A small, exclusive beachfront property, up to twenty guests may stay in one of the ten beachside bandas. These open-air villas made from canvas, grass, and reeds all feature a large, detached bathroom with a stunning stone shower. Guests can enjoy an ocean lullaby as they sleep on the room’s large plush, king-sized beds and natural fiber bedding as the overhead fans waft an ocean breeze over them. For those guests traveling with children, there is a family banda consisting of two bandas near each other and accommodates a family of four. Each banda has its own private veranda or barazas, the Swahili word for meeting place for guests to relax and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Most importantly, each banda has direct access to the private beach.

Located north-east of the Zanzibar coast and situated in a coral atoll in the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation area, Mnemba Lodge is an ideal sanctuary for wildlife and guests alike. The warm Indian Ocean plays host to a wide variety of reef fish, anemone, and marine mammals. The lodge practices and promotes ecotourism. Their partnership with Oceans Without Borders allows them to monitor and protect the endangered green turtles who return each year to their island breeding ground. On this island paradise, guests can watch dolphins play in the surf from their private veranda or even feed wandering Suni antelope or see Ader’s Duiker while enjoying the luxury and comfort of an all-inclusive resort. No wonder it’s a favorite beachside escape for Bill Gates and family.