Mnemba Island

If you have ever harboured the secret wish of finding yourself the sole inhabitant of a beautiful tropical island, but without the effort of having to lift a finger to fend for yourself, Mnemba Island is just the place for you! Discover sheer, unpretentious paradise on this private island, where the simple pleasures become your most treasured of memories for many years to come.

Pure barefoot bliss is the allure of Mnemba, where dawn is greeted by the song of doves and the smell of coconut bread baking in a wood stove. Mnemba Island offers an unpretentious paradise where just 12 rustic palm-frond bandas are tucked into a tropical forest fringed by a white coral sand beach. A covered walkway leads to a shuttered ensuite bathroom with a huge glass-beaded shower curtain. Zanzibar is famous for its intricate detailed woodcarvings and the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of the Island’s most skilled artisans. Built-in barazas on the veranda are perfect for afternoon siestas and ten private beach salas feature traditional Zanzibari loungers ideal for languid hours, a table, ceiling fan, personal bar, two day beds and a shower.

Thatched dining and sitting or bar areas boast beautiful open views of the beach and spectacular vistas of Zanzibar beyond. Baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns sail into Mnemba daily on traditional ngalawa outriggers. Lunch is often served on large wooden carved Zanzibari platters heaped with delicious mezze. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach, with the waves lapping gently at guests’ feet. Private beach picnics delight newlyweds and not-sonewlyweds alike

Banda

andBeyond Mnemba Island offers an unpretentious paradise where just ten rustic palm-frond bandas are tucked into a tropical forest fringed by a white coral sand beach. Each banda at andBeyond Mnemba Island has direct access to the beach. A covered walkway leads to a shuttered ensuite bathroom with a huge glass-beaded shower curtain. Built-in barazas on the veranda are perfect for afternoon siestas and private beach salas feature traditional Zanzibari loungers ideal for languid hours spent on the beach.

Family Banda

Mnemba Island has a family banda where two bandas are situated within close proximity to one another and can accommodate a family of four (two adults and two children).


 

Snorkeling (Included)

Snorkeling is ideal for those who do not wish to do a scuba diving accreditation but who want to confidently explore the shallower coral reefs, situated off Mnemba Island, with the help of a snorkel. A guided snorkeling course is also available at an additional cost, offered by andBeyond’s Mnemba Island specialist dive masters, and covers safety procedures, equipment, currents and suggested snorkeling spots.

Scuba diving (Included)

Mnemba Island has a fully stocked dive centre, and offers a full range of diving activities. If you are experienced, our Dive Instructor will guide you on fantastic dives around the Mnemba Atoll. If you are a beginner, our Instructor is waiting to introduce you to a whole new world of mystery, wonder and beauty!

Sea kayaking (Included)

Explore the warm Indian Ocean waves in utter tranquillity in a deep sea kayak built for two. Ask one of Mnemba’s Dive Instructors for a quick tutorial session or set off with your partner on the quiet waters protected by the island’s surrounding reefs. Paddle along the beach to admire the changing features of the shoreline or head out into deeper waters in the hope of encountering a pod of dolphin or some sea turtles.

Stand up paddle boarding (Included)

Enjoy an unforgettable experience on the calm Indian Ocean waters on a stand up paddle board. Get a few tips from our expert instructors before grabbing paddle in hand and mounting the board to head out into the waves. Ideal for the calm waters off Mnemba Island, this activity allows you to glide effortlessly through the waves while enjoying exceptional views of the ocean waters and the Mnemba horizon. Watch as dolphin frolic nearby, play in the waves and guide yourself through graceful turns.

Scuba Diving Courses (Additional cost)

Add another extraordinary element to your beach holidays, gaining insight into a vast underwater world by learning to scuba dive. With the great variety of dive sites close to the island, and calm waters it is the perfect island to learn how to scuba dive or improve your skills and become a master scuba diver. There are over 14 dive sights, some just a 10 minute up to 60 minute boat ride from the island. For more experienced divers certain dive sites descend to depths of more than 150m. With a fully certified PADI diver center, there are a variety of courses offered- including refresher courses and a three day Open Water course for beginners. For those with open water certification, advanced and specialized classes, all with proper international certification are on offer.

