I rarely write entries on Tripadvisor but having stayed at Game Fish Lodge, I felt the need to.

The location is beautiful, quiet and secluded. The rooms are more than adequate and running water (both hot and cold) were not issue whatsoever during our entire stay. I cannot express the kindness, generosity and friendliness of the owners Colin and Lesley. They catered to our every need. The food was spectacular, which consisted of whatever we wanted to eat! This included fresh fish, slow roasted lamb and prawns to name just a few dishes. Breakfast was perfect, and thankfully served at whatever time we asked.The other staff at GFL were extemely helpful and friendly.

Excursions were organised by Colin at the mere hint of wanting to do something. Free transfers were arranged to and from the nearby Kendwa beach. In the evenings we would go and listen to the local live band or drink at the nearby bars.

I have travelled all over the globe, and stayed at establishments for which I payed 5 times what I have done at GFL but didn't receive anywhere near the level of service. I rarely return to the same place twice but I can see just why people do so after staying with Colin and Lesley. They are a warm and welcoming couple who make every conceivable effort to make their guests feel comfortable.

We initially sought out Game Fish Lodge for a fishing trip in Nungwi but after meeting our hosts Colin and Lesley also booked in for a 3 night stay at the lodge itself. The hospitality that we were shown was outstanding. Our hosts not only took us on excellent fishing charters but also made us feel right at home at the lodge providing amazing meals (lots of fresh seafood) and excellent hospitality. A true home away from home. The lodge has sea frontage and provides both an excellent getaway but also convenience to stroll into the village itself. But there is no need to leave Game Fish Lodge once you check in as everything that you require is there if you are a keen fisherman.
If you are a fishing enthusiast Game Fish Lodge is the perfect destination to fish and holiday. Check with the hosts, they offer great accommodation and fishing charter packages. Unbeatable!

I had read the glowing reviews of Game Fish Lodge here on Trip Advisor and was looking forward to a comfortable, quiet, and intimate place that my wife and I would enjoy. We ending up being rather disappointed, however.

Upon arrival at the lodge, the first thing we noticed that the beach in front of the lodge was unswimmable due to the vast amount of seaweed around. The photos we had seen on Facebook as well as here on Trip Advisor were misleading, having shown clear, blue waters. Accordingly, we had to take taxis to nearby Kendwa beach in order to enjoy pristine blue waters which are swimmable at all times. While Kendwa is only 3 kms. away, taxis in Zanzibar really overcharge as compared to other parts of Tanzania. You're lucky if you can get a taxi to bring you from Game Fish Lodge to Kendwa for only TSH 10,000 (around USD 6). Others charge at least TSH 15,000. Colin, the owner of the lodge along with his wife Lesley, does bring guests to nearby beaches for free when he is not otherwise out on game fishing trips.

Other reviews here speak glowingly of Colin and Lesley. While we agree that they are a very nice couple, others may prefer a less intrusive atmosphere where guests enjoy a certain sense of anonymity. Game Fish Lodge is literally a mom-and-pop operation, where Colin does everything from bringing guests to and from the airport and Stone Town, cooking meals, fetching water from town to fill the lodge's water tank, and organizing game fishing tours, and Lesley is the one who prepares breakfast and carries out other chores. As there are only 4 rooms at the lodge, the couple tries to create an atmosphere of one big happy family where everyone has dinner and drinks together. Couples, however, may prefer more privacy and having dinner on their own, where they are not forced to mingle and make small talk with strangers. Moreover, as the couple has only one vehicle, Colin will often carry out errands while taking guests to and from the airport or Stone Town, which the guests paid for ($50 from Stone Town to the lodge; $60 from the airport to the lodge).

Moreover, as the couple does pretty much everything themselves, guests may be placed in a situation where requesting for service is almost like asking a favor, as guests are treated more like guests in a home rather than occupants of a hotel. One becomes almost ashamed to request for service you should be entitled to for what you pay. We observed the other guests were even helping out in the kitchen, when in our opinion, we were paying for the service ($132 per room per night) and therefore expected to be served. The situation would be different if I were staying at a friend's or relative's house for free.

The dinner, while tasty, is overpriced at $15. The photos on Facebook and Trip Advisor of full platters of lobster, crabs, and fish are misleading, as the dinner we had consisting of only fish, vegetable pasta and 2 types of potatoes. While dinner is said to be dependent on the catch of the day, you're far better off eating at some of the restaurants along the Kendwa beachfront (avoid Cello's at all costs; We heartily recommend the White Sands Hotel restaurant). A platter of 3 huge tiger prawns with rice or chips at White Sands cost only around TSH 12,000.

The lodge also ran out of water during our stay, and therefore we had to wait for Colin to fetch water from town before we could take showers. Colin explained that the water supply is incredibly scarce on Zanzibar, so I don't know what the situation is with other hotels on the island. We also didn't have any electricity throughout most of our stay, and the generator was only turned on for a few hours at night. The rooms have no air-conditioning, and at $132 per room per night, you should be able to get an air-conditioned room elsewhere. Zanzibar is hot all-year round, so if you don't have a fan or air-conditioning as you sleep, especially with the mosquito net down around your bed, it can get very uncomfortable.

The breakfast is hearty. There are crepes with fruits and honey, sausage, and eggs. As Colin tells the guests that they can have breakfast at any time, and Lesley cooks each and every breakfast herself, it will take some time before your breakfast is served.

Thus, all in all, I would not recommend this hotel. It is expensive for what you get, especially considering that the beach in front of the lodge is not swimmable (it may be different at other times of the year). I would suggest that you just find a proper hotel or lodge along Kendwa Beach where you can just walk to and from the beachfront, and you have a choice of numerous restaurants and bars.

We were looking for a more quite and private place near Nungwi , where we could visit the more touristic Nungwi, but also easily escape it, and where you do not feel like just another tourist in a hotel. Although, The Game Fish Lodge didn’t has a website and while reading the few comments on Tripadvisor, I got this haunch that this was the place to be. So, I booked 6 nights in July 2010 at the Game Fish Lodge. The owners Colin and Lesley picked us up at the airport to bring us to their lovely, peaceful place. While meeting them and arriving at their breathtaking place, with hammocks from which you can enjoy the sea, I knew my haunch that this was the best place to be on Zanzibar was right. This was the peace we were looking for.
Besides that the surrounding is heavenly, Colin and Lesley are really caring people and make you feel at home right away. They want you to enjoy life at their place and they are capable to give that feeling to you.
Each morning Colin and Lesley prepare you a delicious breakfast. Also the evening dinners are the best dinners you’ve ever had. Colin - who really is a master in cooking - makes whatever you like. Always fresh meat or fresh fish in the most delicious ways. It’s really wine & dine in the greatest ambiance.
The time we spent there was the most wonderful time we’ve had. Their lodge is very private with 4 nice clean rooms each with their own veranda overlooking the beautiful turquoise coloured sea. They bring you to different beaches for free to explore the island. They are great hosts and they really are very special people! You’re not treated like guests, they treat you like friends with their warm hospitality. We feel so lucky that we have found this special place with these special people that we have already booked again for December.
Make sure that when you go to Zanzibar, that you don’t miss this place!!!