Hakuna Matata Lodge

Located on the west coast of Zanzibar under shady age-old mango trees, and bordered by a secret private bay, you will find the 4 star hotel Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge & Spa.
This lovely beach hotel offers 13 comfortable bungalows - all with a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean.

Enjoy breathtaking African sunsets, let your eyes wander to the south, see the skyline of Stone Town, the small Chapwani and Prison Islands, and in the far distance the silhouette of the African continent. You will feel enchanted!

Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge is personally managed by the German owners Rose and Fritz.

Accommodation

The bungalows at Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge & Spa are lovingly furnished in an African style that offers high levels of comfort.

There are 3 standard double bungalows - Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Zambezi. Each bungalow has a living/bedroom with a queen size bed. In the bathroom there is a toilet, separate shower and a washing basin with plenty of space. From the terrace you can see the broad expanse of the Indian Ocean.

There is 1 standard twin bungalow (Tanga) with two rooms - toilet/shower, bedroom and a living room with additional bed.
It´s the perfect bungalow for people who like to sleep apart.
Of course the bungalow Tanga also has a nice terrace with ocean view.

The 2 superior bungalows Bagamoyo are more spacious, with an extra king size bed and a big living/bedroom. The toilet and the spacious living area are separated. An additional single bed is perfect for afternoon naps and is suitable as a sleeping place for a third person. You are invited to order a sundowner to your private terrace!

The 3 executive suite bungalows - Serengeti I & II and Tabora - offer a bedroom with a queen size bed, a big tastefully decorated living room, and a bathroom with shower and toilet. In the living room of these bungalows there are 2 additional couch beds (190 cm x 90 cm) – perfect to relax, to sleep apart, or for families with kids. All bungalows offer exceptional ocean views.

The honeymoon suite “Kilwa” is the highlight bungalow. Spacious living/bedroom with super king size bed, generous bathroom with shower and a separate toilet – all in a unique African ambiance.
The unique and very private terrace is built around a huge almond tree above the sea. Have you ever taken a bath facing the Indian Ocean? Order two glasses of champagne, glide in the tub and relax - there is no better place for lovers...

Facilities offered in all bungalows:

Air conditioning, ceiling fan, hot and cold water, mosquito net, shower gel, hair dryer, towels, beach towels, beach basket, mobile phone and room service are standard.

All terraces give you a spectacular view of the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean and the breathtaking African sunsets.

The bungalows are named after villages in Tanzania once visited by famous people such as David Livingstone, Morton Stanley or Bernhard Grizmek - all deeply connected to the history of Zanzibar and Tanganyika, nowadays called Tanzania.

Dining

Hakuna Matata Lodge offers extraordinary cuisine from all over the world, but always with a touch of Zanzibar.

On the small but exquisite menu you will find exotic meats such as springbok, ostrich, impala or crocodile. All you see on the a la carte menu is obtained daily fresh from the market or the Indian Ocean - so absolute freshness is guaranteed.

For lunchtime: snacks, catch of the day, delicious pasta and fresh salads.

At high tea: homemade cake, Latte Macchiato, Italian Espresso, Cappuccino.

Every evening Rose creates a fine 3 course dinner menu - true to the motto "freshness without compromise".

The kitchen is visible to everyone and is a guarantor for your appetite with fresh, wholesome food. Indulge your taste buds!

Candle Lit Dinners

A romantic evening especially set up for you? Honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, fallen in love or only for fun - the staff would be happy to set up the table for your private dinner.

Spa

In the unique Sultan´s Spa you will be indulged by Hakuna Matata's professional therapist Stamili.

Imagine exotic treatments lying on a massage bed facing the Indian Ocean. Let your five senses wander and relax as aromatic oils smooth your body. After a Zanzibar Aroma Therapy you´ll feel younger than ever!

Take a bath in the sweet smell of frangipani blossoms.

The Spa interior will take you back in the times of "Arabian Nights"

Click here to download Spa Menu

Activities

Swimming Pool - Swimming like a sultan.
In collaboration with the “Archive Department” the old Sultans bath and pool were painstakingly restored, trying wherever possible to remain true to the original architecture.

