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FROM US$2,330-US$3,750

Turmeric Beach Holiday

Relax on powdery white beaches and snorkel over colourful reefs on Zanzibar’s picturesque east coast before heading on to Stone Town to explore the labyrinth of cobbled streets.

Turmeric Beach Holiday: Summary

Turmeric Beach Holiday in a nutshell

Split your time between historic Stone Town and the picturesque east coast of Zanzibar with this seven-night beach holiday.

Your first stop will be Matemwe Lodge on the beautiful east coast of the island, famed for its palm fringed powder white beaches. Matemwe Lodge is a small, high quality lodge with a rustic design, laidback atmosphere, and twelve characterful cottages overlooking the Indian Ocean. Situated at the northern end of Matemwe Village, you have direct access to the pretty beach and the lodge is within easy reach of Matemwe Island where you can find some of the best diving and snorkelling sites around Zanzibar. Back at the lodge you can choose from one of two swimming pools, enjoy a game of chess, or indulge in a massage at the spa.

After five nights at Matemwe you’ll head on to Stone Town, spending two nights at the Zanzibar Palace Hotel. This converted Zanzibari palace is filled with antique furniture, each room being individually styled and designed, and the result is a quirky boutique hotel with a real sense of authenticity. Explore the cobbled streets on a Stone Town discovery tour, delving into the area’s history, and watch the sunset over the harbour.

At a glance

Starts: Dar es Salaam International Airport
5 nights Matemwe Lodge - East Coast Zanzibar, Zanzibar Half Board
2 nights Zanzibar Palace Hotel - Stone Town, Zanzibar Bed & Breakfast
Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport

Matemwe Lodge

Days 1-6

Matemwe Lodge (formerly Matemwe Bungalows) has always been a long-standing favourite with our travellers - read the recent feedback for an unbiased review. It’s situated on the northern edge of Matemwe village, and has a lovely position on a small outcrop of coral rock. The newly landscaped gardens are dotted with frangipani and bougainvillea trees giving them a lush tropical feel with plenty of colour.

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Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Days 6-8

Opened in July 2006, the Zanzibar Palace has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best boutique hotels in Stone Town. Zanzibar Palace Hotel is independently owned and the Italian management team pride themselves on great service and personal attention to guests. The hotel has been renovated with a lot of care and attention to detail. The result is a lovely friendly boutique hotel, which is highly original and has bags of character.

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Matemwe Lodge

Matemwe Lodge

East Coast Zanzibar, Zanzibar

Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Stone Town, Zanzibar

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Turmeric Beach Holiday.

  • Relaxing on quiet, powdery-white beaches
  • Snorkelling & diving around Mnemba Island
  • Unwinding with a spa treatment
  • Exploring Stone Town’s shops, markets and museums
  • Watching the sunset over the harbour

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Turmeric Beach Holiday: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Cultural excursion

  • Kayaking

  • Scuba-diving

  • Self-guided walking

  • Snorkelling

  • Watersports

About image
MATEMWE LODGE in EAST COAST ZANZIBAR

Side-trips whilst on this beach holiday

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Turmeric Beach Holiday. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Princess Salme Spice Tour

Princess Salme Spice Tour

Half-day

Discover the captivating story of the smart and rebellious Princess Sayyida Salme, the youngest daughter of Sultan Said. Join a knowledgeable local guide to follow in her footsteps through palaces and plantations, as well as the fascinating Zanzibar spice trade on a working plantation.

More about Princess Spice Tour
91% (7 reviews)
Swahili Cooking Workshop

Swahili Cooking Workshop

Half-day or combine with other tours

Zanzibar’s cuisine and culinary influences are as exotic as the island itself. This genuinely authentic culinary workshop will take you to the heart of the spice farm region, teach you how to select and blend an array of spices, create souvenir blends, and guide you through cooking a traditional Swahili meal.

More about Swahili Cookery
92% (5 reviews)
Zanzibar Dhow Safari

Zanzibar Dhow Safari

Full day - approx. eight hours

Discover the coast and islands of the Menai Bay from a traditional Zanzibari dhow. Explore this beautiful marine conservation area with a local guide, snorkelling over coral reefs, swimming through mangrove lagoons and keeping an eye out for dolphins. To top it all, you’ll also be treated to a fabulous beach barbecue.

More about Zanzibar Dhow Safari
80% (1 reviews)
Jozani Forest Tour

Jozani Forest Tour

Half-day or combine with other tours

For nature lovers, Jozani Forest is a must. One of the last sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey, it features a diverse range of habitats, from mangrove forests to salt marshes. Keep your eyes peeled for other forest residents, including Sykes’ monkey, bushbabies, duikers and more than 40 species of bird.

More about Jozani Forest
64% (5 reviews)
Jambiani Village Tour

Jambiani Village Tour

Half-day - mornings

Tear yourself away from the soft white sands of Zanzibar to get under the skin of the history and culture of Jambiani village. Join a knowledgeable local guide to discover the intricacies of day-to-day life in this traditional coastal village, with much of the profits being ploughed back into the community.

More about Village Tour
Prison Island Tour

Prison Island Tour

Half-day

Escape the hustle and bustle of Stone Town on a 30-minute boat ride to Changuu Island, now commonly known as Prison Island. This is your chance to find out about the darker side of Zanzibar history, as well as to get up close with the island’s Aldabra giant tortoises, and to engage in a spot of coastal snorkelling.

More about Prison Island

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