Mnemba Island Lodge

Indian Ocean Island Resort

Zanzibar Beach Holidays - Tanzania

(Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. Mnemba Island Lodge located off the Zanzibar island mainland, a one hour drive from Stone Town and a 20 minute boat ride across the channel. Mnemba is a private island surrounded by a coral reef with white sand beaches. Mnemba Island island's 1.5 km circumference is pristine beach with brilliant, soft, white sand. The waters surrounding the island are protected to conserve the magnificent coral reefs where giant turtles and spectacular tropical fish drift through the lagoon)

Mnemba Island Lodge

Mnemba Island Lodge; Mnemba Island Lodge is located just off the North East Coast of Zanzibar (but visible from it) and is a tiny dream island with the impressive accolade of being one of the most romantic and exclusive coral atoll islands in the world. Mnemba Island has only one lodge, and the only people on the Mnemba are lodge staff and guests, guaranteeing a privacy and exclusivity unsurpassed on the coast of Africa.

Mnemba Island Lodge is relatively easy to reach. A chauffeured transfer will take you from Zanzibar International Airport or Stone Town in a north easterly direction through the lush and fascinating island of Zanzibar. This hour and a half journey is on good paved roads for the first hour, but the last 5 km's are on a very poor road. The journey is well worth it once you reach the launch point for the twenty minute boat ride to Mnemba Island. As there are no jetties, the boat departure and landing takes place directly to and from the beach and could involve a little wading.

Mnemba Island Lodge – The Facts
* A paradise island!

* 10 beach front rooms

* Tanzania’s finest beach
* All inclusive hotel including 2 dives a day

Mnemba Island Lodge has the best beach on Zanzibar; sandy shores are surrounded by a rich, colorful reef brimming with fish, both small and pretty and large and impressive - such as dolphin, barracuda, tuna and shark-like swimmers. At the island centre is a cool pine forest, and the eastern coastal aspect feels quite wild and unkempt despite its diminutive size. The lodge is stylishly run by Conservation Corporation Africa as a private and exclusive retreat for serious island hoppers who seek to find a very special kind of island idyll, and aims to provide an ultimate experience of barefoot luxury in an entirely comfortable desert island style.

Mnemba Island Lodge accommodation is in just 10 roomy thatched beach bandas with bathrooms set back along a soft corridor of woven coconut palm, each set back from the beach in a private clearing in the forest. All bedrooms, verandas and central living areas are atmospherically designed with light cotton nets, soft African prints and cushions, and - once the astronomical rates have been afforded - all fresh tropical cocktails, diving expeditions, water sports and fishing trips are included. Mnemba Island Lodge runs a professional dive school and traditional wooden dhows from which to explore the warm clear waters and coral reefs, and guests return to their island hideaway to enjoy sumptuous feasts of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and meats all fabulously prepared and presented. Visitors to this most exclusive of Indian Ocean island hideaways could find themselves sharing cocktails with Mnemba-fan Bill Gates.

Mnemba Island Lodge Lounge

Mnemba Island Lodge Bedroom

Mnemba Island Marine life

Mnemba Island has over 300 species of fish are present, including Powder blue Surgeonfish, Vagabond butterflyfish, Semicircle angelfish, Clown tigerfish, Long-horned cowfish, and Moorish idol. Green and Hawksbill turtles share the waters with Manta rays, Bottlenose, Spinner and Striped dolphin and Humpback whales in season. The gigantic, harmless Whale Shark, the world's largest fish, is a frequent visitor. Game fish include barracuda and marlin, which are tagged prior to release.

Mnemba Island Birdlife

Mnemba Island Crab Plovers are the most sought-after by serious birders, and the greatest number of Palearctic waders occurs between late August and early May. Visiting raptors include the Palmnot vulture and the gymnogene.

Mnemba Island wildlife

Rare Zanzibar suni antelope inhabit the forest and White forest vagrant butterflies are abundant. There are no snakes, mosquitoes, scorpions or rats on the island. Ghost crabs scurry up and down the beach and huge coconut crabs are occasional visitors.

