- Why book with us?
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Best Guaranteed Rate
Welcome to
Pemba Lodge
Situated on the remote and beautiful Shamiani Island, Pemba Lodge is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. A short boat ride south of the main island, this is Pemba’s first true eco-lodge and offers an authentic holiday experience in a natural setting.
With a total of five cottages, the emphasis at Pemba Lodge is on simplicity, relaxation and being at one with the environment. Each of our cottages has been carefully constructed to provide maximum comfort in the tropical climes. Raised on stilts, all cottages are well ventilated, spacious and constructed from local, natural and traditional African materials – providing our guests with a comfortable yet authentic experience in a beautiful secluded setting.
Stay
Beach Bungalow
- Mosquito Net
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Hot Water
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Fan
- WIFI
- En-suite
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Room Safe
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up to 3 people
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Double Bed
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Single bed (optional)
Johazi Family Bungalow
- Mosquito Net
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Hot Water
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Fan
- WIFI
- En-suite
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Room Safe
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up to 8 people
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4 double beds
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2 floors
Site Map
Key Information
11+ years are considered adults
Getting There
There are multiple airlines that operate between Pemba, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Upon your arrival, take a transfer from Pemba airport to the local port of Mpene on the south-east – approximately 45 mins through beautiful countryside. Here you will be greeted by a member of our team where you will take a 15 – 30 minute boat transfer to Shamiani Island. Depending on the tides you will either disembark the boat on the beautiful beach infront the lodge, or during low tide take a 10-20 minute walk through beautiful scenery to the lodge.
Alternatively for guests on Zanzibar, a catamaran can be charted from the town of Nungwi on the north of the island directly across to the lodge. This service is subject availability.
Special Offer
Lodge Highlights
- Eco-friendly lodge committed to conservation
- Beachfront lodge
- Secluded location
- Hot Water (Solar Energy)
- WIFI
Dine
Restaurant
The ‘Heart’ of the lodge is the combined restaurant, bar and lounge area which overlooks the scenic bay. The restaurant serves Swahili inspired meals with vegetarian options available. Meals are prepared using organic fruit, vegetables and freshly caught seafood. All produce is sourced from local farmers and fishermen, and the fresh herbs, spices and vegetables are harvested directly from local gardens and spices prepared on Pemba Island.
Experience
Relaxing and doing nothing is a popular pastime at Pemba Lodge. However, when you’ve had your fill of leisure, there are a variety of activities, excursions and places to visit on the island and within walking distance of the lodge. Here you’ll be able to get close and personal with Shamiani’s natural treasures and the archipelago’s Swahili culture.
Local Reef
During low tide the reef off Shamiani Island is teeming with life. Our staff will be delighted to accompany you on a reef walk and explain everything you need to know about the ecosystem around the island. Here you will see the local villagers tending the seaweed farms and the amazing sight of the sand bank at low tide – which resembles a desert scene.
Kayaking
Using our provided kayaks to explore the island’s shoreline and mangrove creeks is a great way to see all the island has to offer. A guide will be on hand to highlight various birds and points of interest, making this a delightful, quiet, and unobtrusive approach to explore nature.
Snorkelling & Fishing Excursions
Organise a boat trip out to neighbouring reefs and explore the underwater world of the Indian Ocean. We provide complimentary snorkelling equipment for you to use.
Fancy trying your hand at fishing? We have the option of traditional line fishing, commonly used by local fishermen, and deep sea fishing. Upon success of your catch, you can opt to have it prepared for you on a barbecue for a delicious dinner.
Bush Walks & Bird Watching
There are numerous walks you may take to discover the island’s relatively untouched nature. With woodland pathways crisscrossing the island, bush walks are a great way to learn about the local flora, fauna and wildlife.
Various types of birds and Pemba’s flying foxes all reside on the island and are likely to be encountered during hikes and throughout your stay at the lodge. The black and white hornbill, paradise fly catcher, rollers, kwarara, red-eyed pigeon, pied kingfisher, sunbird, mnana, common tern, tiny tern, and many other species have been spotted by our guests.