Now water is flowing from the old aqueduct and all pools are connected by cascades. The depth in the small pool is 0,80 m, the middle pool is 1,50 m deep and the big pool 2,20 m.

Planetarium - The Island Zanzibar is located south of the equator.
The exact position is 6 04´37.33" and 39 12´45.20".

From here you can observe the stars and constellations of the southern hemisphere with Hakuna Matata's high quality telescope. Discover the Southern Cross and trace the Milky Way with millions of galaxies.

Enjoy star gazing and later a spice tea in the “Sultans Lounge” in the minaret roof.

Games - In the old minaret you will find the “casino”. A chess game in the sultan’s palace is also an outstanding experience.

Table tennis and ball games at the beach are also offered, and the billiard table invites you to play, especially during sunset, with a fantastic view over the ocean.

Internet - Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge has an internet café and WLAN throughout the lodge.

Open Air Cinema - On the old assembly place in the ruins there is an integrated open-air theatre where in the evening you may enjoy a movie or a concert with other guests, friends or simply alone.

Exclusive Boat Tours and Snorkelling

With Hakuna Matata's boat “Ile Ile” they offer trips with a unique ambiance. Discover atolls, untouched coastline and nearby
islands in front of Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge.

One excursion highlight is a trip to a hidden sandbank in the Indian Ocean. Go for snorkelling in the crystal clear waters and discover breathtaking untouched reefs. The atoll surrounding the sandbank offers habitat for eight different species of starfish and countless reef fish. Corals gardens in colours only nature can create speed up your heart beat.

A champagne picnic makes it a memorable day.

Explore the historical “Prison Island” with its tortoises. They were brought to Zanzibar from the Seychelles by sailors and released on “Changu Island” – which is the correct name of the island.

Just 2 miles after Prison Island the small Bawe Island shows up. Bawe offers a well preserved coral reef, clear water and many colourful fishes. A nice area for snorkelling and diving throughout the year.

Sunset cruises along the green west coast brings up Zanzibar’s beauty. The sun colours the land in a warm light – palm groves and a tropical cocktail make sunsets unforgettable.

BBQ on a secret beach. Enjoy a day according to “Bacardi Feeling” alone or with friends. Collect shells on the long sandy beach, swim, snorkell, sun bath, read or just relax. Kahmis and Ali your boat crew will prepare the BBQ while you have ice-cold drinks.
The cruise back during a breathtaking sunset will end an unforgettable day.

Diving

Not far from Hakuna Matata you will find some of the most beautiful Zanzibar dive spots.

Hakuna Matata's partners One Ocean will help you to organize perfect diving trips.

Excursions to the famous Mnemba Atoll, located in the north-east of Zanzibar, can also be arranged.

Both dive centres offer courses for beginners, PADI certificates, refresher courses and possibilities for experts.

Let your dives become a part of an unforgettable holiday!

Big Game Fishing

Zanzibar waters are rich in fish and home to many big fish species such as Marlin, Sailfish ,Dorado and others.

The professionals work on the principle “Catch and Release” in order to preserve the endagered species.

History

Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge & Spa is set on the plot of Chuini Palace. The palace was built by Sultan Sayyid Barghash bin Said Al-Busaid in 1873.

The minaret, the steps to the meeting place, such as the comprehensive cistern system are located to the south of the creek. Today the old Sultans Pools invite you for swimming and relaxing. The water is flowing into the pool from the complete remaining aqueduct.

Barghash was the 2nd Sultan of Zanzibar. He ruled from 1870 until 1888. His mother was a slave and his father Sayyid Majid bin Said Al-Busaid was the settler king and first Sultan of Zanzibar. Princess Salmé, his sister married a salesman from Hamburg and became famous as Emilie Ruete - an exceptional woman in the mutual history of Zanzibar and Germany.

Sultan Barghash is well known as a master builder and visionary, and is credited with building much of the infrastructure of Stone Town. During his reign he established piped water, public baths, hospitals, roads and parks. It´s a must to visit all these historic buildings like “House of Wonders” or "Palace Museum" during a Stone Town sightseeing tour!

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