andBeyond Mnemba Island is an exclusive barefoot island paradise off the North-East coast of Zanzibar. Just 1.5 km (less than a mile) in circumference, Mnemba is surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs. It boasts some of Africa’s most magnificent dive sites. This romantic, island haven in the Zanzibar Archipelago is committed to a legacy of community upliftment and marine conservation.
Have you ever harbored 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. Then, &Beyond Mnemba Island is just the place for you! Discover the sheer, unpretentious paradise on this private island. Where the simple pleasures become your most treasured of memories for many years to come. Relax and unwind in the exclusivity of your own stretch of beachfront. Simple yet luxurious Bandas peep out onto unblemished sands from the dappled shade of the casuarina pine forest. The only intrusion may be a visit from a curious Suni antelope or two at sundown.
On a private island off the northeastern tip of Zanzibar, &Beyond Mnemba is the perfect destination to get away from it all. The balmy blue waters invite you to explore the surrounding Indian Ocean. With a dive school and two dive boats for just 20 guests, you will never feel crowded during your underwater adventure.
Please note: &Beyond has announced a comprehensive refurbishment for &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge. Therefore, it will be closed from 11th January 2024. They hope to re-open on 1st October 2024.
Skip to andBeyond Mnemba Island Rates or Specials and Packages
andBeyond Mnemba Island Accommodation
&BEYOND Mnemba Island offers 12 x rustic palm-frond Bandas tucked into a tropical forest. A shady corridor of woven palm leaves leads to a large shuttered bathroom. Where a massive stone shower awaits behind a glass-beaded curtain. Zanzibar is famous for its woodcarvings. And the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of the Island’s most skilled artisans.
Sea breezes waft through high palm-frond roofs and large windows in your beach side banda. Overhead fans in a spacious bedroom filled with soft, natural fabrics and traditional woodcarvings cool down the warm tropical nights. Enjoy ocean views stretched out on the built-in Barazas (Swahili word for ‘meeting place’) on your veranda.
Children are welcome at &Beyond Mnemba Island. Although travel to Tanzania is recommended for children 8 years or older. A maximum of 2 children under 12 can stay at Mnemba Island at any given time.
The lodge is able to accommodate one triple room. An additional bed will be set up in the parents’ room for children 16 years or younger.
Two of the Bandas are situated close together with an adjoining wooden walkway to make the family banda. Each has its own ensuite bathroom and a private veranda and seating area. The family banda can accommodate 4 x adults. Or 2 x adults and 2 x children (3 x children can be provided for on request). Don’t forget only 2 of the children may be under 12.
andBeyond Mnemba Island Dining
Exuding the essence of Zanzibar’s richness, history, and soul. Fresh, locally produced, wholesome, and natural. The overall food theme is one of barefoot beach simplicity. Each culinary experience is prepared according to individual tastes. And is available at a time and location that suits each guest perfectly.
Open thatched dining and sitting areas provide the perfect place to watch the sunset. Deep pillows and low wooden tables open up onto majestic views of the white beach. Enjoy lunch on large, wooden carved platters, while island crabs scuttle across the sand. Later, when the magnificent African sky lights up with stars, dinner is on the beach. With the bright moonlight reflecting off the waves as they gently lap on the beach.
Late breakfast trays teeming with tropical fruit, freshly-squeezed juice, and Tanzanian coffee can be delivered to the beach banda. For those wanting to indulge in a lie-in. Fresh sushi and chilled champagne can appear discreetly at your beach loungers. Should you wish to celebrate the magnificent sunset in privacy. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach, with the waves lapping gently at guests’ feet. Allow yourself to relax and take a break with yoga and massages in the tranquil retreat of your banda.
Activities
Mnemba Island is known for its coral atoll and the calm azure seas, boasting irresistible swimming directly from the beach. Venture just 10 minutes away on a motorboat to find snorkeling spots with kaleidoscopic marine life. Take out a kayak or try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding. Guests can set off on either a guided or a solo adventure in the tranquil waters surrounding the island. The island has also become a new home for two unique antelope species, Ader’s duiker and Suni antelope. Through &Beyond’s successful protection project.
