Asilia Matemwe Retreat - North East Zanzibar

ASILIA MATEMWE RETREAT - NORTH EAST ZANZIBAR

Matemwe Retreat offers four exclusive private villas set just metres the beach and are set high in the palm trees with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. With its secluded location and dedicated private butler, the Retreat is considered one of the most exclusive choices of accommodation on Zanzibar Island.

Days at the Retreat are all about relaxation with your private butler looking after you and your chef stopping by each morning to discuss your preferred menu for the day. A spacious veranda with comfortable day bed and loungers made from locally produced coconut wood is the perfect spot to watch the fishing dhows return with their catch. Upstairs on the private roof terrace you can enjoy lazy days beside the plunge pool with both sun and shade decks and in the evening savour dinner cooked by your private chef under the stars or stroll down to the main lodge for a seafood buffet in the open-air restaurant.

LOCATION

Matemwe Retreat is located in the north east of Zanzibar in Tanzania

VILLAS

The four villas of Matemwe Retreat are situated slightly north of the main Matemwe Lodge in an elevated position in the palm trees with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and nearby Mnemba Island. Wooden walkways give access to the main lodge just in case you would like to use any of the facilities or dine in the open-air restaurant on local seafood bought daily from the fishermen.

The villas are situated above a small beach and were constructed by local craftsmen using local materials wherever possible: walls were made of local stone and the roof of Makuti thatch. Most of the furniture was made from locally produced coconut wood while the soft furnishings were produced by Zanzibari women.

The ground floor of each villa has a private bar area, an air conditioned bedroom and a bathroom with double basins, shower and a large oversized bathtub looking out towards the ocean. The spacious veranda has a comfortable couch and a large hammock is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the fishing dhows returning from their day at sea. The private roof terrace has a plunge pool and there is both a sun and shade deck.

All the food is sourced locally (including fruit and vegetables) and seafood is bought from local suppliers who use sustainable techniques - meanting that the lodge does not buy net or spear caught fish but only that caught on lines. When you discuss your chosen menu with your personal chef each day you can also choose where you would like it to be served. The Retreat offers picnic lunches during excursions to the sandbank and Muyuni beach and in the evening enjoy dinner cooked by your private chef under the stars or stroll down to the main lodge for a seafood buffet in the open-air restaurant.

Sea view from bedroom

ACTIVITIES

The Retreat is able to book a superb range of activities – from snorkelling, kayaking, boat trips to diving excursions . Other exciting activities include a fascinating reef walk, learning more about the endangered turtles of the island, a tour of the exotic Stone Town, a cultural visit to Prison Island, a fragrant Swahili cooking class, or a tour of the local village, among others.

- Snorkelling and diving at the famous reefs of Mnemba Atoll

- Full range of diving courses available through Scubafish, so please take a look at their website to find out more: scubafishzanzibar.com

- Kite-surfing

- Scenic kayaking along the reef

- Guided reef walks to explore the tropical marine life

- Local/traditional sailing & fishing

- Deep sea fishing

As with many sea-based activities, the timing of some of these activities is governed by the tides and water levels.

Excursions

- Escape to Infinity remote sandbank excursion

- Day trips to historic Stone Town

- Spice tours