Mnarani Beach Cottages

Resort Pictures

Mnarani is Swahili for the word lighthouse and was named due to its location next to the lighthouse found on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island The vision was to focus on creating a local perspective in the hospitality industry added by the knowledge of the traditions and culture of Zanzibar

Mnarani Beach Cottages is a small locally owned beach lodge near the village of Nungwi It is located on the eastern ridge of the village beyond the Lighthouse along pristine unspoilt beaches

Accommodation

The comfortable rooms at Mnarani are situated along sandy paths in the greenery They re all en-suite with hot water and mosquito nets

Zanzibar House

The new rooms in Zanzibar House named after our small Islands within Zanzibar offer superb accommodation with a little bit extra All rooms are en suite and a spacious twenty-five meters squared fully air conditioned with telephone and fridges to keep your drinks nice and cool as well as a tea coffee station for your convenience

Each room opens onto a beautiful twelve-meter squared wooden balcony for the enjoyment of sunrises in the morning relaxation in the afternoon and starry skies at night For those wanting to share their holiday experience the ground floor rooms The Pemba Unguja Mnemba and Misali rooms offer the option of adjoining rooms for groups The first floor rooms The Tumbatu Kojani Bawe and Chumbe rooms boasts the same large space with a higher view of the surrounding seas and fringing reefs The two Top floor rooms Sunrise and sunset are specially designed for honeymoon couples give you awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets almost everyday of the year

These rooms are fully decked with wooden floors the bedrooms open onto a balcony with a breathtaking sight the stunning azure waters of the Indian Ocean with traditional dhows sailing past You can almost hear the dhows splashing in the water while relaxing in the comfort of your own bathtub In addition you can have massage on your own balcony by our lady massage Ms Morine The icing on the cake is our roof top terrace that allows you to sit under the phenomenal night skies of tropical Zanzibar and enjoy the peace and tranquillity as well as a three hundred and sixty degree view of the north tip of the island

Family cottage

We have four larger thatched roof cottages These rooms are good for couples wanting more space or families They are en-suite with hot and cold water and two of them have an adjoining door for larger groups These cottages are very spacious There is an open plan ground floor with sitting area a small kitchen area with a sink and fridge and coffee tea making facilities There is a first floor mezzanine double bedroom and space for extra beds on the ground floor

The cottages can accommodate up to four people and are decorated in the local style Each cottage has a spacious balcony on both floors overlooking the sea where the sunrise can be viewed over the glistening Indian Ocean

Standard rooms

There are twelve standard rooms which are arranged in pairs Most of these rooms face immediately out to sea and some of them have air conditioned we always reserve the seafront rooms first where possible when receiving a booking

The standard cottages are simple but nevertheless private and comfortable They are decorated in local Zanzibarian style and have an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold water and veranda All rooms have mosquito nets and fans Eight are located along the sea front with views to the ocean and four are within the lush calm of the tropical garden

Mahaba

Mahaba Cottage is our romantic honeymoon accommodation located in a private part of the hotel with its own garden and access to the beach

Mahaba means romance in Swahili and this cottage is definitely romantic Decorated in the local style with wooden floors and walls lined with traditional woven palm fronds It is self-contained with kitchen area inc fridge and bathroom with an open-plan design on the ground floor for sitting and relaxing and an airy sleeping area upstairs for two people It also has a spacious balcony which overlooks the ocean and where sunrise can be viewed An attractive garden fronts the cottage To add to the comfort of this special cottage there is also a CD player hammock and Arabic cushions for relaxing

Dining

In Zanzibar we love seafood and our restaurant reflects this Our fish is freshly caught every morning and comes to us from the local fish market or direct from local fishermen We like to prepare it for you in traditional Swahili style and serve it in the open air

If we have more than 15 guests we can offer a beach barbecue Don t worry if you re not keen on fish There are plenty of meat and vegetarian options on our menu

We also have a small bar at one side of the lodge It s a great place to relax in the evenings and learn to play bao a traditional game here in Zanzibar Don t leave Zanzibar without trying a game or two

Mnarani Beach Cottages serve meals both in the restaurant and on the sea terrace Breakfast is a buffet offering local fruits pancakes bread and eggs on request Juice coffee and tea are included Mnarani also serves meat rice local vegetables and fruits Lobster crab octopus and squid are freshly caught and served grilled fried or cooked in coconut The cottages also cater for vegetarians

Activities Facilities

Game fishing

Mnarani offers both full and half-day fishing trips carrying a maximum of five people plus crew Our dhow has two outboard engines GPS and radio equipment fish finder life jackets and first aid kit Local fish include King Fish Sail Fish Blue Marlin and Yellow Fin Tuna Refreshments are included

Snorkelling

If you love snorkelling take our full day trip around Mnemba Island with its amazing coral reef and tropical aquatic life You can choose from two favourite snorkelling spots one in shallow water and one a deeper one for the more experienced snorkeller Swim with the dolphins although their presence can t be guaranteed or go for a spot of fishing and catch your own lunch Don t worry if you don t get a bite we ll buy from the local fishermen and set up a barbecue on the beautiful white sandy beach And there ll be plenty of time for more snorkelling after lunch if the rest of the party is keen to do so

Sunset Cruise

Mnarani has its own sailing Dhow for you to enjoy the calm of the ocean the views and colours at sunset have a drink and the cool breeze of the evening ideal for honeymooners

Kayak Fishing kayak

If you re feeling adventurous we have double and single kayaks for exploring along the coast and fishing sea kayak for those who want to catch their own evening meal Life jackets and shoes are provided

Other activities include wind surfing surf boarding henna tattoo decorations massage services board games beach volley ball spice tours and a fantastic reef walking tour with a local guide if tides permit There s plenty of play equipment for the kids too

Mnarani Beach Cottages is an intimate bungalow retreat where you can enjoy your lazy days by the sea fresh local and continental dining and the simple comfort of local hospitality and island life Privately nestled in a cove near the tip of Nungwi it provides its guests with a quiet location with the guarantee of a peaceful crowd-free beach which is perfect for relaxation Mnarani Beach Cottages offer a coral lagoon changing with the tides as well as the seasons Mnarani has one of the finest beaches in the Indian Ocean When the tide is out take a long walk on the golden sands and see what Nungwi really has to offer

Our staff are always friendly and courteous and we like to believe we provide an impeccable service to our visitors The spice Island where the sea meets the sky

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Resort Facilities