Eco Tourism
At Pemba Lodge we strive to create a holistic and positive experience for our guests, who in turn support the conservation of this unique island and provide the opportunity for local people to learn new skills and earn a living.
A percentage of our revenue fund future marine and environmental projects around the Island. We are fortunate to have both endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles using the beach at Pemba Lodge for their nesting sites. As part of our commitment to conservation on the island, Pemba Lodge has entered into a campaign in conjunction with the local community to help protect the turtle population, which is fast declining around both Unguja (Zanzibar) and Pemba. For each turtle found we pay a cash fee, and in return the turtle is left alone to nest and go back to the sea, and the eggs are left to hatch without disturbance.
Testimonials
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Pemba Lodge
8.8Pemba Lodge Booking.com Score
“Shamiani is a paradise” – August 2022
The accommodation team is very good, friendly and quiet. Always available. The meals very good and plentiful. The island is wonderful, away from the busy roads. The beaches are fantastic – fine white sand as I hadn’t seen.
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Pemba Lodge
8.8Pemba Lodge Booking.com Score
“…located at a stunning white sandy beach ..” – September 2022
This eco lodge is located at a stunning white sandy beach with turquoise waters and the beach bungalows are solar powered, use rain water and dry toilets (truly eco friendly!). Lovely, welcoming team, delicious Swahili food and a range of activities to choose from (snorkelling, kayaking in the mangroves, visits to local community, intertidal walk and the chance to see sea turtles). Ideal place to visit as a family
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Pemba Lodge
8.8Pemba Lodge Booking.com Score
“Our stay was amazing…” – September 2022
This hotel was a dream. The food, the sea, the jungle and the amazing village in the island where they invite us to cook with them and get to truly know their culture. Our stay was amazing, and Omar is simply the best. THANK YOU Omar? -
Pemba Lodge
4.6Pemba Lodge Google Score
“…I never imagined it was so beautiful” – December 2022
I have been here in November 2022 with my wife for a weekend. A friend suggested this place to us, but I never imagined it was so beautiful. I state that I have been living in Zanzibar for more than a year with my family. it was just me, my wife and two other guests we didn’t know. We arrived late afternoon by boat, because it is on an island, the manager welcomed us very friendly, explaining everything and answering to our questions. Then he drove us to our bungalow. It was clean, simple but neat, and wide. it also has a terrace from which we could see the following day that there is an excellent view of the sea. The staff is friendly and the kitchen is super! Much better than the cuisine in hotels in Zanzibar. I suggest snorkelling at turtle bay, a small beach 10 minutes walk from the lodge, or by boat. There you can admire the beauty of colorful corals and underwater plants. Some are stinging.
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Pemba Lodge
4.6Pemba Lodge Google Score
“Heavenly place for an unforgettable honeymoon 🤩☀️” – November 2022
Heavenly place for an unforgettable honeymoon 🤩☀️. The hotel and its setting is simply incredible: arriving at the hotel, we are speechless, it is so unrealistic. We are taken care of as soon as we leave the airport, the hotel takes care of everything. All the staff are adorable, polite, very caring without overdoing it and full of attention! Indeed, they remember what you loved to eat, what you prefer for breakfast, to best adapt to you and give you little culinary surprises 😁 By the way, from breakfast to lunch. and especially dinner, the food is amazing and never rushed. This is delicious. The “cabin” containing the bedroom is perfect, full of charm with all the amenities you need. Cleaning is done every day with seriousness and of course breathtaking views of the turquoise blue of the sea. The photos speak for themselves! Many activities are offered and there is no time to get bored. Deckchairs and hammocks are placed everywhere to promote long digestive naps and hours of reading facing the sea. In short, it was amazing, thank you for all these unforgettable moments and for your kindness 🤩
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