Home to bespoke tour operator, andBeyond, Mnemba Island is an Indian Ocean paradise situated off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar that has recently reopened following a comprehensive refurbishment.
Renowned for its natural sense of exclusivity, Mnemba's trademark brand of barefoot luxury has been fully reimagined, while retaining its intimate and relaxed island charm and preserving the understated sophistication of the previous offering.
Steeped in culture and history, Zanzibar enticed adventurers, seafarers and traders from far and wide. Known as the spice island because of the centuries-old trade of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, today the Zanzibar archipelago is still bathed in the heady scents of spices while traditional dhows still drift across the horizon.
A romantic and private hideaway, Mnemba Island is an exclusive paradise for just 26 guests, featuring 12 rustically chic beachside bandas (traditional-style thatched-roof cottages) including one family banda, all connected to the breathtaking Mnemba Atoll.
Inspired by the natural environment
The overall layout of the lodge remains largely unchanged, with all bandas located along the beachfront and the shared guest area in the middle. The bandas have all been completely rebuilt and enlarged, with all interiors replaced. Every banda now features a redesigned private beach lounge, ideal for spending all day by the ocean, and one of the bandas has been converted into a two-bedroom family unit.
Drawing inspiration from nature, the design of the bandas reflects the form of the nautilus shell, while the interiors maintain the lodge's current natural colour palette, punctuated by vibrant coral accents. The lodge structure still incorporates coral stone, with the addition of traditional Lamu plaster. Each banda now boasts two entrances for added privacy, one directly from the beach and the other from the island's interior forest. Floor-to-ceiling louvred blinds provide the options for bedrooms to either be closed off or remain open to the cooling sea breezes.
The lodge's main guest area has also been completely rebuilt and brought forward in order to maximise the sea views. The bar is the focal point for the new guest area and sprawls both indoors and outdoors, combining laidback luxury with a healthy dose of island glamour. The refreshed layout includes both new areas to socialise and secluded corners for those who value their privacy.
Intimate, exclusive and flexible
Inhabited solely by andBeyond guests and the dedicated staff caring for them, the island spans just 1.5 km (less than a mile), making for an intimate and relaxing experience. You have the freedom to craft your day precisely as you desire, and then let the staff turn your preferences into reality.
New design elements allow for dining spaces to be enclosed in the event of inclement weather, while still allowing for open-air dining that brings the outside in. The much-loved experience of dining with feet in the sand on the beach will also continue to be available. An inner courtyard can also be utilised for torch-lit dinners with a distinct Swahili influence.
Further new additions include a freshly built beach shop as well as the Discovery Centre, a dedicated space providing guests with the opportunity to explore the conservation and community initiatives enabled by Oceans Without Borders, a marine conservation initiative managed by andBeyond in collaboration with Wild Impact.
In line with an increasing focus on wellness, a new Wellness Banda offers two treatment rooms that open out onto the island forest, as well as an outdoor yoga platform for sunrise or sunset yoga sessions, sound treatments and mindful meditation sessions.
The lodge's Dive Centre has been renovated and expanded to serve as the base for even more island activities. Old favourites such as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking remain available to guests, but now with the addition of clear-bottomed kayaks and sailing Hobie experiences that include tandem kayaking, a catamaran and pedal boarding.
Guests are now also able to indulge in a full-day private excursion on the lodge's dhow, as well as additional experiences such as an island conservation tour highlighting efforts to preserve the island's delicate ecosystem. A half-day tour of nearby villages is hosted by Wild Impact, andBeyond's conservation and community development partner, and includes a glimpse of the education and healthcare community projects that the island supports. Guests seeking a hands-on experience can explore the artificial reef structure and coral nursery maintained by the Oceans Without Borders team or even spend a day with the team as they collect and transplant coral fragments for the underwater nursery.
Getting there
The lodge collects guests at Zanzibar International Airport or Stone Town. The journey to the island is made up of:
- 1½-hour road trip (the last 20 minutes are on an unpaved, bumpy road)
- 10 – 15 minutes boat ride in an open ski boat
As there are no jetties, departures and landings are directly to and from the beach and involve a little wading. Boat transfers are weather dependent.
About andBeyond
Established in 1991, andBeyond strives to leave the world a better place through the delivery of extraordinary guest experiences, while caring for land, wildlife and people. The company is a bespoke tour operator for sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica, and also owns and manages 29 lodges and camps across three continents, as well as a luxury expedition yacht.
Together with its long-standing community and conservation development partner, Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation), andBeyond claims to positively impact 75 communities and directly conserve its footprint of one million acres. It plans to significantly upscale its conservation efforts by 2030.
Photos: andBeyond