Diving
Zanzibar boasts some of the most pristine and unspoiled coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. These vibrant coral colonies lie under clear waters with up to 26ºC (79 ºF) temperatures. And perfect underwater sights of up to 40 meters (131 feet).
These views are particularly vivid off the coast of Unguja Island, the main island of Zanzibar. And Pemba Island, known fondly as the Green Island. They make up one of the top dive sites in the world. Boasting calm waters and a wide variety of colorful marine species.
Diving in Zanzibar features shallow coral gardens and walls that start at 30 meters deep. With close to two-meter spiral corals and high barrel sponges. Encounter neon-tinted fish, such as the blue potato grouper, the indigo Napoleon fish, the deep red Cubera snapper. And the green sea turtle.
Dive alongside a wide range of marine wildlife, bright blue water drop-offs, and shining, strong and shallow reefs. Tough and supple coral patches sustain a rise of reefs, tropical fish, and many other sea residents.
Diving in Zanzibar will prove to be an awe-inspiring experience. With some of the healthiest reefs in the Indian Ocean, making this a must and an unforgettable diving destination. Refresher courses and a beginner three-day Open Water course are offered.
Yoga
Channel your energy and increase your self-awareness with a yoga class. Placed against the background of the Mnemba Islands’ crystal clear waters.
The resident practitioner focuses on Vinyasa Flow Yoga. This focuses on your breathing and the seamless movement of a series of postures one after the other. The beauty of Vinyasa is that no two classes are ever the same. Inviting you to challenge your body in new ways every day. These private sessions can accommodate all fitness levels.
Green turtle nesting adventure
&Beyond Mnemba Island is an important green turtle breeding site. The conservation team works hard to protect and monitor turtle nests throughout the year. Only one in 1 000 make it to adulthood. And it takes roughly 20 years or more before they reach sexual maturity and can start reproducing. Track the footprints of female turtles at night. And observe their nests during the year-round nesting season, peaking between April and August.
This excursion begins with the guests meeting for sundowners and an introduction to nesting, tag data, weather. And the challenging factors hatchlings face. &Beyond nurtures these hatchlings. Learn how they help to deter predators. And gather data to observe how effective &Beyond Mnemba Island is as a nesting site.
Learn about turtle etiquette, the sensitive ways the turtles are approached. And the conservation aspect: it has taken two decades of dedicated research and monitoring to make this conservation experience possible.
Dhow cruise
Enjoy a glorious glide with cocktails and nibbles on a traditional dhow. With the golden sun above and aquamarine waters below. Alternatively, relax in the romance of dusk surrounded by a vast expanse of sky and ocean blues. As your dhow gently winds towards the sunset. Be captivated by the evening colors. From pink hues to burning orange. With slashes of deep indigo and azure descending into inky black. You will feel like the only lovers on an infinite, silver moon-kissed sea.
Wellness treatments
Take advantage of time, to give yourself some much-needed rest and relaxation.
&Beyond Mnemba Island offers the perfect opportunity to simply unwind and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. After a fun-filled day discovering this island paradise. Why not pamper yourself with a soul-soothing wellness treatment in the comfort of your banda / on the beach? Listen to the waves lap against the shore as you truly embrace island time.
Talented therapists use Healing Earth products, made from all-natural ingredients sourced in Africa. Signature treatments celebrate the heritage of the region. Using an African calabash to enhance the ultimate source of relaxation that balances and harmonizes, the mind, body, and soul.
Visit Prison Island
Take a fascinating step back in time, and visit Prison Island. Also known as Changuu Island, a short boat ride away from Zanzibar. In the 1860s, this island was used to confine unruly slaves. Before they were sold off to slave markets or shipped abroad. Lloyd Mathews, the British First Minister of Zanzibar, constructed a prison complex here when he purchased the island in 1983. However, it was never used for this purpose, but as a quarantine hospital for yellow fever cases. A highlight of your visit will be the Aldabra giant tortoise sanctuary. These majestic tortoises, some over 100 years old, were originally a gift from the British Governor of the Seychelles. Spend time sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the tranquility of the island. A boat trip from Stone Town to the island takes 30 minutes.
