nikola's house, has 3 double rooms for rent via Airbnb, Located at the hear of Paje, behind the Medixpress hospital ,price depending on season £19- £30 / $25 to $35 per night, depending if you take a double room with shared bathroom or ensuite.
5. Bungalows / private beachfront villas in Michamwi
Bitcoin hotel, bungalows & private villas, Michamwi, price depending on season £85- £125 / $90 to $150 per night, depending if you take a double room in a bungalows or a private villas
6. Luxury Beachfront resort, on North Eastern Zanzibar Coast shore
Safira Blu, Nungwi, price depending on season £700- £960 / $800 to $1,000 a night,
Address: Kissnakani, Nungwi, East Zanzibar, Tanzania
Best to contact the hotel reception to see 3what event types will be available in 2024. At launch time , they used to have Friday Ladies Pool's prty , Sunday brunches. Look no further some glimpse below. Join the party!
Download the Activities detail pdf below
You can also read our previous blog posts about Zanzibar & Tanzania mainland:
Fancy help with planning your next Tanzanian cultural and leisure getaway?
Tanzania, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, Namibia, Madagascar, Kenya, South Africa, Sao Tome, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Congo, Nigeria, Benin. If you need help planning your next holidays whether you are a solo traveller, a duo, a group of friends or a corporate retreat. If you fancy a mixture of black heritage and leisure experiences, we got you!
To find out more, email us at: melanintravelsmagic@gmail.com
Or schedule a Zoom Discovery call to find out we could help you plan your next holidays.
Client testimonials which we have helped planning their trips to Zanzibar & Mainland Tanzania
Ayoka, Joanna and Friend & Family group trip to Zanzibar & Tanzanian Safari, October- November 2022, Travel planner service
"Good communication with Christina in Zanzibar for 3 weeks crazy prices I recommend we loved our stay"
Giselle and Family, London, UK, group trip to Zanzibar & Tanzanian Safari (Day trip to Migumi), February 2023, Travel planner service
