There are plenty of options of accommodation in Zanzibar, and here are just a couple of suggestions that we love and like and which have been tested by enough people to make sure that you enjoy your stay.
Just click on the links which will take you to their websites - it would be nice if you mention our name at the time of booking. If you prefer, we are happy to make the reservation for you - just drop an email at mambopoatours (at) gmail.com.
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Recommendations:
Garden Beach Bungalows in Jambiani ($) - right at the beach, beautiful garden, relaxing atmosphere. Bungalows are renovated and clean, offering good value-for-money for single travellers, backpackers, couples or groups of friends. The beach room must be the most unique room in Jambiani.
Bahari Pizza Restaurant in Jambiani ($) - we know, doesn't sound like accommodation, but one of the best restaurants in Jambiani has a few lovely and cute bungalows in the back, made almost completely out of natural material. Budget accommodation only a few steps away from the beach.
Ndame Beach Lodge in Paje ($$) - at one of Zanzibar's whitest and finest beaches with a laid back atmosphere and many different types of rooms attracting visitors from all over the world. Very close to the kiting and kitesurfing action at Paje. Best breakfast buffet on South East coast!
Stone Town Cafe in Stone Town ($$) - central location and rooms are beautifully decorated. Must be one of Stone Towns' nicest breakfasts and coffee.
Kiponda Hotel in Stone Town ($$) - tucked away in one of the streets in the middle of the historic city centre, this is a good base to stay in Stone Town. You have all the amenities that you need, and the value for money is right.
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Why are accommodations so expensive in Zanzibar?
You might find upon arrival in Zanzibar, that prices for accommodation tend to be higher than elsewhere in Africa, and particularly compared to other countries in Asia or Latin America. While some hotels obviously want to make some money and charge really high prices, you will not be able to find the typical backpacker prices - the main reason for this being that the Zanzibar government takes a bed night tax of $8 or 18%, meaning that for every guest the accommodation has to pay $8 per head per night or 18% of the charge in taxes (whichever is higher). If you then add the cost of breakfast, staff and running costs, it will be difficult to find accommodate below $20 per person. Please bear this in mind when negotiating prices for accommodation - if you pay less than $20, you are likely causing the hotel owners to make no profit or encouraging him/her to dodge the taxes altogether (and you know what that means).
Recommendations:
Garden Beach Bungalows in Jambiani ($) - right at the beach, beautiful garden, relaxing atmosphere. Bungalows are renovated and clean, offering good value-for-money for single travellers, backpackers, couples or groups of friends. The beach room must be the most unique room in Jambiani.
Bahari Pizza Restaurant in Jambiani ($) - we know, doesn't sound like accommodation, but one of the best restaurants in Jambiani has a few lovely and cute bungalows in the back, made almost completely out of natural material. Budget accommodation only a few steps away from the beach.
Ndame Beach Lodge in Paje ($$) - at one of Zanzibar's whitest and finest beaches with a laid back atmosphere and many different types of rooms attracting visitors from all over the world. Very close to the kiting and kitesurfing action at Paje. Best breakfast buffet on South East coast!
Stone Town Cafe in Stone Town ($$) - central location and rooms are beautifully decorated. Must be one of Stone Towns' nicest breakfasts and coffee.
Kiponda Hotel in Stone Town ($$) - tucked away in one of the streets in the middle of the historic city centre, this is a good base to stay in Stone Town. You have all the amenities that you need, and the value for money is right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why are accommodations so expensive in Zanzibar?
You might find upon arrival in Zanzibar, that prices for accommodation tend to be higher than elsewhere in Africa, and particularly compared to other countries in Asia or Latin America. While some hotels obviously want to make some money and charge really high prices, you will not be able to find the typical backpacker prices - the main reason for this being that the Zanzibar government takes a bed night tax of $8 or 18%, meaning that for every guest the accommodation has to pay $8 per head per night or 18% of the charge in taxes (whichever is higher). If you then add the cost of breakfast, staff and running costs, it will be difficult to find accommodate below $20 per person. Please bear this in mind when negotiating prices for accommodation - if you pay less than $20, you are likely causing the hotel owners to make no profit or encouraging him/her to dodge the taxes altogether (and you know what that means).
