Matemwe Retreat
Matemwe, Zanzibar
Why we love it
Matemwe Retreat consists of four self-contained, private villas, each with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. The villas have been designed to cater for those looking for pure escapism and total privacy, as they feature in-house dining and a private butler service.
The ground floor of each villa features a private bar area, an air conditioned bedroom and a bathroom with double basins, shower and a large spacious bathtub looking out towards the ocean.
The veranda equipped with deep sofas and a large hammock provides the perfect spot to watch the fishing dhows returning from their day at sea. The private roof terrace has a plunge pool complete with both sun and shade decks. The villa is situated above a small beach which is shared by all four villas.
The villas were constructed locally by craftsmen using materials wherever possible. Walls were made of Zanzibar stone and the roof of Makuti thatch. Most of the furniture is
made from locally produced coconut wood, while the soft furnishings are produced by Zanzibari women.
The open-aired restaurant overlooks the ocean and has an inviting lounge area. Seafood is the speciality of the house, with all produce bought daily from the local markets.
Dining can be enjoyed in the privacy of the Retreat or in Matemwe’s Main Lodge. The chef arrives each day to introduce the special Retreat menu suggestions and the fresh catches of the day, the speciality of Matemwe’s acclaimed cuisine.
Situated next to Matemwe Main Lodge means the Retreat’s guests have access to both swimming pools, including a multi-level pool surrounded with lounge chairs overlooking the ocean. Freshly mixed cocktails are served at the poolside bar. Matemwe also offer a great range of spa treatments to indulge in.
Situated opposite the Mnemba Atoll, Matemwe Retreat is perfect for some coral diving or leisurely snorkelling in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy a delicious romantic picnic on the Infinity Sandbank at low tide, surrounded by candles and the sounds of the ocean.
Jump on a Swahili dhow in the early evening for a sunset cruise on the clear waters and enjoy a refreshing cocktail during an African sunset.
Take a break from your daily activities and relax with a massage treatment, or cool off in the sparkling blue plunge pool on the retreat's roof.
Explore the Old Fort and the House of Wonders before sampling Swahili and Zanzibari cuisine at sunset, such as freshly caught seafood, cassava and samoosas at the sea front Forodhani Gardens.
Head down to Matemwe Beach at low tide with a pair of reef shoes to explore the bare coral reef and its diverse marine habitat.
Start planning your truly bespoke itinerary by contacting one of our destination specialists.
Call +44 (0)203 137 1247
Call +1 (0) 800 635 8124
OR
Mark & Susan
True Travel planned our honeymoon to Uganda, Rwanda and Zanzibar. The insight of the team at TLT helped us choose locations and lodges which otherwise we’d never have known about – they also saved us over £1,000 by recommending cost saving flights and other logistics. I have already recommended their service to friends and will continue to do so.
Start planning your truly bespoke itinerary by contacting one of our destination specialists.
Call +44 (0)203 137 1247
Call +1 (0) 800 635 8124
OR