Holiday Boutique Hotel in Bububu, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Imani Beach Villa - A Small Boutique Hotel
in a Tropical Garden with Private Beach, 10 mins from Stone Town
7 Bedroom Boutique Hotel (sleeps up to 16)
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If you’re looking for a big tourist resort, then you’ll definitely not be interested in our place! We provide B&B, half and full board. Our small boutique villa offers exotic comforts: 4 poster antique beds, traditional Moorish low tables in the restaurant, fresh seafood caught by the local fisherman (you will see at work sailing their traditional wooden outrigger trimarans) fresh fruits from the garden, fresh spices from the nearby spice farms and so on. No TV's, no pool - the Indian Ocean is warm and just a few steps from your bedroom door - no adjacent hotels. Walking further along the beach, you’ll meet locals and marvel at man's relationship with nature on this paradise island! At night, with few electric lights, the view of the stars is amazing - but if you don't want the peace and solitude every night you are only a 10 min taxi ride from Stone Town with a whole array of restaurants and bars. Alternatively you might like to try Bububu's own local 'disco', open weekends.
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| Rental periods | Half Board Exclusive Use of Imani |
Full Board Exclusive Use of Imani |
Half Board (Non Excl' Use) |
Full Board (Non Excl' Use) |
| July / August | $700 | $850 | $70 | $80 |
| Standard Season | $650 | $800 | $55 | $65 |
| 19 December - 6 January | $700 | $850 | $70 | $80 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property in US dollars.
Changeover day
Arrival and departure times are not fixed. We should be able to offer you group hire according to the days you have requested.
Notes on accommodation
There is air conditioning in every room. This villa is a guesthouse, so we provide Bed and Breakfast or Half board/ Full Board, or meals upon request in the restaurant. With regards to the menu, we usually offer a choice from a set menu, depending upon what is freshly available each day. It is no problem to cater for vegetarians or vegans. If you require access to kitchen facilities, please ask us about this. It should not be a problem if you need access to an electric kettle, electric hob, or even your own fridge, but full access to the kitchen is not permitted. The property is definitely suitable for children, and all children are warmly welcomed. Please ask for medical advice with regards to malaria and other tropical diseases. (It is worth noting that the villa is located next to saltwater, with few freshwater puddles around outside of rainy season.) Guests are responsible for their children at all times and all guests swim in the ocean at their own risk.
Accessibility
The property is not adapted for wheelchair users. As noted in description of the rooms, Room 5 is suited to an older couple, or persons who may have mobility problems, for the bed is low and the bath has a corner 'seat'. For pictures of this room and bathroom, please ask us to email these.
Outside
The hotel is set in a small tropical garden with a BBQ grill in a central place, several spots to sit or lie in the garden, a veranda outside Rooms 7-9 and the restaurant/bar being a focal point. It is lovely to have a sea breeze through the restaurant area, keeping you cool and in touch with your natural surroundings. The private beach has large sun umbrellas and chaise longues and is sensitively marked with simple fences.
The beach is white sand. When the tide is out, the dark coral rock is exposed (bring plastic or rubber footwear for walking and wading over coral). You can swim here at anytime (on the East coast when the tide is out the sea retreats quite far, so you can only swim when the tide is in. We are on the West coast where this is not a problem).You will literally rub elbows with African fisherman, whose thatch 'rest huts' are located next to the private beach. They are willing to take guests out on their boats for fishing or snorkeling (diving arranged separately).
Coast/Beach
Four or five steps lead you from the hotel villa on to the sandy beach, where the sea is lapping at your feet at high tide. As said above, the beach is white sand, the private area is sensitively marked with simple fences. There are large sun umbrellas and chaise longues. When the tide is out, the dark coral rock is exposed (bring plastic or rubber footwear for walking over coral). You can swim here at anytime (on the East coast when the tide is out the sea retreats quite far).
Special interest holidays
Diving: Zanzibar is a fantastic location for diving with good visibility (20-60m) and a year-round average water temperature of 27°c. We can organise diving trips for you. We cater for divers on budget packages, right up to the experienced diver wanting to dive the best and most expensive areas. There are some good wreck dives in the Stone Town area, and we are ideally situated to be able to organise day trips to Chumbe Island Coral Park. This was one of Tanzania's first marine protected areas, and encloses one of the richest and finest coral gardens in the world, as well as rare coral rag forest. Our location is also ideally suited to organise trips to Bawe Island, a 20 minute boat ride from Imani. In addition, we can organise trips to the reefs around Pemba and Mnemba Island.
Travel
Zanzibar airport (Kisauni) is 10-15km away, with the port in Stone Town (10km away). We can pick you up and take you to the airport/port. We can organise car hire if you want to hire a vehicle of your own, but we recommend using taxis. We can organise taxis for you to and from Stone Town, or for any other trips you wish to make. It costs around US$10 for a car to town. If you fancy trying the local transport (daladalas) we can explain how you can use these from Bububu's main road.
Distances
Imani Beach villa is located in Bububu, a small town none-too-attractive until you get to the beach! Next door to us is Salomes Gardens, a 19th c. country house which you can take a look at. Kidichi Persian baths are 2.5 km away, you could visit these as part of a Spice Tour (the famous spice farms are close to Bububu). Mangapwani Beach is 10km north of Bububu, where there is an historical slave site. We are also ideally situated to visit Chapwani Island, Changuu Island, Bawe Island and Chumbe.
Further details
There are at least two ATM machines in Stone Town but we would recommend bringing at least some cash or travellers cheques. (in GB Pounds Sterling or US dollars). There are many places you can change this in to Tanzanian shillings, or often you can pay in US dollars. Please note - we only accept credit card payments online, on Paypal.
Visa arrangements and fees depend on your nationality; seek information from your home country. Please be aware there is an airport tax 'exit fee' which is payable per person in cash (US dollars) on departure. Please ensure you keep this aside for departure day. You will not be allowed to fly if you cannot pay this 'exit fee' in cash.
Seek medical advice from medical professionals with regards to the risk of malaria and other tropical diseases. You are likely to need some vaccinations. Please also ensure you have full travel and health insurance.
Booking notes
To make a booking we require a 10% deposit, payable on Paypal (a secure online payment system). 4 weeks prior to first date of arrival we must have received full payment for accommodation, which includes half board or full board fees.
We are happy to receive instalments over a period of time if this is helpful, but we must have received full payment at least 4 weeks in advance. If, at the the time of booking, your stay will be within 4 weeks, the full amount must be paid immediately.
Guest comments
We have recently taken over Imani Beach villa, in June 2008, so if you find any past reviews please bear that in mind. We are a young, friendly, vivacious English couple who want to offer the highest standards in hospitality and customer service, whilst also making Imani a homely, happy place.
For booking and further information
Kristen Harvey
Mobile: (UK) + 44 (0)7753 762 953
Tel: (Zanzibar) + 255 773 903 983
Email: Click here
Owners Website: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in June 2008,
and has advertised this property with us since June 2008.
Property Ref TZ5
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.