Zawadi Hotel stands on a low limestone cliff on the Michamvi Peninsula, on Zanzibar’s south-east coast in Tanzania. Below it lies a reef-protected lagoon that stays deep enough to swim and snorkel at any state of the tide. That is a rarity along this coast, where much of the shoreline empties to bare sand twice a day.
Mornings begin with sunrise and wooden dhows crossing the horizon
A short staircase cut into the cliff drops to a private sandy cove, while the villas and infinity pool sit above, facing east over the Indian Ocean. Mornings begin with sunrise and wooden dhows crossing the horizon. Zawadi is adults-only, with a minimum age of sixteen, and the mood stays quiet and unhurried across its small collection of ocean-front villas.
Sisters Nathalie Raguž Fusillo and Paulina Raguž Macksoud both trained at Cornell’s hotel school. They arrived on this stretch of coast more than two decades ago, when it had no road, no water and no electricity. They built Breezes Beach Club first, then added further coastal hotels over the years. Zawadi is the newest, an intimate, self-contained sanctuary set north of the family’s original properties.
They arrived on this stretch of coast more than two decades ago
The spa, tennis and dive facilities at the sister hotels remain within reach by shuttle, yet Zawadi itself stays small and quiet, a world apart. Around ninety percent of the staff are drawn from Zanzibar and the Tanzanian mainland. Much of the produce, furniture and décor is sourced or made close to home, so the place feels rooted rather than imported.
Each villa stretches to more than a hundred square metres, painted in a pared-back palette of pale creams and soft coastal tones. Driftwood accents, woven baskets and rattan detailing are left to frame the sea rather than compete with it. A freestanding bathtub sits by a window looking out to the water, and the king bed is placed to keep the Indian Ocean in view from the moment you wake. Every villa carries a Swahili name drawn from a sea creature, Chewa for grouper, Pweza for octopus.
Dining is all-inclusive and built around the daily catch and the hotel’s own shamba, an on-site farm growing vegetables, herbs and spices and keeping animals for the kitchen. Meals move with the day, from the casual Mswakini Beach Bar at shore level to the Drift Wood Dining Room for dinner, and the Mali Mali Lounge for cocktails and canapés at sunset. Private dinners can be laid on a villa terrace or right at the cliff edge, the cooking leaning throughout on fresh seafood and Zanzibar spices.
Dining is all-inclusive and built around the daily catch and the hotel’s own shamba
The days settle into an easy rhythm. Mornings are for snorkelling straight off the cove or diving the reef through the on-site Rising Sun Dive Centre, and afternoons drift between the infinity pool and each villa’s private plunge pool. The landscaped gardens run to bougainvillea and coconut palms, with a jogging track threaded through them for those who want to move. Kayaking, paddleboarding, reef-shoe walks, sailing and seasonal kitesurfing are all arranged from here, each in its own good time.
Beyond the cliff, the island unfolds at a gentler pace. Jozani Forest, home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, lies some distance inland, while Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits within reach with spice farms along the way. The Zawadi Swahili Day takes guests into the neighbouring village of Bwejuu, and dhow cruises trace the coast at sundown. Many pair Zanzibar with a mainland safari, arriving here to unwind once the driving is done.
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accommodation
Zawadi Hotel has a small collection of ocean-front villas, each over 100 square metres, with a king bed positioned for sea views, a separate seating area, a freestanding bath by a window, walk-in shower and double vanity. Each has a private terrace and plunge pool facing the Indian Ocean, shaded by palms.
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activities
Snorkelling and swimming run directly from the cove, with scuba diving through the on-site Rising Sun Dive Centre. Kayaking, paddleboarding, reef-shoe walks, sailing and seasonal kitesurfing are arranged locally, alongside dhow cruises, Stone Town tours, spice farms and visits to Jozani Forest for red colobus monkeys.
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conservation
Zawadi for Bwejuu! channels proceeds from village visits into the local school and clinic, and the Raguž family helped fund and build a maternity and neo-natal clinic in Bwejuu. A green sewage plant recycles water for irrigation, solar power and plastic reduction feature throughout, and a marine biologist advises on reef care.
Get in touch and let’s start the conversation. An initial consultation helps us understand what you’re looking for, whether that’s specific experiences, luxury touches, or marking a special occasion, and from there we’ll guide you through what’s possible so you can decide if we’re the right fit.
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Zanzibar & Pemba
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Zanzibar & Pemba
Zanzibar has its own international airport near Stone Town, with direct and one-stop flights from Europe, the Middle East and regional hubs, so you can often fly straight in. From the airport it is about an hour by road to the Michamvi and Dongwe stretch of the south-east coast, where Zawadi sits on its low cliff.
We build the flights and the transfer in, and because you can fly straight to the island, it makes a restful finish after a mainland safari. If you are coming from safari, we can also arrange a private charter across to Zanzibar, typically a Cessna Caravan or Pilatus PC-12, so the crossing runs to your timings rather than an airline's. Tell us your safari dates and we build the beach stay onto the end.
Yes. Zanzibar and Pemba lie at sea level, well below 1,800 metres, and current UK guidance from TravelHealthPro lists the islands as a malaria area, so this is not a malaria-free beach stop. Risk is lower than it once was, but the mosquitoes that matter feed after dark, so cover up in the evening, use the repellent and nets provided, and antimalarial tablets remain the real protection.
Health advice can change from year to year, so we always ask you to confirm the current position with a travel clinic or your doctor before you travel, and to take the usual care against bites after dark.
The coast is hot and humid for most of the year, typically in the high twenties to low thirties, with the long rains of April and May the wettest and stickiest stretch to avoid.
Pack very light, breathable clothing, swimwear and sandals, with a light cover-up for time off the beach and modest dress for Stone Town and the villages. Bring strong sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for the evenings.
For settled seas and the clearest water, come in the cool, dry Kusi season from June to October, when diving visibility peaks in September and October. February is the standout of the hot season either side of it.
The long rains of April and May bring rough seas and reduced visibility, and many lodges and dive centres close, so we plan around them.
What sets Zawadi apart is the tide. Most of this coastline empties at low tide into wide, bare sand flats, but the lagoon in front of Zawadi holds clear water for swimming and snorkelling right through the tidal cycle. A staircase drops from the cliff to a private cove where reef fish gather over the coral just offshore, so you are not tied to the tide chart the way you are at many south-east coast lodges.
No. Zawadi is an adults-only hotel with a minimum age of sixteen, which is part of what keeps it quiet and calm.
If you are travelling as a family we will point you to one of the island's family-friendly lodges instead, and we can suggest several close by on the same coast.
Unlike the remote safari camps, Zanzibar's beach lodges are well connected. Wifi is standard here, generally reaching the rooms as well as the public areas, and mobile coverage across the island is reliable.
So you can stay reachable easily if you need to, though most guests use it lightly. Tell us if solid connectivity matters for work and we will confirm the current setup before you travel.
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our approach
Every journey starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision before we start planning.
Whether by phone or in person, we work with you directly to shape something that is considered, personal, and expertly delivered.
