lies perched on a
coral rock, surrounded by the best beaches and right opposite the Mnemba
Atoll, which offers spectacular diving and snorkeling.
The friendly staff,
relaxed atmosphere, lush tropical gardens, fine white sand, intimate
swimming pools, massages, and magnificent food specializing in fresh
seafood make Matemwe the ultimate tropical paradise on the intriguing
island of Zanzibar.
Ngalawas, fleets of
traditional wooden sailing boats, pass by Matemwe - delivering a
dream for any photographer - and the lodge is a daily stop for the
fishermen who sell fresh crab, lobster and fish to Matemwe for
lunches and dinners.
Enjoy this sight at
early morning, when fresh coffee and delicious cookies are served at
your veranda. In the evening, the full moon rising out of the sea is
a wonderfully romantic experience.
Season closure Matemwe will be closed from April 7th until June 6th
2008
Transfers & access to Matemwe Matemwe is about an hour's drive away
from Stone Town and Zanzibar International airport. Transfers
to/from Stone Town and Zanzibar airport can be arranged at $ 70 per
car (one way). Transfers to/from other locations on Zanzibar can be
arranged upon request.
Activities * Diving:
Matemwe does not have its own diving school but works with a
reliable dive operator that can pick up Matemwe guests every day.
Diving & snorkeling conditions are excellent around the Mnemba atoll
just out of the coast of Matemwe * Snorkeling: snorkeling can be
done both from Matemwe's beach and on a trip with Matemwe's own
wooden dhow boats (at an extra charge of $ 15 for snorkeling and $ 3
marine park entrance fees)
* Other activities at/around Matemwe: swimming/lounging in/around
the pool, guided reef & village walks, dhow boat trips, kayaking,
traditional bao game, cycling *Activities on the island: the island
offers a range of excursions such as spice tours and visits to Stone
Town or Jozani forest. Due to Matemwe's secluded location, driving
time can be an hour to these locations.
(North-East) Zanzibar
Matemwe is located in the north-east of Zanzibar, surrounded by some of
the best beaches of Zanzibar and opposite the well-known Mnemba atoll,
hotspot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Matemwe's exclusive location,
away from the big hotels, gives the beaches a very private feeling.
Beautiful fleets of fishermen in traditional wooden dhow boats pass by
on their way to and from their fishing grounds.
The lodge
consists of 12 beautiful bungalows, built from local
materials and surrounded by beautiful garden. Each suite
has a private veranda with hammocks and couches
overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Inside
the room, you'll find a grand, king-size bed, an extra
single bed, plenty of space and personal touches.
The
bathrooms are large and have deep bathtubs and walk-in
showers. Although mosquitoes are rare in Matemwe, all
rooms are equipped with a large mosquito net.
The open-air restaurant
overlooks the ocean and has a tranquil area to lounge in as well.
Seafood is the specialty of the house, with all produce bought daily
from the local markets.
Lunch is a buffet
offering a delicious mix of African and European flavors. Dinner offers
a choice of main courses with fish, meat and vegetarian options.
Matemwe has a multi-level swimming pool surrounded with lounge chairs
overlooking the ocean. Freshly mixed cocktails are served at the
poolside bar.
The brand new
Matemwe
Retreat
is located on an amazing stretch of private land, just north of
Matemwe's main lodge and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll.
The Retreat consists of 3
fabulous, separate villas, full of atmosphere, inspiration and personal
touches. Each ground floor of each villa (150 m2 including verandahs)
features a private cocktail bar, an air-conditioned bedroom, a bathroom
with double basins, shower, and large romantic bathtub overlooking the
Indian Ocean.
The best part of each villa is the plunge pool on the
private roof terrace (60 m2), complete with sun and shade decks. And if
this is not enough to make you want to stay there right now - each villa
has its own small beach right in front of it.
The service in the Retreat is our pride: breakfast served on the
private veranda of your room, so as not to disturb you.
Each day the manager or chef will stop by to discuss lunch and dinner
preferences: the catch of the day served in the privacy of your
garden or roof terrace or a dinner at Matemwe's main lodge, where
you can enjoy the company of other guests.
Drinks are served in the room or on the beach and you can have
massages and beauty treatments in the comfort of your roof terrace,
overlooking the Indian Ocean.
For those who need to
make contact with the outside world, we offer internet and telephone/fax
facilities; television still hasn't made it to paradise.
