Resort
Kizimkazi, Zanzibar
The Residence Zanzibar
A 66-villa beach resort in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, set across 32 hectares of tropical gardens along a mile-long stretch of sand.
Price on request
Lodge · , Zanzibar
&Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge
A 12-Banda private island off Zanzibar's north-east coast, reachable by boat or helicopter transfer from Stone Town, with open-air bandas on the beach and a house reef for diving and snorkelling.
Overview
Mnemba Island lies off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar, ringed by reef and forest. &Beyond operates the island as a single lodge with just 12 Bandas, including one Family Banda, set beneath casuarina trees close to the shoreline. Each Banda is open to the breeze, built without doors or windows, shaped in a spiral modelled on a nautilus shell. Guests leave their shoes at the door; a personal foot bath outside each Banda keeps the sand where it belongs.
The surrounding reef is the point of this place. Snorkelling from the beach reaches coral within steps, while PADI-certified scuba diving, offered twice daily, draws on sites close to the house reef. Other days unfold around sea kayaking in glass-bottomed kayaks, stand-up paddle boarding, catch-and-release fishing, Hobie sailing and pedal boarding, and a sunset dhow cruise. On land, the island runs daily yoga sessions, along with meditation, sound healing, breathwork and reflexology, plus wellness treatments using Healing Earth products. Guests can also follow green turtle nesting tracks, join a sand flat picnic on a private sand spit, or take a guided island conservation tour that covers the reef stars project and coral nursery work run with Wild Impact.
Mnemba Island closes annually between 8 April and 20 May. Transfers run from Zanzibar Stone Town or the airport, or from the Matemwe landing site, with a helicopter transfer option. The island can accommodate a maximum of two children under 12 at any one time, and the use of drones is not permitted. Stays are all-inclusive, covering meals, soft and alcoholic drinks excluding champagne, cognac and fine wines, laundry and a Fast Track Meet & Greet service at the airport.
- Rooms
- 12
- Minimum stay
- 1 night
- Check in
- 15:00
- Check out
- 12:00
Why we like it
- Only 12 Bandas on the island, including one Family Banda
- Bandas built without doors or windows, shaped like a nautilus shell
- PADI scuba diving offered twice daily on the house reef
- Island closes annually between 8 April and 20 May
- Maximum of two children under 12 permitted on the island at any time
- Listed #2 in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Best Islands in the World
Gallery
Rooms & suites
Categories shown for orientation. Your travel advisor will confirm which are available for your dates and recommend the one that suits the trip.
Banda
Shaped in the soft spiral of a nautilus shell, each Banda sits close to the sea, open to the breeze without doors or windows. Secluded and built for two.
126 m²Up to 2 guestsOcean viewFamily Banda
The Family Banda pairs a standard Banda with an adjoining ensuite room, ideal for children, keeping the family close while each has separate space.
180 m²Up to 4 guestsOcean view
Amenities
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Sea kayaking
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Catch-and-release fishing
- Hobie water sports
- Sunset dhow cruise
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Wellness treatments
- Reflexology
- Laundry service
- Fast Track airport service
Reserving through us
Included when your travel advisor confirms this stay
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Property credit or equivalent where the house offers one
- Early check in and late check out on request
- Welcome amenity and your travel agent known to the general manager
Eligible preferred amenities are applied wherever available, subject to the property at the time of stay, and are confirmed in your proposal.
Location
, Zanzibar
Stone Town's alleys and a north coast of white sand, usually after a safari.
Questions
- How many rooms does Mnemba Island have?
- There are 12 Bandas in total, including one Family Banda. Each is open-air, built without doors or windows, beneath casuarina trees close to the shore.
- When is the island closed?
- Mnemba Island closes annually between 8 April and 20 May.
- Can children stay at Mnemba Island?
- Yes. The Family Banda sleeps two adults and two children, and the island allows a maximum of two children under 12 on the island at any given time.
- How do guests get to Mnemba Island?
- Return transfers run from Zanzibar Stone Town or the airport, or from the Matemwe landing site, with a helicopter transfer option available.
- Is diving available at Mnemba Island?
- Yes. PADI-certified scuba diving is offered twice daily on the surrounding reef, alongside snorkelling, sea kayaking and other watersports.
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