Bubblemaker course (Additional cost)

Ideal for younger children who would like to enjoy a taste of the dive experience, this course is similar in structure to the Discover Scuba course but is restricted to swimming pool depth. The course is offered to children above the age of eight.

Private beach activities

Give in to the lure of total isolation and pretend that you are marooned on a deserted island, albeit one where your personal butler is perpetually on hand to cater to your every desire! You may catch a fleeting glimpse of your fellow guests as you lounge in the tropical sunshine in your private beach sala or take a leisurely walk around the island. But you can also choose to make the most of your solitude with a private dinner in a secluded forest clearing or enjoy the light-hearted intimacy of a sandcastle dinner set to the sound of the waves gently sighing on the shore.

Wellness Treatments (Additional cost)

Healing Earth Signature Massage
Melt away your worries & float away into island bliss. This holistic massage will release tension & toxins from your aching muscles and assist your body to restore its wellbeing. Choose from a selection of nourishing & balancing Healing Earth-friendly products.

Yoga (Additional cost)

Channel your energy and increase your self-awareness with a yoga class placed against the background of a clear ocean. Classes are plentiful and can be accommodated to fit all levels of experiences and preferred style. The island has an internationally qualified yoga instructor, who is able to take private or group classes, which can be booked in advance or once you arrive on the island.

Yoga
Private Yoga classes tailored to your needs, accommodating beginners to advanced levels in a dynamic Vinyasa Flow or Yin based practice and enjoyed in the comfort of your banda.

Therapeutic Bliss Yoga Massage
Bliss out to the sound of the sea with a restorative yin yoga class & relaxing massage. This session includes a gentle stretch, restorative yoga poses held for long durations, therapeutic massage, acupressure & meditation.
A soul-nourishing experience that will leave you feeling Zen.

Deep sea fishing (Additional cost)

It’s a battle of wills as guests test their strength against barracuda, mackerel, king fish and marlin on a full day, deep sea fishing adventure.

WILDchild programme

andBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.

NUMBER OF BANDAS
12 (including a family banda)

MAXIMUM GUESTS
22

CHILDREN
Yes

CHILDMINDING
Available at an additional cost

TRIPLES
1 (children 16 and younger)

TWIN BEDS
All convertible to double

OVERHEAD FANS
Yes

MOSQUITO NETS
Yes

BATH
No

INDOOR SHOWER
Yes

SEPARATE W.C
Yes

IN-ROOM SAFE
No

TELEPHONE
Available in Lodge Manager’s office (intermittent mobile reception)

HAIRDRYER
Yes

LAUNDRY INCLUDED
Yes

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Only if wheelchair is equipped with specialist wheels for use on sand

DISTANCE BETWEEN ROOMS
10 – 15m / 33 – 50ft

CHECK IN / CHECK OUT
14h00 / 10h00

KOSHER FOOD
Not available

POWER
220v AC (plug points in rooms)

INTERNET ACCESS
Yes; wifi in guest areas and bandas

PRIVATE BEACH / BANDA DINNERS
Yes

CREDIT CARDS
MasterCard, Visa and American Express

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
Gym in a basket in all guest bandas

WEATHER
The weather can be humid, although sea breezes bring cooler air and relief from heat and humidity

RAINFALL
The rainfall occurs in two seasons, from April to May and again in November

TEMPERATURE
Average daytime temperatures are 26˚C / 79˚F from June to October and 28˚C / 82˚F from December to February. Average water temperature is from 25˚C / 77˚ to 29˚C / 84˚F

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
The best months to visit are from June to March

MALARIA
The island is situated in a lowrisk malaria area

AIRSTRIP
No airstrip; closest airport is Zanzibar  

CAMP CLOSURE
Seasonal closure in April and May; please contact us for exact dates

CURRENCY
US dollar bills printed prior to 2000 are not accepted in Kenya or Tanzania, as there was a large amount of illegal processing of dollar bills in East Africa during that time 

For more information on Mnemba Island click HERE