The Retreat is built by local craftsmen, and where possible from local
materials. Walls are of local stone and roofs are made of makuti (woven
palm leaves).
Most of the furniture is made from locally produced
coconut wood. Soft furnishings are produced by Zanzibari women and the
matting by the blind association in Stone Town.
The sun, through our solar system, supplies hot water to the lodge.
Materials from outside Zanzibar have only been used if we cannot get it
locally or the quality is not good enough.
Over 60% of the staff in the
lodge are from the villages close to Matemwe.
Matemwe is a perfect place for relaxation as well as
water activities. When staying here, ocean trips
with snorkeling equipment can be easily arranged for
you. You can sail or motor out to the local reef and
discover the little island of Mnemba Atoll- right
opposite Matemwe.
Diving
trips can also be organized for you with a
professional diving center and you can discover the
breathtaking underwater world of the Indian Ocean.
You can also snorkel straight from the beach or
during reef walks. Kayaks are available to explore
the crystal clear sea.
Matemwe an intimate lodge
with 12 luxury suite rooms perched on a coral rock, surrounded by some
of the best beaches of Zanzibar. Matemwe's friendly staff, relaxed
atmosphere and excellent cuisine (specialized in fresh fish & seafood)
are renowned. This, and 2 intimate swimming pools, lush tropical
gardens, massages and cocktails make Matemwe the ultimate tropical
paradise. Enjoy fantastic diving & snorkeling, sipping a cocktail on the
beach or enjoy unforgettable views of the Indian Ocean from the poolside
or from the comfortable couches and hammocks of your private veranda.
Local snorkeling/diving
sites are suitable for all levels of experience, from beginners to
experienced divers.
Variety is the key
word on the reefs around Matemwe: soft and hard corals, sponges and
anemones abound, and you will be amazed by the sheer range of fish
species in these waters.
You might find dolphins in
the water that come close to your boat to show off or - for the lucky
ones - even spot a whale passing by the reef (best chance for whales in
the period August - October).
Visits to the
neighboring village can be arranged for those who want to explore
the local Zanzibar culture and village life and for those who wish
to learn about the community projects that Matemwe is involved in.
From Matemwe, day-trips can be arranged to the historic centre of
Stone Town, Jozani Forest or Prison Island.
We can also organize a
Spice Tour for you, a highly interesting way to learn about the
great variety of spices that the island is famous for - and who
knows: maybe you will be inspired to cook some Zanzibari dishes
yourself when you get home!
Rates Per person per night,
sharing, full board, including VAT
2008 RATES!!
Matemwe Main Lodge
Low season High season
Rack Rate
(US$) 245 285
Single room supplement (US$) 60
100
Triple rate
(US$) 200 240
Matemwe Retreat
Low season High season
(US$) 400 485
Single room supplement (US$) 100 150
Seasons
Low season 6th Jan - Apr 7th,
7th Jun - 30th Jun,
1st Sept - 20th Dec High season
1st Jan - 5th Jan,
1st July - 31st Aug,
21stDec - 31st Dec
Matemwe will be closed from Apr 7th to
Jun 6th 08
Rates include
Full board accommodation, coffee & tea, water during meals, guided
reef and village walks
Rates exclude Drinks, transfers to/from Stone Town, diving &
snorkeling and all other activities & excursions not mentioned in
the "included" section, massages, laundry
2009 RATES !!
Matemwe Main Lodge
Low season High season
Rack Rate
(US$) 265 310
Single room supplement (US$) 80
120
Triple rate
(US$) 230 260
Matemwe Retreat
Low season High season
Rack Rate
(US$) 430 525
Single room supplement (US$) 125 175
Child rates
Child 0-2 sharing with adults free of charge
Child 3-12 sharing with adults 50 % of adult rate
Child 3-12 sharing with child 3-12 75% of adult rate
Child 3-12 alone in room full adult rate
Child above 12 years full adult rate
(North-East) Zanzibar
Matemwe is located in the north-east of Zanzibar, surrounded by some of
the best beaches of Zanzibar and opposite the well-known Mnemba atoll,
hotspot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Matemwe's exclusive location,
away from the big hotels, gives the beaches a very private feeling.
Beautiful fleets of fishermen in traditional wooden dhow boats pass by
on their way to and from their fishing grounds.
