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Location:
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Imagine an island, a
small, perfect island, with coral sands and balmy air; ultimate beach
luxury with warm white sands and clear turquoise seas, an unspoilt,
natural haven of absolute privacy and peace, and discover that this is
no hazy dream… it is Mnemba.
This extraordinary island is surrounded by coral reefs protected
within a Marine Conservation Area off the north-eastern tip of
Zanzibar. With powder-soft sand, palm trees and a cool woodland
centre, Mnemba Island, Zanzibar is a natural sanctuary for wildlife,
and an ideal exotic honeymoon choice.
The island centre is a cool pine forest, and the eastern coastal
aspect feels quite wild and unkempt despite its diminutive size. A
walk here is pleasantly lonely, invigorating for all the natural
intrigue of forest and beach, with enticing options to trip lightly
from the water’s edge to explore coral reefs vibrant with color and
life.
Between December and March Mnemba’s rare green turtles may be seen
laying their eggs, and dolphin pods are commonly seen throughout the
year. Nature walks around the island a wide variety of sea birds
whilst snorkeling amongst the coral reefs introduces one to the
magnificent colorful aquatic world.
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Accommodations:
Mnemba-Style Luxury
Hand-woven from traditional Zanzibarian palm-matting, each of the ten
secluded bandas on Mnemba Island provides an ultimate expression of
'barefoot luxury'.
Set back into the fringes of the pine forest at the island centre,
Mnemba's rooms are carefully located to ensure absolute privacy, and
built onto wooden platforms over the sand. Detailed woodcarvings and
the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of
Zanzibar's most skilled artisans.
Mnemba Suites
Your palm-woven suite is wonderfully spacious, with billowing light
cotton nets and soft African prints through the veranda, wide bedroom
and distant bathroom. The voluminous beds enjoy uninterrupted views of
the beach and ocean, and secluded peace and distance from the nine
other beach chalets set back among the trees along the eastern shore.
Each banda is made of natural local materials, with a detached,
spacious bathroom accessed via a palm-woven walkway. |
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| Each room has its own
spacious veranda that is hidden in the shade of the tropical beach
forest, and a private pathway onto a secluded area of the dream
inspiring coral sand beach.
Verandas are constructed with built-in
barazas, (perfect for afternoon siestas), comfortable chairs for
reading and a writing table. There are also outdoor swing beds, and
private, shady beach salas with simple Zanzibari loungers.
The Communal Areas
Thatched dining and bar areas have been constructed with conscientious
awareness of place, curving along the beach to make the most of
breathtaking sea views and spectacular coral reefs beyond. |
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Facilities:
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Mnemba Island is a coral
atoll in the Zanzibar archipelago, surrounded by thriving, vibrant
reefs and gin-clear Indian Ocean. Welcome to some of the best diving
in the world. Mnemba Island Lodge runs a fully equiped PADI dive
school and two dives per day (for PADI qualified divers) are included
in the price of your stay.
The waters around the island are awash with colourful marine life -
with approximately 4 times the range of fish species than the
Caribbean. With an average visibility of between 20-60 metres and warm
waters, (average temp 27 degrees C), and numerous colourful shallow
sites to explore, it is a stunning diving location for experts and
beginners alike. Visibility is generally better after the November
rains, between November and March.
Mnemba's 'house' reef is
one of the best in Zanzibar, with clear shallow waters, and dropaways
to an average of 40m. The Great Wall is stunning, plunging steeply
from 35m to 70m. Dolphin and turtles are commonly seen on dives here.
The reef surrounding the island beach is colourful and thriving,
making for fun snorkelling at any time. These waters, famously fished
by Hemmingway, have nurtured some of the world's largest catches...
there is at least a good chance of catching your supper. |
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Activities:
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Relaxation is the hallmark
of Mnemba, but boating and fishing, as well as snorkeling and diving
off the coral reefs, are irresistible diversions in this idyllic
retreat. There can be no better way to punctuate an East African
safari than this blissful haven, where balmy waters lap the sun-soaked
shore. Water skiing, Wind surfing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving (only if
qualified and holding PADI Certificate or equivalent). Mnemba is all
about the sea and the beach, and when you tire of lying on the softest,
whitest sand in the world, beach chairs and beds offer a chance for
elevation.
"You may have heard enough
beach hyperbole to last a lifetime: 'pure-white, lustrous, silica-soft
sand, surrounded by a brilliant turquoise sea'. Mnemba is all these, and
more."
Sunday Mail newspaper
(Australia)
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Rates:
 Please contact us for a suggested
itinerary and quote
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