Kizimkazi Dimbani Homestays

We were staying here for our first 5 nights in Zanzibar during our 12-night holiday which was not following a safari, we were exploring the island, staying in different hotels. For anyone reading this review I feel it is as important to provide some trip advice which I have learnt from our trip; the reason being the island of Zanzibar is best described as RAW tourism and there are points that you will need to know before travel and selecting your hotel base. The visa process cannot be processed using the official Tanzanian tourism site and the e mail address is not monitored so at this time do not waste your time on the official site. We selected an established visa online service provider who we found to be excellent, providing the visas within 6 days. A word of caution there is some confusion regarding the ability to obtain your visa on arrival at the airport for $50, on check in with Fly Dubai they requested our visas and confirmed that it was mandatory to have a copy prior to boarding. During the flight visa application forms were distributed but only to selected passengers who were not referrals, my strong advice is to have it before you go. So, Raw tourism, well the island economy is 90% dependent on tourism and the authorities are in my personal view making some very poor decisions which will impact on tourism. As of the 1st of October 2024, you will now be required to purchase mandatory travel health insurance from a single source in Tanzania regardless of whether you have cover or your status at a cost of $44 for each person. Your stay will be taxed each day at $5 each day for each person, so for a 12 night stay you can add on $120 dollars. This meant our stay cost us $246 for visas, $120 tourist tax and you can now add on $88 for travel insurance making an extra charge of $454. We took low denomination US dollars and sufficient to pay expected charges and tips, if you decide to pay by credit card be prepared for 3 – 5% charges applied to every transaction and make sure you check, as on several occasions we were present when clients were hit with a 10% charge, which when challenged was reduced to 5%. When paying with US dollars ensure you request that prior to paying the change is provided in the same currency and not the local currency shillings; The difference is significant in value. The island may well establish itself as a tourist destination of choice for Honeymooners and post safari relaxation, with its current stance it will struggle to attract return visitors. My apologies for my opening which has nothing to do with the hotel, but these are things which travelling from the UK I wish I had known before I travelled. We selected The Residence to be our second hotel following 5 nights in the north. We had been unimpressed with the standard of our first hotel in the north but enjoyed the area and beaches. What a difference this hotel provided, our villa was modern and spacious, we loved the grounds which allowed us to see varied wild

It has been a really nice experience for our family. The food was very good. The pool and the seaside were very nice. The staff were very kind, ready to meet our needs and desires. I would especially like to mention RANSO who was responsible for our family. He was always there with a smile and professionalism.

With a stay at Karamba in Kizimkazi, you'll be on the beach, just a 3-minute walk from Kizimkazi Dimbani Mosque and 5 minutes by foot from Dimbani Beach. This beach hotel is 13.1 mi (21.2 km) from Jambiani Beach and 17.9 mi (28.7 km) from Paje Beach.Enjoy recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and bicycles to rent. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.Enjoy local and international cuisine at MISUNU, a beachfront fine-dining restaurant where you can enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge and dine alfresco. Or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.Make yourself at home in one of the 22 individually decorated guestrooms. Rooms have private furnished lanais. Wired internet access (surcharge) is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

With a stay at Bella Vista Resort Zanzibar in Kizimkazi, you'll be 13.1 mi (21.1 km) from Jambiani Beach and 17.9 mi (28.9 km) from Paje Beach. This hotel is within the region of Kwale Island and Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.Pamper yourself with onsite massages or enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool. Additional amenities at this hotel include wedding services, a television in a common area, and tour/ticket assistance.Enjoy African cuisine at Bella Vista Restaurant, a beachfront restaurant which features a bar/lounge and a pool view. You can also stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Local cuisine breakfasts are available daily for a fee.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.Stay in one of 15 guestrooms featuring LCD televisions. Satellite television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers with rainfall showerheads. Conveniences include desks and electric kettles, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Absolutely loved our stay at Kwanza, my mom and I had the best time. We were greeted by Caroline who always had a smile. Lucky was so jolly and helpful with our bags. Ahamed was always ready to assist with any and everything. The rooms were spacious and clean though there was a day where housekeeping forgot to come and spray the mosquito repellent. We had the best spa day and would highly recommend the full package. The food was exceptional and plentiful, we got the all inclusive package so we had all meals served and would recommend that as the resort is located far from other places. The bar service though needs improving as they were slow because there was only one server per bar but the cocktails were great!! I had forgotten my phone at one of the bathrooms and it was returned to me before I even noticed so the place is very safe.