Community Visit
Gain insight into local communities in Zanzibar that play an integral part in reef conservation. And depend on these sources of fish for their livelihood.
Dolphin Boat Trip
Jump into a boat to search for pods of females and their calves that inhabit the warm, tropical waters. The playful bottlenose dolphin is the most frequently encountered dolphin here.
Stone Town Historical Tour
Delve into the beauty and ancient history of Zanzibar and explore architecture. A labyrinth of bustling narrow alleys and sand and coral-stone houses with intricately carved Arab and Indian doors.
Spice Tour
Follow the scent of vanilla, clove, turmeric, nutmeg, and cinnamon. As you drive through the lush greenery of the island’s spice-growing areas.
Getting to Mnemba Island
The lodge collects guests at Zanzibar International Airport or Stone Town.
1½ hour road trip (the last 20 minutes are on an unpaved, bumpy road)
10 – 15 minutes boat ride in an open ski boat
As there are no jetties; departures and landings are direct to and from the beach and involve a little wading. Please note that boat transfers are weather dependent.
2024 andBeyond Mnemba Island Accommodation Rates
&Beyond has announced a comprehensive refurbishment for &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge. Therefore, it will be closed from 11th January 2024. They hope to re-open on 1st October 2024.
The entire lodge will undergo an extensive transformation which includes upgrading all guest areas and bandas. The island’s dive centre will also be completely renovated. It will also develop a brand new wellness banda, and implement solar power. The refurbishment will retain the casual and sophisticated feel of the island. While adding a touch of additional elegance.
2024 andBeyond Mnemba Island Accommodation Rates | Per Person Sharing |
| Mid Season 1st October – 20th December | USD 2,150 |
| High Season 21st December – 10th January 2025 | USD 3,000 |
andBeyond Mnemba Island Accommodation Special Offers
Stay 10, Pay 8
Get 2 nights for free in 2024!
Valid: 1st November – 20 December 2024
Fly Me to Mnemba Island
Stay for 3 nights or more at &Beyond Mnemba Island, and discover this idyllic destination. For less. Not only will you benefit from flight savings*. But also a range of included accommodations and activities per person, per 3-night stay. Additional nights may be added by using the applicable long-stay rates.
*Complimentary one-way scheduled internal flights between Arusha / Manyara / Nairobi and Zanzibar. Excludes airport taxes.
If you’re considering going on a safari, our Fly Me to the Mara offer would be a perfect complement. These are at andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Camp and andBeyond Bateleur Camp.
2024 Fly Me to Mnemba Island 3-night Package Rates | Per adult sharing | Per Child sharing OR Single Supplement* | Family Banda |
| 1st October until 20th December | USD 5,565 | USD 2,970 | USD 19,610 |
| 21st December until 10th January 2025 | USD 8,500 | USD 4,515 | USD 30,005 |
Child sharing rates are for children between 6 and 16 years of age. Kids 5 years and younger do not qualify for the offer and will be quoted on normal rates.
*Single Supplement: as per above under rates.
Stay longer for less in Zanzibar
&Beyond long stay rates are also available throughout the year (except from June until September in Tanzania / Zanzibar). Discounts on stays of more than 3 nights at any &Beyond lodges in Africa. Therefore; you can combine Zanzibar with any and Beyond lodges in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia.
Milestones For the Love of Travel Offers
Celebrate a significant birthday or wedding anniversary with us and save 20% on your accommodation!
Applicable for the following wedding anniversaries: 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60.
‘Milestone’ birthdays, such as 18, 21, 30, 40, 50 and all decade birthdays thereafter.
This offer is valid for six (6) months before or after your event date. Simply provide your wedding certificate or identification as proof.
Both offers exclude:
Easter period 24th March to 12th April,
1st July to 31st August and 21st December to 10th January
Mnemba Island Honeymoon Offer
One partner pays the full rate and the other partner pays 50% of the accommodation rate for the whole stay. The honeymoon offer is valid for stays of 2 or more nights. Throughout the year.
Honeymooners can travel within 6 months of the date of marriage. Before or after.
We can also arrange weddings / renewal of vows at Mnemba Island.
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