Discovering the Best Villas for a Zanzibar Holiday

Planning to take your family on a Zanzibar holiday? Jenni Saunders goes in search of the island’s best homes away from home.

“Jambo!” call the women wading in the shallows in their wind-twisted, colourful kangas, resembling bright sweets in a turquoise bowl. This is Zanzibar , where the colours and contrasts are as startling as the island’s textures and tastes. Silk, sand and warm breezes mingle with lime, coconut, passion fruit and cloves.

Zanzibar is for the whole family

Travelling with our two young boys, we didn’t want to be confined to one resort and a packaged experience. Instead, we went in search of the island’s best villas. Having your spot on a beach, away from the hustle often found at resorts, is the ultimate way to spend lazy time with the people you love. If, like us, you’d rather accompany your private chef to the local fish market to choose dinner, dine in your bathing costume and eat platters of fresh fruit in the pool, than tuck into resort buffets, then villas are for you.

What can a villa offer?

You can expect your villa to include all meals and staff from housekeepers to a butler and a chef. Excursions and day tours are easy to organise from the villa and tour guides are always a phone call away. Ask for a bicycle, a dhow, squid for lunch or a cold beer and someone will ask someone – and make it happen.

Dar House Zanzibar

Our first villa was Dar House, situated opposite the famous The Rock Restaurant, possibly the world’s smallest eatery. Here, the beach is powder-white and fringed with palms and the coral rag, and feels secluded. Once through the bougainvillaea-framed doors, the house is airy and spacious, and its four bedrooms can accommodate two families comfortably.

From every aspect, our eyes were drawn to the blue-green water, and we spent hours unwinding in the serpentine pool. The Maasai askaris (or sentries) who guard the property are highly competitive at playing boule, so take them on for a sunset game, if you dare! Richard, the chef, will buy and cook the freshest kingfish for dinner, and his passion fruit mousse is not to be missed. Hire bicycles and ride up the beach, catch a local fishing boat, collect cowrie shells and search for eels in the shallows.

Kizimkazi, Jozani Forest and Menai Bay

From Dar House, you can take a half-hour drive to swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi and walk through Jozani Forest to see Red Colobus Monkeys. Don’t miss out on the Safari Blue full-day dhow trip across the island-studded Menai Bay Conservation Area, with a great seafood barbecue followed by snorkelling. The crew may drop you on a spit of sand in the middle of the sea with some ice-cold drinks and shade cloth for a midday siesta.

Matemwe and Che Che Vule

Matemwe further north was a highlight for us, and we discovered two superb villas there: Matemwe Beach House and Che Che Vule on the same stretch of beach – both perfect for families. Both villas are a hop from the sand and feel part of the vibrant village.

So pack up the kids, your parents and some friends and consider hiring your villa on your next visit to Zanzibar ; the cost per person will make your stay an affordable break. And, rest assured, you’ll leave feeling part of the island, its people and the rich tapestry of daily life in paradise.

To find out more chat with us or visit Villas and Africa .