Mnemba Island Lodge Bathroom

Mnemba Island Lodge Beach Relaxation

Mnemba Island Lodge Accommodation Rates

Notes

Mnemba Island Lodge Accommodation Rates include the following:

* Waters Sports scuba diving (2 Dives per day for guests holding a full PADI certificate only)

* Snorkeling, kayaking, fly fishing, sundowner dhow cruise and wind surfing

* Soft drinks, House wines, local brand spirits and beers

* Soft drinks, House wines, local brand spirits and beers

* Accommodation at Mnemba Island Lodge

* Emergency medical insurance

* Teas and Coffees

* 3 Meals Daily

* Laundry

Mnemba Island Lodge Accommodation Rates exclude the following:

* Gratuities

* Telephone calls

* Safari shop purchases

* Transfer to and from the lodge

* All water activities not listed above

* Champagne, Cognacs, premium brand spirits, fine wines and cigars

* Diving instructions for guests under the age of 12 years and adults requiring individual supervision (Guests without a PADI Certificate) and deep seas fishing

A Day At Mnemba Island Lodge

Days at Mnemba Island Lodge can be as active or as leisurely as guests want them to. This private island paradise, with its white beaches and balmy Indian Ocean waters invites you to lose all track of time. Activities and meals can always be tailor-made to any guest's wishes and there are many ways to spend each ideal, sun-washed day. The following is just one suggestion for a perfect day at Mnemba.

Breakfast

At a pre-arranged time, a friendly knock will sound on your door and morning tea and coffee will be delivered. As soon as you are ready, this will be followed by a delicious breakfast delivered directly to your banda. Feast on a selection of fruits and cheeses, as well as toast, jam and a selection of hot dishes cooked to order.

Morning

Spend a leisurely morning on the beach, snorkeling along the nearby coral reefs or exploring the island's shoreline in a sea kayak.

Lunch

The guest areas provide a cool, shaded sanctuary for a light, refreshing lunch.

Afternoon Dive

After a brief siesta to the sound of the waves, it's time to meet the diving instructors and venture into the balmy ocean waters. A short boat ride takes you out to the reefs, where you can explore the colorful marine life.

Dinner

Back from your dive; wash off the salt in the glass beaded shower. There's time to relax before a succulent seafood dinner; served right on the beach, with your toes in the sand. Stroll along the ocean's edge before you drift off to sleep with the haunting sound of the waves playing in your head.

Mnemba Island Lodge Dinner

Mnemba Island Lodge Evening Beach Stroll

Mnemba Island Lodge Included Activities

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Beautiful swimming beaches are readily accessible and guests can cavort in the waves regardless of high or low tide.

* An astounding array of reef fish and other underwater marvels occur on the reefs surrounding the island, and a number of magnificent dive sites are easily reached from Mnemba. Our resident dive instructors are on hand to guide guests to the best sites and two dives per day are included provided that guests have valid dive certification. A wide choice of diving courses is offered at an extra charge.

* For those wanting to take it easy, snorkeling around the island offers our guests a memorable experience, with boats and snorkeling guides available to take guests to more remote reefs. Both snorkeling and scuba diving equipment are provided at no extra cost. More than 430 species of reef fish have been recorded on the house reef, a mere two minute swim from the beach. Bottlenose dolphins frequent these waters year round and guests have the opportunity to interact with these magnificent creatures either from the boat or in the water.

* The ocean depths around Mnemba are a fisherman’s paradise, with game fish species such as barracuda, tuna, mackerel, kingfish, sailfish and marlin frequently encountered. Fly-fishing enthusiasts can fish directly off the island’s beaches, while deep sea fishing can be arranged at an extra cost. Mnemba follows a policy of catch and release.

* From those wanting a little more exercise, kayaking and windsurfing off Mnemba’s white coral beaches are both available for guests.

* Spice Island tours on Zanzibar can be organized from the Island, and massage treatments are available at an additional cost.

Mnemba Island Lodge Activities On Offer

Discovering Scuba Diving

(Price Per Person Sharing: 200 US Dollars)

This starter course is ideal for guests who would like to get an idea of the scuba diving experience before committing to the full PADI diving course. It is also recommended for guests who have limited time on the island and aren't able to complete the full accreditation. The course consists of an hour's theory, followed by a dive experience on the reef.

Padi Scuba Diver

(Price Per Person Sharing: 465 US Dollars)

This is a shortened version of the Open Water course and also results in an internationally recognized lifetime certification. However, divers still need to be escorted by a PADI instructor on dives and may only descend to a maximum depth of 12 metres. This certification allows for a future upgrade to full Open Water Diver certification.

Specialty Dives

(Price Per Person Sharing: 135 US Dollars)

This course is offered to divers who already have PADI accreditation and would like to specialize in some aspect of scuba diving. The options offered include underwater naturalist specialization, depth and night dives, navigation, drift, peak performance buoyancy and others.