Chumbe Island Lodge

Accommodation on Chumbe Island is – in many aspects – something really special. It’s what Robinson Crusoe could only have dreamt about!

Rooms
The Rooms

There are only 7 bungalows on the island. All bungalows have a sea view with self-contained rooms. A remarkable feature is that they do not have power on the island, yet they manage to provide you with hot water. All bungalows are private and decorated in an African theme. They also have a fantastic balcony where you can sit and take in the fresh sea air while admiring the view. The whole place is quite an experience.
Room decor: Casuarina poles have been lashed together with coconut rope forming secure walls, and the roof has been constructed with palm fronds layered into sheets. There is an upstairs bedroom with a cupboard and a mattress on the floor underneath a flowing mosquito net. You have magnificent sea views as one side of the room is open, with a blind to pull down if required. Downstairs is a lounge area decorated with African art, an extremely comfortable hammock, and some chairs. The lounge is also open, allowing the gentle ocean breezes in. Leading off the lounge is a small bathroom with a hot-water shower, toilet, and basin.
Room amenities: double or twin beds in the sleeping area under the palm-thatched roof, self-contained bathrooms with hot & cold shower, large living rooms, The open design of the bungalows, with minimal barriers to the open air, allows for maximum through-draft for cooling of the bungalows; a form of natural air-conditioning. To enhance this, louvers are in place that can be lowered or closed depending on the desired temperature. The bandas lack all the mod cons of a resort (televisions, telephones, air-conditioners, mini-bars) but use some of the best eco-friendly technology in the world. Special feature: Being a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the Chumbe Island Coral Park Project’s focal aim is to preserve Chumbe Island’s exceptional environment. Therefore accommodation is built based on the state-of-the-art of eco-architecture and eco-technology.
Food & Drink

This is a fantastic place to sample traditional Swahili cuisine. The food is delicious and plentiful. It’s amazing to think it’s all prepared without the use of electric ovens and fridges! All the meals are cooked over a coal oven, and ice is brought in daily to cool drinks. Dishes include seafood and chicken, and there is always a good selection of vegetables cooked in delicious spices and coconut milk. Fresh bread is baked daily, and fruit is served for dessert. Breakfast served on a terrace, which overlooks the sea, is a memorable occasion.
A limited selection of wines, beer, and liqueurs are available on request. The restaurant serves up a mix of Zanzibarian, Arabic, Indian and African dishes for vegetarians and carnivores. As part of the conservation ethic, kitchen waste is separated into burnable, non-burnable, and organic matter for compost. To not interfere with the indigenous coral rag, food is not grown on the island. Fruit, vegetables, and groceries are brought in from Zanzibar daily.
General Facilities

Gift Shop Laundry Services Internet cafe Solar powered lighting
Recreational Facilities

Snorkeling on the reefs. They form part of the marine reserve, so no diving is allowed. Forest trails with a guide. Explore historical monuments, like the lighthouse and the mosque. Exploration of the “intertidal zone”. The staff can arrange other tours, like a Spice Tour.
Accommodation on Chumbe Island is – in many aspects – something exceptional. It’s what Robinson Crusoe could only have dreamt about! The bungalows themselves are so brilliantly designed that they provide both privacy and a sense of freedom of living in the open (see ” Eco-bungalows” for more information). Many clients find these bungalows exceptionally romantic (honeymooners love them), but any individual with a passion for natural beauty will find these bungalows captivating beyond measure. All bungalows overlook the sea, and it takes just 30 seconds to stroll from the comforts of your bungalow hammock to feeling the warm tropical ocean lapping at your feet. All bungalows are equipped with: double or twin beds in the sleeping area under the palm-chat roof, self-contained bathrooms with hot & cold shower, large living rooms, equipped with handmade furniture and decorated with African art and colorful fabrics… (and very comfortable hammocks). Since there are only seven bungalows, the island never gets crowded, even when the lodge is fully booked.