Location
Suzani lodge is located in Nungwi but on the west coast side. The main area of Nungwi is 25 minutes walk down the beach or 8 minutes by car. From the airport it is about 1hr 30 min drive or $50 by taxi one way. If your stay is not extended hiring a car is a preferable option since it's $30 a day in mini 4x4 & roads are ok.
Nungwi is the main beach village place on northern tip of Zanzibar, sunrise is on one side (where Savani lodge is) and sunset is where most the hotels are. The location of Sazani has its positives and negative. If you after absolute seclusion and peace the beach is very nice with fewer locals hassling you on the actual beach. The sunrise is beautiful and it is set on a hill facing the Indian Ocean, you will hear the waves breaking even in bed. The sea itself requires shoes due to rocks un-seen due to the cloudier water. I cut myself thinking it would be fine without shoes. Bring sea shoes.
The main area of Nungwi village is where the action and energy is at, bars, restaurants and market shops, this comes with people hassling you slightly but unless your prepared to walk 25 minutes each way to get there, which at times you can't do due to tide quite close to shore, it's better to stay there. The restaurants...Location
Suzani lodge is located in Nungwi but on the west coast side. The main area of Nungwi is 25 minutes walk down the beach or 8 minutes by car. From the airport it is about 1hr 30 min drive or $50 by taxi one way. If your stay is not extended hiring a car is a preferable option since it's $30 a day in mini 4x4 & roads are ok.
Nungwi is the main beach village place on northern tip of Zanzibar, sunrise is on one side (where Savani lodge is) and sunset is where most the hotels are. The location of Sazani has its positives and negative. If you after absolute seclusion and peace the beach is very nice with fewer locals hassling you on the actual beach. The sunrise is beautiful and it is set on a hill facing the Indian Ocean, you will hear the waves breaking even in bed. The sea itself requires shoes due to rocks un-seen due to the cloudier water. I cut myself thinking it would be fine without shoes. Bring sea shoes.
The main area of Nungwi village is where the action and energy is at, bars, restaurants and market shops, this comes with people hassling you slightly but unless your prepared to walk 25 minutes each way to get there, which at times you can't do due to tide quite close to shore, it's better to stay there. The restaurants on the beach are fantastic, the beach there is more clearer, placid with an incredible sunset; a must see. The village is quite interesting to walk around to witness Zanzibar village life.
Sazani on the other hand is a relaxing location but very much confined to the lodge unless you hire a car. There are taxis though but unsure how much they cost. If you purely don't wanna see anyone, chill and read books and eat at the hotel restaurant and bar then Sazani is a good option.
Room
The room at Sazani lodge is very simple since it's an eco-friendly lodge. They don't offer AC in which whilst a sea breeze comes thru the open but netted windows, it does get a bit hot at night. They do offer a fan above but it feels like it's just circulating the warm air. The double bed is of an artistic antique style traditional wooden frame with mosquito nets all over & a small cosy lamp inside.
The remainder of the room consists of a open wooden wardrobe and a wooden box safe with padlock. The curtains blows in the wind and therefore it can be quite open at night privacy wise if you have the light on. But the breeze and sounds of the waves aids in a restful sleep. The bed is a little too firm for my liking but it was adequate.
The bathroom offers a shower and bath combo in some rooms or a simple shower in the other, since I changed rooms. My 2nd room, due to wanting to be closer to reception to get better WIFI has only a shower. It is understandable not up to standard of most places, the water is mainly hot and cold just dribbles in my room. They offer home made soap in which is nice but nothing else so bring shower gel if you prefer that. There was no hooks for the towels in my bathroom in which means you have nowhere to hang your wet towel in the bathroom, though you can do so in room or outside.
The room in general is very local and authentic, the traditional African style huts but has ceilings inside & kind of wooden padlock bolted doors to a degree representing the famous Stone Town doors of Zanzibar . My only main discomfort was that without AC it's pretty hot at night even with sea breeze. But I can imagine you get used to it. Outside of each room are seating to listen to the sea & observe the incredible view. They give you a warm 2 litre bottle of water as an amenity.
Facilities
Wifi is only available if your by reception or room 2. Despite this the speed is still excruciatingly slow so if WIFi is important bear this in mind.
Catering includes a restaurant with set menus. I only had breakfast and you get a fruit plate and egg product with bread slices. There is no juice or water but tea and coffee. The breakfast was edible but not particularly amazing and dinner being $10 set menu vs a standard entree menu with fresh fish BBQ on the beach (in main area) at $6 made me go there. If your a fish lover it's exceptional. The lodge is overcharged and other guests I chatted were unimpressed with food when compared to restaurants in the village. There is a bar with a lovely view on top of a rock cliff, the bar tender Omar made that place with his welcoming friendly attitude and it's quite an ideally relaxing spot. At night it was dead when I was there in January, great for a couple but much better bars with energy in the main village that offer some degree of energy.
The lodge offers a spa, where the lady charges $25 for an hour ranging from local to Swedish massages. It's nice because you get to hear the sea waves during your massage. There is also an old style gym in corner using cement blocks as dumbell and barbells. They also offer some water sports but overall it's almost half the price to book in town if insurance doesn't matter to you.
The highlight though was the hammocks & sleeping beds under a nice shady tree, perfect for listening and watching the amazing Zanzibar sea with a cool breeze for pure relaxation and mediation.
Staff
Staff throughout this lodge are by far the highlight, they make you feel very welcome and at home. From the managers and reception staff to chef, massage lady and their greatest asset; Omar the bar tender. Simply mentioning where is a good spot for sunset he is willing to take you and sincerely looks after you as a guide. It was liking hanging out with a best friends and I was only there under 48 hours. Thanks to him and rest of staff is what gets the higher rating.
Overall though staying at Sazani made me realise I like AC especially when dealing with sunburn from the powerful Sun. Therefore I didn't find the room overly comfortable plus the shower function is poor with things like no hooks added to this. I do realise it's an eco lodge but other than the bed it doesn't seem well maintained. In that regard I think it's slightly over priced for say staying in another secluded part of Zanzibar on the beach like Paje. At the same time Nungwi is a cool place to be with nice energy and stuff going on, it is only slightly cheaper than the main hotels in Nungwi which in my opinion is better place to stay if you like to explore and have some night life, especially if you don't have a car. Yes you can walk but its quite far and the tide can come in. The beaches themselves are both good in both areas but given you don't get a pool, the beach is more swimmable friendly in Nungwi.
However the Sazani offers a memorable setting & ambience with really nice staff.More
Show less