Matemwe lies perched on a coral rock, surrounded by the best beaches and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll, which offers spectacular diving and snorkeling.
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Overview
When Swedish sisters Helen and Katharina set foot in Zanzibar in 1989 to set up a small lodge, they had the whole island to choose from. They chose Matemwe, perfectly situated opposite the spectacular Mnemba Atoll for diving and snorkeling and surrounded by the best beaches of Zanzibar. The lodge started off as a place where backpackers hung out with the sisters, local fishermen and other travelers. When Asilia took over, fabulous rooms, gourmet food, massages, swimming pools, great cocktails and wines were added to the relaxed atmosphere of the lodge.
Helen and Katharina put great emphasis on their relationship with the fishermen in the next door village of Kigomani. This co-operation still continues today with Asilia. Besides buying the catch of the day from the local fishermen, the lodge has helped the village to get electricity and clean drinking water. It also assists in financing classrooms for the village school and sponsors promising students for further education. Although tourism has developed in the two decades since the arrival of the sisters, stunning Matemwe, safely surrounded by the quietest and most beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, is still the top pick of the island.
Contrary to what most people think, Zanzibar is actually the name of a group of tropical Indian Ocean islands just east of Tanzania. Pemba and Unguja are the two main islands. Unguja is the largest island and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar. The island measures 60 miles long and 20 miles wide and is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, swaying palm trees, seafood, spices and the magic of historic Stone Town, which was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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 northeast part of the island is known as Matemwe. This part of the island is well known for its fine white sand beaches, the contrasting colors of the Indian Ocean and the beauty of the coral reef of the Mnemba Atoll. Matemwe borders a small fishing village called Kigomani. The fishermen go out sailing daily with their armada of traditional dhows. Contrary to other parts of the island, one finds few traces of other tourists when at Matemwe. The gorgeous beaches north and south of the lodge are shared with the occasional fishermen unloading their catch of the day. Zanzibar's tropical climate ensures that a stay at Matemwe means a tanned homecoming at almost any time of the year and temperatures are usually above 25 degrees. Matemwe closes only during April and May as the rainy season brings welcome relief to the farmers of Zanzibar.
FACTS AND FIGURES Tanzania is slightly larger than twice the size of California with a total of 945,087 sq kms. It has a population of 37.5 million (July 2006 estimate). The capital is Dodoma. However, the commercial capital, and by far the largest city, is Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean. Arusha, in the north, is the center for tourism.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Kiswahili (or Swahili) and English are Tanzania's official languages. Kiswahili is the national language and the language used in primary school education; English is often the primary language of commerce, administration and higher education, and is by no means spoken fluently by all Tanzanians.
Facilities
THE LODGE - lush tropical gardens - intimate swimming pools - massage facilities - private verandas with hammocks - grand, king-size, and extra single bed - large bathrooms with deep bathtubs and walk-in showers - mosquito nets - open-air restaurant - multi-level swimming pool - poolside bar - internet and telephone/fax facilities
THE RETREAT - private cocktail bars - air-conditioned bedrooms - bathroom with double basins, shower, and large romantic bathtub - plunge pool on the private roof terrace - each villa has its own small beach right in front of it - private verandas - massages and beauty treatments
Activities
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. 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!
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Rooms & Accommodation
Matemwe Lodge (12 bungalows)
Matemwe Lodge (12 bungalows)
Sleeps: 24 Price from: $265 to $310 USD
Matemwe 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.
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.
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.
Matemwe Retreat (3 villas)
Matemwe Retreat (3 villas)
Sleeps: 6-9 Price from: $430 to $525 USD
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.
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.
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION
The Honeyguide Foundation is a grassroots organization dedicated to community support and to the conservation of wildlife. This is being achieved through long-term community partnerships.
Established in 2006 by the Asilia Group, the Foundation is an independent entity that supports specific projects in the areas where the Group has a presence.
The Foundation is trying to cover a wide range of different projects. These projects include education, supporting small local, eco-friendly businesses and initiating land use plans. Other initiatives being undertaken are - Environmental initiatives that aim to conserve community resources, community health care and conservation awareness. Many communities, especially in the rural areas where we operate, are poor and lacking in education. They may not even be aware of their basic rights to land, water and honest leadership. With more than a decade's experience in Tanzania, we believe the most successful projects are those initiated from within a community - rather than those imposed from outside. A selected community must be able to articulate its issues, needs and vision to the Foundation, rather than simply being handed a solution. Each community is unique.
The challenge for the Foundation is to evaluate sensitively the status and progress of each community's capability as well as to monitor and help guide the individual projects. Honesty and commitment have to be evident on our part too. This means constant evaluation of our own progress - and sometimes admitting we've got it wrong. This means setting long-term goals - with enough immediate short-term results to encourage. By encouraging self-awareness and good leadership at a focused, grass-roots level, the Foundation envisions that our partner communities will pull themselves out of poverty. This will therefore achieve sustainability for the projects and at the same time, the communities will become stable, imaginative and progressive contributors to the preservation of the country's wildlife and wild places.
About our Trusted Partner
Asilia Lodges & Camps is a small group of owner-run properties that with small camps (typical 8 tents or less) and lodges in the most wonderful areas of Tanzania.
Although many countries in Africa may have a right of speech, Tanzania possibly has the biggest claim of all to capturing the true beauty of this mysterious continent in all its facets. The Serengeti National Park, with is Great Migration and highest concentrations of wildlife anywhere in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater, the biggest intact caldera in the world with over 75000 animals packed in the wonderful Ngorongoro landscape, Tarangire National Park, with its mystical baobabs, its walking safaris and more elephants than you'll ever see, snowcapped Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain of Africa and - last but not least - tropical Zanzibar, with its pristine beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling and historical Stone Town, world heritage site and centre of slave trade in past times. We stay away from the large concentrations of tourists (although Tanzania as a destination is already far quieter than the likes of South-Africa and Kenya) to offer you the most varied and beautiful parts of Tanzania in the most intimate and personal way.
All our places are famous for their gourmet food and have the most comfortable beds and the most spacious and tasteful rooms you'll find anywhere, yet all have their own distinct history, identity and design. However, our idea of true luxury and exclusivity is not in the material things - it's in bringing you closer to the overwhelming beauty of Africa than you will ever be.
Our small and intimate locations in and around the national parks are carefully positioned in the most exclusive of locations, often enabling you to - by car or on foot - discover nature and wildlife undisturbed by any other traveler. Matemwe's beaches, with the finest white sand you've ever seen, turquoise sea, tropical gardens and reef diving and snorkeling, its massages and its fresh seafood is the most perfect of places to wind down after your safari and contemplate on all the beauty you have come across.
Tanzania, delivered to you in a personal way, might just leave a life-changing footprint on your very soul, and we personally await you to make this happen.
Matemwe Retreat veranda at night : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Matemwe Retreat veranda at night
Matemwe Retreat view from private terrace : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Matemwe Retreat view from private terrace
Matemwe Retreat bedroom : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Matemwe Retreat bedroom
Retreat basins : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Retreat basins
Matemwe Lodge - garden : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Matemwe Lodge - garden
Matemwe Lodge - bathroom new suite : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Matemwe Lodge - bathroom new suite
Dhal sailing : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Dhal sailing
Retreat veranda : Matemwe Retreat at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
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