From the airport
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, next to Stone Town, is the island's entry point. Mtende lies about 69 kilometres away, which means a little over an hour and a half on the road. The distance is short, but so is the average speed: the road passes through villages where you crawl.
Three options, in order of simplicity:
- The lodge transfer, on request and at extra cost: someone waits for you at the exit with your name, which settles the question of price and haggling.
- A taxi taken on the spot: agree the price before getting in, never after.
- A hire car: useful if you plan to move around the island, less so if you are staying in the south.
<b>Send us your flight number.</b> Flights to Zanzibar are delayed more often than elsewhere. With the number, we track the actual arrival and nobody waits for nothing.
From Stone Town, Paje or Jambiani
From Stone Town the road is the same as from the airport, give or take a few kilometres. From Paje or Jambiani on the east coast, allow under an hour, following the coast south then cutting across to Makunduchi.
Dala-dalas, the local minibuses, run to Makunduchi from Stone Town. It is by far the cheapest way, but timetables are approximate, bulky luggage is awkward, and there is still a distance to cover from the village.
Finding the lodge
The lodge sits on high ground above the village. A postal address is not enough: use the GPS point, linked on the home page and in all our WhatsApp replies. The last stretch is a track — passable, but slow.
<b>GPS coordinates:</b> -6.455980, 39.536221
Check-in and check-out
Check-in is from 2 pm, check-out before 10 am. A late arrival is possible if you tell us: the southern road is unlit, and it is better if someone is expecting you.
What to bring
- Cash: US dollars and Tanzanian shillings both circulate; card payment is far less common in the south.
- A British plug adapter, type G, the one with three rectangular pins.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent: both are available on the island but cost more.
- Modest clothing for walking through villages: Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim, and beachwear is not appropriate there.
Frequently asked questions
How long from the airport?
About an hour and a half for 69 km. The distance is short but the road passes through villages and forces a slow pace.
Does the lodge offer a transfer?
Yes, on request and at extra cost. Give us your flight number and arrival time when you book, on WhatsApp.
Can I arrive after dark?
Yes, but let us know. The southern road is unlit and it is better if someone is expecting you.