Located 3km off the northeast coast of Unguja, Mnemba Island is a small, exclusive island which sits within a halo of coral reef. The island is adorned with pristine white sand beaches and a casuarina pine forest. &Beyond offers 12 luxurious beachside bandas which accommodate 24 guests, and their attentive staff outnumber guests by two to one. The island is roughly triangular, and its 1.5km circumference gives it an intimate ambience. The island is famous for its celebrity guests, but it is also a great post-safari getaway for families. &Beyond offers a host of exciting activities that will enthral every member of your family.
Mnemba Island is one of only two protected nesting sites for the endangered green sea turtle. The conservation team is continuing the legacy of nearly 20 years of continuous turtle nest monitoring and protection. Guests can join staff for an unforgettable green-turtle nesting adventure while learning about the critical conservation work being done by Oceans Without Borders, a marine conservation initiative founded by andBeyond in collaboration with Africa Foundation.
There are just 12 simple thatched bandas with all the comforts you could wish for. Each has an enormous mosquito-netted bed set under a fan, a spacious bathroom complete with a stone shower with a glass-beaded curtain, comfortable seating and a covered veranda on which to laze and read or simply lose yourself in the ocean views.
Dawn brings the scent of freshly baked coconut bread and the gentle coo of island doves. Each day, traditional dhows deliver baskets of fresh fruit, seafood and fish for the chefs to use, blending Zanzibari heritage with global flavours. In the thatched dining area, lunch is served, often on large wooden platters piled high with delectable mezze. Utterly romantic dinners are served on the beach with warm waters lapping at your feet or the softest coral sand between your toes or join a beach barbeque with the flittering stars overhead.
The fully equipped dive centre is at the centre of the action, offering everything you need for snorkelling, sea-kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. If it's fishing that excites you, then fly-fishing and deep-sea fishing trips are also available. If you're visiting between February and September, take a guided visit to see threatened green turtles nesting. Look out for dolphins, whale sharks (the world's biggest fish), lots of birds and 600-odd species of coral reef fish. Or chill with a massage on the beach. Some guests choose to relax on sun loungers in privacy, but fitness enthusiasts can book a yoga session on the beach or indulge in a massage at the wellbeing centre. As well as providing equipment for fishing and diving, the resort offers equipment for kayaking, windsurfing, and cycling. If you are travelling with children, the Wild Kids Club will provide an exciting range of activities for them.
For such a small island, Mnemba boasts an impressive range of wildlife both above and below water. The island is home to the tiny Suni antelope which were originally brought from Jozani Forest in Unguja. The Ader’s duiker also lives on the island. This is the rarest antelope species in Africa, with experts estimating that there are only 300-600 remaining in the wild. Mnemba Island was chosen to become a conservation area for the Ader’s duiker as there are no natural predators. The island is home to a population of 25 Ader’s duikers, but they are very secretive and difficult to spot. The island is surrounded by an oval reef which has been declared a marine conservation area. Humpback whales, 3 species of dolphin, and whale sharks, are often seen in the warm waters that surround the island. One of the most exciting sights on Mnemba is the turtle nesting season in February and March. Green turtles often lay their eggs in the warm sands, and the island is a protected area for turtles.
