Matemwe Retreat

Tucked away in the north-east part of Zanzibar Island, you’ll find the serene Matemwe Retreat, a sister property of Matemwe Lodge and Matemwe Beach House. Enjoying unspoilt views of the Indian Ocean and Mnemba Island, this exclusive hideaway will give you the privacy and seclusion you need to slip into idyllic island life.

Just four villas, each with a private plunge pool, and a main lodge make up this luxury beach-side retreat. Constructed by local craftsmen using local materials where possible, the villa’s walls are made of local stone, the roof of Makuti thatch, the furniture of locally produced coconut wood and the soft furnishings are the craftsmanship of Zanzibari women.

On the ground floor of your villa, you’ll find a private bar area, a comfortable bedroom and an oversized bathroom complete with an ocean view. Venture out towards the verandah for a comfortable couch and a large hammock from which you can unwind and watch the fishing dhows returning from their day at sea. Ascend to the roof terrace for a dip in your private plunge pool or to sunbath.

The main lodge hosts the retreat’s restaurant and can be accessed from the four villas via wooden walkways. The resort has its own fine sand beach where at high tide you can watch fisherman sail across the lagoon in billowing dhows and at low tide a beautiful reef is revealed for you to explore.