Matemwe Beach Village and Retreat is a peaceful natural retreat situated on Zanzibar's best beach, near the small fishing village of Kigomani along the north-east coast of the tropical island. The lodge is centred around the lounge, restaurant and 2 swimming pool areas. The village offers 12 bungalows, 2 swimming pools, three private villas a seafood restaurant and bar, all overlooking the Mnembe atoll, which is rated as one of the best dive sites in the world. 
Matemwe is a collection of small villages on the northeast coast of Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja), whose livelihood depends on fish and seaweed farming. Peaceful and seemingly untouched by the modern world, the villages look out across the bay to Mnemba Island, a tiny coral atoll. Mnemba Atoll, a pristine dive paradise, is one of the world’s best dive sites.  The Mnemba Atoll surrounds the island, once called by Condé Nast Traveler - one of three most romantic ocean destinations in the world. Mnemba means "octopus head" in Arabic. Famed for its huge expanses of snow white beaches, studded with rocky outcroppings, the optimum time to visit Matemwe Beach is July through to March, with high season October through to March kaskazi monsoon).

Location

Matemwe Beach Village and Retreat is located on Zanzibar, the ‘spice island’, which is part of Tanzania, and is one of East Africa’s most famous Indian Ocean beach resort destinations. The hotel is located on the east coast of Zanzibar, which is home to some of its most pristine and unspoilt beaches, and its most luxurious and romantic beach resort choices. Offering a wide selection of water sports and activities, this beautiful beach resort is just a short drive from the many restaurants, hotels and cultural attractions of Stone Town.

Accommodation

Matemwe bungalows are scenically located behind a palm-fringed local fishing village, and overlooking a wide expanse of white beach. There are just 12 thatched and white-washed cottages standing on grass and overlooking a sandy beach. Each cottage is linked by flower-covered walkways to an open-air restaurant and there are two swimming pools
Rooms retain a rustic atmosphere but recent renovations under the nurture of its original Swedish management have enhanced their hand-crafted elegance, with sprung mattress beds now built onto a raised plinth to ensure lazy ocean views. All room self contained and include wonderfully coloured Persian baths all using solar power for electricity and hot water, and each has their own hammock on the veranda.

Matemwe villas

There are three private villas, each with its own pool and roof top terrace.

Dining and bars

The restaurant is highly recommended as among the best on the island, specialising in seafood and an original and diverse menu, and has views over the Indian Ocean and a southerly second beach where children play and fishermen draw in and out with the tides. (Tides are extreme all along this coastline.)
The Matemwe Beach Village and Retreat menu will typically include a wide selection of East Africa, Tanzania and Swahili dishes as well as numerous international choices.

Conference and event facilities

The hotel does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings. Tanzania incentives can also be arranged in Stone Town or the surrounding Tanzania beach resort venues.

Weddings and honeymoons

This ideal combination of hotel and beach resort makes an ideal Tanzania wedding destination. The hotel also offers a honeymoon suite.

Child-friendly facilities

The hotel welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds.

Activities

The activities on offer include water sports (swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, diving, kite-surfing, wind-surfing, sailing and more), and dhow trips (out of Stone Town and the Eastern Indian Ocean beach resort destinations). The hotel can also arrange cultural visits to fishing villages, dhow workshops and Tanzania artisans markets.

Cultural activities

The heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town is the only functioning historical city in East Africa and is much the same today as it was 200 years ago. A city within a city, Stone Town is the oldest section of Zanzibar Town, and is made up of winding lanes and unique stone houses, many of which feature magnificent carved doors and overhanging fretwork balconies. Places of cultural interest in Stone Town and around include: the Portuguese Fort, Sultan’s Palace, old Dhow Port, Old Slave Market, Zanzibar House of Wonders, Stone Town Old Dispensary, Livingstone’s House, slave caves/slave market, The Hamamni Bath, The National Museum of Zanzibar, The Chukwani Palace, Jozani Forest (the last sanctuary of the red colobus monkey in East Africa), Mtoni Palace and Maruhubi Palace ruins, and the Persian Baths of Kidichi.

The Spice Tour

Most hotels offer access to the Spice Tour, a tour of the spice-growing fields and orchards of East Africa’s most famous spice exporter, which lie just outside Stone Town. Typically lasting half a day, the tours usually end up with shopping for spices and oils, or a visit to the slave caves and beach resort options.
Wildlife viewing this Tanzania hotel

Jozani Forest Tour

The Jozani Forest Reserve is the last sanctuary in the world for the rare red colobus monkey, which is endemic to this East African island. 35 kms from Stone Town, the reserve is also home to other key East Africa species including Syke's monkey's, bush pigs and nocturnal Zanzibar leopards. Jozani has an excellent nature trail and the guides are well trained and informative.