Mtende, at the tip of the island
Mtende is a small village on the south coast of Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, next to Makunduchi. You get there on a road that crosses villages, plantations and stretches of bush, far from the busy tourist routes of the north. There are few hotels, and it shows: the beaches are not lined with sun loungers.
Mtende cove
This is the beach nearest the lodge, a few minutes' walk downhill. A small white-sand bay framed by two outcrops of coral rock, often empty on weekdays. The rock creates a natural shelter, and at high tide the water is clear and calm.
<b>The tides govern everything.</b> On this coast the range is large: the sea can withdraw several hundred metres and expose the coral flat. It is not a flaw, it is the rhythm of the place — but you need to know it to plan your day.
The baobabs
Behind the lodge, the bush opens onto a forest of old baobabs. Twenty minutes on foot is enough. The last hour before dark is by far the best: the light turns orange, the silhouettes stand out, and the sound changes as the insects wake up.
The Kizimkazi dolphins
Kizimkazi is a fishing village on the south-west coast, about twenty minutes away by road. Boat trips run in the morning to watch dolphins. Go early: the sea is flat, the light is good, and there are fewer boats.
A word of honesty: these trips have become much busier, and not all operators treat the animals well. Ask for one that keeps its distance and does not drive into the pod.
Safari Blue
This is the island's best-known day at sea: a boat trip from the south-west coast, with sandbanks that surface at low tide, snorkelling stops, and a grilled seafood lunch on the beach. Early start, back late afternoon. We handle the booking and the transport.
Jozani forest
Jozani is the island's main protected forest, on the road between the south and Stone Town. You can see the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey species found nowhere else, and a walkway built over the mangrove. Allow half a day including the drive.
Distances at a glance
| Destination | From Mtende |
|---|---|
| Mtende beach | a few minutes on foot |
| The baobabs | about 20 minutes on foot |
| Kizimkazi | about 20 minutes by car |
| Zanzibar International Airport | 69 km, about 1 hr 30 |
These times are indicative and depend a great deal on road conditions and the rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
Is the south of Zanzibar worth it compared with Nungwi or Kendwa?
It depends what you are after. The north has beaches you can swim from at any hour, and plenty of nightlife. The south has a big tidal range, almost nobody, and landscapes left as they were. For a quiet stay, the south wins easily.
Can you swim at any time?
No, and that is the particularity of this coast. The tidal range is large: at low tide the sea withdraws a long way and exposes the reef flat. Ask for the tide times when you arrive; they change every day.
Do I need to hire a car?
Not necessarily. The lodge can arrange transfers and trips. A car becomes useful if you want to drive up to Stone Town or Jozani forest under your own steam.