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Privately owned &Beyond Mnemba Island is a real gem, laced with soft, white-sand beaches and surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. From the moment you land, time seems to stop and your senses are heightened – that's how far you are from city mayhem. With just 12 private beach bandas that somehow manage to combine rustic simplicity with utter luxury, you can be as active, or not, as you wish. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, take star-lit dinners on the beach and visit the dive centre to explore the coral reefs and their colourful fish.
From $1,620 person/night
Wandering straight from your beachside banda and along the sand to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, at any time of the day or night.
If you're visiting from February to September, you'll have the chance to watch threatened green turtles laying their eggs on the beaches. Wow.
As you would expect from a private island resort, everything about Mnemba is fantastically luxurious - but some may find elements a little over the top!
Cushions and comfort are the best way to describe the bar area, which is right on the beach, and the staff are laid-back but very attentive. The bar is backed by a curtain of turquoise glass beads that echo the colour of the ocean at its front. Drink your favourite cocktail with the sand between your toes. Lunches are served in the cool, shaded guest area, and dinners are presented on the beach.
There are just 12 simple thatched bandas with all the comforts you could wish for. Each has an enormous mosquito-netted bed set under a fan, a spacious bathroom complete with a stone shower with a glass-beaded curtain, comfortable seating and a covered veranda on which to laze and read or simply lose yourself in the ocean views.
The fully equipped dive centre is at the centre of the action, offering everything you need for snorkelling, sea-kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. If it's fishing that excites you, then fly-fishing and deep-sea fishing trips are also available. If you're visiting between February and September, take a guided visit to see threatened green turtles nesting. Look out for dolphins, whale sharks (the world's biggest fish), lots of birds and 600-odd species of coral reef fish. Or chill with a massage on the beach.
A pioneer in sustainable tourism since 1991, &Beyond aims to expand its impact by 2030. Through partnerships and doubling investment, they have set a target of conserving 40 million acres of key biospheres while offering exclusive travel experiences. By doubling revenue and tripling profit, they seek to leave a positive footprint in Africa, Asia, and South America, empowering communities and preserving wildlife.
In the gin-clear ocean around Zanzibar, marvel at bright corals with over 450 species of tropical fish, octopus, stingrays, moray eels, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, dolphins, humpback whales, and if you are very lucky: whales sharks and manta rays. In the coastal forests, spot the colobus and Sykes monkeys, bush babies, more than 50 species of butterfly, as well as brilliant bird species.