Intimate private island
Just 10 romantic beachside bandas
Pristine white beaches
Spectacular coral reefs within a marine reserve
Excellent scuba diving and snorkelling
Threatened green turtle’s nesting ground
Incredible diversity of marine life
Warm Zanzibari service
Indian Ocean swimming in front of the bandas
Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 2.8 miles off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean.
Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites. Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline.
The Zanzibar Archipelago and its ‘Spice Islands’, discovered by Arab traders in the 8th century, are bathed in the heady scents and romance of a bygone era.
Traditional dhows (coastal sailing vessels) drift across the horizon, and gentle soft-spoken islanders tend to your every need. You may fill your days relaxing on the soft white-sand beaches or indulging in irresistible pursuits in the gloriously warm waters. Fresh fruit, fish and shellfish are served daily, and romantic candle-lit dinners at the water’s edge will capture your soul.
Sheer unpretentious paradise, the architecture of the Lodge offers a rustic exclusivity and privacy unparalleled on the African coastline. Thatched dining and sitting/bar areas have beautiful open views of the beach and spectacular coral reefs beyond. Baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns are sailed into Mnemba daily on traditional ngalawa outriggers, and prepared as exotic delicacies. Lunch is usually served on large wooden carved Zanzibar platters heaped with delicious mezze (fingerfood). Romantic candle-lit dinners are enjoyed on the beach with the waves gently lapping at your feet.
Private beach dinners are often enjoyed by honeymooners.
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Intimate island paradise:
This exquisite, private island with its white coral-sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world. Hand-woven from traditional Zanzibarian palm-matting, each secluded banda has a spacious veranda and is hidden in the shade of a tropical beach forest, fringed by the pristine beaches that halo the Island. A palm-covered walkway leads to an en suite bathroom with shower and basin. Zanzibar is famous for its intricate, detailed woodcarvings and the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of the Island’s most skilled artisans.
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Irresistible island activities:
You may fill the sun-drenched hours with a variety of water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing and swimming, or simply sunning on the beach.
Cool island adventures: The calm warm seas around Mnemba offer irresistible water activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing, windsurfing and swimming directly from the beach at no additional cost. Excellent birdwatching, beautiful walks around the Island or simply suntanning on the pristine beach may also be enjoyed. Optional extras include diving courses, deep-sea fishing, a tour of the ancient ‘Spice Island’ of Zanzibar, and a range of relaxing massages and therapeutic treatments.
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Scuba Diving
Mnemba boasts some of the world’s most beautiful dive sites. The clear blue seas provide unsurpassed visibility for both snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts – we will provide you with all scuba and snorkelling equipment needed. Just a short boat trip from the Island, coral reefs drop into the deep open sea. You can enjoy two dives daily led by our experienced dive instructors. Please note that a valid diving certificate is required.
Scuba Diving Courses (optional extra)
If you don’t have a diving certificate, Mnemba offers a professional dive school for beginners. Speciality dives include deep, night, navigation, drift and peak performance.
Deep Sea Fishing (optional extra)
Mnemba is situated near the Pemba channel which is renowned for its excellent big game fishing – Mnemba supports tag and release fishing. Big game fishing enthusiasts are catered for on a well-equipped boat, which can be hired complete with tackle and crew. The big game fishing season runs from July to March, with plenty of Yellowfin Tuna during the summer months. Billfish (sailfish), black marlin, striped and blue marlin tend to run from October to March.
'Spice Island' Tour of Zanzibar (optional extra)
Explore the markets of Stone Town with memories of its extraordinary romantic and often violent past – dating back to 800AD when Arab traders first arrived on the islands – evoked by ancient ruins, shady cloisters and the rich aromas of cloves, cinnamon and coconut.
Mnemba Massages (optional extra)
To ensure your stay at Mnemba is as relaxing and memorable as possible, our in-house therapist offers a range of massage and reflexology treatments. |
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 Pristine island wilderness:
Mnemba is an idyllic island situated within a marine reserve comprising four distinct habitats which are home to a diverse array of Indian Ocean wildlife.
Nesting place of threatened green turtles (monitoring and protection project has been underway since 1996)
Seasonal viewing of humpback whales (July to September)
Encounters with three species of dolphin
Excellent opportunities to view whale sharks (the world’s largest fish)
Migratory and resident shore birds feed and roost on the Island
Approximately 600 species of coral reef fishes' at the beginning
Mnemba Habitats:
Coral reefs comprise a variety of hard and soft species including finger, brain, honeycomb and table coral, and palmate sea fan. The pristine white beach is comprised of wave-washed coral fragments, and is a habitat for crabs, sea snails, turtles and wading birds. The forest on the centre of the Island is comprised mostly of whistling pine, with pandanus (screw pine), wild rubber fig and dune cross-berry on its outer fringe. The open sea is home to myriad life forms from plankton and shrimps to marlins and dolphins.
Mammals at Mnemba:
Gigantic humpback whales pass through the deep-sea channel between Mnemba and Zanzibar on migration (usually from July to September). Common, bottlenose and spinner dolphins are present throughout the year and pods of these charismatic animals often come close to shore. A population of tiny suni antelope inhabit the casuarina forest on the island and may be seen tip-toeing around near the rooms.
Birds at Mnemba:
Over 50 species have been recorded at Mnemba. Migratory waders including lesser sandplover, curlew sandpiper, whimbrel and ruddy turnstone gather on sand spits alongside flocks of elegant crab plover. Greater crested tern, sooty gull and dimorphic egret are frequently seen hunting for fish along the shore. Large numbers of red-eyed dove roost and nest on the island. Palmnut vulture and gymnogene are among visiting raptors. Purple-banded sunbird, African reed warbler and paradise flycatcher are resident at the forest edge. Unusual birds such as harlequin quail may appear sporadically.
Reef Fishes at Mnemba:
Nearly 600 species of species of brilliantly coloured reef fish occur around Mnemba and the surrounding reefs. Among the most striking are moorish idol, palette surgeonfish and clown triggerfish. Geometric moray eel, giant frogfish and freckled anglerfish (frogfish) are among the stranger denizens of coral reefs. Enormous whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) are regularly encountered in deep water channels. Groups of hammerhead sharks are located occasionally.
Other Wildlife:
Green turtles come ashore at night to excavate nests and lay their egg clutches of up to 150 eggs, which hatch after about two months. Watching these primeval creatures go about their ancient breeding ritual is a memorable experience. Predatory ghost crabs run up and down the beach. Massive coconut crabs are occasional visitors. Big-fin reef squid occur on coral reefs.
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